The regulation of immune tolerance by FOXP3

Conductive polyphenol microneedles coupled with electroacupuncture to accelerate wound healing and alleviate depressive-like behaviors in diabetes

Inflammation and depression are serious complications of diabetes that interact to form a feedback loop and may hinder diabetic wound healing. They share a common pathophysiological basis of abnormal interactions between diabetic wounds and the brain. Here, we propose a strategy combining electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of the Dazhui acupoint (GV14) with polyphenol-mediated conductive hydrogel microneedles to promote diabetic wound healing and alleviate depression through local wound-brain interactions. The conductive microneedles comprised methacrylated gelatin, dopamine (DA), DA-modified poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), and Lycium barbarum polysaccharide. EA at GV14 activated the vagus-adrenal axis to inhibit systemic inflammation while DA coupled electrical signals for long-term inhibition of local wound inflammation. EA at GV14 was also found to elevate 5-hydroxytryptamine levels in rats with diabetic wounds, consequently mitigating depressive-like behaviors. Additionally, the polyphenol-mediated conductive hydrogel microneedles, and coupled with EA stimulation promoted healing of wound tissue and peripheral nerves. This strategy regulated both local and systemic inflammation while alleviating depressive-like behaviors in diabetic rats, providing a new clinical perspective for the treatment of diabetes-related and emotional disorders.

FOXP3 expression in duodenal mucosa: Unique role in pathogenesis and differential diagnosis of celiac disease

Forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) positive regulatory T lymphocytes are indispensable in the inflammatory homeostasis of the gastrointestinal tract and represent a significant subset of regulatory cells in inflammatory, autoimmune, and neoplastic conditions. This study aimed to elucidate the potential of FOXP3 expression in diagnosing and pathogenesis of celiac disease (CD) by comparing duodenal biopsies of CD cases with non-CD ones, some of which had increased intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs). Two hundred sixty-one duodenal tissues of patients who applied to adult gastroenterology were reevaluated for immunohistochemical analysis. After excluding patients on a gluten-free diet (n = 44), the CD (n = 97) and non-CD (n = 120) groups were divided based on clinical complaints that could be associated with CD (intestinal or extraintestinal), serologic and histologic findings. The specific threshold was determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and its relationship with CD diagnosis and clinicopathological data was evaluated. ROC analysis offered a ">14" cut-off value for diagnosing CD, for which AUC (Area Under The Curve): 0.968, p < 0.0001, sensitivity: 92.8, specificity: 91.7, positive and negative predictive values were 90 % and 94 %, respectively. High FOXP3 expression was associated with higher IEL, diagnosis of CD, more severe histologic (higher Marsh score) and endoscopic (scalloping) findings, and higher anti-tissue transglutaminase and anti-endomysium IgA titers (p < 0.001). It also correlates with IEL in CD patients and is unaffected by the increase in IEL and the presence of gastric Helicobacter Pylori in the non-CD group. FOXP3 is a sensitive and specific marker for diagnosing CD despite inflammatory conditions resulting from non-CD causes.

CD4+ T-cell transcription factors predict phenoconversion in idiopathic rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder

Aim: Early biomarkers of phenoconversion to neurodegeneration are crucial to identify individuals at high risk. In patients with idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), the strongest risk factor for neurodegeneration, CD4+ T cells exhibit a peculiar transcription factor pattern.Objective: To assess transcription factor mRNA levels in CD4+ T cells as predictive biomarkers of phenoconversion in iRBD patients.Methods: iRBD patients were followed prospectively. ROC curve analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to assess the discrimination between converters and non-converters.Results: CD4+ T cells from converters had higher STAT1, and lower GATA3 and FOXP3 mRNA levels. Hazard ratio was 58.3 (95% CI: 6.2-547.1) for higher STAT1, 101.2 (95% CI: 16.8-609.4) for lower GATA3 and 15.7 (2.7-91.4) for lower FOXP3.Conclusion: STAT1, GATA3 and FOXP3 mRNA levels in CD4+ T cells are promising predictive biomarkers of phenoconversion in iRBD patients.

Regulatory T cell: A promising therapeutic target in tumor microenvironment

ABSTRACT

Regulatory T cell (Tregs) predominantly maintain the immune balance and prevent autoimmunity via their immunosuppressive functions. However, tumor-infiltrating Tregs (TI-Tregs) may mediate tumor immune tolerance in complex tumor microenvironments, resulting in poor prognosis. Distinguishing specific TI-Treg subpopulations from peripheral Tregs and intratumoral conventional T cells (Tconvs) has recently emerged as an important topic in antitumor therapy. In this review, we summarize novel therapeutic approaches targeting both the metabolic pathways and hallmarks of TI-Tregs in preclinical and clinical studies. Although the phenotypic and functional diversity of TI-Tregs remains unclear, our review provides new insights into TI-Treg-based therapies and facilitates precision medicine for tumor treatment.

Ccl2-Induced Regulatory T Cells Balance Inflammation Through Macrophage Polarization During Liver Reconstitution

Inflammation is highlighted as an initial factor that helps orchestrate liver reconstitution. However, the precise mechanisms controlling inflammation during liver reconstitution have not been fully elucidated. In this study, a clear immune response is demonstrated during hepatic reconstitution. Inhibition of the hepatic inflammatory response retards liver regeneration. During this process, Ccl2 is primarily produced by type 1 innate lymphoid cells (ILC1s), and ILC1-derived Ccl2 recruits peripheral ILC1s and regulatory T cells (Tregs) to the liver. Deletion of Ccl2 or Tregs exacerbates hepatic injury and inflammatory cytokine release, accelerating liver proliferation and regeneration. The adoption of Tregs and IL-10 injection reversed these effects on hepatocyte regenerative proliferation. Additionally, Treg-derived IL-10 can directly induce macrophage polarization from M1 to M2, which alleviated macrophage-secreted IL-6 and TNF-α and balanced the intrahepatic inflammatory milieu during liver reconstitution. This study reveals the capacity of Tregs to modulate the intrahepatic inflammatory milieu and liver reconstitution through IL-10-mediated macrophage polarization, providing a potential opportunity to improve hepatic inflammation and maintain homeostasis.

A Comprehensive Review on Dietary Polysaccharides as Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Postbiotics in Infant Formula and Their Influences on Gut Microbiota

Human milk contains an abundance of nutrients which benefit the development and growth of infants. However, infant formula has to be used when breastfeeding is not possible. The large differences between human milk and infant formula in prebiotics lead to the suboptimal intestinal health of infant formula-fed infants. This functional deficit of infant formula may be overcome through other dietary polysaccharides that have been characterized. The aim of this review was to summarize the potential applications of dietary polysaccharides as prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics in infant formula to better mimic the functionality of human milk prebiotics for infant gut health. Previous studies have demonstrated the influences of dietary polysaccharides on gut microbiota, SCFA production, and immune system development. Compared to prebiotics, synbiotics and postbiotics showed better application potential in shaping the gut microbiota, the prevention of pathogen infections, and the development of the immune system. Moreover, the safety issues for biotics still require more clinical trials with a large-scale population and long time duration, and the generally accepted regulations are important to regulate related products. Pectin polysaccharides has similar impacts to human milk oligosaccharides on gut microbiota and the repairing of a damaged gut barrier, with similar functions also being observed for inulin and β-glucan. Prebiotics as an encapsulation material combined with probiotics and postbiotics showed better potential applications compared to traditional material in infant formula.

Effects of Bryophyllum pinnatum on Dysfunctional Autophagy in Rats Lungs Exposed to Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

Lung inflammation as a result of exposure to toxicants is a major pathological problem. Autophagy (AP) is a process of cell self-digestion and can be disrupted by environmental toxicants, leading to oxidative stress, inflammation and cellular damage. Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Oken has been used in folklore medicine to manage pathological abnormalities, including inflammation, but mechanisms remain unclear. This work investigated the effects of Bryophyllum pinnatum ethanol leaf extract (BP) on dysfunctional AP in the lungs of Wistar rats exposed to zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZONPs). The experimental rats were orally administered ZONPs for seven days (10 mg/kg). Some exposed rats were post-treated with BP (62.5 and 125 mg/kg) through oral gavage. Oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic and autophagic parameters were assessed using biochemical assay and gene expression methods. Several indices of pulmonary damage were also evaluated. PCR analysis suggested that ZONP downregulated the expression of pro-autophagy-related genes (Beclin 2, ATG5, DAPK, and FOXP3) and upregulated the expression of the TNF-alpha, NF-Kb, LC3 and Bcl2 genes. In contrast, BP significantly (p < 0.0001) reversed ZONP-induced pulmonary toxicity and oxidative stress. It reduced MDA levels and increased SOD, CAT, GSH and GPxD activities. BP significantly (p < 0.0001) downregulated the expressions of proinflammatory genes (IL-6 and JNK) and upregulated the expressions of IL-10, CAT and SOD genes in ZONP-exposed rats. BP restored the lung's histoarchitectural structure after ZNOP-induced distortion. The results suggested that BP has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and could effectively restore ZNOP-induced dysfunctional AP in the lungs of Wistar rats.

Biochemical investigation of FOXP3 genetic polymorphism and its association with biochemical parameters in pre-eclampsia patients

This study addresses the pivotal question of the association between FOXP3 gene polymorphism and pre-eclampsia (PE), employing the Tetra ARMS PCR method for analysis. PE, a multifaceted disorder marked by hypertension and organ dysfunction during pregnancy, led to an exploration of FOXP3 due to its integral role in immune regulation and its implication in various autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. The primary objective was to discern the relationship between FOXP3 gene polymorphism (rs2232365) and the risk of PE. Recruiting 200 PE patients and 100 healthy pregnant women as controls, genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples, and FOXP3 promoter region polymorphism was meticulously examined using the Tetra ARMS PCR method. The results revealed significant differences in FOXP3 gene polymorphism between PE patients and healthy controls. Specifically, certain alleles and genotypes were more frequent in PE patients, suggesting a potential genetic predisposition to this disorder. Our findings showed that rs2232365 A/G variant was found to be associated with PE under the overdominance model [OR=1.89, CI 95%= 0.99-3.60, P<0.05]. The heterozygous genotype (A/G) of FOXP3 (rs2232365) was associated with increasing the level of clinical and biochemical markers in mild and severe PE patients when compared to controls. Thus, the FOXP3 (rs2232365) A/G variant can be considered a substantial risk factor for PE.

Decoding the role of FOXP3 in esophageal cancer: Underlying mechanisms and therapeutic implications

Esophageal cancer is a significant contributor to cancer-related mortality, and its poor prognosis is primarily attributed to the aggressive nature of the tumor and challenges in early detection. Currently, there are no ideal drugs developed for treatment, making it crucial to explore potential biomarkers and molecular targets for esophageal cancer. FOXP3, as a transcription factor and major regulator of regulatory T cells, not only plays a role in promoting or inhibiting tumor development in various types of cancer cells including esophageal cancer cells but also influences the function of Treg cells by regulating the expression of multiple genes. This paper provides an in-depth discussion on the functional properties, regulatory mechanisms, key signaling pathways, as well as the role and potential application of FOXP3 in treating esophageal cancer. Furthermore, it comprehensively analyzes the complex role of this transcription factor within the tumor immune microenvironment with an aim to aid in developing new potential targets for esophageal cancer treatment.

IFI27 enhances bladder cancer immunotherapy response by modulating regulatory T cell enrichment

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the 10th most prevalent cancer globally. Neoadjuvant therapy has become the standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer, yet the pathologic complete response rate for patients is only approximately 35%. However, the mechanisms underlying neoadjuvant therapy resistance in bladder cancer patients remain unclear. We collected two sets of paired bladder cancer specimens before and after neoadjuvant therapy, and performed RNA sequencing. The findings revealed a significant decrease in IFI27 expression levels in the post-neoadjuvant therapy group compared to samples collected before treatment, suggesting that IFI27 may play a role in resistance to neoadjuvant combination therapy. IFI27, a member of the interferon-alpha (IFN-α) inducible gene family, influences the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Further analysis demonstrated that IFI27 is predominantly expressed in the cytoplasm of bladder cancer cells and exhibited low expression levels in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines. Subsequently, we investigated the inhibitory effects of IFI27 on bladder cancer proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and lymph node metastasis. Additionally, in a mouse model, PD-1Ab immunotherapy was found to upregulate IFI27 while downregulating the protein level of FOXP3, a key transcription factor for regulatory T cells. Flow cytometric analysis further demonstrated that IFI27 inhibits bladder cancer progression by suppressing regulatory T cell infiltration and enhancing anti-tumor immune responses. In conclusion, these findings establish IFI27 as a promising molecular marker for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy in bladder cancer and offer valuable insights into strategies for enhancing immunotherapy sensitivity.

Decoding mutational hotspots in human disease through the gene modules governing thymic regulatory T cells

Computational strategies to extract meaningful biological information from multiomics data are in great demand for effective clinical use, particularly in complex immune-mediated disorders. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for immune homeostasis and self-tolerance, controlling inflammatory and autoimmune processes in many diseases with a multigenic basis. Here, we quantify the Transcription Factor (TF) differential occupancy landscape to uncover the Gene Regulatory Modules governing lineage-committed Tregs in the human thymus, and show that it can be used as a tool to prioritise variants in complex diseases. We combined RNA-seq and ATAC-seq and generated a matrix of differential TF binding to genes differentially expressed in Tregs, in contrast to their counterpart conventional CD4 single-positive thymocytes. The gene loci of both established and novel genetic interactions uncovered by the Gene Regulatory Modules were significantly enriched in rare variants carried by patients with common variable immunodeficiency, here used as a model of polygenic-based disease with severe inflammatory and autoimmune manifestations. The Gene Regulatory Modules controlling the Treg signature can, therefore, be a valuable resource for variant classification, and to uncover new therapeutic targets. Overall, our strategy can also be applied in other biological processes of interest to decipher mutational hotspots in individual genomes.

Characterization of the Breast Cancer Liver Metastasis Microenvironment via Machine Learning Analysis of the Primary Tumor Microenvironment

Breast cancer liver metastases (BCLM) are hypovascular lesions that resist intravenously administered therapies and have grim prognosis. Immunotherapeutic strategies targeting BCLM critically depend on the tumor microenvironment (TME), including tumor-associated macrophages. However, a priori characterization of the BCLM TME to optimize therapy is challenging because BCLM tissue is rarely collected. In contrast to primary breast tumors for which tissue is usually obtained and histologic analysis performed, biopsies or resections of BCLM are generally discouraged due to potential complications. This study tested the novel hypothesis that BCLM TME characteristics could be inferred from the primary tumor tissue. Matched primary and metastatic human breast cancer samples were analyzed by imaging mass cytometry, identifying 20 shared marker clusters denoting macrophages (CD68, CD163, and CD206), monocytes (CD14), immune response (CD56, CD4, and CD8a), programmed cell death protein 1, PD-L1, tumor tissue (Ki-67 and phosphorylated ERK), cell adhesion (E-cadherin), hypoxia (hypoxia-inducible factor-1α), vascularity (CD31), and extracellular matrix (alpha smooth muscle actin, collagen, and matrix metalloproteinase 9). A machine learning workflow was implemented and trained on primary tumor clusters to classify each metastatic cluster density as being either above or below median values. The proposed approach achieved robust classification of BCLM marker data from matched primary tumor samples (AUROC ≥ 0.75, 95% confidence interval ≥ 0.7, on the validation subsets). Top clusters for prediction included CD68+, E-cad+, CD8a+PD1+, CD206+, and CD163+MMP9+. We conclude that the proposed workflow using primary breast tumor marker data offers the potential to predict BCLM TME characteristics, with the longer term goal to inform personalized immunotherapeutic strategies targeting BCLM.

SIGNIFICANCE

BCLM tissue characterization to optimize immunotherapy is difficult because biopsies or resections are rarely performed. This study shows that a machine learning approach offers the potential to infer BCLM characteristics from the primary tumor tissue.

Improving regulatory T cell-based therapy: insights into post-translational modification regulation

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are pivotal for maintaining immune homeostasis and play essential roles in various diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), tumors, and infectious diseases. Treg cells exert suppressive function via distinct mechanisms, including inhibitory cytokines, granzyme or perforin-mediated cytolysis, metabolic disruption, and suppression of dendritic cells. Forkhead Box P3 (FOXP3), the characteristic transcription factor, is essential for Treg cell function and plasticity. Cumulative evidence has demonstrated that FOXP3 activity and Treg cell function are modulated by a variety of post-translational modifications (PTMs), including ubiquitination, acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation, glycosylation, poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation, and uncharacterized modifications. This review describes Treg cell suppressive mechanisms and summarizes the current evidence on PTM regulation of FOXP3 and Treg cell function. Understanding the regulatory role of PTMs in Treg cell plasticity and function will be helpful in designing therapeutic strategies for autoimmune diseases, GVHD, tumors, and infectious diseases.

Lactate supports Treg function and immune balance via MGAT1 effects on N-glycosylation in the mitochondria

Current research reports that lactate affects Treg metabolism, although the precise mechanism has only been partially elucidated. In this study, we presented evidence demonstrating that elevated lactate levels enhanced cell proliferation, suppressive capabilities, and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in human Tregs. The expression levels of Monocarboxylate Transporters 1/2/4 (MCT1/2/4) regulate intracellular lactate concentration, thereby influencing the varying responses observed in naive Tregs and memory Tregs. Through mitochondrial isolation, sequencing, and analysis of human Tregs, we determined that α-1,3-Mannosyl-Glycoprotein 2-β-N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase (MGAT1) served as the pivotal driver initiating downstream N-glycosylation events involving progranulin (GRN) and hypoxia-upregulated 1 (HYOU1), consequently enhancing Treg OXPHOS. The mechanism by which MGAT1 was upregulated in mitochondria depended on elevated intracellular lactate that promoted the activation of XBP1s. This, in turn, supported MGAT1 transcription as well as the interaction of lactate with the translocase of the mitochondrial outer membrane 70 (TOM70) import receptor, facilitating MGAT1 translocation into mitochondria. Pretreatment of Tregs with lactate reduced mortality in a xenogeneic graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) model. Together, these findings underscored the active regulatory role of lactate in human Treg metabolism through the upregulation of MGAT1 transcription and its facilitated translocation into the mitochondria.

CD8 T cells promote heart failure progression in mice with preexisting left ventricular dysfunction

Introduction

Even under the standard medical care, patients with left ventricular (LV) failure or heart failure (HF) often progress to pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy. We previously showed that inflammation and regulatory T cells (Tregs) modulate HF progression in mice with preexisting LV failure. The main objective of this study is to determine the role of CD8+ T cells in modulating LV failure and the consequent pulmonary inflammation and RV hypertrophy in mice with preexisting LV failure.

Methods

Mice with LV failure produced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) were randomized to depletion of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, Tregs, or both using specific blocking antibodies. Cardiac function, lung inflammation, fibrosis, vascular remodeling, and right ventricular remodeling were determined.

Results

LV failure caused pulmonary inflammation, fibrosis, vascular remodeling, and RV hypertrophy. Depletion of CD8+ T cells significantly attenuated above changes in mice with preexisting LV failure. LV failure was associated with increased CD4+ and CD8+ T cell activation, and increased ratios of activated T cells to Tregs. Treg depletion exacerbated lung inflammation and HF progression, as well as lung CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration and activation in HF mice. However, CD8+ T cells depletion rescue these mice from exacerbated lung inflammation and RV hypertrophy after Treg depletion.

Discussion

Our findings demonstrate an important role of CD8+ T cells in promoting pulmonary inflammation and RV hypertrophy in mice with preexisting LV failure. Depletion of CD8+ T cells also rescued HF mice from the exacerbated HF progression by Treg depletion.

Regulatory T Cells Nanoextinguisher to Manipulate Multiple Immune Evasion for Immunotherapy

Regulatory T cells (Treg) play key roles in inhibiting effective antitumor immunity. However, therapeutic Treg depletion fails to consistently enhance immune responses due to the emergence of a wave of peripherally converted Treg cells postdepletion, along with undesired off-target side effects. Here, we report a nanoextinguisher decorated with functional peptides via tumor microenvironment responsive linkers to selectively block Treg function and maintain Treg levels rather than deplete them. The nanoextinguisher specifically neutralizes TGF-β to inhibit the recruitment of Treg cells and the conversion of naive T cells into Treg cells, thus promoting antitumor immunity. Moreover, the nanoextinguisher can alleviate tumor resistance to immunogenic photodynamic therapy, vaccination therapy, and checkpoint inhibition. The nanoextinguisher showed 30-fold potentiation in antitumor effect compared to standalone photodynamic therapy or vaccination therapy. Overall, utilizing a nanoextinguisher to inhibit Treg function without triggering reconversion represents a generalizable method to reverse immune evasion, yielding antitumor efficacy.

The impact of histone lactylation on the tumor microenvironment and metabolic pathways and its potential in cancer therapy

BACKGROUND

The complexity of cancer is intricately linked to its multifaceted biological processes, including the roles of the tumor microenvironment (TME) as well as genetic and metabolic regulation. Histone lactylation has recently emerged as a novel epigenetic modification mechanism that plays a pivotal role in regulating cancer initiation, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to elucidate the role of histone lactylation in modulating various aspects of tumor biology, including DNA repair mechanisms, glycolytic metabolic abnormalities, functions of non-tumor cells in the TME, and the promotion of tumor inflammatory responses and immune escape. Additionally, the review explores potential therapeutic strategies targeting histone lactylation.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature review was performed, analyzing recent findings on histone lactylation and its impact on cancer biology. This involved a systematic examination of studies focusing on biochemical pathways, cellular interactions, and clinical implications related to histone lactylation.

RESULTS

Histone lactylation was identified as a critical regulator of tumor cell DNA repair mechanisms and glycolytic metabolic abnormalities. It also significantly influences the functions of non-tumor cells within the TME, promoting tumor inflammatory responses and immune escape. Moreover, histone lactylation acts as a multifunctional biological signaling molecule impacting immune responses within the TME. Various cell types within the TME, including T cells and macrophages, were found to regulate tumor growth and immune escape mechanisms through lactylation.

CONCLUSION

Histone lactylation offers a novel perspective on tumor metabolism and its role in cancer development. It presents promising opportunities for the development of innovative cancer therapies. This review underscores the potential of histone lactylation as a therapeutic target, paving the way for new strategies in cancer treatment.

Recombinant humanized type I collagen remodels decidual immune microenvironment at maternal-fetal interface by modulating Th17/Treg imbalance

Disruption of the extracellular matrix and dysregulation of the balance between Th17 and regulatory T cells are recognized as risk factors for recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). However, the interaction between matrix components and the Th17/Treg axis remains poorly elucidated. The result of this study revealed that the absence of type I collagen in the decidua is linked to Th17/Treg imbalance in RSA. Furthermore, we discovered that biomaterial recombinant humanized type I collagen (rhCOLI) promoted T cell differentiation into Tregs by inhibition the Notch1/Hes1 signaling pathway and enhanced the immunosuppressive function of Tregs, as indicated by increased secretion level of IL-10 and TGF-β. Importantly, this study is the first to demonstrate that rhCOLI can modulate the Th17/Treg imbalance, reduce embryo resorption rates, reshape the immune microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface, and improve fertility in an RSA mouse model. Collectively, these findings suggest that type I collagen deficiency may contribute to, rather than result from, RSA, and propose a potential intervention for RSA using rhCOLI.

Update on Hepatitis C Vaccine: Results and Challenges

Therapy against the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has significantly improved with the introduction of direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs), achieving over 95% sustained virological response (SVR). Despite this, the development of an effective anti-HCV vaccine remains a critical challenge due to the low number of patients treated with DAAs and the occurrence of HCV reinfections in high-risk groups. Current vaccine strategies aim to stimulate either B-cell or T-cell responses. Vaccines based on E1 and E2 proteins can elicit broad cross-neutralizing antibodies against all major HCV genotypes, though with varying efficiencies and without full protection against infection. In humans, the neutralizing antibodies induced by such vaccines mainly target the AR3 region, but their levels are generally insufficient for broad neutralization. Various HCV proteins expressed through different viral vectors have been utilized to elicit T cell immune responses, showing sustained expansion of HCV-specific effector memory T cells and improved proliferation and polyfunctionality of memory T cells over time. However, despite these advancements, the frequency and effectiveness of T-cell responses remain limited.

Future Treatment Strategies for Cancer Patients Combining Targeted Alpha Therapy with Pillars of Cancer Treatment: External Beam Radiation Therapy, Checkpoint Inhibition Immunotherapy, Cytostatic Chemotherapy, and Brachytherapy

Cancer is one of the most complex and challenging human diseases, with rising incidences and cancer-related deaths despite improved diagnosis and personalized treatment options. Targeted alpha therapy (TαT) offers an exciting strategy emerging for cancer treatment which has proven effective even in patients with advanced metastatic disease that has become resistant to other treatments. Yet, in many cases, more sophisticated strategies are needed to stall disease progression and overcome resistance to TαT. The combination of two or more therapies which have historically been used as stand-alone treatments is an approach that has been pursued in recent years. This review aims to provide an overview on TαT and the four main pillars of therapeutic strategies in cancer management, namely external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), cytostatic chemotherapy (CCT), and brachytherapy (BT), and to discuss their potential use in combination with TαT. A brief description of each therapy is followed by a review of known biological aspects and state-of-the-art treatment practices. The emphasis, however, is given to the motivation for combination with TαT as well as the pre-clinical and clinical studies conducted to date.

Evaluating the Cellular Roles of the Lysine Acetyltransferase Tip60 in Cancer: A Multi-Action Molecular Target for Precision Oncology

Precision (individualized) medicine relies on the molecular profiling of tumors' dysregulated characteristics (genomic, epigenetic, transcriptomic) to identify the reliance on key pathways (including genome stability and epigenetic gene regulation) for viability or growth, and then utilises targeted therapeutics to disrupt these survival-dependent pathways. Non-mutational epigenetic changes alter cells' transcriptional profile and are a key feature found in many tumors. In contrast to genetic mutations, epigenetic changes are reversable, and restoring a normal epigenetic profile can inhibit tumor growth and progression. Lysine acetyltransferases (KATs or HATs) protect genome stability and integrity, and Tip60 is an essential acetyltransferase due to its roles as an epigenetic and transcriptional regulator, and as master regulator of the DNA double-strand break response. Tip60 is commonly downregulated and mislocalized in many cancers, and the roles that mislocalized Tip60 plays in cancer are not well understood. Here we categorize and discuss Tip60-regulated genes, evaluate Tip60-interacting proteins based on cellular localization, and explore the therapeutic potential of Tip60-targeting compounds as epigenetic inhibitors. Understanding the multiple roles Tip60 plays in tumorigenesis will improve our understanding of tumor progression and will inform therapeutic options, including informing potential combinatorial regimes with current chemotherapeutics, leading to improvements in patient outcomes.

Understanding lactate in the development of Hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a hepatotropic virus that can establish a persistent and chronic infection in humans. Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is associated with an increased risk of hepatic decompensation, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Lactate level, as the end product of glycolysis, plays a substantial role in metabolism beyond energy production. Emerging studies indicate that lactate is linked to patient mortality rates, and HBV increases overall glucose consumption and lactate production in hepatocytes. Excessive lactate plays a role in regulating the tumor microenvironment (TME), immune cell function, autophagy, and epigenetic reprogramming. The purpose of this review is to gather and summarize the existing knowledge of the lactate's functions in the dysregulation of the immune system, which can play a crucial role in the development of HBV-related HCC. Therefore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that lactate with intriguing functions can be considered an immunomodulatory metabolite in immunotherapy.

The regulation and differentiation of regulatory T cells and their dysfunction in autoimmune diseases

The discovery of FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells as a distinct cell lineage with a central role in regulating immune responses provided a deeper understanding of self-tolerance. The transcription factor FOXP3 serves a key role in Treg cell lineage determination and maintenance, but is not sufficient to enable the full potential of Treg cell suppression, indicating that other factors orchestrate the fine-tuning of Treg cell function. Moreover, FOXP3-independent mechanisms have recently been shown to contribute to Treg cell dysfunction. FOXP3 mutations in humans cause lethal fulminant systemic autoinflammation (IPEX syndrome). However, it remains unclear to what degree Treg cell dysfunction is contributing to the pathophysiology of common autoimmune diseases. In this Review, we discuss the origins of Treg cells in the periphery and the multilayered mechanisms by which Treg cells are induced, as well as the FOXP3-dependent and FOXP3-independent cellular programmes that maintain the suppressive function of Treg cells in humans and mice. Further, we examine evidence for Treg cell dysfunction in the context of common autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Biomaterial-enhanced treg cell immunotherapy: A promising approach for transplant medicine and autoimmune disease treatment

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial for preserving tolerance in the body, rendering Treg immunotherapy a promising treatment option for both organ transplants and autoimmune diseases. Presently, organ transplant recipients must undergo lifelong immunosuppression to prevent allograft rejection, while autoimmune disorders lack definitive cures. In the last years, there has been notable advancement in comprehending the biology of both antigen-specific and polyclonal Tregs. Clinical trials involving Tregs have demonstrated their safety and effectiveness. To maximize the efficacy of Treg immunotherapy, it is essential for these cells to migrate to specific target tissues, maintain stability within local organs, bolster their suppressive capabilities, and ensure their intended function's longevity. In pursuit of these goals, the utilization of biomaterials emerges as an attractive supportive strategy for Treg immunotherapy in addressing these challenges. As a result, the prospect of employing biomaterial-enhanced Treg immunotherapy holds tremendous promise as a treatment option for organ transplant recipients and individuals grappling with autoimmune diseases in the near future. This paper introduces strategies based on biomaterial-assisted Treg immunotherapy to enhance transplant medicine and autoimmune treatments.

Intestinal MAdCAM-1 imaging as biomarker for prognostic in murine models of multiple sclerosis

INTRODUCTION

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system. Recent evidence suggests that lymphocyte trafficking in the intestines could play a key role in its etiology. Nevertheless, it is not clear how intestinal tissue is involved in the disease onset nor its evolution. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate intestinal inflammation dynamic throughout the disease course and its potential impact on disease progression.

METHODS

We used tissue immunophenotyping (immunohistofluorescence and flow cytometry) and a recently described molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method targeting mucosal addressin cell adhesion molecule-1 (MAdCAM-1) to assess intestinal inflammation in vivo in two distinct animal models of MS (Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis - EAE) at several time points of disease progression.

RESULTS

We report a positive correlation between disease severity and MAdCAM-1 MRI signal in two EAE models. Moreover, high MAdCAM-1 MRI signal during the asymptomatic phase is associated with a delayed disease onset in progressive EAE and to a lower risk of conversion to a secondary-progressive form in relapsing-remitting EAE. During disease evolution, in line with a bi-directional immune communication between the gut and the central nervous system, we observed a decrease in T-CD4+ and B lymphocytes in the ileum concomitantly with their increase in the spinal cord.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, these data unveil a crosstalk between intestinal and central inflammation in EAE and support the use of molecular MRI of intestinal MAdCAM-1 as a new biomarker for prognostic in MS patients.

Inhibition of Lck/Fyn kinase activity promotes the differentiation of induced Treg cells through AKT/mTOR pathway

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are indispensable in maintaining the immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmune diseases. Regulatory T (Treg) cells include thymus derived Treg cells (tTregs) and peripherally induced Treg cells (iTreg), which are differentiated from antigen stimulated CD4+ naïve T cells in presence of TGFβ. tTregs are quite stable, and more immune suppressive, while iTreg cells are less stable, and are prone to differentiate into inflammatory T cells. Therefore, identification of small molecules that could promote the differentiation of iTreg cells is an attractive strategy for autoimmune diseases. Inhibition of AKT/mTOR pathway promotes their differentiation. Whether inhibition of Lck/Fyn kinase activity (upstream of AKT/mTOR pathway) can be used to promote the differentiation of iTreg cells has not been determined. Here, we showed that Srci1, a small molecular inhibitor of Lck/Fyn, promoted the differentiation of FOXP3+ iTreg cells. Srci1 treatment resulted in inhibition of phosphorylation of key components of AKT/mTOR pathway, including mTOR, p70 S6K, 4EBP1, and promoted the expression of Foxp3 and its target genes, thereby promoted differentiation of in vitro iTreg cells. Srci1 treated iTreg cells showed more similar gene expression profile to that of tTreg cells. Our results thus suggest that inhibition of Lck/Fyn kinase activity can promote the differentiation of iTreg cells, and may have implication in autoimmune diseases.

Advances in Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Foxp3+ Treg) and key factors in digestive malignancies

Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Foxp3+ Treg) play a role in regulating various types of tumors, but uncertainty still exists regarding the exact mechanism underlying Foxp3+ Treg activation in gastrointestinal malignancies. As of now, research has shown that Foxp3+ Treg expression, altered glucose metabolism, or a hypoxic tumor microenvironment all affect Foxp3+ Treg function in the bodies of tumor patients. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that post-translational modifications are essential for mature Foxp3 to function properly. Additionally, a considerable number of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been implicated in the activation of the Foxp3 signaling pathway. These mechanisms regulating Foxp3 may one day serve as potential therapeutic targets for gastrointestinal malignancies. This review primarily focuses on the properties and capabilities of Foxp3 and Foxp3+Treg. It emphasizes the advancement of research on the regulatory mechanisms of Foxp3 in different malignant tumors of the digestive system, providing new insights for the exploration of anticancer treatments.

The Expression of Forkhead Box P3 T Regulatory Lymphocytes as a Prognostic Factor in Malignant Melanomas

Since transcription factor Forkhead Box P3 (FoxP3) was identified as a specific regulatory T cell (Treg) marker, researchers have scrutinized its value as a potential novel therapeutic target or a prognostic factor in various types of cancer with inconsistent results. The present analysis was performed to assess the influence of Treg FoxP3 expression on the prognosis of primary melanoma and to evaluate the correlations with various clinicopathological prognostic factors. We analyzed all eligible patients with stage pT3 primary malignant melanomas treated in a tertiary cancer center. Immunohistochemical staining for Treg FoxP3 expression was performed on retrospectively identified paraffin blocks and subsequently correlated with the outcomes of the patients. A total of 81% of the patients presented a positive Treg FoxP3 expression, being correlated with a higher risk of lymph node metastasis, tumor relapse, and death. Moreover, positive expression was statistically associated with a shorter OS. The tumor relapse rate was estimated at 36.7%. A positive expression of Treg FoxP3 and lymph node metastasis were associated with a higher risk of death based on multivariate analysis. Treg FoxP3 expression may be used as an independent prognostic factor in patients with malignant melanoma to evaluate tumor progression and survival.

The Role of TLR7 and TLR9 in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis

The bleomycin-induced scleroderma model is a well-established and dependable method for creating a mouse model of SSc (systemic sclerosis). In the field of skin connective tissue diseases, increasing evidence from clinical and animal experiments suggests that TLRs (Toll-like receptors) play an important role in several diseases. This study aimed to determine the role of TLR7 (Toll-like receptor 7) and TLR9 (Toll-like receptor 9) in the mechanisms of immune abnormalities and fibrosis in SSc. This study used TLR7-KO mice (TLR7-knockout mice with a balb/c background) and TLR9-KO mice (TLR9-knockout mice with a balb/c background) as well as WT mice (wild-type balb/c mice). All three kinds of mice were induced by BLM (bleomycin) in a scleroderma model as the experimental group; meanwhile, WT mice treated with PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) were used as the control group. We analyzed the fibrotic phenotype and the immunological abnormality phenotype of TLR7-deficient and TLR9-deficient mice in the SSc disease model using flow cytometry, RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction), a histological examination, and IHC (immunohistochemical staining). In a mouse model of SSc disease, the deletion of TLR7 attenuated skin and lung fibrosis, while the deletion of TLR9 exacerbated skin and lung fibrosis. The deletion of TLR7 resulted in a relative decrease in the infiltration and expression of various pro-inflammatory and fibrotic cells and cytokines in the skin. On the other hand, the deletion of TLR9 resulted in a relative increase in the infiltration and expression of various pro-inflammatory and cytokine-inhibiting cells and cytokines in the skin. Under the influence of pDCs (plasmacytoid dendritic cells), the balances of Beff/Breg (IL-6 + CD19 + B cell/IL-10 + CD19 + B cell), Th17/Treg (IL-17A + CD4 + T cell/Foxp3 + CD25 + CD4 + T cell), M1/M2 (CD86 + macrophage/CD206 + macrophage), and Th1/Th2 (TNFα + CD3 + CD4 + T cell/IL-4 + CD3 + CD4 + T cell) were biased towards the suppression of inflammation and fibrosis as a result of the TLR7 deletion. Comparatively, the balance was biased towards promoting inflammation and fibrosis due to the TLR9 deletion. In the SSc model, TLR7 promoted inflammation and fibrosis progression, while TLR9 played a protective role. These results suggest that TLR7 and TLR9 play opposite roles in triggering SSc to produce immune system abnormalities and skin fibrosis.

FOXP3 splice variant expression in males and females in healthy populations and in kidney transplant recipients

The forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) transcript is essential for tolerance of alloantigens. Here, we describe the expression of FOXP3 mRNA variants in healthy females and males, and in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). We measured FOXP3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy kidney donors (N = 101), and in blood from KTRs (N = 248) before and after transplantation. FOXP3 was measured with quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and differentiated between pre-mature mRNA FOXP3, Total mature FOXP3, FOXP3 in which exon two is spliced, and full length FOXP3. We found similar levels of FOXP3 in healthy female and male kidney donors. We confirmed this result in a publicly available cohort (N = 33) of healthy individuals (GSE97475). Homogenously, female and male KTR FOXP3 levels were similar pre-transplantation, one day post-transplantation and 29 days post-transplantation. This may suggest that kidney transplantation and related immunosuppressive treatments do not influence FOXP3 expression differently in females and males. Finally, fold difference analysis revealed that KTRs express lower levels of mature FOXP3 and higher levels of pre-mature FOXP3 mRNA pre-transplant compared to healthy individuals. This finding may suggest higher pre-mRNA synthesis, lower pre-mRNA degradation, lower spliceosome efficiency or higher degradation of mature FOXP3 mRNA in kidney transplant candidates.

The Antipsychotic Drug Penfluridol Inhibits N-Linked Glycoprotein Processing and Enhances T-cell-Mediated Tumor Immunity

Aberrant N-linked glycosylation is a prominent feature of cancers. Perturbance of oligosaccharide structure on cell surfaces directly affects key processes in tumor development and progression. In spite of the critical role played by N-linked glycans in tumor biology, the discovery of small molecules that specifically disturbs the N-linked glycans is still under investigation. To identify more saccharide-structure-perturbing compounds, a repurposed drug screen by using a library consisting of 1530 FDA-approved drugs was performed. Interestingly, an antipsychotic drug, penfluridol, was identified as being able to decrease cell surface wheat germ agglutinin staining. In the presence of penfluridol, cell membrane glycoproteins programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) shifted to a lower molecular weight. Further studies demonstrated that penfluridol treatment caused an accumulation of high-mannose oligosaccharides, especially Man5-7GlcNAc2 glycan structures. Mechanistically, this effect is due to direct targeting of MAN1A1 mannosidase, a Golgi enzyme involved in N-glycan maturation. Moreover, we found that altered glycosylation of PD-L1 caused by penfluridol disrupted interactions between programmed cell death protein 1 and PD-L1, resulting in activation of T-cell tumor immunity. In a mouse xenograft and glioma model, penfluridol enhanced the antitumor effect of the anti-PD-L1 antibody in vivo. Overall, these findings revealed an important biological activity of the antipsychotic drug penfluridol as an inhibitor of glycan processing and proposed a repurposed use of penfluridol in antitumor therapy through activation of T-cell immunity.

Bulk and single cells transcriptomes with experimental validation identify USP18 as a novel glioma prognosis and proliferation indicator

The mechanism by which ubiquitin-specific protease 18 (USP18) (enzyme commission: 3.4.19.12) inhibition in cancer promotes cell pyroptosis via the induction of interferon (IFN)-stimulated genes has been recently demonstrated. It is also known that USP18 influences the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of glioma cells. In the present study, the upregulation of USP18 in glioma was revealed through bulk transcriptome analysis, which was associated with poor prognosis in patients with glioma. Furthermore, USP18 levels affected the response to immunotherapy in patients with glioma. Single-cell transcriptome and enrichment analyses demonstrated that USP18 was associated with type 1 IFN responses in glioma T cells. To demonstrate the effect of USP18 expression levels on glioma cells, USP18 expression was knocked down in U251 and U87MG ATCC cell lines. A subsequent Cell Counting Kit-8 assay revealed that glioma cell viability was significantly decreased 4 days after USP18 knockdown. In addition, the knockdown of USP18 expression significantly inhibited the clonogenicity of U251 and U87MG ATCC cells. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that knockdown of USP18 expression inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells, which may be mediated by the effect of USP18 on the IFN-I response.

Lipid metabolism in tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cells: perspective to precision immunotherapy

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential to the negative regulation of the immune system, as they avoid excessive inflammation and mediate tumor development. The abundance of Tregs in tumor tissues suggests that Tregs may be eliminated or functionally inhibited to stimulate antitumor immunity. However, immunotherapy targeting Tregs has been severely hampered by autoimmune diseases due to the systemic elimination of Tregs. Recently, emerging studies have shown that metabolic regulation can specifically target tumor-infiltrating immune cells, and lipid accumulation in TME is associated with immunosuppression. Nevertheless, how Tregs actively regulate metabolic reprogramming to outcompete effector T cells (Teffs), and how lipid metabolic reprogramming contributes to the immunomodulatory capacity of Tregs have not been fully discussed. This review will discuss the physiological processes by which lipid accumulation confers a metabolic advantage to tumor-infiltrating Tregs (TI-Tregs) and amplifies their immunosuppressive functions. Furthermore, we will provide a summary of the driving effects of various metabolic regulators on the metabolic reprogramming of Tregs. Finally, we propose that targeting the lipid metabolism of TI-Tregs could be efficacious either alone or in conjunction with immune checkpoint therapy.

Tumor microenvironment reprogramming by nanomedicine to enhance the effect of tumor immunotherapy

With the rapid development of the fields of tumor biology and immunology, tumor immunotherapy has been used in clinical practice and has demonstrated significant therapeutic potential, particularly for treating tumors that do not respond to standard treatment options. Despite its advances, immunotherapy still has limitations, such as poor clinical response rates and differences in individual patient responses, largely because tumor tissues have strong immunosuppressive microenvironments. Many tumors have a tumor microenvironment (TME) that is characterized by hypoxia, low pH, and substantial numbers of immunosuppressive cells, and these are the main factors limiting the efficacy of antitumor immunotherapy. The TME is crucial to the occurrence, growth, and metastasis of tumors. Therefore, numerous studies have been devoted to improving the effects of immunotherapy by remodeling the TME. Effective regulation of the TME and reversal of immunosuppressive conditions are effective strategies for improving tumor immunotherapy. The use of multidrug combinations to improve the TME is an efficient way to enhance antitumor immune efficacy. However, the inability to effectively target drugs decreases therapeutic effects and causes toxic side effects. Nanodrug delivery carriers have the advantageous ability to enhance drug bioavailability and improve drug targeting. Importantly, they can also regulate the TME and deliver large or small therapeutic molecules to decrease the inhibitory effect of the TME on immune cells. Therefore, nanomedicine has great potential for reprogramming immunosuppressive microenvironments and represents a new immunotherapeutic strategy. Therefore, this article reviews strategies for improving the TME and summarizes research on synergistic nanomedicine approaches that enhance the efficacy of tumor immunotherapy.

Radiomics Model for Predicting FOXP3 Expression Level and Survival in Clear Cell Renal Carcinoma

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the predictive significance of forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) expression levels among individuals with clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) and establish a radiomics model for predicting FOXP3 expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

430 patients with ccRCC were included in the gene-based prognostic analyses; 100 samples were used for radiomics feature generation, model development, and evaluation. A gradient boosting machine was employed to model the selected radiomics features. The developed model generated radiomics scores (RS) that predicted FOXP3 expression. The FOXP3 prognostic model combining imaging features was applied for survival and clinical indicator correlation analyses.

RESULTS

FOXP3 was highly expressed in patients with ccRCC and served as an independent predictive marker (hazard ratio [HR]=2.357, 95% CI [confidence interval]: 1.582-3.511, p < 0.001). The radiomics model formed by three radiomics characteristics was identified as a strong prognostic indicator of overall survival (OS). The predictive power of the model was commendable (areas under the curve: 0.835 and 0.809 for training and validation sets, respectively). Significant between-group variations in RS distribution were identified, as indicated by gene expression levels (p < 0.05). Disparities were observed in pathological stage, pharmaceutical therapy, and neoplasm status between low and high RS cohorts (p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier curves revealed a significant correlation between increased RS and decreased OS (p = 0.001), which was also observed in the multivariate analyses (HR=3.411, 95% CI: 1.039-11.196, p = 0.043).

CONCLUSION

Prognostic outcome of ccRCC is closely linked to FOXP3 expression level. Computed tomography-based radiomics shows promise for prognostic prediction in ccRCC.

The Potential of FOXP3 in Predicting Survival and Treatment Response in Breast Cancer

Background

Breast cancer (BC) continues to pose a substantial challenge to global health, necessitating an enhanced understanding of its fundamental mechanisms. Among its various pathological classifications, breast invasive carcinoma (BRCA) is the most prevalent. The role of the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), associated with regulatory T cells, in BRCA's diagnosis and prognosis remains insufficiently explored, despite its recognized importance.

Methods

We examined the mRNA expression profile of FOXP3 in BRCA patients, assessing its correlation with disease detection, patient survival, immune checkpoint alterations, and response to anticancer drugs.

Results

Our analysis revealed significantly elevated FOXP3 mRNA levels in BRCA patients, with a 95.7% accuracy for BRCA detection based on the area under the curve. High FOXP3 mRNA levels were positively correlated with overall survival and showed significant associations with CTLA4, CD274, PDCD1, TMB, and immune cell infiltration status. Furthermore, FOXP3 mRNA expression was linked to the efficacy of anticancer drugs and the tumor inflammation signature.

Discussion

These findings suggest that FOXP3 serves as a promising biomarker for BRCA, offering valuable insights into its diagnosis and prognosis. The correlation between FOXP3 expression and immune checkpoint alterations, along with its predictive value for treatment response, underscores its potential in guiding therapeutic strategies.

Conclusion

FOXP3 stands out as an influential factor in BRCA, highlighting its diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value. Its association with immune responses and treatment efficacy opens new avenues for research and clinical applications, positioning FOXP3 as a vital target for further investigation in BRCA management.

Role of Treg cell subsets in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets

In the genesis and progression of cardiovascular diseases involving both innate and adaptive immune responses, inflammation plays a pivotal and dual role. Studies in experimental animals indicate that certain immune responses are protective, while others exacerbate the disease. T-helper (Th) 1 cell immune responses are recognized as key drivers of inflammatory progression in cardiovascular diseases. Consequently, the CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are gaining increasing attention for their roles in inflammation and immune regulation. Given the critical role of Tregs in maintaining immune-inflammatory balance and homeostasis, abnormalities in their generation or function might lead to aberrant immune responses, thereby initiating pathological changes. Numerous preclinical studies and clinical trials have unveiled the central role of Tregs in cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Here, we review the roles and mechanisms of Treg subsets in cardiovascular conditions like atherosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial infarction and remodeling, myocarditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. While the precise molecular mechanisms of Tregs in cardiac protection remain elusive, therapeutic strategies targeting Tregs present a promising new direction for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Loss of chromosome Y in regulatory T cells

BACKGROUND

Mosaic loss of chromosome Y (LOY) in leukocytes is the most prevalent somatic aneuploidy in aging humans. Men with LOY have increased risks of all-cause mortality and the major causes of death, including many forms of cancer. It has been suggested that the association between LOY and disease risk depends on what type of leukocyte is affected with Y loss, with prostate cancer patients showing higher levels of LOY in CD4 + T lymphocytes. In previous studies, Y loss has however been observed at relatively low levels in this cell type. This motivated us to investigate whether specific subsets of CD4 + T lymphocytes are particularly affected by LOY. Publicly available, T lymphocyte enriched, single-cell RNA sequencing datasets from patients with liver, lung or colorectal cancer were used to study how LOY affects different subtypes of T lymphocyte. To validate the observations from the public data, we also generated a single-cell RNA sequencing dataset comprised of 23 PBMC samples and 32 CD4 + T lymphocytes enriched samples.

RESULTS

Regulatory T cells had significantly more LOY than any other studied T lymphocytes subtype. Furthermore, LOY in regulatory T cells increased the ratio of regulatory T cells compared with other T lymphocyte subtypes, indicating an effect of Y loss on lymphocyte differentiation. This was supported by developmental trajectory analysis of CD4 + T lymphocytes culminating in the regulatory T cells cluster most heavily affected by LOY. Finally, we identify dysregulation of 465 genes in regulatory T cells with Y loss, many involved in the immunosuppressive functions and development of regulatory T cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Here, we show that regulatory T cells are particularly affected by Y loss, resulting in an increased fraction of regulatory T cells and dysregulated immune functions. Considering that regulatory T cells plays a critical role in the process of immunosuppression; this enrichment for regulatory T cells with LOY might contribute to the increased risk for cancer observed among men with Y loss in leukocytes.

Reprogramming of regulatory T cells in inflammatory tumor microenvironment: can it become immunotherapy turning point?

Overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and identifying widely used immunosuppressants with minimal side effects are two major challenges currently hampering cancer immunotherapy. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are present in almost all cancer tissues and play an important role in preserving autoimmune tolerance and tissue homeostasis. The tumor inflammatory microenvironment causes the reprogramming of Tregs, resulting in the conversion of Tregs to immunosuppressive phenotypes. This process ultimately facilitates tumor immune escape or tumor progression. However, current systemic Treg depletion therapies may lead to severe autoimmune toxicity. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the mechanism of Treg reprogramming and develop immunotherapies that selectively target Tregs within tumors. This article provides a comprehensive review of the potential mechanisms involved in Treg cell reprogramming and explores the application of Treg cell immunotherapy. The interference with reprogramming pathways has shown promise in reducing the number of tumor-associated Tregs or impairing their function during immunotherapy, thereby improving anti-tumor immune responses. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that drive Treg cell reprogramming could reveal new molecular targets for future treatments.

Postbiotics: An alternative and innovative intervention for the therapy of inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a persistent gastrointestinal (GI) tract inflammatory disease characterized by downregulated mucosal immune activities and a disrupted microbiota environment in the intestinal lumen. The involvement of bacterium postbiotics as mediators between the immune system and gut microbiome could be critical in determining why host-microbial relationships are disrupted in IBD. Postbiotics including Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), Organic acids, Proteins, Vitamins, Bacteriocins, and Tryptophan (Trp) are beneficial bioactive compounds formed via commensal microbiota in the gut environment during the fermentation process that can be used to improve consumer health. The use of metabolites or fragments from microorganisms can be a very attractive treatment and prevention technique in modern medicine. Postbiotics are essential in the immune system's development since they alter the barrier tightness, and the gut ecology and indirectly shape the microbiota's structure. As a result, postbiotics may be beneficial in treating or preventing various diseases, even some for which there is no effective causative medication. Postbiotics may be a promising tool for the treatment of IBD in individuals of all ages, genders, and even geographical locations. Direct distribution of postbiotics may provide a new frontier in microbiome-based therapy for IBD since it allows both the management of host homeostasis and the correction of the negative implications of dysbiosis. Further studies of the biological effects of these metabolites are expected to reveal innovative applications in medicine and beyond. This review attempts to explore the possible postbiotic-based interventions for the treatment of IBD.

Safe Procedure for Efficient Hydrodynamic Gene Transfer to Isolated Porcine Liver in Transplantation

Although calcineurin inhibitors are very effective as immunosuppressants in organ transplantation, complete graft acceptance remains as a challenge. Transfer of genes with immunosuppressant functions could contribute to improving the clinical evolution of transplantation. In this sense, hydrodynamic injection has proven very efficacious for liver gene transfer. In the present work, the hIL-10 gene was hydrofected 'ex vivo' to pig livers during the bench surgery stage, to circumvent the cardiovascular limitations of the procedure, in a model of porcine orthotopic transplantation with a 10-day follow-up. We used IL-10 because human and porcine proteins can be differentially quantified and for its immunomodulatory pleiotropic functions. Safety (biochemical parameters and histology), expression efficacy (RNA transcription and blood protein expression), and acute inflammatory response (cytokines panel) of the procedure were evaluated. The procedure proved safe as no change in biochemical parameters was observed in treated animals, and human IL-10 was efficaciously expressed, with stationary plasma protein levels over 20 pg/mL during the follow-up. Most studied cytokines showed increments (interferon-α, IFN-α; interleukin-1β, IL-1β; tumor necrosis factor α, TNFα; interleukin-6, IL-6; interleukin-8, IL-8; interleukin-4, IL-4; and transforming growth factor-β, TGF-β) in treated animals, without deleterious effects on tissue. Collectively, the results support the potential clinical interest in this gene therapy model that would require further longer-term dose-response studies to be confirmed.

Modulation of immune-responses by DSF/Cu enhances the anti-tumor effects of DTX for metastasis breast cancer

Metastasis has been one of the most important causes of death from breast cancer, and chemotherapy remains the major option for metastatic breast cancer. However, drug resistance and higher toxicity from chemotherapy have been an obstacle for clinical practice, and the combination of chemotherapy with immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment strategy. Here, we describe a therapy based on the combination of disulfiram (DSF) and Cu2+ with widely used cytotoxic docetaxel (DTX). DSF/Cu-induced immunogenic cell death promoted the release of type I interferon and human monocyte-induced dendritic cell maturation, which established a foundation for the combination with chemotherapy. Consequently, the combination of DSF/Cu and DTX resulted in significantly more potent anti-tumor effects in 4T1-bearing mice than in single therapy. The present study has shed new light on combining DSF/Cu-induced immune responses with traditional chemotherapeutic agents to achieve greater benefits for patients with metastasis.

The persistence and antitumor efficacy of CAR-T cells are modulated by tonic signaling within the CDR

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable clinical efficacy, but challenges related to relapse and CAR-T cell exhaustion persist. One contributing factor to this exhaustion is CAR tonic signaling, where CAR-T cells self-activate without antigen stimulation, leading to reduced persistence and impaired antitumor activity. To address this issue, we conducted a preclinical study evaluating tonic signaling using nanobody-derived CAR-T cells. Our investigation revealed that specific characteristics of the complementary determining regions (CDRs), including low solubility, polarity, positive charge, energy, and area of ionic and positive CDR patches of amino acids, were associated with low antigen-independent tonic signaling. Significantly, we observed that stronger tonic signaling directly impacted CAR-T cell proliferation in vitro, consequently leading to CAR-T cell exhaustion and diminished persistence and effectiveness in vivo. Our findings provide compelling preclinical evidence and lay the foundation for the clinical assessment of CAR-T cells with distinct tonic signaling patterns. Understanding the role of CDRs in modulating tonic signaling holds promise for advancing the development of more efficient and durable CAR-T cell therapies, thereby enhancing the treatment of cancer and addressing the challenges of relapse in CAR-T cell therapy.

Therapeutic Targeting of Glioblastoma and the Interactions with Its Microenvironment

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumour, and it confers a dismal prognosis despite intensive multimodal treatments. Whilst historically, research has focussed on the evolution of GBM tumour cells themselves, there is growing recognition of the importance of studying the tumour microenvironment (TME). Improved characterisation of the interaction between GBM cells and the TME has led to a better understanding of therapeutic resistance and the identification of potential targets to block these escape mechanisms. This review describes the network of cells within the TME and proposes treatment strategies for simultaneously targeting GBM cells, the surrounding immune cells, and the crosstalk between them.

The role of transcription factors in shaping regulatory T cell identity

Forkhead box protein 3-expressing (FOXP3+) regulatory T cells (Treg cells) suppress conventional T cells and are essential for immunological tolerance. FOXP3, the master transcription factor of Treg cells, controls the expression of multiples genes to guide Treg cell differentiation and function. However, only a small fraction (<10%) of Treg cell-associated genes are directly bound by FOXP3, and FOXP3 alone is insufficient to fully specify the Treg cell programme, indicating a role for other accessory transcription factors operating upstream, downstream and/or concurrently with FOXP3 to direct Treg cell specification and specialized functions. Indeed, the heterogeneity of Treg cells can be at least partially attributed to differential expression of transcription factors that fine-tune their trafficking, survival and functional properties, some of which are niche-specific. In this Review, we discuss the emerging roles of accessory transcription factors in controlling Treg cell identity. We specifically focus on members of the basic helix-loop-helix family (AHR), basic leucine zipper family (BACH2, NFIL3 and BATF), CUT homeobox family (SATB1), zinc-finger domain family (BLIMP1, Ikaros and BCL-11B) and interferon regulatory factor family (IRF4), as well as lineage-defining transcription factors (T-bet, GATA3, RORγt and BCL-6). Understanding the imprinting of Treg cell identity and specialized function will be key to unravelling basic mechanisms of autoimmunity and identifying novel targets for drug development.

Human Placental Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Derived Extracellular Vesicles Ameliorate Lung Injury in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Murine Model

This study investigates the therapeutic potential of human placental mesenchymal stem cells (P-MSCs) and their extracellular vesicles (EVs) in a murine model of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a condition with growing relevance due to its association with severe COVID-19. We induced ARDS-like lung injury in mice using intranasal LPS instillation and evaluated histological changes, neutrophil accumulation via immunohistochemistry, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cell count, total protein, and cytokine concentration, as well as lung gene expression changes at three time points: 24, 72, and 168 h. We found that both P-MSCs and EV treatments reduced the histological evidence of lung injury, decreased neutrophil infiltration, and improved alveolar barrier integrity. Analyses of cytokines and gene expression revealed that both treatments accelerated inflammation resolution in lung tissue. Biodistribution studies indicated negligible cell engraftment, suggesting that intraperitoneal P-MSC therapy functions mostly through soluble factors. Overall, both P-MSC and EV therapy ameliorated LPS-induced lung injury. Notably, at the tested dose, EV therapy was more effective than P-MSCs in reducing most aspects of lung injury.

FoxP3-Positive Cells and Their Contacts with Mast Cells Are Highly Increased in Basal Cell Carcinoma

INTRODUCTION

The cells of the immune system are thought to contribute to the development of skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma (BCC). One possible mechanism may be the interaction between mast cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs), resulting in immunosuppression.

METHODS

Fresh-frozen biopsies from the lesional and nonlesional skin of 16 patients with BCC were processed for the enzymehistochemical staining of mast cell tryptase, immunohistochemical staining of FoxP3 (a marker of Tregs) as well as for the double-staining method to label tryptase+ cells and FoxP3+ cells on the same cryosection. The cell numbers and apparent morphological contacts (AMCs) between these cell types were counted.

RESULTS

There was a high increase in the number of tryptase+ cells, FoxP3+ cells, and AMCs between them in the lesional compared to corresponding nonlesional skin (p < 0.0001) in all cases.

CONCLUSION

A morphological basis is theoretically present in BCC, suggesting an immune evasive microenvironment.

The Role of Gut Microbiota-Derived Lithocholic Acid, Deoxycholic Acid and Their Derivatives on the Function and Differentiation of Immune Cells

A wide variety and large number of bacterial species live in the gut, forming the gut microbiota. Gut microbiota not only coexist harmoniously with their hosts, but they also induce significant effects on each other. The composition of the gut microbiota can be changed due to environmental factors such as diet and antibiotic intake. In contrast, alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota have been reported in a variety of diseases, including intestinal, allergic, and autoimmune diseases and cancer. The gut microbiota metabolize exogenous dietary components ingested from outside the body to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and amino acid metabolites. Unlike SCFAs and amino acid metabolites, the source of bile acids (BAs) produced by the gut microbiota is endogenous BAs from the liver. The gut microbiota metabolize BAs to generate secondary bile acids, such as lithocholic acid (LCA), deoxycholic acid (DCA), and their derivatives, which have recently been shown to play important roles in immune cells. This review focuses on current knowledge of the role of LCA, DCA, and their derivatives on immune cells.