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Schweiger P, Hamann L, Strobel J, Weisbach V, Wandersee A, Christ J, Kehl S, Weidenthaler F, Antoniadis S, Hackstein H, Cunningham S. Functional Heterogeneity of Umbilical Cord Blood Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 213:115-124. [PMID: 38809115 PMCID: PMC11215632 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2400036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Human umbilical cord blood (UCB) represents a unique resource for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for children and patients lacking suitable donors. UCB harbors a diverse set of leukocytes such as professional APCs, including monocytes, that could act as a novel source for cellular therapies. However, the immunological properties of UCB monocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) are not fully characterized. In this study, we characterized the phenotype and functions of UCB-MoDCs to gauge their potential for future applications. UCB exhibited higher frequencies of platelets and lymphocytes as well as lower frequencies of neutrophils in comparison with adult whole blood. Leukocyte subset evaluation revealed significantly lower frequencies of granulocytes, NK cells, and CD14+CD16- monocytes. Surface marker evaluation revealed significantly lower rates of costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD83 while chemokine receptors CCR7 and CXCR4, as well as markers for Ag presentation, were similarly expressed. UCB-MoDCs were sensitive to TLR1-9 stimulation and presented quantitative differences in the release of proinflammatory cytokines. UCB-MoDCs presented functional CCR7-, CXCR4-, and CCR5-associated migratory behavior as well as adequate receptor- and micropinocytosis-mediated Ag uptake. When cocultured with allogeneic T lymphocytes, UCB-MoDCs induced weak CD4+ T lymphocyte proliferation, CD71 expression, and release of IFN-γ and IL-2. Taken together, UCB-MoDCs present potentially advantageous properties for future medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Schweiger
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, Friedrich–Alexander University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Livia Hamann
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, Friedrich–Alexander University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julian Strobel
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, Friedrich–Alexander University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Volker Weisbach
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, Friedrich–Alexander University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Wandersee
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, Friedrich–Alexander University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julia Christ
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, Friedrich–Alexander University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sven Kehl
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Filip Weidenthaler
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sophia Antoniadis
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Holger Hackstein
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, Friedrich–Alexander University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sarah Cunningham
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Haemostaseology, Friedrich–Alexander University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, University Hospital of Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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Schüller SS, Barman S, Mendez-Giraldez R, Soni D, Daley J, Baden LR, Levy O, Dowling DJ. Immune profiling of age and adjuvant-specific activation of human blood mononuclear cells in vitro. Commun Biol 2024; 7:709. [PMID: 38851856 PMCID: PMC11162429 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06390-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccination reduces morbidity and mortality due to infections, but efficacy may be limited due to distinct immunogenicity at the extremes of age. This raises the possibility of employing adjuvants to enhance immunogenicity and protection. Early IFNγ production is a hallmark of effective vaccine immunogenicity in adults serving as a biomarker that may predict effective adjuvanticity. We utilized mass cytometry (CyTOF) to dissect the source of adjuvant-induced cytokine production in human blood mononuclear cells (BMCs) from newborns (~39-week-gestation), adults (~18-63 years old) and elders (>65 years of age) after stimulation with pattern recognition receptors agonist (PRRa) adjuvants. Dimensionality reduction analysis of CyTOF data mapped the BMC compartment, elucidated age-specific immune responses and profiled PRR-mediated activation of monocytes and DCs upon adjuvant stimulation. Furthermore, we demonstrated PRRa adjuvants mediated innate IFNγ induction and mapped NK cells as the key source of TLR7/8 agonist (TLR7/8a) specific innate IFNγ responses. Hierarchical clustering analysis revealed age and TLR7/8a-specific accumulation of innate IFNγ producing γδ T cells. Our study demonstrates the application of mass cytometry and cutting-edge computational approaches to characterize immune responses across immunologically distinct age groups and may inform identification of the bespoke adjuvantation systems tailored to enhance immunity in distinct vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone S Schüller
- Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Neonatal Directorate, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth, Australia
| | - Soumik Barman
- Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Dheeraj Soni
- Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Sanofi, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - John Daley
- Dana Farber CyTOF Core Facility, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lindsey R Baden
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ofer Levy
- Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - David J Dowling
- Precision Vaccines Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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3
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Hou L, Li Y, Kang L, Li X, Li H, Xue F. The long-term mediation role of cytokines on the causal pathway from maternal gestational age to offspring eye diseases: Lifecourse-Network Mendelian randomization. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 122:110667. [PMID: 37487263 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gestational duration has a significant impact on eye diseases. A large number of evidences suggest that cytokines are associated with gestational duration and eye diseases. However, the causal relationships among cytokines, maternal gestational impairment and offspring eye diseases remain unclear. METHODS We performed lifecourse-network Mendelian randomization (MR) to explore the causal relationships between maternal gestational duration (from the Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium and the Lundbeck Foundation Initiative for Integrative Psychiatric Research (iPSYCH) study, N = 84,689), neonatal/adult cytokines (from the NHGRI-EBI Catalog, N = 764/4,618), and adult eye diseases (from FinnGen consotium, N = 309,154) using summary-level data from large genome-wide association studies. Multiplicative random effects inverse variance weighted (IVW) and multivariable-IVW methods were the main analysis methods, and the other 15 pleiotropy-robust methods, weak IV-robust methods, and outliers-robust methods were used as auxiliary methods. RESULTS Maternal gestational age (early preterm birth, preterm birth, gestational duration, and post-term birth) had a causal relationship with 42 eye diseases. Four neonatal cytokines, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α(TNF-α), IL10, GROA, and CTACK, as well as four adult cytokines, CTACK, IL10, IL12p70 and IL6 are mediators in the causal relationships between early preterm birth and preterm birth in eight eye diseases. However, after adjusting for these mediators, a null direct causal effect of early preterm birth and preterm birth on eight eye diseases was found. In addition, there was no mediator in the causal relationship between gestational duration and post-term birth to eye diseases. CONCLUSION The effects of maternal gestational duration on offspring eye diseases through cytokines are long-term and life-course effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Hou
- Beijing International Center for Mathematical Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Yunxia Li
- Department of Neonatology, Jinan Children's Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China; Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China
| | - Lili Kang
- Department of Neonatology, Jinan Children's Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China; Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China
| | - Xiaoying Li
- Department of Neonatology, Jinan Children's Hospital, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China; Department of Neonatology, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250022, China.
| | - Hongkai Li
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China; Institute for Medical Dataology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China.
| | - Fuzhong Xue
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China; Institute for Medical Dataology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China.
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4
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Imbalanced Inflammatory Responses in Preterm and Term Cord Blood Monocytes and Expansion of the CD14 +CD16 + Subset upon Toll-like Receptor Stimulation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054919. [PMID: 36902350 PMCID: PMC10002861 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmentally regulated features of innate immunity are thought to place preterm and term infants at risk of infection and inflammation-related morbidity. Underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. Differences in monocyte function including toll-like receptor (TLR) expression and signaling have been discussed. Some studies point to generally impaired TLR signaling, others to differences in individual pathways. In the present study, we assessed mRNA and protein expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in preterm and term cord blood (CB) monocytes compared with adult controls stimulated ex vivo with Pam3CSK4, zymosan, polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid, lipopolysaccharide, flagellin, and CpG oligonucleotide, which activate the TLR1/2, TLR2/6, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, and TLR9 pathways, respectively. In parallel, frequencies of monocyte subsets, stimulus-driven TLR expression, and phosphorylation of TLR-associated signaling molecules were analyzed. Independent of stimulus, pro-inflammatory responses of term CB monocytes equaled adult controls. The same held true for preterm CB monocytes-except for lower IL-1β levels. In contrast, CB monocytes released lower amounts of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and IL-1ra, resulting in higher ratios of pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory cytokines. Phosphorylation of p65, p38, and ERK1/2 correlated with adult controls. However, stimulated CB samples stood out with higher frequencies of intermediate monocytes (CD14+CD16+). Both pro-inflammatory net effect and expansion of the intermediate subset were most pronounced upon stimulation with Pam3CSK4 (TLR1/2), zymosan (TR2/6), and lipopolysaccharide (TLR4). Our data demonstrate robust pro-inflammatory and yet attenuated anti-inflammatory responses in preterm and term CB monocytes, along with imbalanced cytokine ratios. Intermediate monocytes, a subset ascribed pro-inflammatory features, might participate in this inflammatory state.
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5
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Hibbert J, Strunk T, Nathan E, Prosser A, Doherty D, Simmer K, Richmond P, Burgner D, Currie A. Composition of early life leukocyte populations in preterm infants with and without late-onset sepsis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0264768. [PMID: 35235604 PMCID: PMC8890632 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Composition of leukocyte populations in the first month of life remains incompletely characterised, particularly in preterm infants who go on to develop late-onset sepsis (LOS).
Aim
To characterise and compare leukocyte populations in preterm infants with and without LOS during the first month of life.
Study design
Single-centre prospective observational cohort study.
Participants
Infants born <30 weeks gestational age (GA).
Outcome measures
Peripheral blood samples were collected at 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of life. Leukocyte populations were characterised using 5-fluorophore-6-marker flow cytometry. Absolute leukocyte counts and frequency of total CD45+ leukocytes of each population were adjusted for GA, birth weight z-scores, sex and total leukocyte count.
Results
Of 119 preterm infants enrolled, 43 (36%) had confirmed or clinical LOS, with a median onset at 13 days (range 6–26). Compared to infants without LOS, the adjusted counts and frequency of neutrophils, basophils and non-cytotoxic T lymphocytes were generally lower and immature granulocytes were higher over the first month of life in infants who developed LOS. Specific time point comparisons identified lower adjusted neutrophil counts on the first day of life in those infants who developed LOS more than a week later, compared to those without LOS, albeit levels were within the normal age-adjusted range. Non-cytotoxic T lymphocyte counts and/or frequencies were lower in infants following LOS on days 21 and 28 when compared to those who did not develop LOS.
Conclusion
Changes in non-cytotoxic T lymphocytes occurred following LOS suggesting sepsis-induced immune suppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Hibbert
- Neonatal Directorate, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tobias Strunk
- Neonatal Directorate, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Nathan
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amy Prosser
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Dorota Doherty
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Karen Simmer
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Peter Richmond
- Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David Burgner
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Currie
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovation Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- * E-mail:
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6
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Olmos-Ortiz A, Olivares-Huerta A, García-Quiroz J, Zariñán T, Chavira R, Zaga-Clavellina V, Avila E, Halhali A, Durand M, Larrea F, Díaz L. Placentas associated with female neonates from pregnancies complicated by urinary tract infections have higher cAMP content and cytokines expression than males. Am J Reprod Immunol 2021; 86:e13434. [PMID: 33905581 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM The cAMP pathway is involved in important biological processes including immune regulation and hormone signaling. At the feto-maternal unit, cAMP participates in placental function/physiology and the establishment of immunoendocrine networks. Low cAMP in male fetuses cord blood has been linked to poorer perinatal outcomes; however, cAMP placental content and its relationship with immune factors and fetal sex in an infectious condition have not been investigated. METHOD OF STUDY Sex-dependent changes in cAMP content and its association with cytokines and antimicrobial peptides expression were studied in human placentas collected from normal pregnancies and with urinary tract infections (UTI). Radioimmunoassay was used to quantify cAMP in placental tissue, while immune markers expression was studied by qPCR. Additionally, cAMP effect on antimicrobial peptides expression was studied in cultured trophoblasts challenged with lipopolysaccharide, to mimic an infection. RESULTS In UTI, placentas from female neonates had higher cAMP tissue content and increased expression of TNFA, IL1B, and IL10 than those from males, where IFNG was more elevated. While cAMP negatively correlated with maternal bacteriuria and IFNG, it positively correlated with the antimicrobial peptide S100A9 expression in a sex-specific fashion. In cultured trophoblasts, cAMP significantly stimulated β-defensin-1 while reduced the lipopolysaccharide-dependent stimulatory effect on β-defensin-2, β-defensins-3, and S100A9. CONCLUSION Our results showed higher cAMP content and defense cytokines expression in placentas associated with female neonates from pregnancies complicated by UTI. The associations between cAMP and bacteriuria/immune markers, together with cAMP's ability to differentially regulate placental antimicrobial peptides expression, suggest a dual modulatory role for cAMP in placental immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Olmos-Ortiz
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México.,Departamento de Inmunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Alberto Olivares-Huerta
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Janice García-Quiroz
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Teresa Zariñán
- Red de Apoyo a la Investigación (RAI), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)-Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán (INCMNSZ), Ciudad de México, México
| | - Roberto Chavira
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Verónica Zaga-Clavellina
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes (INPer), Ciudad de México, México
| | - Euclides Avila
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Ali Halhali
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Marta Durand
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Fernando Larrea
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Lorenza Díaz
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción Dr. Carlos Gual Castro, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
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7
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England R, Pak J, Liu M, Rao S, Ozonoff A, Levy O, van Haren SD. Human Blood Plasma Shapes Distinct Neonatal TLR-Mediated Dendritic Cell Activation via Expression of the MicroRNA Let-7g. Immunohorizons 2021; 5:246-256. [PMID: 33931496 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2000081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The newborn innate immune system is characterized as functionally distinct, resulting in impaired proinflammatory responses to many stimuli and a bias toward Th2 development. Although the magnitude of impairment can be partially overcome, for instance through activation of TLR7/8 in newborn dendritic cells, the newborn innate response remains distinct from that of adults. Using human in vitro modeling of newborn and adult dendritic cells, we investigated the role of extracellular and intracellular regulators in driving age-specific responses to TLR7/8 stimulation. MicroRNA expression profiling and plasma switch experiments identified Let-7g as a novel regulator of newborn innate immunity. Activation-induced expression of Let-7g in monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs) is driven by newborn plasma and reduces expression of costimulatory receptors CD86, MHC class I, and CCR7 and secretion of IFN-α and sCD40L. Conversely, an increase in secretion of the Th2-polarizing cytokine IL-12p40 is observed. Overexpression of Let-7g in adult MoDCs resulted in the same observations. Small interfering RNA-mediated ablation of Let-7g levels in newborn MoDCs resulted in an adult-like phenotype. In conclusion, this study reveals for the first time (to our knowledge) that age-specific differences in human plasma induce the microRNA Let-7g as a key mediator of the newborn innate immune phenotype. These observations shed new light on the mechanisms of immune ontogeny and may inform approaches to discover age-specific immunomodulators, such as adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross England
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and
| | - Jensen Pak
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and
| | - Mark Liu
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and
| | - Shun Rao
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and
| | - Al Ozonoff
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and
| | - Ofer Levy
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Simon D van Haren
- Precision Vaccines Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA;
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and
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8
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Firmal P, Shah VK, Chattopadhyay S. Insight Into TLR4-Mediated Immunomodulation in Normal Pregnancy and Related Disorders. Front Immunol 2020; 11:807. [PMID: 32508811 PMCID: PMC7248557 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Unlike organ transplants where an immunosuppressive environment is required, a successful pregnancy involves an extremely robust, dynamic, and responsive maternal immune system to maintain the development of the fetus. A specific set of hormones and cytokines are associated with a particular stage of pregnancy. Any disturbance that alters this fine balance could compromise the development and function of the placenta. Although there are numerous underlying causes of pregnancy-related complications, untimely activation of Toll-like receptors (TLR), primarily TLR4, by intrauterine microbes poses the greatest risk. TLR4 is an important Pattern Recognition Receptor (PRR), which activates both innate and adaptive immune cells. TLR4 activation by LPS or DAMPs leads to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines via the MyD88 dependent or independent pathway. Immune cells modulate the materno–fetal interface by TLR4-mediated cytokine production, which changes at different stages of pregnancy. In most pregnancy disorders, such as PTB, PE, or placental malaria, the TLR4 expression is upregulated in immune cells or in maternal derived cells, leading to the aberrant production of pro-inflammatory cytokines at the materno–fetal interface. Lack of functional TLR4 in mice has reduced the pro-inflammatory responses, leading to an improved pregnancy, which further strengthens the fact that abnormal TLR4 activation creates a hostile environment for the developing fetus. A recent study proposed that endothelial and perivascular stromal cells should interact with each other in order to maintain a homeostatic balance during TLR4-mediated inflammation. It has been reported that depleting immune cells or supplying anti-inflammatory cytokines can prevent PTB, PE, or fetal death. Blocking TLR4 signaling or its downstream molecule by inhibitors or antagonists has proven to improve pregnancy-related complications to some extent in clinical and animal models. To date, there has been a lack of knowledge regarding whether TLR4 accessories such as CD14 and MD-2 are important in pregnancy and whether these accessory molecules could be promising drug targets for combinatorial treatment of various pregnancy disorders. This review mainly focuses on the activation of TLR4 during pregnancy, its immunomodulatory functions, and the upcoming advancement in this field regarding the improvement of pregnancy-related issues by various therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Firmal
- National Centre for Cell Science, S. P. Pune University Campus, Pune, India
| | - Vibhuti Kumar Shah
- National Centre for Cell Science, S. P. Pune University Campus, Pune, India
| | - Samit Chattopadhyay
- National Centre for Cell Science, S. P. Pune University Campus, Pune, India.,Department of Biological Sciences, BITS Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa Campus, Goa, India.,Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
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9
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Strunk T, Hibbert JE, Doherty D, Nathan E, Simmer K, Patole SK, Trend S, Richmond P, Burgner D, Currie A. Lactoferrin Expression Is Not Associated with Late-Onset Sepsis in Very Preterm Infants. Neonatology 2020; 117:606-611. [PMID: 32862184 DOI: 10.1159/000509404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm infants are at a high risk of developing late-onset sepsis (LOS). Lactoferrin is one of the most abundant endogenous antimicrobial proteins expressed in breast milk, stools, and blood, and a candidate for preventive intervention. Large clinical trials have recently investigated whether enteral supplementation with bovine lactoferrin reduces LOS. AIM To characterize lactoferrin levels in preterm infants with and without LOS during the first month of life. METHODS Very preterm and term infants were recruited and serial biosamples collected during the first month of life. Lactoferrin levels were determined by immunoassay in cord blood and peripheral blood on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28; in the stools on days 1 and 28; and in the mother's breast milk on days 7 and 21. Furthermore, we assessed the capacity of the peripheral blood to release lactoferrin in response to an in vitro challenge with live Staphylococcus epidermidis, lipopolysaccharide, and fibroblast-stimulating lipopeptide 1. RESULTS Plasma lactoferrin levels were higher in cord blood and day 1 peripheral blood and declined during the first month of life. Plasma lactoferrin levels were similar in term infants and in preterm infants with (n = 32) and without LOS (n = 53). S. epidermidis-induced lactoferrin levels were lower following the sepsis episode. CONCLUSIONS Endogenous lactoferrin expression in preterm infants does not appear to affect their risk of developing LOS. These findings are in line with the lack of benefit recently observed in large trials of enteral supplementation with bovine lactoferrin to prevent LOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Strunk
- Neonatal Directorate, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Washington, Australia, .,Wesfarmers' Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Washington, Australia, .,School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Washington, Australia,
| | - Julie Elizabeth Hibbert
- Wesfarmers' Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Washington, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Washington, Australia
| | - Dorota Doherty
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Washington, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Nathan
- School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Washington, Australia
| | - Karen Simmer
- Neonatal Directorate, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Washington, Australia.,Wesfarmers' Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Washington, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Washington, Australia
| | - Sanjay Keshav Patole
- Neonatal Directorate, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Washington, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Washington, Australia
| | - Stephanie Trend
- Wesfarmers' Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Washington, Australia.,Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Washington, Australia
| | - Peter Richmond
- Wesfarmers' Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Washington, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Washington, Australia.,Department of Immunology, Perth Children's Hospital, Perth, Washington, Australia
| | - David Burgner
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Currie
- Wesfarmers' Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Washington, Australia.,Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Washington, Australia
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