1
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Hino C, Xu Y, Xiao J, Baylink DJ, Reeves ME, Cao H. The potential role of the thymus in immunotherapies for acute myeloid leukemia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1102517. [PMID: 36814919 PMCID: PMC9940763 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1102517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the factors which shape T-lymphocyte immunity is critical for the development and application of future immunotherapeutic strategies in treating hematological malignancies. The thymus, a specialized central lymphoid organ, plays important roles in generating a diverse T lymphocyte repertoire during the infantile and juvenile stages of humans. However, age-associated thymic involution and diseases or treatment associated injury result in a decline in its continuous role in the maintenance of T cell-mediated anti-tumor/virus immunity. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy that mainly affects older adults, and the disease's progression is known to consist of an impaired immune surveillance including a reduction in naïve T cell output, a restriction in T cell receptor repertoire, and an increase in frequencies of regulatory T cells. As one of the most successful immunotherapies thus far developed for malignancy, T-cell-based adoptive cell therapies could be essential for the development of a durable effective treatment to eliminate residue leukemic cells (blasts) and prevent AML relapse. Thus, a detailed cellular and molecular landscape of how the adult thymus functions within the context of the AML microenvironment will provide new insights into both the immune-related pathogenesis and the regeneration of a functional immune system against leukemia in AML patients. Herein, we review the available evidence supporting the potential correlation between thymic dysfunction and T-lymphocyte impairment with the ontogeny of AML (II-VI). We then discuss how the thymus could impact current and future therapeutic approaches in AML (VII). Finally, we review various strategies to rejuvenate thymic function to improve the precision and efficacy of cancer immunotherapy (VIII).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Hino
- Department of Internal Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Yi Xu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Jeffrey Xiao
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - David J Baylink
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Mark E Reeves
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Huynh Cao
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
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2
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Sun L, Ko J, Vidimos A, Koyfman S, Gastman B. A Distinctive Lineage-Negative Cell Population Produces IL-17A in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2021; 40:418-424. [PMID: 32813604 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2020.0039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-17A is a key proinflammatory cytokine indicated in multiple pathologies, including skin tumorigenesis. While IL-17A is a signature cytokine of Th17 cells, IL-17A is also produced by other cell types, including type 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) in the skin, particularly in patients with psoriasis. Interestingly, we detect CD45+Lin-(CD3-CD14-CD19-CD20-) IL-17A+ cells in the cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs) by flow cytometry of the cell suspensions prepared from tumor tissues. Consistently, we found CD3-IL-17+ cells in tumor tissue of skin cSCCs by immunohistochemistry staining of serial sections of SCCs from both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients (e.g., transplant patients on iatrogenic long-term immunosuppressive therapy). In several immunocompromised patients, the CD3-IL-17+ cells consist of over 90% of the total IL-17+ cells in the tumor tissue. Furthermore, these CD3-IL-17+ cells are negatively stained for SMA, CD11b, and CD19, suggesting that they are unlikely to be fibroblast, myeloid cells, or B cells. Taken together, we found a population of lineage-negative IL-17A-producing cells present in the cSCCs, which share the "CD45+Lin-" features with ILCs. This study suggests that IL-17A can be produced by immune cell populations other than T cells in skin SCCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lillian Sun
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Jennifer Ko
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Anatomical Pathology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Allison Vidimos
- Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Shlomo Koyfman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Brian Gastman
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.,Department of Plastic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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3
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Sharma H, Moroni L. Recent Advancements in Regenerative Approaches for Thymus Rejuvenation. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2021; 8:2100543. [PMID: 34306981 PMCID: PMC8292900 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202100543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The thymus plays a key role in adaptive immunity by generating a diverse population of T cells that defend the body against pathogens. Various factors from disease and toxic insults contribute to the degeneration of the thymus resulting in a fewer output of T cells. Consequently, the body is prone to a wide host of diseases and infections. In this review, first, the relevance of the thymus is discussed, followed by thymic embryological organogenesis and anatomy as well as the development and functionality of T cells. Attempts to regenerate the thymus include in vitro methods, such as forming thymic organoids aided by biofabrication techniques that are transplantable. Ex vivo methods that have shown promise in enhancing thymic regeneration are also discussed. Current regenerative technologies have not yet matched the complexity and functionality of the thymus. Therefore, emerging techniques that have shown promise and the challenges that lie ahead are explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Himal Sharma
- MERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative MedicineDepartment of Complex Tissue RegenerationMaastricht UniversityMaastricht6229 ERNetherlands
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- MERLN Institute for Technology‐Inspired Regenerative MedicineDepartment of Complex Tissue RegenerationMaastricht UniversityMaastricht6229 ERNetherlands
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4
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Chan CT, Fenn AM, Harder NK, Mindur JE, McAlpine CS, Patel J, Valet C, Rattik S, Iwamoto Y, He S, Anzai A, Kahles F, Poller WC, Janssen H, Wong LP, Fernandez-Hernando C, Koolbergen DR, van der Laan AM, Yvan-Charvet L, Sadreyev RI, Nahrendorf M, Westerterp M, Tall AR, Gustafsson JA, Swirski FK. Liver X receptors are required for thymic resilience and T cell output. J Exp Med 2021; 217:151978. [PMID: 32716519 PMCID: PMC7537384 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20200318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ necessary for optimal T cell development. Here, we show that liver X receptors (LXRs)—a class of nuclear receptors and transcription factors with diverse functions in metabolism and immunity—critically contribute to thymic integrity and function. LXRαβ-deficient mice develop a fatty, rapidly involuting thymus and acquire a shrunken and prematurely immunoinhibitory peripheral T cell repertoire. LXRαβ’s functions are cell specific, and the resulting phenotypes are mutually independent. Although thymic macrophages require LXRαβ for cholesterol efflux, thymic epithelial cells (TECs) use LXRαβ for self-renewal and thymocytes for negative selection. Consequently, TEC-derived LXRαβ protects against homeostatic premature involution and orchestrates thymic regeneration following stress, while thymocyte-derived LXRαβ limits cell disposal during negative selection and confers heightened sensitivity to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. These results identify three distinct but complementary mechanisms by which LXRαβ governs T lymphocyte education and illuminate LXRαβ’s indispensable roles in adaptive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Chan
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ashley M Fenn
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Nina K Harder
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - John E Mindur
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Cameron S McAlpine
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jyoti Patel
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Colin Valet
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sara Rattik
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Yoshiko Iwamoto
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Shun He
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Atsushi Anzai
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Florian Kahles
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Wolfram C Poller
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Henrike Janssen
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Lai Ping Wong
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Carlos Fernandez-Hernando
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Department of Comparative Medicine and Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - David R Koolbergen
- Heart Center, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anja M van der Laan
- Heart Center, Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Laurent Yvan-Charvet
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Université Côte d'Azur, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Atip-Avenir, Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Oncoage, Nice, France.,Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Ruslan I Sadreyev
- Department of Molecular Biology and Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Matthias Nahrendorf
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Marit Westerterp
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY.,Department of Pediatrics, Section Molecular Genetics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Alan R Tall
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Jan-Ake Gustafsson
- Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, University of Houston, Houston, TX
| | - Filip K Swirski
- Center for Systems Biology and Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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5
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Ohigashi I, Tanaka Y, Kondo K, Fujimori S, Kondo H, Palin AC, Hoffmann V, Kozai M, Matsushita Y, Uda S, Motosugi R, Hamazaki J, Kubota H, Murata S, Tanaka K, Katagiri T, Kosako H, Takahama Y. Trans-omics Impact of Thymoproteasome in Cortical Thymic Epithelial Cells. Cell Rep 2020; 29:2901-2916.e6. [PMID: 31775054 PMCID: PMC6897492 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.10.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymic function to produce self-protective and self-tolerant T cells is chiefly mediated by cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs) and medullary TECs (mTECs). Recent studies including single-cell transcriptomic analyses have highlighted a rich diversity in functional mTEC subpopulations. Because of their limited cellularity, however, the biochemical characterization of TECs, including the proteomic profiling of cTECs and mTECs, has remained unestablished. Utilizing genetically modified mice that carry enlarged but functional thymuses, here we show a combination of proteomic and transcriptomic profiles for cTECs and mTECs, which identified signature molecules that characterize a developmental and functional contrast between cTECs and mTECs. Our results reveal a highly specific impact of the thymoproteasome on proteasome subunit composition in cTECs and provide an integrated trans-omics platform for further exploration of thymus biology. Ohigashi et al. show that the use of cyclin D1-transgenic mice allows quantitative proteomic analysis of cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells (TECs). Results provide a trans-omics platform for further exploration of TEC biology and reveal the specific impact of the thymoproteasome on proteasome subunit composition in cortical TECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izumi Ohigashi
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yu Tanaka
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Kenta Kondo
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sayumi Fujimori
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kondo
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Amy C Palin
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Victoria Hoffmann
- Division of Veterinary Resources, Office of Research Services, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Mina Kozai
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yosuke Matsushita
- Division of Genome Medicine, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Uda
- Division of Integrated Omics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Ryo Motosugi
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Jun Hamazaki
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kubota
- Division of Integrated Omics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Shigeo Murata
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
| | - Keiji Tanaka
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Toyomasa Katagiri
- Division of Genome Medicine, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Kosako
- Division of Cell Signaling, Fujii Memorial Institute of Medical Sciences, Institute of Advanced Medical Sciences, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Experimental Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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6
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Suraiya AB, Hun ML, Truong VX, Forsythe JS, Chidgey AP. Gelatin-Based 3D Microgels for In Vitro T Lineage Cell Generation. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:2198-2208. [PMID: 33455336 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
T cells are predominantly produced by the thymus and play a significant role in maintaining our adaptive immune system. Physiological involution of the thymus occurs gradually with age, compromising naive T cell output, which can have severe clinical complications. Also, T cells are utilized as therapeutic agents in cancer immunotherapies. Therefore, there is an increasing need for strategies aimed at generating naive T cells. The majority of in vitro T cell generation studies are performed in two-dimensional (2D) cultures, which ignore the physiological thymic microenvironment and are not scalable; therefore, we applied a new three-dimensional (3D) approach. Here, we use a gelatin-based 3D microgel system for T lineage induction by co-culturing OP9-DL4 cells and mouse fetal-liver-derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Flow cytometric analysis revealed that microgel co-cultures supported T lineage induction similar to 2D cultures while providing a 3D environment. We also encapsulated mouse embryonic thymic epithelial cells (TECs) within the microgels to provide a defined 3D culture platform. The microgel system supported TEC maintenance and retained their phenotype. Together, these data show that our microgel system has the capacity for TEC maintenance and induction of in vitro T lineage differentiation with potential for scalability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisha B Suraiya
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash Institute of Medical Engineering, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Melbourne 3800, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - Michael L Hun
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - Vinh X Truong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash Institute of Medical Engineering, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - John S Forsythe
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash Institute of Medical Engineering, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Melbourne 3800, Australia
| | - Ann P Chidgey
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Melbourne 3800, Australia
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7
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Abstract
Much of our knowledge regarding the interactions between epithelial tissues and the immune system has been gathered from animal models and co-cultures with cell lines. However, unique features of human cells cannot be modelled in mice, and cell lines are often transformed or genetically immortalized. Organoid technology has emerged as a powerful tool to maintain epithelial cells in a near-native state. In this Review, we discuss how organoids are being used in immunological research to understand the role of epithelial cell-immune cell interactions in tissue development and homeostasis, as well as in diseases such as cancer.
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8
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Kaneko KB, Tateishi R, Miyao T, Takakura Y, Akiyama N, Yokota R, Akiyama T, Kobayashi TJ. Quantitative analysis reveals reciprocal regulations underlying recovery dynamics of thymocytes and thymic environment in mice. Commun Biol 2019; 2:444. [PMID: 31815199 PMCID: PMC6884561 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0688-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic crosstalk, a set of reciprocal regulations between thymocytes and the thymic environment, is relevant for orchestrating appropriate thymocyte development as well as thymic recovery from various exogenous insults. In this work, interactions shaping thymic crosstalk and the resultant dynamics of thymocytes and thymic epithelial cells are inferred based on quantitative analysis and modeling of the recovery dynamics induced by irradiation. The analysis identifies regulatory interactions consistent with known molecular evidence and reveals their dynamic roles in the recovery process. Moreover, the analysis also predicts, and a subsequent experiment verifies, a previously unrecognized regulation of CD4+CD8+ double positive thymocytes which temporarily increases their proliferation rate upon the decrease in their population size. Our model establishes a pivotal step towards the dynamic understanding of thymic crosstalk as a regulatory network system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumasa B. Kaneko
- Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo, 113-8656 Japan
| | - Ryosuke Tateishi
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan
| | - Takahisa Miyao
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan
| | - Yuki Takakura
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan
| | - Nobuko Akiyama
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan
| | - Ryo Yokota
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku Tokyo, 153-8505 Japan
| | - Taishin Akiyama
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, 1-7-22 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045 Japan
| | - Tetsuya J. Kobayashi
- Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo, 113-8656 Japan
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku Tokyo, 153-8505 Japan
- PREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), 4-1-8 Honcho Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012 Japan
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9
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Lopes N, Vachon H, Marie J, Irla M. Administration of RANKL boosts thymic regeneration upon bone marrow transplantation. EMBO Mol Med 2018; 9:835-851. [PMID: 28455312 PMCID: PMC5452038 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201607176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytoablative treatments lead to severe damages on thymic epithelial cells (TECs), which result in delayed de novo thymopoiesis and a prolonged period of T‐cell immunodeficiency. Understanding the mechanisms that govern thymic regeneration is of paramount interest for the recovery of a functional immune system notably after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Here, we show that RANK ligand (RANKL) is upregulated in CD4+ thymocytes and lymphoid tissue inducer (LTi) cells during the early phase of thymic regeneration. Importantly, whereas RANKL neutralization alters TEC recovery after irradiation, ex vivo RANKL administration during BMT boosts the regeneration of TEC subsets including thymic epithelial progenitor‐enriched cells, thymus homing of lymphoid progenitors, and de novo thymopoiesis. RANKL increases specifically in LTi cells, lymphotoxin α, which is critical for thymic regeneration. RANKL treatment, dependent on lymphotoxin α, is beneficial upon BMT in young and aged individuals. This study thus indicates that RANKL may be clinically useful to improve T‐cell function recovery after BMT by controlling multiple facets of thymic regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noella Lopes
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, CNRS, Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Hortense Vachon
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, CNRS, Marseille Cedex 09, France
| | - Julien Marie
- Department of Immunology Virology and Inflammation, Cancer Research Center of Lyon (CRCL) UMR INSERM1052, CNRS 5286, Lyon, France.,TGF-b and Immune Evasion, Tumor Immunology Program, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Magali Irla
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy, Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, CNRS, Marseille Cedex 09, France
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10
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The significance of neonatal thymectomy for shaping the immune system in children with congenital heart defects. POLISH JOURNAL OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY 2017; 14:258-262. [PMID: 29354179 PMCID: PMC5767777 DOI: 10.5114/kitp.2017.72231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 11/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The thymus plays an important role in the development of the immune cell pool; it serves as the primary location for T-lymphocyte maturation. Early cardiac surgical interventions for congenital heart defects are necessarily associated with thymectomy, i.e. the partial or complete removal of the thymus. A newborn infant already has a functioning thymus and developed cells of the immune system. However, thymectomy eliminates the primary location where T cells differentiate and mature. This study summarizes the current knowledge of the cellular disturbances and potential clinical consequences associated with performing thymectomy in children treated surgically for congenital heart defects.
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11
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Lancaster JN, Li Y, Ehrlich LIR. Chemokine-Mediated Choreography of Thymocyte Development and Selection. Trends Immunol 2017; 39:86-98. [PMID: 29162323 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2017.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
As they differentiate, thymocytes encounter spatially restricted cues critical for differentiation and selection of a functional, self-tolerant T cell repertoire. Sequential migration of developing T cells through distinct thymic microenvironments is enforced by the ordered expression of chemokine receptors. Herein, we provide an updated perspective on T cell differentiation through the lens of recent advances that illuminate the dynamics of chemokine-driven thymocyte migration, localization, and interactions with stromal cells. We consider these findings in the context of earlier groundwork exploring the contribution of chemokines to T cell development, recent advances regarding the specificity of chemokine signaling, and novel techniques for evaluating the T cell repertoire. We suggest future research should amalgamate visualization of localized cellular interactions with downstream molecular signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica N Lancaster
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Yu Li
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Lauren I R Ehrlich
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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12
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Dudakov JA, Mertelsmann AM, O'Connor MH, Jenq RR, Velardi E, Young LF, Smith OM, Boyd RL, van den Brink MRM, Hanash AM. Loss of thymic innate lymphoid cells leads to impaired thymopoiesis in experimental graft-versus-host disease. Blood 2017; 130:933-942. [PMID: 28607133 PMCID: PMC5561900 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2017-01-762658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 05/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and posttransplant immunodeficiency are frequently related complications of allogeneic hematopoietic transplantation. Alloreactive donor T cells can damage thymic epithelium, thus limiting new T-cell development. Although the thymus has a remarkable capacity to regenerate after injury, endogenous thymic regeneration is impaired in GVHD. The mechanisms leading to this regenerative failure are largely unknown. Here we demonstrate in experimental mouse models that GVHD results in depletion of intrathymic group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) necessary for thymic regeneration. Loss of thymic ILC3s resulted in deficiency of intrathymic interleukin-22 (IL-22) compared with transplant recipients without GVHD, thereby inhibiting IL-22-mediated protection of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and impairing recovery of thymopoiesis. Conversely, abrogating IL-21 receptor signaling in donor T cells and inhibiting the elimination of thymic ILCs improved thymopoiesis in an IL-22-dependent fashion. We found that the thymopoietic impairment in GVHD associated with loss of ILCs could be improved by restoration of IL-22 signaling. Despite uninhibited alloreactivity, exogenous IL-22 administration posttransplant resulted in increased recovery of thymopoiesis and development of new thymus-derived peripheral T cells. Our study highlights the role of innate immune function in thymic regeneration and restoration of adaptive immunity posttransplant. Manipulation of the ILC-IL-22-TEC axis may be useful for augmenting immune reconstitution after clinical hematopoietic transplantation and other settings of T-cell deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod A Dudakov
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Anna M Mertelsmann
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Margaret H O'Connor
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Robert R Jenq
- Department of Genomic Medicine and
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation Cellular Therapy, Division of Cancer Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Enrico Velardi
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Lauren F Young
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Odette M Smith
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Richard L Boyd
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; and
| | - Marcel R M van den Brink
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
| | - Alan M Hanash
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY
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Tormo A, Khodayarian F, Cui Y, Al-Chami E, Kanjarawi R, Noé B, Wang H, Rafei M. Interleukin-21 promotes thymopoiesis recovery following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. J Hematol Oncol 2017; 10:120. [PMID: 28615039 PMCID: PMC5471903 DOI: 10.1186/s13045-017-0490-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired T cell reconstitution remains a major deterrent in the field of bone marrow (BM) transplantation (BMT) due to pre-conditioning-induced damages inflicted to the thymi of recipient hosts. Given the previously reported thymo-stimulatory property of interleukin (IL)-21, we reasoned that its use post-BMT could have a profound effect on de novo T cell development. METHODS To evaluate the effect of IL-21 on de novo T cell development in vivo, BM derived from RAG2p-GFP mice was transplanted into LP/J mice. Lymphocyte reconstitution was first assessed using a hematological analyzer and a flow cytometer on collected blood samples. Detailed flow cytometry analysis was then performed on the BM, thymus, and spleen of transplanted animals. Finally, the effect of human IL-21 on thymopoiesis was validated in humanized mice. RESULTS Using a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-matched allogeneic BMT model, we found that IL-21 administration improves immune reconstitution by triggering the proliferation of BM Lin-Sca1+c-kit+ (LSK) subsets. The pharmacological effect of IL-21 also culminates in the recovery of both hematopoietic (thymocytes) and non-hematopoietic (stromal) cells within the thymi of IL-21-treated recipient animals. Although T cells derived from all transplanted groups proliferate, secrete various cytokines, and express granzyme B similarly in response to T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation, full regeneration of peripheral naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and normal TCRvβ distribution could only be detected in IL-21-treated recipient mice. Astonishingly, none of the recipient mice who underwent IL-21 treatment developed graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in the MHC-matched allogeneic setting while the graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect was strongly retained. Inhibition of GVHD onset could also be attributed to the enhanced generation of regulatory B cells (B10) observed in the IL-21, but not PBS, recipient mice. We also tested the thymopoiesis-stimulating property of human IL-21 in NSG mice transplanted with cord blood (CB) and found significant improvement in de novo human CD3+ T cell development. CONCLUSIONS In sum, our study indicates that IL-21 represents a new class of unforeseen thymopoietin capable of restoring thymic function following BMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Tormo
- The Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit BLVD, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Fatemeh Khodayarian
- The Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit BLVD, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Yun Cui
- The Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit BLVD, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Edouard Al-Chami
- The Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit BLVD, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Reem Kanjarawi
- The Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit BLVD, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Beatriz Noé
- The Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit BLVD, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Huijie Wang
- The Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit BLVD, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Moutih Rafei
- The Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit BLVD, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1J4, Canada. .,The Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Université de Montréal, 2900 Edouard-Montpetit BLVD, Montréal, Québec, H3T 1J4, Canada. .,The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montréal, Québec, H3A 2B4, Canada.
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14
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Sornborger A, Li J, Timmons C, Lupu F, Eggenschwiler J, Takahama Y, Manley NR. MiCASA is a new method for quantifying cellular organization. Nat Commun 2017; 8:15619. [PMID: 28555660 PMCID: PMC5493597 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
While many tools exist for identifying and quantifying individual cell types, few methods are available to assess the relationships between cell types in organs and tissues and how these relationships change during aging or disease states. We present a quantitative method for evaluating cellular organization, using the mouse thymus as a test organ. The thymus is the primary lymphoid organ responsible for generating T cells in vertebrates, and its proper structure and organization is essential for optimal function. Our method, Multitaper Circularly Averaged Spectral Analysis (MiCASA), identifies differences in the tissue-level organization with high sensitivity, including defining a novel type of phenotype by measuring variability as a specific parameter. MiCASA provides a novel and easily implemented quantitative tool for assessing cellular organization. There are few methods available that can quantify relationships between cell types in tissue images. Here the authors present a quantitative method to evaluate cellular organization, validated in the mouse thymus and spinal cord, called Multitaper Circularly Averaged Spectral Analysis (MiCASA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Sornborger
- Department of Mathematics, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Genetics, Paul D. Coverdell Center, University of Georgia, 500 DW Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Cullen Timmons
- Department of Genetics, Paul D. Coverdell Center, University of Georgia, 500 DW Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Floria Lupu
- Department of Genetics, Paul D. Coverdell Center, University of Georgia, 500 DW Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Jonathan Eggenschwiler
- Department of Genetics, Paul D. Coverdell Center, University of Georgia, 500 DW Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
| | - Yousuke Takahama
- Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute for Genome Research, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan
| | - Nancy R Manley
- Department of Genetics, Paul D. Coverdell Center, University of Georgia, 500 DW Brooks Drive, Athens, Georgia 30602, USA
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15
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Ito R, Hale LP, Geyer SM, Li J, Sornborger A, Kajimura J, Kusunoki Y, Yoshida K, van den Brink MRM, Kyoizumi S, Manley NR, Nakachi K, Sempowski GD. Late Effects of Exposure to Ionizing Radiation and Age on Human Thymus Morphology and Function. Radiat Res 2017; 187:589-598. [PMID: 28319462 DOI: 10.1667/rr4554.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The thymus is essential for proper development and maintenance of a T-cell repertoire that can respond to newly encountered antigens, but its function can be adversely affected by internal factors such as pregnancy and normal aging or by external stimuli such as stress, infection, chemotherapy and ionizing radiation. We have utilized a unique archive of thymus tissues, obtained from 165 individuals, exposed to the 1945 atomic bomb blast in Hiroshima, to study the long-term effects of receiving up to ∼3 Gy dose of ionizing radiation on human thymus function. A detailed morphometric analysis of thymus activity and architecture in these subjects at the time of their natural deaths was performed using bright-field immunohistochemistry and dual-color immunofluorescence and compared to a separate cohort of nonexposed control subjects. After adjusting for age-related effects, increased hallmarks of thymic involution were observed histologically in individuals exposed to either low (5-200 mGy) or moderate-to-high (>200 mGy) doses of ionizing radiation compared to unirradiated individuals (<5 mGy). Sex-related differences were seen when the analysis was restricted to individuals under 60 years of attained age at sample collection, but were not observed when comparing across the entire age range. This indicates that while females undergo slower involution than males, they ultimately attain similar phenotypes. These findings suggest that even low-dose-radiation exposure can accelerate thymic aging, with decreased thymopoiesis relative to nonexposed controls evident years after exposure. These data were used to develop a model that can predict thymic function during normal aging or in individuals therapeutically or accidentally exposed to radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reiko Ito
- a Department of Molecular Biosciences, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Laura P Hale
- b Department of Pathology and the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Susan M Geyer
- c Department of Pediatrics, Health Informatics Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Jie Li
- d Department of Genetics, Paul D. Coverdell Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Andrew Sornborger
- e Department of Mathematics, University of California, Davis, California.,f Department of Mathematics and College of Engineering, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Junko Kajimura
- a Department of Molecular Biosciences, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Yoichiro Kusunoki
- a Department of Molecular Biosciences, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Kengo Yoshida
- a Department of Molecular Biosciences, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Marcel R M van den Brink
- g Departments of Medicine and Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Seishi Kyoizumi
- g Departments of Medicine and Immunology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
| | - Nancy R Manley
- d Department of Genetics, Paul D. Coverdell Center, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
| | - Kei Nakachi
- a Department of Molecular Biosciences, Radiation Effects Research Foundation, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Gregory D Sempowski
- b Department of Pathology and the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
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16
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Fletcher A, Huang H, Yu L, Pham Q, Yu L, Wang TTY. Reversible Toxic Effects of the Dietary Supplement Indole-3-Carbinol in an Immune Compromised Rodent Model: Intestine as the Main Target. J Diet Suppl 2016; 14:303-322. [PMID: 27580128 DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2016.1215367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Dietary supplements are widely used in the United States, but the safety issue remains unresolved. Immuno-deficient or immuno-compromised patients, estimated to exceed 10 million in the United States, are known to use dietary supplements. This population potentially may be susceptible to supplements' adverse effects. The cruciferous vegetable-derived indole-3-carbinol (I3C) is known for its possible protective effects against a number of chronic diseases and is commercially available as a dietary supplement. However, the safety of orally consumed I3C in the general population and particularly in immuno-compromised individuals remains unknown. In this study, rodent model of immune-deficient male BALB/c nu/nu athymic mice were given diets supplemented with 0-100 μmoles I3C/g diet for 4 weeks. We found that BALB/c nu/nu mice were not viable after three days on a 100 μmoles I3C/g supplemented diet. Switching to the control diet (without I3C) after first detection of stress resulted in a 75% recovery of mice. Mice fed with 10-50 μmoles I3C/g supplemented diet survived but showed concentration-dependent adverse effects. More importantly, the intestine appeared to be the target of I3C toxicity. Number and width of intestinal villi were significantly altered by I3C, which associated with a dose-dependent reduction in cell proliferation and increase in apoptosis. Other molecular effects observed for I3C include activation of multiple xenobiotic metabolism pathways. This is the first study to report hazardous effects of I3C supplementation that are specific to the gastrointestinal tract in an immuno-compromised model and should serve as a caution in using I3C as dietary supplements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnetta Fletcher
- a Department of Nutrition and Food Science , University of Maryland , College Park, MD , USA
| | - Haiqiu Huang
- a Department of Nutrition and Food Science , University of Maryland , College Park, MD , USA.,b Diet, Genomics, and Immunology Laboratory , Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center , USDA-ARS, Beltsville , MD , USA
| | - Lu Yu
- a Department of Nutrition and Food Science , University of Maryland , College Park, MD , USA
| | - Quynhchi Pham
- b Diet, Genomics, and Immunology Laboratory , Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center , USDA-ARS, Beltsville , MD , USA
| | - Liangli Yu
- a Department of Nutrition and Food Science , University of Maryland , College Park, MD , USA
| | - Thomas T Y Wang
- b Diet, Genomics, and Immunology Laboratory , Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center , USDA-ARS, Beltsville , MD , USA
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17
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Song Y, Su M, Zhu J, Di W, Liu Y, Hu R, Rood D, Lai L. FOXN1 recombinant protein enhances T-cell regeneration after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in mice. Eur J Immunol 2016; 46:1518-28. [PMID: 27125859 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201546196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
A prolonged period of T-cell recovery is the major challenge in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are the major component of the thymic microenvironment for T-cell generation. However, TECs undergo degeneration over time. FOXN1 plays a critical role in TEC development and is required to maintain adult TECs for thymopoiesis. To investigate the potential application of FOXN1, we have cloned and expressed recombinant FOXN1 protein (rFOXN1) that was fused with cell-penetrating peptides. We show here that the rFOXN1 protein can translocate from the cell surface into the cytoplasm and nucleus. Administration of rFOXN1 into both congenic and allogeneic HSCT recipient mice increased the number of TECs, resulting in enhanced thymopoiesis that led to an increased number of functional T cells in the periphery. The increased number of TECs is due to the enhanced survival and proliferation of TECs. Our results suggest that rFOXN1 has the potential to be used in enhancing T-cell regeneration in patients following HSCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinhong Song
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Min Su
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Jing Zhu
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen Di
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yalan Liu
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Rong Hu
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Debra Rood
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Laijun Lai
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.,University of Connecticut Stem Cell Institute, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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18
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Al‐Chami E, Tormo A, Pasquin S, Kanjarawi R, Ziouani S, Rafei M. Interleukin-21 administration to aged mice rejuvenates their peripheral T-cell pool by triggering de novo thymopoiesis. Aging Cell 2016; 15:349-60. [PMID: 26762709 PMCID: PMC4783337 DOI: 10.1111/acel.12440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The vaccination efficacy in the elderly is significantly reduced compared to younger populations due to thymic involution and age‐related intrinsic changes affecting their naïve T‐cell compartment. Interleukin (IL)‐21 was recently shown to display thymostimulatory properties. Therefore, we hypothesized that its administration to ageing hosts may improve T‐cell output and thus restore a competent peripheral T‐cell compartment. Indeed, an increase in the production of recent thymic emigrants (RTEs) attributable to intrathymic expansion of early thymic progenitors (ETPs), double‐negative (DN), and double‐positive (DP) thymocytes as well as thymic epithelial cell (TEC) was observed in recombinant (r)IL‐21‐treated aged mice. In sharp contrast, no alterations in the frequency of bone marrow (BM)‐derived progenitors were detected following rIL‐21 administration. Enhanced production of naïve T cells improved the T‐cell receptor (TCR) repertoire diversity and re‐established a pool of T cells exhibiting higher levels of miR‐181a and diminished amounts of the TCR‐inhibiting phosphatases SHP‐2 and DUSP5/6. As a result, stimulation of T cells derived from rIL‐21‐treated aged mice displayed enhanced activation of Lck, ZAP‐70, and ERK, which ultimately boosted their IL‐2 production, CD25 expression, and proliferation capabilities in comparison with T cells derived from control aged mice. Consequently, aged rIL‐21‐treated mice vaccinated using a tyrosinase‐related protein 2 (Trp2)‐derived peptide exhibited a substantial delay in B16 tumor growth and improved survival. The results of this study highlight the immunorestorative function of rIL‐21 paving its use as a strategy for the re‐establishment of effective immunity in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Al‐Chami
- Department of Pharmacology Université de Montréal Montréal QC H3C 1J7 Canada
| | - A. Tormo
- Department of Pharmacology Université de Montréal Montréal QC H3C 1J7 Canada
| | - S. Pasquin
- Department of Pharmacology Université de Montréal Montréal QC H3C 1J7 Canada
| | - R. Kanjarawi
- Department of Pharmacology Université de Montréal Montréal QC H3C 1J7 Canada
| | - S. Ziouani
- Université Paris‐Sud, Faculté de Pharmacie 5 rue J.B. Clément 92296 Châtenay‐Malabry Cedex France
| | - M. Rafei
- Department of Pharmacology Université de Montréal Montréal QC H3C 1J7 Canada
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19
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Editorial: Cytokines in inflammation, aging, cancer and obesity. Cytokine 2016; 82:1-3. [PMID: 26997465 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2016.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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20
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Hou XL, Wang L, Ding YL, Xie Q, Diao HY. Current status and recent advances of next generation sequencing techniques in immunological repertoire. Genes Immun 2016; 17:153-64. [PMID: 26963138 DOI: 10.1038/gene.2016.9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
To ward off a wide variety of pathogens, the human adaptive immune system harbors a vast array of T-cell receptors (TCRs) and B-cell receptors (BCRs), collectively referred to as the immune repertoire. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) of TCR/BCR genes allows in-depth molecular analysis of T/B-cell clones, providing an unprecedented level of detail when examining the T/B-cell repertoire of individuals. It can evaluate TCR/BCR complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) diversity and assess the clonal composition, including the size of the repertoire; similarities between repertoires; V(D)J segment use; nucleotide insertions and deletions; CDR3 lengths; and amino acid distributions along the CDR3s at sequence-level resolution. Deep sequencing of B-cell and T-cell repertoires offers the potential for a quantitative understanding of the adaptive immune system in healthy and disease states. Recently, paired sequencing strategies have also been developed, which can provide information about the identity of immune receptor pairs encoded by individual T or B lymphocytes. HTS technology provides a previously unimaginable amount of sequence data, accompanied, however, by numerous challenges associated with error correction and interpretation that remain to be solved. The review details some of the technologies and some of the recent achievements in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- X-L Hou
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - L Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Y-L Ding
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Q Xie
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - H-Y Diao
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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21
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Velardi E, Dudakov JA, van den Brink MRM. Sex steroid ablation: an immunoregenerative strategy for immunocompromised patients. Bone Marrow Transplant 2016; 50 Suppl 2:S77-81. [PMID: 26039214 DOI: 10.1038/bmt.2015.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Age-related decline in thymic function is a well-described process that results in reduced T-cell development and thymic output of new naïve T cells. Thymic involution leads to reduced response to vaccines and new pathogens in otherwise healthy individuals; however, reduced thymic function is particularly detrimental in clinical scenarios where the immune system is profoundly depleted such as after chemotherapy, radiotherapy, infection and shock. Poor thymic function and restoration of immune competence has been correlated with an increased risk of opportunistic infections, tumor relapse and autoimmunity. Apart from their primary role in sex dimorphism, sex steroid levels profoundly affect the immune system in general and, in fact, age-related thymic involution has been at least partially attributed to the increase in sex steroids at puberty. Subsequently it has been demonstrated that the removal of sex steroids, or sex steroid ablation (SSA), triggers physiologic changes that ultimately lead to thymic re-growth and improved T-cell reconstitution in settings of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Although the cellular and molecular process underlying these regenerative effects are still poorly understood, SSA clearly represents an attractive therapeutic approach to enhance thymic function and restore immune competence in immunodeficient individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Velardi
- 1] Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA [2] Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - J A Dudakov
- 1] Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA [2] Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories (MISCL), Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - M R M van den Brink
- 1] Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA [2] Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
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22
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van den Broek T, Delemarre EM, Janssen WJM, Nievelstein RAJ, Broen JC, Tesselaar K, Borghans JAM, Nieuwenhuis EES, Prakken BJ, Mokry M, Jansen NJG, van Wijk F. Neonatal thymectomy reveals differentiation and plasticity within human naive T cells. J Clin Invest 2016; 126:1126-36. [PMID: 26901814 DOI: 10.1172/jci84997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The generation of naive T cells is dependent on thymic output, but in adults, the naive T cell pool is primarily maintained by peripheral proliferation. Naive T cells have long been regarded as relatively quiescent cells; however, it was recently shown that IL-8 production is a signatory effector function of naive T cells, at least in newborns. How this functional signature relates to naive T cell dynamics and aging is unknown. Using a cohort of children and adolescents who underwent neonatal thymectomy, we demonstrate that the naive CD4+ T cell compartment in healthy humans is functionally heterogeneous and that this functional diversity is lost after neonatal thymectomy. Thymic tissue regeneration later in life resulted in functional restoration of the naive T cell compartment, implicating the thymus as having functional regenerative capacity. Together, these data shed further light on functional differentiation within the naive T cell compartment and the importance of the thymus in human naive T cell homeostasis and premature aging. In addition, these results affect and alter our current understanding on the identification of truly naive T cells and recent thymic emigrants.
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Bredenkamp N, Jin X, Liu D, O'Neill KE, Manley NR, Blackburn CC. Construction of a functional thymic microenvironment from pluripotent stem cells for the induction of central tolerance. Regen Med 2016; 10:317-29. [PMID: 25933240 DOI: 10.2217/rme.15.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is required for generation of a self-tolerant, self-restricted T-cell repertoire. The capacity to manipulate or replace thymus function therapeutically would be beneficial in a variety of clinical settings, including for improving recovery following bone marrow transplantation, restoring immune system function in the elderly and promoting tolerance to transplanted organs or cells. An attractive strategy would be transplantation of thymus organoids generated from cells produced in vitro, for instance from pluripotent stem cells. Here, we review recent progress toward this goal, focusing on advances in directing differentiation of pluripotent stem cells to thymic epithelial cells, a key cell type of the thymic stroma, and related direct reprogramming strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Bredenkamp
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, SCRM Building, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, EH16 4UU, UK
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24
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Radulović NS, Filipović SI, Zlatković DB, Đorđević MR, Stojanović NM, Randjelović PJ, Mitić KV, Jevtović-Stoimenov TM, Ranđelović VN. Immunomodulatory pinguisane-type sesquiterpenes from the liverwort Porella cordaeana (Porellaceae): the “new old” furanopinguisanol and its oxidation product exert mutually different effects on rat splenocytes. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra04308a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Furanopinguisanol and furanopinguisanone, two new pinguisane-type sesquiterpenes from the liverwortPorella cordaeana, exert mutually different effects on rat splenocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niko S. Radulović
- Department of Chemistry
- Faculty of Science and Mathematics
- University of Niš
- Niš
- Serbia
| | - Sonja I. Filipović
- Department of Chemistry
- Faculty of Science and Mathematics
- University of Niš
- Niš
- Serbia
| | - Dragan B. Zlatković
- Department of Chemistry
- Faculty of Science and Mathematics
- University of Niš
- Niš
- Serbia
| | - Miljana R. Đorđević
- Department of Chemistry
- Faculty of Science and Mathematics
- University of Niš
- Niš
- Serbia
| | | | | | - Katarina V. Mitić
- Department of Chemistry
- Faculty of Science and Mathematics
- University of Niš
- Niš
- Serbia
| | | | - Vladimir N. Ranđelović
- Department of Biology and Ecology
- Faculty of Science and Mathematics
- University of Niš
- Niš
- Serbia
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Okabe M, Ito S, Nishio N, Tanaka Y, Isobe KI. Thymic Epithelial Cells Induced from Pluripotent Stem Cells by a Three-Dimensional Spheroid Culture System Regenerates Functional T Cells in Nude Mice. Cell Reprogram 2015; 17:368-75. [PMID: 26348437 DOI: 10.1089/cell.2015.0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is mainly composed of two types of epithelial cells, medullary thymic epithelial cells and cortex thymic epithelial cells (mTECs and cTECs). The tissue structure and mechanism for T cell development are complicated, with generation of the thymus regulated by complex molecular and cellular interactions of the thymic microenvironment during embryogenesis. Since the development of organ regeneration techniques became available, complete in vitro regeneration of the thymus has been attempted. Steric induction systems are thought to be optimal for tissue regeneration, but three-dimensional (3-D) induction of TECs from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has not yet been reported. Here, we demonstrate the induction of functional TECs from iPSCs by a 3-D spheroid culture system with recruitment of robust numbers of T cells into the peripheral blood. Purified iPSC-derived TECs showed a sufficient expression level of FoxN1 comparable to TECs, and phenotypic analysis revealed that iPSC-derived TECs were expressing K5. Moreover, transplants of cell aggregations into recipient mice were not rejected and there was normal support of T cell development. Functional analysis revealed that T cells showed immune tolerance to both donor and recipient MHCs and could reject an allogeneic third party's skin graft without tumorigenesis. Taken together, these findings raised the possibility of using iPSC-derived TECs induced by 3-D spheroid culture in future regenerative therapy for patients with immunodeficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motohito Okabe
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine , Showa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Sachiko Ito
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine , Showa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Naomi Nishio
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine , Showa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuriko Tanaka
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine , Showa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Isobe
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine , Showa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
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26
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Efficient in vitro generation of functional thymic epithelial progenitors from human embryonic stem cells. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9882. [PMID: 26044259 PMCID: PMC4456731 DOI: 10.1038/srep09882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2014] [Accepted: 03/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are the major components of the thymic microenvironment for T cell development. TECs are derived from thymic epithelial progenitors (TEPs). It has been reported that human ESCs (hESCs) can be directed to differentiate into TEPs in vitro. However, the efficiency for the differentiation is low. Furthermore, transplantation of hESC-TEPs in mice only resulted in a very low level of human T cell development from co-transplanted human hematopoietic precursors. We show here that we have developed a novel protocol to efficiently induce the differentiation of hESCs into TEPs in vitro. When transplanted into mice, hESC-TEPs develop into TECs and form a thymic architecture. Most importantly, the hESC-TECs support the long-term development of functional mouse T cells or a higher level of human T cell development from co-transplanted human hematopoietic precursors. The hESC-TEPs may provide a new approach to prevent or treat patients with T cell immunodeficiency.
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27
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Bredenkamp N, Nowell CS, Blackburn CC. Regeneration of the aged thymus by a single transcription factor. Development 2014; 141:1627-37. [PMID: 24715454 PMCID: PMC3978836 DOI: 10.1242/dev.103614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Thymic involution is central to the decline in immune system function that occurs with age. By regenerating the thymus, it may therefore be possible to improve the ability of the aged immune system to respond to novel antigens. Recently, diminished expression of the thymic epithelial cell (TEC)-specific transcription factor Forkhead box N1 (FOXN1) has been implicated as a component of the mechanism regulating age-related involution. The effects of upregulating FOXN1 function in the aged thymus are, however, unknown. Here, we show that forced, TEC-specific upregulation of FOXN1 in the fully involuted thymus of aged mice results in robust thymus regeneration characterized by increased thymopoiesis and increased naive T cell output. We demonstrate that the regenerated organ closely resembles the juvenile thymus in terms of architecture and gene expression profile, and further show that this FOXN1-mediated regeneration stems from an enlarged TEC compartment, rebuilt from progenitor TECs. Collectively, our data establish that upregulation of a single transcription factor can substantially reverse age-related thymic involution, identifying FOXN1 as a specific target for improving thymus function and, thus, immune competence in patients. More widely, they demonstrate that organ regeneration in an aged mammal can be directed by manipulation of a single transcription factor, providing a provocative paradigm that may be of broad impact for regenerative biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Bredenkamp
- Medical Research Council Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Stem Cell Research, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, SCRM Building, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK
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28
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Hakim FT, Gress RE. Immunosenescence: immune deficits in the elderly and therapeutic strategies to enhance immune competence. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2014; 1:443-58. [DOI: 10.1586/1744666x.1.3.443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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29
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Pan B, Liu J, Zhang Y, Sun Y, Wu Q, Zhao K, Zeng L, Xu K. Acute ablation of DP thymocytes induces up-regulation of IL-22 and Foxn1 in TECs. Clin Immunol 2014; 150:101-8. [PMID: 24333537 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2013.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2013] [Revised: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 11/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) provide the basic architecture for the development of thymocytes. TEC is regenerative after impairment in thymus of young mice. However, how this regeneration program is governed remains unclear. Transcription factor Foxn1 is a central mediator of the differentiation and function of TEC. We examined the relation between thymic injury and Foxn1 in TEC. Total body irradiation (TBI) treatments induced up-regulation of Foxn1 in TEC, which was abolished when thymic function recovered. Specific depletion of double positive (DP) thymocytes triggered the up-regulation of Foxn1. On the other hand, extracellular IL-22 is a potential regulator of homeostasis of TEC. We demonstrated that TBI treatments also induced the up-regulation of intrathymic IL-22. Expression pattern of Foxn1 shares similar characteristics with IL-22. Furthermore, Foxn1 related genes that regulate the function of TEC were also up-regulated. Thus, our data reveal that TBI treatment triggers regeneration program of TEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Pan
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Laboratory of Transplant Immunology, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yuqi Sun
- Laboratory of Transplant Immunology, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, China
| | - Qingyun Wu
- Laboratory of Transplant Immunology, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, China
| | - Kai Zhao
- Laboratory of Transplant Immunology, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, China
| | - Lingyu Zeng
- Laboratory of Transplant Immunology, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, China
| | - Kailin Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, China; Laboratory of Transplant Immunology, Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, China.
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30
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Human proT-cells generated in vitro facilitate hematopoietic stem cell-derived T-lymphopoiesis in vivo and restore thymic architecture. Blood 2013; 122:4210-9. [PMID: 24215033 DOI: 10.1182/blood-2012-12-472803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is followed by a period of immune deficiency due to a paucity in T-cell reconstitution. Underlying causes are a severely dysfunctional thymus and an impaired production of thymus-seeding progenitors in the host. Here, we addressed whether in vitro-derived human progenitor T (proT)-cells could not only represent a source of thymus-seeding progenitors, but also able to influence the recovery of the thymic microenvironment. We examined whether co-transplantation of in vitro-derived human proT-cells with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) was able to facilitate HSC-derived T-lymphopoiesis posttransplant. A competitive transfer approach was used to define the optimal proT subset capable of reconstituting immunodeficient mice. Although the 2 subsets tested (proT1, CD34(+)CD7(+)CD5(-); proT2, CD34(+)CD7(+)CD5(+)) showed thymus engrafting function, proT2-cells exhibited superior engrafting capacity. Based on this, when proT2-cells were coinjected with HSCs, a significantly improved and accelerated HSC-derived T-lymphopoiesis was observed. Furthermore, we uncovered a potential mechanism by which receptor activator of nuclear factor κb (RANK) ligand-expressing proT2-cells induce changes in both the function and architecture of the thymus microenvironment, which favors the recruitment of bone marrow-derived lymphoid progenitors. Our findings provide further support for the use of Notch-expanded progenitors in cell-based therapies to aid in the recovery of T-cells in patients undergoing HSCT.
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31
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Deobagkar-Lele M, Victor ES, Nandi D. c-Jun NH2 -terminal kinase is a critical node in the death of CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes during Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection. Eur J Immunol 2013; 44:137-49. [PMID: 24105651 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201343506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Revised: 08/15/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Thymic atrophy, due to the depletion of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes, is observed during infections with numerous pathogens. Several mechanisms, such as glucocorticoids and inflammatory cytokines, are known to be involved in this process; however, the roles of intracellular signaling molecules have not been investigated. In this study, the functional role of c-Jun NH2 -terminal kinase (JNK) during infection-induced thymic atrophy was addressed. The levels of phosphorylated JNK in immature CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes from C57BL/6 (Nramp-deficient) and 129/SvJ (Nramp-sufficient) mice were increased upon oral infection of mice with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium). Furthermore, inhibition of JNK signaling, but not ERK or p38 MAPK, prevented the in vitro death of infected thymocytes. Importantly, the in vivo inhibition of JNK signaling with SP600125 protected C57BL/6 CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes from depletion via multiple mechanisms as follows: lower intracellular ROS, inflammatory cytokines, Bax and caspase 3 activity, increase in Bcl-xL amounts, and prevention of the loss in mitochondrial membrane potential. Notably, thymic architecture was preserved in infected mice treated with SP600125. Overall, this study identifies a novel role for JNK as a crucial regulator of the death of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes during S. typhimurium infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukta Deobagkar-Lele
- Department of Biochemistry and Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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32
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Garfin PM, Min D, Bryson JL, Serwold T, Edris B, Blackburn CC, Richie ER, Weinberg KI, Manley NR, Sage J, Viatour P. Inactivation of the RB family prevents thymus involution and promotes thymic function by direct control of Foxn1 expression. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 210:1087-97. [PMID: 23669396 PMCID: PMC3674705 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20121716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
RB family genes control T cell production and promote thymic involution through reducing Foxn1 expression in thymic epithelial cells. Thymic involution during aging is a major cause of decreased production of T cells and reduced immunity. Here we show that inactivation of Rb family genes in young mice prevents thymic involution and results in an enlarged thymus competent for increased production of naive T cells. This phenotype originates from the expansion of functional thymic epithelial cells (TECs). In RB family mutant TECs, increased activity of E2F transcription factors drives increased expression of Foxn1, a central regulator of the thymic epithelium. Increased Foxn1 expression is required for the thymic expansion observed in Rb family mutant mice. Thus, the RB family promotes thymic involution and controls T cell production via a bone marrow–independent mechanism, identifying a novel pathway to target to increase thymic function in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip M Garfin
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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33
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Deobagkar-Lele M, Chacko SK, Victor ES, Kadthur JC, Nandi D. Interferon-γ- and glucocorticoid-mediated pathways synergize to enhance death of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes during Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection. Immunology 2013. [PMID: 23186527 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic atrophy is known to occur during infections; however, there is limited understanding of its causes and of the cross-talk between different pathways. This study investigates mechanisms involved in thymic atrophy during a model of oral infection by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium). Significant death of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes, but not of single-positive thymocytes or peripheral lymphocytes, is observed at later stages during infection with live, but not heat-killed, bacteria. The death of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes is Fas-independent as shown by infection studies with lpr mice. However, apoptosis occurs with lowering of mitochondrial potential and higher caspase-3 activity. The amounts of cortisol, a glucocorticoid, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), an inflammatory cytokine, increase upon infection. To investigate the functional roles of these molecules, studies were performed using Ifnγ(-/-) mice together with RU486, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. Treatment of C57BL/6 mice with RU486 does not affect colony-forming units (CFU), amounts of IFN-γ and mouse survival; however, there is partial rescue in thymocyte death. Upon infection, Ifnγ(-/-) mice display higher CFU and lower survival but more surviving thymocytes are recovered. However, there is no difference in cortisol amounts in C57BL/6 and Ifnγ(-/-) mice. Importantly, the number of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes is significantly higher in Ifnγ(-/-) mice treated with RU486 along with lower caspase-3 activity and mitochondrial damage. Hence, endogenous glucocorticoid and IFN-γ-mediated pathways are parallel but synergize in an additive manner to induce death of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes during S. typhimurium infection. The implications of this study for host responses during infection are discussed.
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Forcina A, Noviello M, Carbone MR, Bonini C, Bondanza A. Predicting the Clinical Outcome of Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: The Long and Winding Road toward Validated Immune Biomarkers. Front Immunol 2013; 4:71. [PMID: 23531639 PMCID: PMC3607069 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2012] [Accepted: 03/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is strongly influenced from the potential complications arising during the delicate phase of post-transplant immune restoration. The quantitative aspects of immune-cell repopulation after HSCT and the qualitative features their functional restitution have been extensively reported. Nevertheless, measurable immune biomarkers predicting the clinical outcome of HSCT await formal validation. The aim of this review is an appraisal of most studies published so far on the predictive value of different T and NK-cell biomarkers after HSCT with emphasis on defined thresholds endorsed by multivariate analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Forcina
- Experimental Hematology Unit, San Raffaele Scientific Institute Milan, Italy
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35
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Abstract
Despite significant advances in prevention and management, graft versus host disease (GVHD) is still a leading complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Although skin, gut, liver, thymus, and lung are GVHD targets, neurological complications (NC) have also been reported following allo-HSCT. We demonstrate that the central nervous system (CNS) can be a direct target of alloreactive T cells following allo-HSCT in mice. We found significant infiltration of the CNS with donor T lymphocytes and cell death of neurons and neuroglia in allo-HSCT recipients with GVHD. We also found that allo-HSCT recipients with GVHD had deficits in spatial learning/memory and demonstrated increased anxious behavior. These findings highlight CNS sensitivity to damage caused by alloreactive donor T cells and represent the first characterization of target cell subsets and NC during GVHD. Therefore, these clinically relevant studies offer a novel and rational explanation for the well-described neurological symptoms observed after allo-HSCT.
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Chinn IK, Blackburn CC, Manley NR, Sempowski GD. Changes in primary lymphoid organs with aging. Semin Immunol 2012; 24:309-20. [PMID: 22559987 PMCID: PMC3415579 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2012.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Revised: 03/30/2012] [Accepted: 04/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Aging is associated with decreased immune function that leads to increased morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Immune senescence is accompanied by age-related changes in two primary lymphoid organs, bone marrow and thymus, that result in decreased production and function of B and T lymphocytes. In bone marrow, hematopoietic stem cells exhibit reduced self-renewal potential, increased skewing toward myelopoiesis, and decreased production of lymphocytes with aging. These functional sequelae of aging are caused in part by increased oxidative stress, inflammation, adipocyte differentiation, and disruption of hypoxic osteoblastic niches. In thymus, aging is associated with tissue involution, exhibited by a disorganization of the thymic epithelial cell architecture and increased adiposity. This dysregulation correlates with a loss of stroma-thymocyte 'cross-talk', resulting in decreased export of naïve T cells. Mounting evidence argues that with aging, thymic inflammation, systemic stress, local Foxn1 and keratinocyte growth factor expression, and sex steroid levels play critical roles in actively driving thymic involution and overall adaptive immune senescence across the lifespan. With a better understanding of the complex mechanisms and pathways that mediate bone marrow and thymus involution with aging, potential increases for the development of safe and effective interventions to prevent or restore loss of immune function with aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan K. Chinn
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710 USA
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Box 103020, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710 USA
| | - Clare C. Blackburn
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, SCRM Building, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh, United Kingdom EH16 4UU
| | - Nancy R. Manley
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, 500 DW Brooks Drive, S270B Coverdell Building, Athens, Georgia, 30602 USA
| | - Gregory D. Sempowski
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Box 103020, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710 USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710 USA
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, 27710 USA
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37
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Patel ES, Okada S, Hachey K, Yang LJ, Durum SK, Moreb JS, Chang LJ. Regulation of in vitro human T cell development through interleukin-7 deprivation and anti-CD3 stimulation. BMC Immunol 2012; 13:46. [PMID: 22897934 PMCID: PMC3496569 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-13-46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2012] [Accepted: 06/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of IL-7 and pre-TCR signaling during T cell development has been well characterized in murine but not in human system. We and others have reported that human BM hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) display poor proliferation, inefficient double negative (DN) to double positive (DP) transition and no functional maturation in the in vitro OP9-Delta-like 1 (DL1) culture system. RESULTS In this study, we investigated the importance of optimal IL-7 and pre-TCR signaling during adult human T cell development. Using a modified OP9-DL1 culture ectopically expressing IL-7 and Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L), we demonstrated enhanced T cell precursor expansion. IL-7 removal at various time points during T cell development promoted a slight increase of DP cells; however, these cells did not differentiate further and underwent cell death. As pre-TCR signaling rescues DN cells from programmed cell death, we treated the culture with anti-CD3 antibody. Upon pre-TCR stimulation, the IL-7 deprived T precursors differentiated into CD3+TCRαβ+DP cells and further matured into functional CD4 T cells, albeit displayed a skewed TCR Vβ repertoire. CONCLUSIONS Our study establishes for the first time a critical control for differentiation and maturation of adult human T cells from HPCs by concomitant regulation of IL-7 and pre-TCR signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekta S Patel
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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38
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Cocco C, Airoldi I. Research Highlights: Highlights from the latest articles in immunomodulation. Immunotherapy 2012; 4:667-8. [DOI: 10.2217/imt.12.56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Cocco
- A.I.R.C. Laboratory of Immunology & Tumors, Department of Experimental & Laboratory Medicine, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Irma Airoldi
- A.I.R.C. Laboratory of Immunology & Tumors, Department of Experimental & Laboratory Medicine, Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
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39
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Dudakov JA, Hanash AM, Jenq RR, Young LF, Ghosh A, Singer NV, West ML, Smith OM, Holland AM, Tsai JJ, Boyd RL, van den Brink MR. Interleukin-22 drives endogenous thymic regeneration in mice. Science 2012; 336:91-5. [PMID: 22383805 PMCID: PMC3616391 DOI: 10.1126/science.1218004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 273] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Endogenous thymic regeneration is a crucial function that allows for renewal of immune competence after stress, infection, or immunodepletion. However, the mechanisms governing this regeneration remain poorly understood. We detail such a mechanism, centered on interleukin-22 (IL-22) and triggered by the depletion of CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive thymocytes. Intrathymic levels of IL-22 were increased after thymic insult, and thymic recovery was impaired in IL-22-deficient mice. IL-22, which signaled through thymic epithelial cells and promoted their proliferation and survival, was up-regulated by radio-resistant RORγ(t)(+)CCR6(+)NKp46(-) lymphoid tissue inducer cells after thymic injury in an IL-23-dependent manner. Administration of IL-22 enhanced thymic recovery after total body irradiation. These studies reveal mechanisms of endogenous thymic repair and offer innovative regenerative strategies for improving immune competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod A. Dudakov
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
- Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories (MISCL), Monash University, Melbourne, Australia 3800
| | - Alan M. Hanash
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
| | - Robert R. Jenq
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
| | - Lauren F. Young
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
| | - Arnab Ghosh
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
| | - Natalie V. Singer
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
| | - Mallory L. West
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
| | - Odette M. Smith
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
| | - Amanda M. Holland
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
| | - Jennifer J. Tsai
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
| | - Richard L. Boyd
- Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories (MISCL), Monash University, Melbourne, Australia 3800
| | - Marcel R.M. van den Brink
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10021
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Keratinocyte Growth Factor and Stem Cell Factor to Improve Thymopoiesis after Autologous CD34+ Cell Transplantation in Rhesus Macaques. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2012; 18:55-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbmt.2011.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2011] [Accepted: 09/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Mouse embryonic stem cell-derived thymic epithelial cell progenitors enhance T-cell reconstitution after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. Blood 2011; 118:3410-8. [DOI: 10.1182/blood-2011-03-340794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
We have reported that mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) can be selectively induced in vitro to differentiate into thymic epithelial cell progenitors (TEPs). When placed in vivo, these mESC-derived TEPs differentiate into cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells, reconstitute the normal thymic architecture, and enhance thymocyte regeneration after syngeneic BM transplantation (BMT). Here, we show that transplantation of mESC-derived TEPs results in the efficient establishment of thymocyte chimerism and subsequent generation of naive T cells in both young and old recipients of allo-geneic BM transplant. GVHD was not induced, whereas graft-versus-tumor activity was significantly enhanced. Importantly, the reconstituted immune system was tolerant to host, mESC, and BM transplant donor antigens. Therefore, ESC-derived TEPs may offer a new approach for the rapid and durable correction of T-cell immune deficiency after BMT, and the induction of tolerance to ESC-derived tissue and organ transplants. In addition, ESC-derived TEPs may also have use as a means to reverse age-dependent thymic involution, thereby enhancing immune function and decreasing infection rates in the elderly.
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A Human Recombinant IL-7/HGFα Hybrid Cytokine Enhances T-Cell Reconstitution in Mice After Syngeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation. Transplantation 2011; 92:516-22. [DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e318228d766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Wils EJ, Rombouts EJC, van Mourik I, Spits H, Legrand N, Braakman E, Cornelissen JJ. Stem Cell Factor Consistently Improves Thymopoiesis after Experimental Transplantation of Murine or Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Immunodeficient Mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 187:2974-81. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1004209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Dzhagalov I, Phee H. How to find your way through the thymus: a practical guide for aspiring T cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2011; 69:663-82. [PMID: 21842411 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-011-0791-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Revised: 07/25/2011] [Accepted: 07/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Thymocytes must complete an elaborate developmental program in the thymus to ultimately generate T cells that express functional but neither harmful nor useless TCRs. Each developmental step coincides with dynamic relocation of the thymocytes between anatomically discrete thymic microenvironments, suggesting that thymocytes' migration is tightly regulated by their developmental status. Chemokines produced by thymic stromal cells and chemokine receptors on the thymocytes play an indispensable role in guiding developing thymocytes into the different microenvironments. In addition to long-range migration, chemokines increase the thymocytes' motility, enhancing their interaction with stromal cells. During the past several years, much progress has been made to determine the various signals that guide thymocytes on their journey within the thymus. In this review, we summarize the progress in identifying chemokines and other chemoattractant signals that direct intrathymic migration. Furthermore, we discuss the recent advances of two-photon microscopy in determining dynamic motility and interaction behavior of thymocytes within distinct compartments to provide a better understanding of the relationship between thymocyte motility and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Dzhagalov
- LSA, Room 479, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Division of Immunology and Pathogenesis, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA.
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Dudakov JA, van den Brink MRM. Greater than the sum of their parts: combination strategies for immune regeneration following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Best Pract Res Clin Haematol 2011; 24:467-76. [PMID: 21925100 DOI: 10.1016/j.beha.2011.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Cytoreductive conditioning regimes designed to allow for successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) paradoxically are also detrimental to recovery of the immune system in general but lymphopoiesis in particular. Post-transplant immune depletion is particularly striking within the T cell compartment which is exquisitely sensitive to negative regulation, evidenced by the profound decline in thymic function with age. As a consequence, regeneration of the immune system remains a significant unmet clinical need. Over the past decade studies have revealed several promising therapeutic strategies to address ineffective lymphopoiesis and post-transplant immune deficiency. These include the use of cytokines such as IL-7, IL-12 and IL-15; growth factors and hormones like keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and growth hormone (GH); adoptive transfer of ex vivo-generated precursor T cells (pre-T) and sex steroid ablation (SSA). Moreover, recently several novel approaches have been proposed to generate whole thymii ex vivo using stem cell technologies and bioscaffolds. Increasingly, however, when transferred to the clinic, these strategies alone are not sufficient to restore thymopoiesis in all patients leading to the potential of combination strategies as a way to reign in non-responders. Synergistic enhancement in combination may be due to differential targets may therefore be effective in improving clinical outcomes in the transplant settings as well as in other lymphopenic states induced by high dose chemotherapy/radiation therapy or HIV, and may also be useful in improving responses to vaccination and augmenting anti-tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarrod A Dudakov
- Department of Immunology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
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Green MD, Snoeck HW. Novel approaches for immune reconstitution and adaptive immune modeling with human pluripotent stem cells. BMC Med 2011; 9:51. [PMID: 21569275 PMCID: PMC3098795 DOI: 10.1186/1741-7015-9-51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2011] [Accepted: 05/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells have the capacity to generate all cell lineages, and substantial progress has been made in realizing this potential. One fascinating but as yet unrealized possibility is the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into thymic epithelial cells. The thymus is a primary lymphoid organ essential for naïve T-cell generation. T cells play an important role in adaptive immunity, and their loss or dysfunction underlies in a wide range of autoimmune and infectious diseases. T cells are generated and selected through interaction with thymic epithelial cells, the functionally essential element of thymus. The ability to generate functional thymic epithelial cells from pluripotent stem cells would have applications in modeling human immune responses in mice, in tissue transplantation, and in modulating autoimmune and infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Green
- 1Department of Gene and Cell Medicine and Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY 10029, USA
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Awong G, Herer E, La Motte-Mohs RN, Zúñiga-Pflücker JC. Human CD8 T cells generated in vitro from hematopoietic stem cells are functionally mature. BMC Immunol 2011; 12:22. [PMID: 21429219 PMCID: PMC3072939 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2172-12-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Accepted: 03/23/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND T cell development occurs within the highly specialized thymus. Cytotoxic CD8 T cells are critical in adaptive immunity by targeting virally infected or tumor cells. In this study, we addressed whether functional CD8 T cells can be generated fully in vitro using human umbilical cord blood (UCB) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in coculture with OP9-DL1 cells. RESULTS HSC/OP9-DL1 cocultures supported the differentiation of CD8 T cells, which were TCR/CD3(hi) CD27(hi) CD1a(neg) and thus phenotypically resembled mature functional CD8 single positive thymocytes. These in vitro-generated T cells also appeared to be conventional CD8 cells, as they expressed high levels of Eomes and low levels of Plzf, albeit not identical to ex vivo UCB CD8 T cells. Consistent with the phenotypic and molecular characterization, upon TCR-stimulation, in vitro-generated CD8 T cells proliferated, expressed activation markers (MHC-II, CD25, CD38), secreted IFN-γ and expressed Granzyme B, a cytotoxic T-cell effector molecule. CONCLUSION Taken together, the ability to direct human hematopoietic stem cell or T-progenitor cells towards a mature functional phenotype raises the possibility of establishing cell-based treatments for T-immunodeficiencies by rapidly restoring CD8 effector function, thereby mitigating the risks associated with opportunistic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Génève Awong
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, and Sunnybrook Research Institute, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada
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Jin J, Goldschneider I, Lai L. In Vivo Administration of the Recombinant IL-7/Hepatocyte Growth Factor β Hybrid Cytokine Efficiently Restores Thymopoiesis and Naive T Cell Generation in Lethally Irradiated Mice after Syngeneic Bone Marrow Transplantation. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 186:1915-22. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1001238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Calder AE, Hince MN, Dudakov JA, Chidgey AP, Boyd RL. Thymic involution: where endocrinology meets immunology. Neuroimmunomodulation 2011; 18:281-9. [PMID: 21952680 DOI: 10.1159/000329496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The decline in immune function with aging represents a major clinical challenge in many disease conditions. It is manifest in many parameters but is essentially linked to the adaptive immune responses. The prediction would be that abnormalities in both T and B lymphocytes underlie the loss of cellular and humoral capacity, respectively. Somewhat surprisingly, this is not reflected in numerical losses but more in alterations at the population and single cell levels. There is a major reduction in naïve T cells with a proportional increase in memory cells, and also a generally reduced function of these cells. While bone marrow function reduces with age, the most obvious reason for the T cell defects is the severe atrophy of the thymus. This is closely aligned with puberty, thereby implicating a major aetiological role for sex steroids in both thymus and immune system deterioration with age. Accordingly surgical or chemical castration (utilizing luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone) blocks sex steroids resulting in profound rejuvenation of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrienne E Calder
- Monash Immunology and Stem Cell Laboratories, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
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