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Ruiz Pérez M, Maueröder C, Steels W, Verstraeten B, Lameire S, Xie W, Wyckaert L, Huysentruyt J, Divert T, Roelandt R, Gonçalves A, De Rycke R, Ravichandran K, Lambrecht BN, Taghon T, Leclercq G, Vandenabeele P, Tougaard P. TL1A and IL-18 synergy promotes GM-CSF-dependent thymic granulopoiesis in mice. Cell Mol Immunol 2024; 21:807-825. [PMID: 38839915 PMCID: PMC11291760 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-024-01180-8] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Acute systemic inflammation critically alters the function of the immune system, often promoting myelopoiesis at the expense of lymphopoiesis. In the thymus, systemic inflammation results in acute thymic atrophy and, consequently, impaired T-lymphopoiesis. The mechanism by which systemic inflammation impacts the thymus beyond suppressing T-cell development is still unclear. Here, we describe how the synergism between TL1A and IL-18 suppresses T-lymphopoiesis to promote thymic myelopoiesis. The protein levels of these two cytokines were elevated in the thymus during viral-induced thymus atrophy infection with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) or pneumonia virus of mice (PVM). In vivo administration of TL1A and IL-18 induced acute thymic atrophy, while thymic neutrophils expanded. Fate mapping with Ms4a3-Cre mice demonstrated that thymic neutrophils emerge from thymic granulocyte-monocyte progenitors (GMPs), while Rag1-Cre fate mapping revealed a common developmental path with lymphocytes. These effects could be modeled ex vivo using neonatal thymic organ cultures (NTOCs), where TL1A and IL-18 synergistically enhanced neutrophil production and egress. NOTCH blockade by the LY411575 inhibitor increased the number of neutrophils in the culture, indicating that NOTCH restricted steady-state thymic granulopoiesis. To promote myelopoiesis, TL1A, and IL-18 synergistically increased GM-CSF levels in the NTOC, which was mainly produced by thymic ILC1s. In support, TL1A- and IL-18-induced granulopoiesis was completely prevented in NTOCs derived from Csf2rb-/- mice and by GM-CSFR antibody blockade, revealing that GM-CSF is the essential factor driving thymic granulopoiesis. Taken together, our findings reveal that TL1A and IL-18 synergism induce acute thymus atrophy while promoting extramedullary thymic granulopoiesis in a NOTCH and GM-CSF-controlled manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Ruiz Pérez
- Molecular Signaling and Cell Death Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christian Maueröder
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cell Clearance in Health and Disease Lab, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wolf Steels
- Molecular Signaling and Cell Death Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bruno Verstraeten
- Molecular Signaling and Cell Death Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sahine Lameire
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wei Xie
- Molecular Signaling and Cell Death Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura Wyckaert
- Molecular Signaling and Cell Death Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jelle Huysentruyt
- Molecular Signaling and Cell Death Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tatyana Divert
- Molecular Signaling and Cell Death Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ria Roelandt
- Molecular Signaling and Cell Death Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Single Cell Facility, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Amanda Gonçalves
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB BioImaging Core, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Riet De Rycke
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- VIB BioImaging Core, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, Ghent, 9052, Belgium
| | - Kodi Ravichandran
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cell Clearance in Health and Disease Lab, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bart N Lambrecht
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tom Taghon
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Georges Leclercq
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Vandenabeele
- Molecular Signaling and Cell Death Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Peter Tougaard
- Molecular Signaling and Cell Death Unit, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
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Belean A, Xue E, Cisneros B, Roberson EDO, Paley MA, Bigley TM. Transcriptomic profiling of thymic dysregulation and viral tropism after neonatal roseolovirus infection. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1375508. [PMID: 38895117 PMCID: PMC11183875 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1375508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Herpesviruses, including the roseoloviruses, have been linked to autoimmune disease. The ubiquitous and chronic nature of these infections have made it difficult to establish a causal relationship between acute infection and subsequent development of autoimmunity. We have shown that murine roseolovirus (MRV), which is highly related to human roseoloviruses, induces thymic atrophy and disruption of central tolerance after neonatal infection. Moreover, neonatal MRV infection results in development of autoimmunity in adult mice, long after resolution of acute infection. This suggests that MRV induces durable immune dysregulation. Methods In the current studies, we utilized single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) to study the tropism of MRV in the thymus and determine cellular processes in the thymus that were disrupted by neonatal MRV infection. We then utilized tropism data to establish a cell culture system. Results Herein, we describe how MRV alters the thymic transcriptome during acute neonatal infection. We found that MRV infection resulted in major shifts in inflammatory, differentiation and cell cycle pathways in the infected thymus. We also observed shifts in the relative number of specific cell populations. Moreover, utilizing expression of late viral transcripts as a proxy of viral replication, we identified the cellular tropism of MRV in the thymus. This approach demonstrated that double negative, double positive, and CD4 single positive thymocytes, as well as medullary thymic epithelial cells were infected by MRV in vivo. Finally, by applying pseudotime analysis to viral transcripts, which we refer to as "pseudokinetics," we identified viral gene transcription patterns associated with specific cell types and infection status. We utilized this information to establish the first cell culture systems susceptible to MRV infection in vitro. Conclusion Our research provides the first complete picture of roseolovirus tropism in the thymus after neonatal infection. Additionally, we identified major transcriptomic alterations in cell populations in the thymus during acute neonatal MRV infection. These studies offer important insight into the early events that occur after neonatal MRV infection that disrupt central tolerance and promote autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Belean
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Eden Xue
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Benjamin Cisneros
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Elisha D. O. Roberson
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Michael A. Paley
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Tarin M. Bigley
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
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Dinges SS, Amini K, Notarangelo LD, Delmonte OM. Primary and secondary defects of the thymus. Immunol Rev 2024; 322:178-211. [PMID: 38228406 PMCID: PMC10950553 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13306] [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] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The thymus is the primary site of T-cell development, enabling generation, and selection of a diverse repertoire of T cells that recognize non-self, whilst remaining tolerant to self- antigens. Severe congenital disorders of thymic development (athymia) can be fatal if left untreated due to infections, and thymic tissue implantation is the only cure. While newborn screening for severe combined immune deficiency has allowed improved detection at birth of congenital athymia, thymic disorders acquired later in life are still underrecognized and assessing the quality of thymic function in such conditions remains a challenge. The thymus is sensitive to injury elicited from a variety of endogenous and exogenous factors, and its self-renewal capacity decreases with age. Secondary and age-related forms of thymic dysfunction may lead to an increased risk of infections, malignancy, and autoimmunity. Promising results have been obtained in preclinical models and clinical trials upon administration of soluble factors promoting thymic regeneration, but to date no therapy is approved for clinical use. In this review we provide a background on thymus development, function, and age-related involution. We discuss disease mechanisms, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches for primary and secondary thymic defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S. Dinges
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kayla Amini
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Luigi D. Notarangelo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ottavia M. Delmonte
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Vicosa Bauermann F, Falkenberg S, Rudd JM, Peter CM, Merchioratto I, Ritchey JW, Gilliam J, Taylor J, Ma H, Maggioli MF. Immune Responses to Influenza D Virus in Calves Previously Infected with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus 2. Viruses 2023; 15:2442. [PMID: 38140683 PMCID: PMC10747992 DOI: 10.3390/v15122442] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) induces immunosuppression and thymus depletion in calves. This study explores the impact of prior BVDV-2 exposure on the subsequent immune response to influenza D virus (IDV). Twenty 3-week-old calves were divided into four groups. Calves in G1 and G3 were mock-treated on day 0, while calves in G2 and G4 received BVDV. Calves in G1 (mock) and G2 (BVDV) were necropsied on day 13 post-infection. IDV was inoculated on day 21 in G3 calves (mock + IDV) and G4 (BVDV + IDV) and necropsy was conducted on day 42. Pre-exposed BVDV calves exhibited prolonged and increased IDV shedding in nasal secretions. An approximate 50% reduction in the thymus was observed in acutely infected BVDV calves (G2) compared to controls (G1). On day 42, thymus depletion was observed in two calves in G4, while three had normal weight. BVDV-2-exposed calves had impaired CD8 T cell proliferation after IDV recall stimulation, and the α/β T cell impairment was particularly evident in those with persistent thymic atrophy. Conversely, no difference in antibody levels against IDV was noted. BVDV-induced thymus depletion varied from transient to persistent. Persistent thymus atrophy was correlated with weaker T cell proliferation, suggesting correlation between persistent thymus atrophy and impaired T cell immune response to subsequent infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Vicosa Bauermann
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Shollie Falkenberg
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
- Animal Research Services, National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Jennifer M. Rudd
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Cristina Mendes Peter
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
- Center for Medical Bioinformatics, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of Sao Paulo (UNIFESP), Sao Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Ingryd Merchioratto
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
- Setor de Virologia, Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Santa Maria 97105-900, Brazil
| | - Jerry W. Ritchey
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - John Gilliam
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Jared Taylor
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Hao Ma
- Animal Research Services, National Animal Disease Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Mayara Fernanda Maggioli
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
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Reis MDDS, Veneziani LP, Porto FL, Lins MP, Mendes-da-Cruz DA, Savino W. Intrathymic somatotropic circuitry: consequences upon thymus involution. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1108630. [PMID: 37426675 PMCID: PMC10323194 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1108630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth hormone (GH) is a classic pituitary-derived hormone crucial to body growth and metabolism. In the pituitary gland, GH production is stimulated by GH-releasing hormone and inhibited by somatostatin. GH secretion can also be induced by other peptides, such as ghrelin, which interacts with receptors present in somatotropic cells. It is well established that GH acts directly on target cells or indirectly by stimulating the production of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), particularly IGF-1. Notably, such somatotropic circuitry is also involved in the development and function of immune cells and organs, including the thymus. Interestingly, GH, IGF-1, ghrelin, and somatostatin are expressed in the thymus in the lymphoid and microenvironmental compartments, where they stimulate the secretion of soluble factors and extracellular matrix molecules involved in the general process of intrathymic T-cell development. Clinical trials in which GH was used to treat immunocompromised patients successfully recovered thymic function. Additionally, there is evidence that the reduction in the function of the somatotropic axis is associated with age-related thymus atrophy. Treatment with GH, IGF-1 or ghrelin can restore thymopoiesis of old animals, thus in keeping with a clinical study showing that treatment with GH, associated with metformin and dehydroepiandrosterone, could induce thymus regeneration in healthy aged individuals. In conclusion, the molecules of the somatotrophic axis can be envisioned as potential therapeutic targets for thymus regeneration in age-related or pathological thymus involution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Danielma dos Santos Reis
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana Peixoto Veneziani
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- INOVA-IOC Network on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Felipe Lima Porto
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marvin Paulo Lins
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniella Arêas Mendes-da-Cruz
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- INOVA-IOC Network on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wilson Savino
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- INOVA-IOC Network on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Rosichini M, Bordoni V, Silvestris DA, Mariotti D, Matusali G, Cardinale A, Zambruno G, Condorelli AG, Flamini S, Genah S, Catanoso M, Del Nonno F, Trezzi M, Galletti L, De Stefanis C, Cicolani N, Petrini S, Quintarelli C, Agrati C, Locatelli F, Velardi E. SARS-CoV-2 infection of thymus induces loss of function that correlates with disease severity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 151:911-921. [PMID: 36758836 PMCID: PMC9907790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphopenia, particularly when restricted to the T-cell compartment, has been described as one of the major clinical hallmarks in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and proposed as an indicator of disease severity. Although several mechanisms fostering COVID-19-related lymphopenia have been described, including cell apoptosis and tissue homing, the underlying causes of the decline in T-cell count and function are still not completely understood. OBJECTIVE Given that viral infections can directly target thymic microenvironment and impair the process of T-cell generation, we sought to investigate the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on thymic function. METHODS We performed molecular quantification of T-cell receptor excision circles and κ-deleting recombination excision circles to assess, respectively, T- and B-cell neogenesis in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. We developed a system for in vitro culture of primary human thymic epithelial cells (TECs) to mechanistically investigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on TEC function. RESULTS We showed that patients with COVID-19 had reduced thymic function that was inversely associated with the severity of the disease. We found that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, through which SARS-CoV-2 enters the host cells, was expressed by thymic epithelium, and in particular by medullary TECs. We also demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 can target TECs and downregulate critical genes and pathways associated with epithelial cell adhesion and survival. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that the human thymus is a target of SARS-CoV-2 and thymic function is altered following infection. These findings expand our current knowledge of the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on T-cell homeostasis and suggest that monitoring thymic activity may be a useful marker to predict disease severity and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Rosichini
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Bordoni
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Cellular Immunology Laboratory, INMI L Spallanzani – IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Alessandro Silvestris
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Mariotti
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, INMI L Spallanzani – IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Matusali
- Virology Laboratory, INMI L Spallanzani – IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Cardinale
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Zambruno
- Genodermatosis Unit, Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Giuseppe Condorelli
- Genodermatosis Unit, Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Flamini
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Shirley Genah
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marialuigia Catanoso
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Trezzi
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Galletti
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiano De Stefanis
- Pathology Unit, Core Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicolò Cicolani
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Research Center, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Petrini
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Research Center, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Quintarelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Agrati
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Cellular Immunology Laboratory, INMI L Spallanzani – IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Velardi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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7
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Savino W, Durães J, Maldonado-Galdeano C, Perdigon G, Mendes-da-Cruz DA, Cuervo P. Thymus, undernutrition, and infection: Approaching cellular and molecular interactions. Front Nutr 2022; 9:948488. [PMID: 36225882 PMCID: PMC9549110 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.948488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Undernutrition remains a major issue in global health. Low protein-energy consumption, results in stunting, wasting and/or underweight, three deleterious forms of malnutrition that affect roughly 200 million children under the age of five years. Undernutrition compromises the immune system with the generation of various degrees of immunodeficiency, which in turn, renders undernourished individuals more sensitive to acute infections. The severity of various infectious diseases including visceral leishmaniasis (VL), influenza, and tuberculosis is associated with undernutrition. Immunosuppression resulting from protein-energy undernutrition severely impacts primary and secondary lymphoid organs involved in the response to related pathogens. The thymus—a primary lymphoid organ responsible for the generation of T lymphocytes—is particularly compromised by both undernutrition and infectious diseases. In this respect, we will discuss herein various intrathymic cellular and molecular interactions seen in undernutrition alone or in combination with acute infections. Many examples illustrated in studies on humans and experimental animals clearly revealed that protein-related undernutrition causes thymic atrophy, with cortical thymocyte depletion. Moreover, the non-lymphoid microenvironmental compartment of the organ undergoes important changes in thymic epithelial cells, including their secretory products such as hormones and extracellular matrix proteins. Of note, deficiencies in vitamins and trace elements also induce thymic atrophy. Interestingly, among the molecular interactions involved in the control of undernutrition-induced thymic atrophy is a hormonal imbalance with a rise in glucocorticoids and a decrease in leptin serum levels. Undernutrition also yields a negative impact of acute infections upon the thymus, frequently with the intrathymic detection of pathogens or their antigens. For instance, undernourished mice infected with Leishmania infantum (that causes VL) undergo drastic thymic atrophy, with significant reduction in thymocyte numbers, and decreased levels of intrathymic chemokines and cytokines, indicating that both lymphoid and microenvironmental compartments of the organ are affected. Lastly, recent data revealed that some probiotic bacteria or probiotic fermented milks improve the thymus status in a model of malnutrition, thus raising a new field for investigation, namely the thymus-gut connection, indicating that probiotics can be envisioned as a further adjuvant therapy in the control of thymic changes in undernutrition accompanied or not by infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Wilson Savino, ,
| | - Jonathan Durães
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Leishmaniasis Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina Maldonado-Galdeano
- Laboratory of Immunology, Reference Center for Lactobacilli Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
- Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, National University of Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Perdigon
- Laboratory of Immunology, Reference Center for Lactobacilli Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
- Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, National University of Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Daniella Arêas Mendes-da-Cruz
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia Cuervo
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Leishmaniasis Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Patricia Cuervo, ,
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8
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Bhide K, Mochnáčová E, Tkáčová Z, Petroušková P, Kulkarni A, Bhide M. Signaling events evoked by domain III of envelop glycoprotein of tick-borne encephalitis virus and West Nile virus in human brain microvascular endothelial cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8863. [PMID: 35614140 PMCID: PMC9133079 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13043-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus and West Nile virus can cross the blood–brain barrier via hematogenous route. The attachment of a virion to the cells of a neurovascular unit, which is mediated by domain III of glycoprotein E, initiates a series of events that may aid viral entry. Thus, we sought to uncover the post-attachment biological events elicited in brain microvascular endothelial cells by domain III. RNA sequencing of cells treated with DIII of TBEV and WNV showed significant alteration in the expression of 309 and 1076 genes, respectively. Pathway analysis revealed activation of the TAM receptor pathway. Several genes that regulate tight-junction integrity were also activated, including pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, cell-adhesion molecules, claudins, and matrix metalloprotease (mainly ADAM17). Results also indicate activation of a pro-apoptotic pathway. TLR2 was upregulated in both cases, but MyD88 was not. In the case of TBEV DIII, a MyD88 independent pathway was activated. Furthermore, both cases showed dramatic dysregulation of IFN and IFN-induced genes. Results strongly suggest that the virus contact to the cell surface emanates a series of events namely viral attachment and diffusion, breakdown of tight junctions, induction of virus uptake, apoptosis, reorganization of the extracellular-matrix, and activation of the innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarína Bhide
- Laboratory of Biomedical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenského 73, 04181, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Evelína Mochnáčová
- Laboratory of Biomedical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenského 73, 04181, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Zuzana Tkáčová
- Laboratory of Biomedical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenského 73, 04181, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Patrícia Petroušková
- Laboratory of Biomedical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenského 73, 04181, Kosice, Slovak Republic
| | - Amod Kulkarni
- Laboratory of Biomedical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenského 73, 04181, Kosice, Slovak Republic.,Institute of Neuroimmunology of Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Mangesh Bhide
- Laboratory of Biomedical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Komenského 73, 04181, Kosice, Slovak Republic. .,Institute of Neuroimmunology of Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
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9
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Bigley TM, Yang L, Kang LI, Saenz JB, Victorino F, Yokoyama WM. Disruption of thymic central tolerance by infection with murine roseolovirus induces autoimmune gastritis. J Exp Med 2022; 219:213039. [PMID: 35226043 PMCID: PMC8932538 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20211403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections with herpesviruses, including human roseoloviruses, have been proposed to cause autoimmune disease, but defining a causal relationship and mechanism has been difficult due to the ubiquitous nature of infection and development of autoimmunity long after acute infection. Murine roseolovirus (MRV) is highly related to human roseoloviruses. Herein we show that neonatal MRV infection induced autoimmune gastritis (AIG) in adult mice in the absence of ongoing infection. MRV-induced AIG was dependent on replication during the neonatal period and was CD4+ T cell and IL-17 dependent. Moreover, neonatal MRV infection was associated with development of a wide array of autoantibodies in adult mice. Finally, neonatal MRV infection reduced medullary thymic epithelial cell numbers, thymic dendritic cell numbers, and thymic expression of AIRE and tissue-restricted antigens, in addition to increasing thymocyte apoptosis at the stage of negative selection. These findings strongly suggest that infection with a roseolovirus early in life results in disruption of central tolerance and development of autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarin M. Bigley
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Liping Yang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Liang-I Kang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Division of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Jose B. Saenz
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Francisco Victorino
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | - Wayne M. Yokoyama
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
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10
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Zika virus disrupts gene expression in human myoblasts and myotubes: Relationship with susceptibility to infection. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010166. [PMID: 35171909 PMCID: PMC8923442 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The tropism of Zika virus (ZIKV) has been described in the nervous system, blood, placenta, thymus, and skeletal muscle. We investigated the mechanisms of skeletal muscle susceptibility to ZIKV using an in vitro model of human skeletal muscle myogenesis, in which myoblasts differentiate into myotubes. Myoblasts were permissive to ZIKV infection, generating productive viral particles, while myotubes controlled ZIKV replication. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, we used gene expression profiling. First, we assessed gene changes in myotubes compared with myoblasts in the model without infection. As expected, we observed an increase in genes and pathways related to the contractile muscle system in the myotubes, a reduction in processes linked to proliferation, migration and cytokine production, among others, confirming the myogenic capacity of our system in vitro. A comparison between non-infected and infected myoblasts revealed more than 500 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). In contrast, infected myotubes showed almost 2,000 DEGs, among which we detected genes and pathways highly or exclusively expressed in myotubes, including those related to antiviral and innate immune responses. Such gene modulation could explain our findings showing that ZIKV also invades myotubes but does not replicate in these differentiated cells. In conclusion, we showed that ZIKV largely (but differentially) disrupts gene expression in human myoblasts and myotubes. Identifying genes involved in myotube resistance can shed light on potential antiviral mechanisms against ZIKV infection. The ZIKV was responsible for a large pandemic surge between 2015 and 2016; Brazil was the epicenter with very high numbers of congenital ZIKV syndrome that included microcephaly, myalgia, among other manifestations. We have observed in previous work that muscle progenitor cells (myoblasts) are infected by ZIKV, while differentiated cells (myotubes) do not present viral proteins. In the present study, we confirmed human myoblasts susceptibility to ZIKV infection and myotubes resistance. In fact, we show that myotubes are also susceptible to ZIKV entry but control the productive infection. We also elucidated the transcriptional mechanisms triggered by the ZIKV, which stimulated a more complex intrinsic antiviral response in myotubes than in myoblasts. Such particular gene modulation of the differentiated cells could offer clues to antiviral mechanisms. It would explain susceptibility differences between adults, where muscle progenitor cells are quiescent in the steady-state, and foetuses that have large amounts of these cells proliferating in order to grow muscles.
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11
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Duarte MJ, Mascarenhas RS, Assis AF, Tanaka PP, Speck-Hernandez CA, Passos GA. Autoimmune regulator act in synergism with thymocyte adhesion in the control of lncRNAs in medullary thymic epithelial cells. Mol Immunol 2021; 140:127-135. [PMID: 34700158 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/06/2022]
Abstract
The autoimmune regulator (Aire) gene in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) encodes the AIRE protein, which interacts with its partners within the nucleus. This "Aire complex" induces stalled RNA Pol II on chromatin to proceed with transcription elongation of a large set of messenger RNAs and microRNAs. Considering that RNA Pol II also transcribes long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), we hypothesized that Aire might be implicated in the upstream control of this RNA species. To test this, we employed a loss-of-function approach in which Aire knockout mTECs were compared to Aire wild-type mTECs for lncRNA transcriptional profiling both in vitro and in vivo model systems. RNA sequencing enables the differential expression profiling of lncRNAs when these cells adhere in vitro to thymocytes or do not adhere to them as a way to test the effect of cell adhesion. Sets of lncRNAs that are unique and that are shared in vitro and in vivo were identified. Among these, we found the Aire-dependent lncRNAs as for example, Platr28, Ifi30, Morrbid, Malat1, and Xist. This finding represents the first evidence that Aire mediates the transcription of lncRNAs in mTECs. Microarray hybridizations enabled us to observe that temporal thymocyte adhesion modulates the expression levels of such lncRNAs as Morrbid, Xist, and Fbxl12o after 36 h of adhesion. This finding shows the existence of a synergistic mechanism involving a link between thymocyte adhesion, Aire, and lncRNAs in mTECs that might be important for immune self-representation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Jordan Duarte
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Romário S Mascarenhas
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Amanda Freire Assis
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Pedro Paranhos Tanaka
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Cesar A Speck-Hernandez
- Program in Basic and Applied Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Geraldo Aleixo Passos
- Molecular Immunogenetics Group, Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Program in Basic and Applied Immunology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Department of Basic and Oral Biology, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Center for Cell-Based Therapy in Dentistry, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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12
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Hu C, Zhang K, Jiang F, Wang H, Shao Q. Epigenetic modifications in thymic epithelial cells: an evolutionary perspective for thymus atrophy. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:210. [PMID: 34819170 PMCID: PMC8612001 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01197-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The thymic microenvironment is mainly comprised of thymic epithelial cells, the cytokines, exosomes, surface molecules, and hormones from the cells, and plays a vital role in the development, differentiation, maturation and homeostasis of T lymphocytes. However, the thymus begins to degenerate as early as the second year of life and continues through aging in human beings, leading to a decreased output of naïve T cells, the limited TCR diversity and an expansion of monoclonal memory T cells in the periphery organs. These alternations will reduce the adaptive immune response to tumors and emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, also it is easier to suffer from autoimmune diseases in older people. In the context of global aging, it is important to investigate and clarify the causes and mechanisms of thymus involution. Main body Epigenetics include histone modification, DNA methylation, non-coding RNA effects, and chromatin remodeling. In this review, we discuss how senescent thymic epithelial cells determine and control age-related thymic atrophy, how this process is altered by epigenetic modification. How the thymus adipose influences the dysfunctions of the thymic epithelial cells, and the prospects of targeting thymic epithelial cells for the treatment of thymus atrophy. Conclusion Epigenetic modifications are emerging as key regulators in governing the development and senescence of thymic epithelial cells. It is beneficial to re-establish effective thymopoiesis, identify the potential therapeutic strategy and rejuvenate the immune function in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cexun Hu
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Keyu Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
| | - Qixiang Shao
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, No. 301 Xuefu Road, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China. .,Jiangsu College of Nursing, School of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, Huai'an, 223002, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
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13
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Borda V, da Silva Francisco Junior R, Carvalho JB, Morais GL, Duque Rossi Á, Pezzuto P, Azevedo GS, Schamber-Reis BL, Portari EA, Melo A, Moreira MEL, Guida LC, Cunha DP, Gomes L, Vasconcelos ZFM, Faucz FR, Tanuri A, Stratakis CA, Aguiar RS, Cardoso CC, de Vasconcelos ATR. Whole-exome sequencing reveals insights into genetic susceptibility to Congenital Zika Syndrome. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009507. [PMID: 34125832 PMCID: PMC8224898 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS) is a critical illness with a wide range of severity caused by Zika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy. Life-threatening neurodevelopmental dysfunctions are among the most common phenotypes observed in affected newborns. Risk factors that contribute to susceptibility and response to ZIKV infection may be related to the virus itself, the environment, and maternal genetic background. Nevertheless, the newborn’s genetic contribution to the critical illness is still not elucidated. Here, we aimed to identify possible genetic variants as well as relevant biological pathways that might be associated with CZS phenotypes. For this purpose, we performed a whole-exome sequencing in 40 children born to women with confirmed exposure to ZIKV during pregnancy. We investigated the occurrence of rare harmful single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) possibly associated with inborn errors in genes ontologically related to CZS phenotypes. Moreover, an exome-wide association analysis was also performed using a case-control design (29 CZS cases and 11 controls), for both common and rare variants. Five out of the 29 CZS patients harbored known pathogenic variants likely to contribute to mild to severe manifestations observed. Approximately, 30% of affected individuals carried at least one pathogenic or likely pathogenic SNV in genes candidates to play a role in CZS. Our common variant association analysis detected a suggestive protective effect of the rs2076469 in DISP3 gene (p-value: 1.39 x 10−5). The IL12RB2 gene (p-value: 2.18x10-11) also showed an unusual distribution of nonsynonymous rare SNVs in control samples. Finally, genes harboring harmful variants are involved in processes related to CZS phenotypes such as neurological development and immunity. Therefore, both rare and common variations may be likely to contribute as the underlying genetic cause of CZS susceptibility. The variations and pathways identified in this study may also have implications for the development of therapeutic strategies in the future. Since the beginning of Zika virus outbreak in Brazil, five years ago, we still don’t understand the genetic factors associated with the small number of babies born with Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS). Here, we focused on the host genetic susceptibility by studying the whole-exome of the CZS affected (n = 29) and healthy (n = 11) neonates, both born to ZIKV infected women from Brazil. We applied two strategies: 1) Determine whether cases individuals have pathogenic or harmful variants that explain the CZS outcomes (i.e. microcephaly) independently of ZIKV infection or not, 2) Exploring the common and rare variants association with CZS. We found that common and rare variants in genes like DISP3 and IL12RB2 could explain some level of the susceptibility to CZS. Moreover, by considering these and other candidate genes, we observed an over-representation of Gene Ontology terms related to neurological system, metabolism and microtubule-cytoskeleton organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Borda
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica LNCC/MCTIC Petrópolis, Brazil
| | | | - Joseane B. Carvalho
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica LNCC/MCTIC Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Guilherme L. Morais
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica LNCC/MCTIC Petrópolis, Brazil
| | - Átila Duque Rossi
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paula Pezzuto
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Bruno L. Schamber-Reis
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Campina Grande, Núcleo de Genética Médica, Centro Universitário UniFacisa, Campina Grande, Brazil
| | | | - Adriana Melo
- Instituto de Pesquisa Professor Amorim Neto, Campina Grande Brazil
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Campina Grande, Núcleo de Genética Médica, Centro Universitário UniFacisa, Campina Grande, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Leonardo Gomes
- Instituto Fernandes Figueira, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Fabio R. Faucz
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Amilcar Tanuri
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Constantine A. Stratakis
- Section on Endocrinology and Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Renato S. Aguiar
- Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
- * E-mail: (RSA); (CCC); (ATRV)
| | - Cynthia Chester Cardoso
- Laboratório de Virologia Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail: (RSA); (CCC); (ATRV)
| | - Ana Tereza Ribeiro de Vasconcelos
- Laboratório de Bioinformática, Laboratório Nacional de Computação Científica LNCC/MCTIC Petrópolis, Brazil
- * E-mail: (RSA); (CCC); (ATRV)
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14
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Alhazmi A, Nekoua MP, Michaux H, Sane F, Halouani A, Engelmann I, Alidjinou EK, Martens H, Jaidane H, Geenen V, Hober D. Effect of Coxsackievirus B4 Infection on the Thymus: Elucidating Its Role in the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9061177. [PMID: 34072590 PMCID: PMC8229779 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus gland is a primary lymphoid organ for T-cell development. Various viral infections can result in disturbance of thymic functions. Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) are important for the negative selection of self-reactive T-cells to ensure central tolerance. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is the dominant self-peptide of the insulin family expressed in mTECs and plays a crucial role in the intra-thymic programing of central tolerance to insulin-secreting islet β-cells. Coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) can infect and persist in the thymus of humans and mice, thus hampering the T-cell maturation and differentiation process. The modulation of IGF2 expression and protein synthesis during a CVB4 infection has been observed in vitro and in vivo in mouse models. The effect of CVB4 infections on human and mouse fetal thymus has been studied in vitro. Moreover, following the inoculation of CVB4 in pregnant mice, the thymic function in the fetus and offspring was disturbed. A defect in the intra-thymic expression of self-peptides by mTECs may be triggered by CVB4. The effects of viral infections, especially CVB4 infection, on thymic cells and functions and their possible role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz Alhazmi
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (A.A.); (M.P.N.); (F.S.); (I.E.); (E.K.A.)
- Microbiology and Parasitology Department, College of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan 82911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Magloire Pandoua Nekoua
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (A.A.); (M.P.N.); (F.S.); (I.E.); (E.K.A.)
| | - Hélène Michaux
- GIGA-I3 Center of Immunoendocrinology, GIGA Research Institute, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (H.M.); (H.M.); (V.G.)
| | - Famara Sane
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (A.A.); (M.P.N.); (F.S.); (I.E.); (E.K.A.)
| | - Aymen Halouani
- Laboratoire des Maladies Transmissibles et Substances Biologiquement Actives LR99ES27, Université de Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia; (A.H.); (H.J.)
| | - Ilka Engelmann
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (A.A.); (M.P.N.); (F.S.); (I.E.); (E.K.A.)
| | - Enagnon Kazali Alidjinou
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (A.A.); (M.P.N.); (F.S.); (I.E.); (E.K.A.)
| | - Henri Martens
- GIGA-I3 Center of Immunoendocrinology, GIGA Research Institute, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (H.M.); (H.M.); (V.G.)
| | - Hela Jaidane
- Laboratoire des Maladies Transmissibles et Substances Biologiquement Actives LR99ES27, Université de Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia; (A.H.); (H.J.)
| | - Vincent Geenen
- GIGA-I3 Center of Immunoendocrinology, GIGA Research Institute, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (H.M.); (H.M.); (V.G.)
| | - Didier Hober
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (A.A.); (M.P.N.); (F.S.); (I.E.); (E.K.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)3-20-44-66-88
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15
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de Mello IS, Fernandes DR, Furtado ND, Dos Santos AAC, Dos Santos MP, Ribeiro IP, Raphael LMS, Nogueira MDS, da Cruz SOD, Rocha ADS, Manso PPDA, Pelajo-Machado M, Bonaldo MC. Recovery of Synthetic Zika Virus Based on Rio-U1 Isolate Using a Genetically Stable Two Plasmid System and cDNA Amplification. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:639655. [PMID: 33717035 PMCID: PMC7943741 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.639655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2016, the world experienced the unprecedented Zika epidemic. The ZIKV emerged as a major human pathogen due to its association with the impairment of perinatal development and Guillain–Barré syndrome. The occurrence of these severe cases of Zika points to the significance of studies for understanding the molecular determinants of flavivirus pathogenesis. Reverse genetics is a powerful method for studying the replication and determinants of pathogenesis, virulence, and viral attenuation of flaviviruses, facilitating the design of vaccines and therapeutics. However, the main hurdle in the development of infectious clones is the instability of full-length cDNA in Escherichia coli. Here, we described the development of a genetically stable and efficient infectious clone based on the ZIKV Rio-U1 isolated in the 2016 epidemic in Brazil. The employed strategy consisted of cloning the viral cDNA genome into two stable plasmid subclones and obtaining a high-quality cDNA template with increment in DNA mass for in vitro transcription by PCR amplification. The strategy for developing a ZIKV infectious cDNA clone designed in this study was successful, yielding a replicative and efficient clone-derived virus with high similarities with its parental virus, Rio-U1, by comparison of the proliferation capacity in mammal and insect cells. The infection of AG129 immunocompromised mice caused identical mortality rates, with similar disease progression and morbidity in the animals infected with the parental and the cDNA-derived virus. Histopathological analyses of mouse brains infected with the parental and the cDNA-derived viruses revealed a similar pathogenesis degree. We observed meningoencephalitis, cellular pyknosis, and neutrophilic invasion adjacent to the choroid plexus and perivascular cuffs with the presence of neutrophils. The developed infectious clone will be a tool for genetic and functional studies in vitro and in vivo to understand viral infection and pathogenesis better.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iasmim Silva de Mello
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Déberli Ruiz Fernandes
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Nathália Dias Furtado
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Marta Pereira Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ieda Pereira Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lidiane Menezes Souza Raphael
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Adalgiza da Silva Rocha
- Central Analítica, Unidade de Apoio ao Diagnóstico do COVID-19 - UNADIG-RJ, Vice-Presidência de Produção e Inovação em Saúde - FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo Pelajo-Machado
- Laboratório de Patologia, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Myrna Cristina Bonaldo
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Flavivírus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Abstract
Following periods of haematopoietic cell stress, such as after chemotherapy, radiotherapy, infection and transplantation, patient outcomes are linked to the degree of immune reconstitution, specifically of T cells. Delayed or defective recovery of the T cell pool has significant clinical consequences, including prolonged immunosuppression, poor vaccine responses and increased risks of infections and malignancies. Thus, strategies that restore thymic function and enhance T cell reconstitution can provide considerable benefit to individuals whose immune system has been decimated in various settings. In this Review, we focus on the causes and consequences of impaired adaptive immunity and discuss therapeutic strategies that can recover immune function, with a particular emphasis on approaches that can promote a diverse repertoire of T cells through de novo T cell formation.
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17
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Abstract
Understanding the pathogenesis of certain viral agents is essential for developing new treatments and obtaining a clinical cure. With the onset of the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in the beginning of 2020, a rush to conduct studies and develop drugs has led to the publication of articles that seek to address knowledge gaps and contribute to the global scientific research community. There are still no reports on the infectivity or repercussions of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the central lymphoid organ, the thymus, nor on thymocytes or thymic epithelial cells. In this brief review, we present a hypothesis about lymphopenia observed in SARS patients and the probable pathological changes that the thymus may undergo due to this new virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marvin Paulo Lins
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas - Maceió/AL, Brazil.,Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Salete Smaniotto
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas - Maceió/AL, Brazil.,Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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