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Pouw JNJ, Nordkamp MAMMO, van Kempen TT, Concepcion ANA, van Laar JMJ, van Wijk FF, Spierings JJ, Leijten EFAE, Boes MM. Regulatory T cells in psoriatic arthritis: an IL-17A-producing, Foxp3 intCD161 + RORγt + ICOS + phenotype, that associates with the presence of ADAMTSL5 autoantibodies. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20675. [PMID: 36450783 PMCID: PMC9712434 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24924-w] [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: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In psoriatic arthritis (PsA), predisposing class I HLA alleles, the presence of synovial clonally proliferated CD8 + T cells and autoantibodies all point towards the loss of immune tolerance. However, the key mechanisms that lead to immune dysregulation are not fully understood. In other types of inflammatory arthritis, T regulatory cell (Treg) dysfunction and plasticity at sites of inflammation were suggested to negatively affect peripheral tolerance. We here addressed if Treg variances associate with psoriatic disease. We collected clinical data, sera and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 13 healthy controls, 21 psoriasis and 21 PsA patients. In addition, we obtained synovial fluid mononuclear cells from 6 PsA patients. We studied characteristics of CD4 + CD25 + CD127loFoxp3 + Tregs by flow cytometry and used ELISA to quantify antibodies against ADAMTSL5, a recently discovered autoantigen in psoriatic disease. In comparison with their circulating counterparts, Tregs from inflamed joints express increased levels of ICOS, CTLA-4 and TIGIT. Furthermore, synovial fluid-derived Tregs have a distinct phenotype, characterized by IL-17A production and upregulation of CD161 and RORγt. We identified a subset of Tregs with intermediate Foxp3 expression as the major cytokine producer. Furthermore, ICOS + Tregs associate with PsA disease activity as measured by PASDAS. Lastly, we observed that presence of the Foxp3int Tregs associates with an increased abundance of anti-ADAMTSL5 autoantibodies. Tregs derived from the inflammatory environment of inflamed PsA joints exhibit a distinct phenotype, which associates with loss of peripheral immune tolerance in psoriatic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. N. Juliëtte Pouw
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, H03.103, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.5477.10000000120346234Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M. A. M. Michel Olde Nordkamp
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - T. Tessa van Kempen
- grid.440506.30000 0000 9631 4629Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Avans University of Applied Sciences, 4800 RA Breda, The Netherlands
| | - A. N. Arno Concepcion
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, H03.103, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J. M. Jacob van Laar
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, H03.103, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - F. Femke van Wijk
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - J. Julia Spierings
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, H03.103, P.O. Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - E. F. A. Emmerik Leijten
- grid.452818.20000 0004 0444 9307Department of Rheumatology, Sint Maartenskliniek, 6500 GM Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - M. Marianne Boes
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands ,grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Pediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, Utrecht University, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands
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2
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Regulatory T cells in rheumatoid arthritis: functions, development, regulation, and therapeutic potential. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:533. [PMID: 36173485 PMCID: PMC9522664 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04563-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that mainly affects the joints but also leads to systemic inflammation. Auto-reactivity and dysregulation of self-tolerance are thought to play a vital role in disease onset. In the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, disturbed immunosuppressive properties of regulatory T cells contribute to the dysregulation of immune homeostasis. In RA patients, the functions of Treg cells and their frequency are reduced. Therefore, focusing on the re-establishment of self-tolerance by increasing Treg cell frequencies and preventing a loss of function is a promising strategy for the treatment of RA. This approach could be especially beneficial for those patients who do not respond well to current therapies. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current knowledge about the function, differentiation and regulation of Treg cells in RA patients and in animal models of autoimmune arthritis. In addition, we highlight the therapeutic potential as well as the challenges of Treg cell targeting treatment strategies.
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Schlöder J, Shahneh F, Schneider FJ, Wieschendorf B. Boosting regulatory T cell function for the treatment of autoimmune diseases – That’s only half the battle! Front Immunol 2022; 13:973813. [PMID: 36032121 PMCID: PMC9400058 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.973813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Treg) represent a subset of specialized T cells that are essential for the regulation of immune responses and maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Once activated, Treg exert powerful immunosuppressive properties, for example by inhibiting T cell-mediated immune responses against self-antigens, thereby protecting our body from autoimmunity. Autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus, exhibit an immunological imbalance mainly characterized by a reduced frequency and impaired function of Treg. In addition, there has been increasing evidence that – besides Treg dysfunction – immunoregulatory mechanisms fail to control autoreactive T cells due to a reduced responsiveness of T effector cells (Teff) for the suppressive properties of Treg, a process termed Treg resistance. In order to efficiently treat autoimmune diseases and thus fully induce immunological tolerance, a combined therapy aimed at both enhancing Treg function and restoring Teff responsiveness could most likely be beneficial. This review provides an overview of immunomodulating drugs that are currently used to treat various autoimmune diseases in the clinic and have been shown to increase Treg frequency as well as Teff sensitivity to Treg-mediated suppression. Furthermore, we discuss strategies on how to boost Treg activity and function, and their potential use in the treatment of autoimmunity. Finally, we present a humanized mouse model for the preclinical testing of Treg-activating substances in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Schlöder
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- ActiTrexx GmbH, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- *Correspondence: Janine Schlöder,
| | - Fatemeh Shahneh
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Franz-Joseph Schneider
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- ActiTrexx GmbH, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Björn Wieschendorf
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
- ActiTrexx GmbH, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
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4
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Vergani D, Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli B, Mieli-Vergani G. A reasoned approach to the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis. Dig Liver Dis 2021; 53:1381-1393. [PMID: 34162505 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2021.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic inflammatory liver disease affecting all ages, characterised by elevated transaminase and immunoglobulin G levels, positive autoantibodies, interface hepatitis on histology and good response to immunosuppressive treatment. If untreated, it has a poor prognosis. The aim of this review is to analyse AIH therapeutic interventions with reference to our knowledge of the pathogenesis of AIH. Standard treatment, based on steroids and azathioprine, leads to disease remission in 80-90% of patients. Alternative first-line treatment with budesonide is effective in adults, but less so in the juvenile form of AIH; first-line treatment with ciclosporin does not provide convincing advantages compared to standard treatment. Second-line treatments are needed for patients not responding or intolerant to first-line standard management. Mycophenolate mofetil is the most widely used second-line drug, and has good efficacy particularly for patients intolerant to azathioprine, but is teratogenic. Only few and heterogeneous data on calcineurin inhibitors and m-TOR inhibitors are available. Biologicals, including anti-tumour necrosis factor- α and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies, have given ambivalent results and may have severe side-effects. Clinical trials with new therapeutic options aiming at targeting B lymphocytes and proinflammatory cytokines, or expanding regulatory T cells to restore tolerance are ongoing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Vergani
- King's College London Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, London, UK; Institute of Liver Studies, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, London, UK; Epatocentro Ticino, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Benedetta Terziroli Beretta-Piccoli
- Institute of Liver Studies, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, London, UK; Epatocentro Ticino, Lugano, Switzerland; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera Italiana, Switzerland
| | - Giorgina Mieli-Vergani
- King's College London Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, London, UK; Epatocentro Ticino, Lugano, Switzerland; Paediatric Liver, GI and Nutrition Centre, MowatLabs, King's College Hospital, London, UK.
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5
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Selck C, Dominguez-Villar M. Antigen-Specific Regulatory T Cell Therapy in Autoimmune Diseases and Transplantation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:661875. [PMID: 34054826 PMCID: PMC8160309 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.661875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are a heterogenous population of immunosuppressive T cells whose therapeutic potential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and graft rejection is currently being explored. While clinical trial results thus far support the safety and efficacy of adoptive therapies using polyclonal Treg cells, some studies suggest that antigen-specific Treg cells are more potent in regulating and improving immune tolerance in a disease-specific manner. Hence, several approaches to generate and/or expand antigen-specific Treg cells in vitro or in vivo are currently under investigation. However, antigen-specific Treg cell therapies face additional challenges that require further consideration, including the identification of disease-relevant antigens as well as the in vivo stability and migratory behavior of Treg cells following transfer. In this review, we discuss these approaches and the potential limitations and describe prospective strategies to enhance the efficacy of antigen-specific Treg cell treatments in autoimmunity and transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Selck
- Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Ectopic FOXP3 Expression in Combination with TGF-β1 and IL-2 Stimulation Generates Limited Suppressive Function in Human Primary Activated Thymocytes Ex Vivo. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9050461. [PMID: 33922629 PMCID: PMC8146103 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9050461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are characterized by the expression of the transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), are the main immune cells that induce tolerance and are regulators of immune homeostasis. Natural Treg cells (nTregs), described as CD4+CD25+FOXP3+, are generated in the thymus via activation and cytokine signaling. Transforming growth factor beta type 1 (TGF-β1) is pivotal to the generation of the nTreg lineage, its maintenance in the thymus, and to generating induced Treg cells (iTregs) in the periphery or in vitro arising from conventional T cells (Tconvs). Here, we tested whether TGF-β1 treatment, associated with interleukin-2 (IL-2) and CD3/CD28 stimulation, could generate functional Treg-like cells from human thymocytes in vitro, as it does from Tconvs. Additionally, we genetically manipulated the cells for ectopic FOXP3 expression, along with the TGF-β1 treatment. We demonstrated that TGF-β1 and ectopic FOXP3, combined with IL-2 and through CD3/CD28 activation, transformed human thymocytes into cells that expressed high levels of Treg-associated markers. However, these cells also presented a lack of homogeneous suppressive function and an unstable proinflammatory cytokine profile. Therefore, thymocyte-derived cells, activated with the same stimuli as Tconvs, were not an appropriate alternative for inducing cells with a Treg-like phenotype and function.
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7
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Vimond N, Lasselin J, Anegon I, Guillonneau C, Bézie S. Genetic engineering of human and mouse CD4 + and CD8 + Tregs using lentiviral vectors encoding chimeric antigen receptors. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2021; 20:69-85. [PMID: 33376756 PMCID: PMC7749301 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2020.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The last decade has seen a significant increase of cell therapy protocols using effector T cells (Teffs) in particular, but also, more recently, non-engineered and expanded polyclonal regulatory T cells (Tregs) to control pathological immune responses such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, or transplantation rejection. However, limitations, such as stability, migration, and specificity of the cell products, have been seen. Thus, genetic engineering of these cell subsets is expected to provide the next generation of T cell therapy products. Lentiviral vectors are commonly used to modify Teffs; however, Tregs are more sensitive to mechanical stress and require specific culture conditions. Also, there is a lack of reproducible and efficient protocols to expand and genetically modify Tregs without affecting their growth and function. Due to smaller number of cells and poorer viability upon culture in vitro, mouse Tregs are more difficult to transduce and amplify in vitro than human Tregs. Here we propose a step-by-step protocol to produce both human and mouse genetically modified CD8+ and CD4+ Tregs in sufficient amounts to assess their therapeutic efficacy in humanized immunocompromised mouse models and murine models of disease and to establish pre-clinical proofs of concept. We report, for the first time, an efficient and reproducible method to isolate Tregs from human blood or mouse spleen, transduce with a lentiviral vector, and culture, in parallel, CD8+ and CD4+ Tregs while preserving their function. Beyond chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-Treg cell therapy, this protocol will promote the development of potential new engineered T cell therapies to treat autoimmune diseases and transplantation rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadège Vimond
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, 44093 Nantes Cedex 01, France
| | - Juliette Lasselin
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, 44093 Nantes Cedex 01, France
| | - Ignacio Anegon
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, 44093 Nantes Cedex 01, France
| | - Carole Guillonneau
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, 44093 Nantes Cedex 01, France
- Corresponding author: Carole Guillonneau, Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, 30 Bd Jean Monnet, 44093, Nantes Cedex 01, France.
| | - Séverine Bézie
- Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, 44093 Nantes Cedex 01, France
- Corresponding author: Séverine Bézie, Université de Nantes, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, 30 Bd Jean Monnet, 44093, Nantes Cedex 01, France.
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8
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Amini L, Greig J, Schmueck-Henneresse M, Volk HD, Bézie S, Reinke P, Guillonneau C, Wagner DL, Anegon I. Super-Treg: Toward a New Era of Adoptive Treg Therapy Enabled by Genetic Modifications. Front Immunol 2021; 11:611638. [PMID: 33717052 PMCID: PMC7945682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.611638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory Tcells (Treg) are essential components of peripheral immune homeostasis. Adoptive Treg cell therapy has shown efficacy in a variety of immune-mediated diseases in preclinical studies and is now moving from phase I/IIa to larger phase II studies aiming to demonstrate efficacy. However, hurdles such as in vivo stability and efficacy remain to be addressed. Nevertheless, preclinical models have shown that Treg function and specificity can be increased by pharmacological substances or gene modifications, and even that conventional T cells can be converted to Treg potentially providing new sources of Treg and facilitating Treg cell therapy. The exponential growth in genetic engineering techniques and their application to T cells coupled to a large body of knowledge on Treg open numerous opportunities to generate Treg with "superpowers". This review summarizes the genetic engineering techniques available and their applications for the next-generation of Super-Treg with increased function, stability, redirected specificity and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Amini
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) and Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Jenny Greig
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Michael Schmueck-Henneresse
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) and Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans-Dieter Volk
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) and Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Séverine Bézie
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Petra Reinke
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) and Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Carole Guillonneau
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
| | - Dimitrios L. Wagner
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT) and Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany
| | - Ignacio Anegon
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche en Transplantation et Immunologie, UMR 1064, ITUN, Nantes, France
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Li LZ, Zhang Z, Bhoj VG. Conventional T cell therapies pave the way for novel Treg therapeutics. Cell Immunol 2020; 359:104234. [PMID: 33153708 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2020.104234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Approaches to harness the immune system to alleviate disease have become remarkably sophisticated since the crude, yet impressively-effective, attempts using live bacteria in the late 1800s. Recent evidence that engineered T cell therapy can deliver durable results in patients with cancer has spurred frenzied development in the field of T cell therapy. The myriad approaches include an innumerable variety of synthetic transgenes, multiplex gene-editing, and broader application to diseases beyond cancer. In this article, we review the preclinical studies and over a decade of clinical experience with engineered conventional T cells that have paved the way for translating engineered regulatory T cell therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy Z Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Vijay G Bhoj
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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10
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Ahmed A, Vyakarnam A. Emerging patterns of regulatory T cell function in tuberculosis. Clin Exp Immunol 2020; 202:273-287. [PMID: 32639588 PMCID: PMC7670141 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of mortality worldwide from a single infectious agent and has significant implications for global health. A major hurdle in the development of effective TB vaccines and therapies is the absence of defined immune‐correlates of protection. In this context, the role of regulatory T cells (Treg), which are essential for maintaining immune homeostasis, is even less understood. This review aims to address this knowledge gap by providing an overview of the emerging patterns of Treg function in TB. Increasing evidence from studies, both in animal models of infection and TB patients, points to the fact the role of Tregs in TB is dependent on disease stage. While Tregs might expand and delay the appearance of protective responses in the early stages of infection, their role in the chronic phase perhaps is to counter‐regulate excessive inflammation. New data highlight that this important homeostatic role of Tregs in the chronic phase of TB may be compromised by the expansion of activated human leucocyte antigen D‐related (HLA‐DR)+CD4+ suppression‐resistant effector T cells. This review provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of the key features of Treg cells in TB; highlights the importance of a balanced immune response as being important in TB and discusses the importance of probing not just Treg frequency but also qualitative aspects of Treg function as part of a comprehensive search for novel TB treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ahmed
- Laboratory of Immunology of HIV-TB Co-infection, Center for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India
| | - A Vyakarnam
- Laboratory of Immunology of HIV-TB Co-infection, Center for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India.,Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London (KCL), London, UK
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11
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Nejatbakhsh Samimi L, Farhadi E, Tahmasebi MN, Jamshidi A, Sharafat Vaziri A, Mahmoudi M. NF-κB signaling in rheumatoid arthritis with focus on fibroblast-like synoviocytes. AUTOIMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS 2020. [PMCID: PMC7414649 DOI: 10.1186/s13317-020-00135-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway regulates multiple processes in innate and adaptive immune cells. This pathway is involved in inflammation through the regulation of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules expression. The NF-κB transcription factor also participates in the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of cells. Therefore, deregulated NF-κB activation contributes to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is classified as a heterogeneous and complex autoimmune inflammatory disease. Although different immune and non-immune cells contribute to the RA pathogenesis, fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) play a crucial role in disease progression. These cells are altered during the disease and produce inflammatory mediators, including inflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases, which result in joint and cartilage erosion. Among different cell signaling pathways, it seems that deregulated NF-κB activation is associated with the inflammatory picture of RA. NF-κB activation can also promote the proliferation of RA-FLSs as well as the inhibition of FLS apoptosis that results in hyperplasia in RA synovium. In this review, the role of NF-κB transcription factor in immune and non-immune cells (especially FLSs) that are involved in RA pathogenesis are discussed.
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12
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Mohseni YR, Tung SL, Dudreuilh C, Lechler RI, Fruhwirth GO, Lombardi G. The Future of Regulatory T Cell Therapy: Promises and Challenges of Implementing CAR Technology. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1608. [PMID: 32793236 PMCID: PMC7393941 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell therapy with polyclonal regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been translated into the clinic and is currently being tested in transplant recipients and patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. Moreover, building on animal models, it has been widely reported that antigen-specific Tregs are functionally superior to polyclonal Tregs. Among various options to confer target specificity to Tregs, genetic engineering is a particularly timely one as has been demonstrated in the treatment of hematological malignancies where it is in routine clinical use. Genetic engineering can be exploited to express chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) in Tregs, and this has been successfully demonstrated to be robust in preclinical studies across various animal disease models. However, there are several caveats and a number of strategies should be considered to further improve on targeting, efficacy and to understand the in vivo distribution and fate of CAR-Tregs. Here, we review the differing approaches to confer antigen specificity to Tregs with emphasis on CAR-Tregs. This includes an overview and discussion of the various approaches to improve CAR-Treg specificity and therapeutic efficacy as well as addressing potential safety concerns. We also discuss different imaging approaches to understand the in vivo biodistribution of administered Tregs. Preclinical research as well as suitability of methodologies for clinical translation are discussed.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens/immunology
- Bioengineering
- Humans
- Immunomodulation
- Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/genetics
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology
- Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/genetics
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology
- Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism
- T-Cell Antigen Receptor Specificity
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- Treatment Outcome
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin R. Mohseni
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, MRC Centre for Transplantation, School of Immunology and Microbial Science, King's College London (KCL), Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sim L. Tung
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, MRC Centre for Transplantation, School of Immunology and Microbial Science, King's College London (KCL), Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Dudreuilh
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, MRC Centre for Transplantation, School of Immunology and Microbial Science, King's College London (KCL), Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robert I. Lechler
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, MRC Centre for Transplantation, School of Immunology and Microbial Science, King's College London (KCL), Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gilbert O. Fruhwirth
- Imaging Therapies and Cancer Group, Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanna Lombardi
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, MRC Centre for Transplantation, School of Immunology and Microbial Science, King's College London (KCL), Guy's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
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13
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Novel biomarkers of a peripheral blood interferon signature associated with drug-naïve early arthritis patients distinguish persistent from self-limiting disease course. Sci Rep 2020; 10:8830. [PMID: 32483203 PMCID: PMC7264129 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-63757-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
We profiled gene expression signatures to distinguish rheumatoid arthritis (RA) from non-inflammatory arthralgia (NIA), self-limiting arthritis (SLA), and undifferentiated arthritis (UA) as compared to healthy controls as novel potential biomarkers for therapeutic responsiveness. Global gene expression profiles of PBMCs from 43 drug-naïve patients presenting with joint symptoms were evaluated and differentially expressed genes identified by comparative analysis with 24 healthy volunteers. Patients were assessed at presentation with follow up at 6 and 12 months. Gene ontology and network pathway analysis were performed using DAVID Bioinformatics Resources v6.7. Gene expression profiles were also determined after disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment in the inflammatory arthritis groups (i.e. RA and UA) and confirmed by qRT-PCR. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis and Area Under the Curve (AUC) estimation were performed to assess the diagnostic value of candidate gene expression signatures. A type I interferon (IFN) gene signature distinguished DMARD-naïve patients who will subsequently develop persistent inflammatory arthritis (i.e. RA and UA) from those with NIA. In patients with RA, the IFN signature is characterised by up-regulation of SIGLEC1 (p = 0.00597) and MS4A4A (p = 0.00000904). We also identified, EPHB2 (p = 0.000542) and PDZK1IP1 (p = 0.0206) with RA-specific gene expression profiles and elevated expression of the ST6GALNAC1 (p = 0.0023) gene in UA. ROC and AUC risk score analysis suggested that MSA4A (AUC: 0.894, 0.644, 0.720), PDZK1IP1 (AUC: 0.785, 0.806, 0.977), and EPHB2 (AUC: 0.794, 0.723, 0.620) at 0, 6, and 12 months follow-up can accurately discriminate patients with RA from healthy controls and may have practical value for RA diagnosis. In patients with early inflammatory arthritis, ST6GALNAC1 is a potential biomarker for UA as compared with healthy controls whereas EPHB2, MS4A4A, and particularly PDZK1IP1 may discriminate RA patients. SIGLEC1 may also be a useful marker of disease activity in UA.
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14
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Liu Y, Jarjour W, Olsen N, Zheng SG. Traitor or warrior-Treg cells sneaking into the lesions of psoriatic arthritis. Clin Immunol 2020; 215:108425. [PMID: 32305454 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2020.108425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells have been recognized to maintain immune tolerance, which contributes to prevention of autoimmune diseases. However, recent evidence has demonstrated different characteristics of these cells between those that are in circulation compared to those in various local tissues. In addition, the ability of Treg cells to have plasticity in certain disease settings and in inflammatory lesions has been increasingly recognized. Herein we summarize updated knowledge of Treg biology and discuss the current understanding of tissue-resident Treg cells in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), attempting to provide new insights into precise role of Treg cells in the immune response and as a possible therapeutic intervention in patients with PsA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510620, China
| | - Wael Jarjour
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus 43210, USA
| | - Nancy Olsen
- Department of Medicine, The Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Hershey 17031, USA
| | - Song Guo Zheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus 43210, USA.
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15
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Raffin C, Vo LT, Bluestone JA. T reg cell-based therapies: challenges and perspectives. Nat Rev Immunol 2020; 20:158-172. [PMID: 31811270 PMCID: PMC7814338 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-019-0232-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 385] [Impact Index Per Article: 96.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Cellular therapies using regulatory T (Treg) cells are currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection and graft-versus-host disease. In this Review, we discuss the biology of Treg cells and describe new efforts in Treg cell engineering to enhance specificity, stability, functional activity and delivery. Finally, we envision that the success of Treg cell therapy in autoimmunity and transplantation will encourage the clinical use of adoptive Treg cell therapy for non-immune diseases, such as neurological disorders and tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Raffin
- Sean N. Parker Autoimmune Research Laboratory, Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Linda T Vo
- Sean N. Parker Autoimmune Research Laboratory, Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Bluestone
- Sean N. Parker Autoimmune Research Laboratory, Diabetes Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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16
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Chen J, Zhan C, Zhang L, Zhang L, Liu Y, Zhang Y, Du H, Liang C, Chen X. The Hypermethylation of Foxp3 Promoter Impairs the Function of Treg Cells in EAP. Inflammation 2020; 42:1705-1718. [PMID: 31209730 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-019-01030-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Treg cells are crucial for maintaining immune homeostasis in CP/CPPS, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the modulation of the function of Treg in CP/CPPS remain unclear. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between immunosuppressive function of Treg and the methylation level of Foxp3 promoter in experimental autoimmune prostatitis (EAP) mouse model. EAP model was induced by subcutaneous injecting prostate-steroid-binding protein (PSBP) and complete Freund's adjuvant with NOD mice. Histological analysis revealed that EAP model was successfully induced. The expression of IFN-γ was increased, and TGF-β was decreased in the serum of EAP, respectively. The percentage of Tregs in splenic lymphocyte was increased in EAP. The suppressive ability of Tregs on Teffs was impaired in EAP. The methylation level of Foxp3 promoter was increased, and the expression of Foxp3 was decreased in EAP. By injection AZA which was DNA-methylation inhibitor into EAP mice, prostate inflammation was alleviated, expressions of TGF-β and Foxp3 were increased, and the suppressive function of Tregs was improved in vitro and in vivo. Thus, we concluded that aberrant increased methylation of Foxp3 promoter in Treg cells leads to the impaired suppressive function of Treg cells, exacerbating autoimmune inflammatory injury in EAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Changsheng Zhan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ligang Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Hexi Du
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China.,Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Chaozhao Liang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China. .,Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China. .,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
| | - Xianguo Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, People's Republic of China. .,Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China. .,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China.
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17
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Immunotherapy Deriving from CAR-T Cell Treatment in Autoimmune Diseases. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:5727516. [PMID: 32083141 PMCID: PMC7012264 DOI: 10.1155/2019/5727516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells are T cells engineered to express specific synthetic antigen receptors that can recognize antigens expressed by tumor cells, which after the binding of these antigens to the receptors are eliminated, and have been adopted to treat several kinds of malignancies. Autoimmune diseases (AIDs), a class of chronic disease conditions, can be broadly separated into autoantibody-mediated and T cell-mediated diseases. Treatments for AIDs are focused on restoring immune tolerance. However, current treatments have little effect on immune tolerance inverse; even the molecular target biologics like anti-TNFα inhibitors can only mildly restore immune balance. By using the idea of CAR-T cell treatment in tumors, CAR-T cell-derived immunotherapies, chimeric autoantibody receptor T (CAAR-T) cells, and CAR regulatory T (CAR-T) cells bring new hope of treatment choice for AIDs.
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18
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Gowayed MA, Rothe K, Rossol M, Attia AS, Wagner U, Baerwald C, El-Abhar HS, Refaat R. The role of α7nAChR in controlling the anti-inflammatory/anti-arthritic action of galantamine. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 170:113665. [PMID: 31606410 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.113665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The evolution of the "cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway" and the fact that the α 7 subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) is present in the spleen, joint and on the surface of lymphocytes, opened up the prospective in this study of targeting the α7nAChR by the anticholinesterase and cholinergic drug, galantamine, to control inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Twelve-adjuvant arthritic rats were exposed to the selective α7nAChR blocker methylcaconitine citrate 15 min before galantamine treatment. As control, six adjuvant arthritic rats were treated with galantamine and six others were untreated. After five days TNF-α levels were assessed in spleen and joints, while reduced glutathione was measured in blood and joint tissue. In the second part, magnetically sorted CD4 + T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of RA patients and healthy donors were used to sort CD4 + CD25 - primary T cells (Tresp) and CD4 + CD25 + CD127low Tregs. The suppressive function of Tregs was investigated after incubation with galantamine using flow cytometry. Cell culture supernatants were analyzed for TNF-α and IL-10 levels after three days incubation period of Tregs with Tresp. The effect of galantamine on Tregs was then blocked by α-Bungarotoxin and the same assay has been repeated. RESULTS & CONCLUSION Selective α7nAChR blockade interrupted the anti-inflammatory effect of galantamine in the spleen and joints of arthritic rats. In healthy donors, galantamine could strengthen the suppressive activity of Tregs; while in RA patients it did not modulate the function of Tregs significantly. Further studies are necessary to investigate whether modulation of the cholinergic nervous system, especially α7nAChR, could have impact on the disturbed immune system in RA, which may open up a new treatment option of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mennatallah A Gowayed
- Lecturer of Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy and Drug Manufacturing, Pharos University in Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Kathrin Rothe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | - Manuela Rossol
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ahmed S Attia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Ulf Wagner
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christoph Baerwald
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hanan S El-Abhar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Rowaida Refaat
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical Research Institute, University of Alexandria, Egypt
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19
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Ewart D, Peterson EJ, Steer CJ. A new era of genetic engineering for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2019; 49:e1-e7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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20
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Habib T, Long SA, Samuels PL, Brahmandam A, Tatum M, Funk A, Hocking AM, Cerosaletti K, Mason MT, Whalen E, Rawlings DJ, Greenbaum C, Buckner JH. Dynamic Immune Phenotypes of B and T Helper Cells Mark Distinct Stages of T1D Progression. Diabetes 2019; 68:1240-1250. [PMID: 30894366 PMCID: PMC6610015 DOI: 10.2337/db18-1081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Multiple studies of B- and T-cell compartments and their response to stimuli demonstrate alterations in established type 1 diabetes (T1D). Yet it is not known whether these alterations reflect immune mechanisms that initiate islet autoimmunity, promote disease progression, or are secondary to disease. To address these questions, we used samples from the TrialNet Pathway to Prevention study to investigate T-cell responses to interleukin (IL)-2 and regulatory T cell-mediated suppression, the composition of the B-cell compartment, and B-cell responses to B-cell receptor and IL-21 receptor engagement. These studies revealed stage-dependent T- and B-cell functional and immune phenotypes; namely, early features that differentiate autoantibody-positive at-risk first-degree relatives (FDRs) from autoantibody-negative FDRs and persisted through clinical diagnosis; late features that arose at or near T1D diagnosis; and dynamic features that were enhanced early and blunted at later disease stages, indicating evolving responses along the continuum of T1D. We further explored how these specific phenotypes are influenced by therapeutic interventions. Our integrated studies provide unique insights into stable and dynamic stage-specific immune states and define novel immune phenotypes of potential clinical relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Habib
- Translational Research Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - S Alice Long
- Translational Research Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Peter L Samuels
- Translational Research Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Archana Brahmandam
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Megan Tatum
- Translational Research Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Andrew Funk
- Translational Research Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Anne M Hocking
- Translational Research Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Karen Cerosaletti
- Translational Research Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Michael T Mason
- Translational Research Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Elizabeth Whalen
- Diabetes Clinical Research Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - David J Rawlings
- Center for Immunity and Immunotherapies, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
- Departments of Pediatrics and Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Carla Greenbaum
- Diabetes Clinical Research Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Jane H Buckner
- Translational Research Program, Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA
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21
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Herzog RW, Kuteyeva V, Saboungi R, Terhorst C, Biswas M. Reprogrammed CD4 + T Cells That Express FoxP3 + Control Inhibitory Antibody Formation in Hemophilia A Mice. Front Immunol 2019; 10:274. [PMID: 30842776 PMCID: PMC6391332 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Coagulation Factor VIII (FVIII) replacement therapy in hemophilia A patients is complicated by the development of inhibitory antibodies, which often render the treatment ineffective. Previous studies demonstrated a strong correlation between induction of regulatory T cells (Treg) and tolerance to the therapeutic protein. We, therefore, set out to evaluate whether the adoptive transfer of FVIII-specific CD4+ Treg cells prevents inhibitor response to FVIII protein therapy. To this end, we first retrovirally transduced FoxP3+ into FVIII-specific CD4+ cells, which resulted in cells that stably express FoxP3, are phenotypically similar to peripherally induced Tregs and are antigen specific suppressors, as judged by in vitro assays. Upon transfer of the FVIII-specific CD4+ FoxP3+ cells into hemophilia A mice, development of inhibitory antibodies in response to administering FVIII protein was completely suppressed. Suppression was extended for 2 months, even after transferred cells were no longer detectable in the secondary lymphoid organs of recipient animals. Upon co-transfer of FoxP3+-transduced cells with the B cell depleting anti-CD20 into mice with pre-existing inhibitory antibodies to FVIII, the escalation of inhibitory antibody titers in response to subsequent FVIII protein therapy was dramatically reduced. We conclude that reprogramed FoxP3 expressing cells are capable of inducing the in vivo conversion of endogenous FVIII peripheral Tregs, which results in sustained suppression of FVIII inhibitors caused by replacement therapy in recipient hemophilia A animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland W. Herzog
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Veronica Kuteyeva
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Rania Saboungi
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Cox Terhorst
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Moanaro Biswas
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States,*Correspondence: Moanaro Biswas
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22
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Ewart DT, Peterson EJ, Steer CJ. Gene editing for inflammatory disorders. Ann Rheum Dis 2018; 78:6-15. [PMID: 30077989 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2018-213454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Technology for precise and efficient genetic editing is constantly evolving and is now capable of human clinical applications. Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases are chronic, disabling, sometimes life-threatening, conditions that feature heritable components. Both primary genetic lesions and the inflammatory pathobiology underlying these diseases represent fertile soil for new therapies based on the capabilities of gene editing. The ability to orchestrate precise targeted modifications to the genome will likely enable cell-based therapies for inflammatory diseases such as monogenic autoinflammatory disease, acquired autoimmune disease and for regenerative medicine in the setting of an inflammatory environment. Here, we discuss recent advances in genome editing and their evolving applications in immunoinflammatory diseases. Strengths and limitations of older genetic modification tools are compared with CRISPR/Cas9, base editing, RNA editing, targeted activators and repressors of transcription and targeted epigenetic modifiers. Commonly employed delivery vehicles to target cells or tissues of interest with genetic modification machinery, including viral, non-viral and cellular vectors, are described. Finally, applications in animal and human models of inflammatory diseases are discussed. Use of chimeric autoantigen receptor T cells, correction of monogenic diseases with genetically edited haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, engineering of induced pluripotent stem cells and ex vivo expansion and modification of regulatory T cells for a range of chronic inflammatory diseases are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- David T Ewart
- Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Erik J Peterson
- Division of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Clifford J Steer
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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23
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Biswas M, Kumar SRP, Terhorst C, Herzog RW. Gene Therapy With Regulatory T Cells: A Beneficial Alliance. Front Immunol 2018; 9:554. [PMID: 29616042 PMCID: PMC5868074 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Gene therapy aims to replace a defective or a deficient protein at therapeutic or curative levels. Improved vector designs have enhanced safety, efficacy, and delivery, with potential for lasting treatment. However, innate and adaptive immune responses to the viral vector and transgene product remain obstacles to the establishment of therapeutic efficacy. It is widely accepted that endogenous regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical for tolerance induction to the transgene product and in some cases the viral vector. There are two basic strategies to harness the suppressive ability of Tregs: in vivo induction of adaptive Tregs specific to the introduced gene product and concurrent administration of autologous, ex vivo expanded Tregs. The latter may be polyclonal or engineered to direct specificity to the therapeutic antigen. Recent clinical trials have advanced adoptive immunotherapy with Tregs for the treatment of autoimmune disease and in patients receiving cell transplants. Here, we highlight the potential benefit of combining gene therapy with Treg adoptive transfer to achieve a sustained transgene expression. Furthermore, techniques to engineer antigen-specific Treg cell populations, either through reprogramming conventional CD4+ T cells or transferring T cell receptors with known specificity into polyclonal Tregs, are promising in preclinical studies. Thus, based upon these observations and the successful use of chimeric (IgG-based) antigen receptors (CARs) in antigen-specific effector T cells, different types of CAR-Tregs could be added to the repertoire of inhibitory modalities to suppress immune responses to therapeutic cargos of gene therapy vectors. The diverse approaches to harness the ability of Tregs to suppress unwanted immune responses to gene therapy and their perspectives are reviewed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moanaro Biswas
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Sandeep R P Kumar
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
| | - Cox Terhorst
- Division of Immunology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Roland W Herzog
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States
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24
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Wang Y, Nag M, Tuohy JL, De Paris K, Fogle JE. T Regulatory Cell Induced Foxp3 Binds the IL2, IFNγ, and TNFα Promoters in Virus-Specific CD8 + T Cells from Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Cats. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2018; 34:269-276. [PMID: 29037051 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2017.0187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyfunctional CD8+ T cells play a critical role in controlling viremia during AIDS lentiviral infections. However, for most HIV-infected individuals, virus-specific CD8+ T cells exhibit loss of polyfunctionality, including loss of IL2, TNFα, and IFNγ. Using the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) model for AIDS lentiviral persistence, our laboratory has demonstrated that FIV-activated Treg cells target CD8+ T cells, leading to a reduction in IL2 and IFNγ production. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that Treg cells induce expression of the repressive transcription factor, Foxp3, in CD8+ T cells. Based upon these findings, we asked if Treg-induced Foxp3 could bind to the IL2, TNFα, and IFNγ promoter regions in virus-specific CD8+ T cells. Following coculture with autologous Treg cells, we demonstrated decreased mRNA levels of IL2 and IFNγ at weeks 4 and 8 postinfection and decreased TNFα at week 4 postinfection in virus-specific CD8+ T cells. We also clearly demonstrated Treg cell-induced Foxp3 expression in virus-specific CD8+ T cells at weeks 1, 4, and 8 postinfection. Finally, we documented Foxp3 binding to the IL2, TNFα, and IFNγ promoters at 8 weeks and 6 months postinfection in virus-specific CD8+ T cells following Treg cell coculture. In summary, the results here clearly demonstrate that Foxp3 inhibits IL2, TNFα, and IFNγ transcription by binding to their promoter regions in lentivirus-specific CD8+ T cells. We believe this is the first description of this process during the course of AIDS lentiviral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Mukta Nag
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Joanne L. Tuohy
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
| | - Kristina De Paris
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Jonathan E. Fogle
- Department of Population Health and Pathobiology, North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, North Carolina
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Skuljec J, Chmielewski M, Happle C, Habener A, Busse M, Abken H, Hansen G. Chimeric Antigen Receptor-Redirected Regulatory T Cells Suppress Experimental Allergic Airway Inflammation, a Model of Asthma. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1125. [PMID: 28955341 PMCID: PMC5600908 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular therapy with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-redirected cytotoxic T cells has shown impressive efficacy in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. We explored a regulatory T cell (Treg)-based therapy in the treatment of allergic airway inflammation, a model for asthma, which is characterized by an airway hyper-reactivity (AHR) and a chronic, T helper-2 (Th2) cell-dominated immune response to allergen. To restore the immune balance in the lung, we redirected Tregs by a CAR toward lung epithelia in mice upon experimentally induced allergic asthma, closely mimicking the clinical situation. Adoptively transferred CAR Tregs accumulated in the lung and in tracheobronchial lymph nodes, reduced AHR and diminished eosinophilic airway inflammation, indicated by lower cell numbers in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and decreased cell infiltrates in the lung. CAR Treg cells furthermore prevented excessive pulmonary mucus production as well as increase in allergen-specific IgE and Th2 cytokine levels in exposed animals. CAR Tregs were more efficient in controlling asthma than non-modified Tregs, indicating the pivotal role of specific Treg cell activation in the affected organ. Data demonstrate that lung targeting CAR Treg cells ameliorate key features of experimental airway inflammation, paving the way for cell therapy of severe allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Skuljec
- Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover, Germany
| | - Markus Chmielewski
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Clinic I Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Christine Happle
- Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover, Germany
| | - Anika Habener
- Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover, Germany
| | - Mandy Busse
- Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Hinrich Abken
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Clinic I Internal Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gesine Hansen
- Pediatric Pneumology, Allergology and Neonatology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hannover, Germany
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26
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Yang J, Yuan X, Lv C, Bai R, Zhang L, Ruang L, Zhang C, Quan XQ. Methylation of the FOXP3 upstream enhancer as a clinical indicator of defective regulatory T cells in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Am J Transl Res 2016; 8:5298-5308. [PMID: 28078003 PMCID: PMC5209483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/01/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is an immune-mediated inflammatory process, which acts as the main cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Regulatory CD4+CD25+FOXP3+T cells (Tregs) are thought to play a major role in inhibiting the formation and progression of atherosclerosis. However, the exact role played by Tregs in the pathogenesis of ACS is yet remained unclear. FOXP3 is a key regulator of Treg formation and function. Demethylation at the CpG-rich island of FOXP3 upstream enhancers can alter FOXP3 expression, and may affect Treg function during the development of ACS. This study investigated the immunosuppressive function and methylation status of a FOXP3 upstream enhancer in Tregs in ACS patients. Notably, Tregs from ACS patients exhibited a significantly lower immunosuppressive effect on Teffs. Furthermore, the methylation status of the FOXP3 upstream enhancer was significantly increased in ACS patients. Consistent with these observations, Tregs originated from ACS patients manifested significantly lower levels of FOXP3 mRNA. The immunosuppressive effect of Tregs on Teffs was compromised in ACS patients. Together, our data suggest that examination of the methylation status of the FOXP3 upstream enhancer might be a novel approach to diagnose ACS and to differentiate ACS subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
- Department of Cardiology, Xinyang Center HospitalXinyang 464000, China
| | - Xiaoyang Yuan
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
| | - Caixia Lv
- Department of Geriatrics, Hebei Provincial People’s HospitalShijiazhuang 050000, China
| | - Rong Bai
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical UniversityBeijing 100029, China
| | - Le Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
| | - Lei Ruang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
| | - Cuntai Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Quan
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhan 430030, China
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27
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Adegunsoye A, Oldham JM, Demchuk C, Montner S, Vij R, Strek ME. Predictors of survival in coexistent hypersensitivity pneumonitis with autoimmune features. Respir Med 2016; 114:53-60. [PMID: 27109811 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2016.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), an immune-mediated inflammatory interstitial lung disease (ILD), can result from exposure to several well-recognized antigens. Despite antigen avoidance, progressive pulmonary fibrosis and death can occur, suggesting that additional factors may contribute to disease activity. We hypothesized that the presence of autoimmunity might impact clinical course in patients with HP. In this study, we examined an HP cohort to identify those with HP and autoimmune features (HPAF), and determine its prevalence and outcomes. METHODS The University of Chicago ILD registry was screened to identify patients with HP. Patients were characterized as HPAF if they had an autoimmune disease or features of autoimmunity, defined as the presence of specific connective tissue disease (CTD) symptoms and serologies. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes were compared between groups. Survival analysis was performed using Cox regression to identify predictors of transplant-free survival in this cohort. RESULTS One hundred twenty patients with chronic, fibrotic HP were identified. Of these, 18/120 (15%) were characterized as HPAF. Compared to those without evidence of autoimmunity, patients with HPAF had a higher proportion of females (54% vs. 83%, respectively; p = 0.02) but were otherwise similar with regard to clinical characteristics. The presence of autoimmunity was an independent predictor of increased mortality (HR 4.45; 95% CI 1.43-13.88; p = 0.01) after multivariable adjustment. CONCLUSIONS Fifteen percent of patients with chronic, fibrotic HP displayed evidence of a concurrent defined autoimmune disease or autoimmune features suggestive of CTD. The presence of autoimmunity in patients with chronic, fibrotic HP may portend a poorer prognosis. Future studies are needed to validate these findings and determine the impact of immunosuppressive treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayodeji Adegunsoye
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago IL 60637, USA.
| | - Justin M Oldham
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago IL 60637, USA
| | - Carley Demchuk
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago IL 60637, USA
| | - Steven Montner
- Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago IL 60637, USA
| | - Rekha Vij
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago IL 60637, USA
| | - Mary E Strek
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago IL 60637, USA
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28
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Sialic acid-modified antigens impose tolerance via inhibition of T-cell proliferation and de novo induction of regulatory T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:3329-34. [PMID: 26941238 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1507706113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Sialic acids are negatively charged nine-carbon carboxylated monosaccharides that often cap glycans on glycosylated proteins and lipids. Because of their strategic location at the cell surface, sialic acids contribute to interactions that are critical for immune homeostasis via interactions with sialic acid-binding Ig-type lectins (siglecs). In particular, these interactions may be of importance in cases where sialic acids may be overexpressed, such as on certain pathogens and tumors. We now demonstrate that modification of antigens with sialic acids (Sia-antigens) regulates the generation of antigen-specific regulatory T (Treg) cells via dendritic cells (DCs). Additionally, DCs that take up Sia-antigen prevent formation of effector CD4(+) and CD8(+)T cells. Importantly, the regulatory properties endowed on DCs upon Sia-antigen uptake are antigen-specific: only T cells responsive to the sialylated antigen become tolerized. In vivo, injection of Sia-antigen-loaded DCs increased de novo Treg-cell numbers and dampened effector T-cell expansion and IFN-γ production. The dual tolerogenic features that Sia-antigen imposed on DCs are Siglec-E-mediated and maintained under inflammatory conditions. Moreover, loading DCs with Sia-antigens not only inhibited the function of in vitro-established Th1 and Th17 effector T cells but also significantly dampened ex vivo myelin-reactive T cells, present in the circulation of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. These data indicate that sialic acid-modified antigens instruct DCs in an antigen-specific tolerogenic programming, enhancing Treg cells and reducing the generation and propagation of inflammatory T cells. Our data suggest that sialylation of antigens provides an attractive way to induce antigen-specific immune tolerance.
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Lord JD, Shows DM, Chen J, Thirlby RC. Human Blood and Mucosal Regulatory T Cells Express Activation Markers and Inhibitory Receptors in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136485. [PMID: 26305224 PMCID: PMC4548948 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical for preventing intestinal inflammation. However, FOXP3+ T cells are paradoxically increased in the intestines of patients with the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD). We determined whether these FOXP3+ cells in IBD patients share or lack the phenotype of such cells from patients without IBD. Methods We quantified and characterized FOXP3+ Treg populations, as well as FOXP3- CD4+ T cells, in the lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL) of intestine surgically resected from patients with and without IBD, and in the blood of controls or Crohn’s patients with or without disease activity. Results In all samples, a similar fraction of FOXP3+ cells expressed the “natural” Treg (nTreg) marker Helios, suggesting that, in IBD, these cells are not entirely “induced” Tregs (iTregs) derived from activated effector T cells. Helios+ and Helios- FOXP3+ T cells demonstrated similar expression of maturation markers, activation markers, and inhibitory molecules between IBD patients and controls, while FOXP3- cells paradoxically expressed more of the inhibitory receptors CD39, CTLA4, and PD-1 in inflamed mucosa. Greater expression of activation markers was also seen in both Helios+ and Helios- Tregs, relative to FOXP3- cells, in both IBD patients and controls, indicating that Tregs are effectively activated by antigen in IBD. Conclusions Extensive immunophenotyping revealed that Helios+ and Helios- mucosal Tregs exist at a similar frequency, and have a similar expression of inhibitory molecules and activation markers in patients with IBD as in healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D. Lord
- Translational Research Program at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Donna M. Shows
- Translational Research Program at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle Washington, United States of America
| | - Janice Chen
- Translational Research Program at the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle Washington, United States of America
| | - Richard C. Thirlby
- Department of Surgery, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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30
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Zhou Q, Uhlig KM, Muth A, Kimpel J, Lévy C, Münch RC, Seifried J, Pfeiffer A, Trkola A, Coulibaly C, von Laer D, Wels WS, Hartwig UF, Verhoeyen E, Buchholz CJ. Exclusive Transduction of Human CD4+ T Cells upon Systemic Delivery of CD4-Targeted Lentiviral Vectors. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 195:2493-501. [PMID: 26232436 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1500956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Playing a central role in both innate and adaptive immunity, CD4(+) T cells are a key target for genetic modifications in basic research and immunotherapy. In this article, we describe novel lentiviral vectors (CD4-LV) that have been rendered selective for human or simian CD4(+) cells by surface engineering. When applied to PBMCs, CD4-LV transduced CD4(+) but not CD4(-) cells. Notably, also unstimulated T cells were stably genetically modified. Upon systemic or intrasplenic administration into mice reconstituted with human PBMCs or hematopoietic stem cells, reporter gene expression was predominantly detected in lymphoid organs. Evaluation of GFP expression in organ-derived cells and blood by flow cytometry demonstrated exclusive gene transfer into CD4(+) human lymphocytes. In bone marrow and spleen, memory T cells were preferentially hit. Toward therapeutic applications, we also show that CD4-LV can be used for HIV gene therapy, as well as for tumor therapy, by delivering chimeric Ag receptors. The potential for in vivo delivery of the FOXP3 gene was also demonstrated, making CD4-LV a powerful tool for inducible regulatory T cell generation. In summary, our work demonstrates the exclusive gene transfer into a T cell subset upon systemic vector administration opening an avenue toward novel strategies in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhou
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Katharina M Uhlig
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Anke Muth
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Janine Kimpel
- Division of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Camille Lévy
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Virus Enveloppés, Vecteurs et Réponses Innées Équipe, INSERM U1111, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unités Mixtes de Recherche 5308, Université de Lyon-1, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, 69007 Lyon, France
| | - Robert C Münch
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Janna Seifried
- Host Pathogen Interactions, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Anett Pfeiffer
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Trkola
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cheick Coulibaly
- Central Animal Unit, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany
| | - Dorothee von Laer
- Division of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Winfried S Wels
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, D-60596 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Udo F Hartwig
- 3rd Department of Medicine-Hematology, Internal Oncology and Pneumology, University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Els Verhoeyen
- Centre International de Recherche en Infectiologie, Virus Enveloppés, Vecteurs et Réponses Innées Équipe, INSERM U1111, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unités Mixtes de Recherche 5308, Université de Lyon-1, École Normale Supérieure de Lyon, 69007 Lyon, France; INSERM U1065, Centre Méditerranéen de Médecine Moléculaire, Équipe 3, 06204 Nice, France; and
| | - Christian J Buchholz
- Molecular Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, 63225 Langen, Germany; German Cancer Consortium, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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31
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Cribbs AP, Kennedy A, Penn H, Amjadi P, Green P, Read JE, Brennan F, Gregory B, Williams RO. Methotrexate Restores Regulatory T Cell Function Through Demethylation of the FoxP3 Upstream Enhancer in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2015; 67:1182-92. [PMID: 25604080 DOI: 10.1002/art.39031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We have previously shown, in a cohort of untreated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, that the suppressive function of Treg cells is defective. However, other studies in cohorts of patients with established RA have shown that Treg cell function is normal. We hypothesized that treatment may restore Treg cell function and lead to reduced disease activity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment with methotrexate (MTX) can result in epigenetic changes that lead to restoration of the Treg cell suppressive function in RA. METHODS Peripheral blood samples from RA patients were assessed using (3) H-thymidine incorporation to measure Treg cell suppression of T cell proliferation, and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to determine Treg cell suppression of interferon-γ production. CTLA-4 and FoxP3 expression was measured by flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in Treg cells from healthy individuals and RA patients. CD4+ T cells isolated from healthy individuals were cultured with interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α in the presence or absence of MTX, and FoxP3 expression was determined using qPCR and flow cytometry. Methylation of the FOXP3 upstream enhancer was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing PCR. RESULTS Defective Treg cell function was observed only in RA patients who had not been treated with MTX, whereas Treg cells from MTX-exposed RA patients had restored suppressive function. This restored suppression was associated with increased expression of FoxP3 and CTLA-4 in Treg cells. Bisulfite sequencing PCR of Treg cells cultured in MTX revealed a significant reduction in methylation of the FOXP3 upstream enhancer. CONCLUSION This study identifies a novel mechanism of action of MTX, in which treatment of RA patients with MTX restores defective Treg cell function through demethylation of the FOXP3 locus, leading to a subsequent increase in FoxP3 and CTLA-4 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam P Cribbs
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology and University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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32
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Basdeo SA, Moran B, Cluxton D, Canavan M, McCormick J, Connolly M, Orr C, Mills KHG, Veale DJ, Fearon U, Fletcher JM. Polyfunctional, Pathogenic CD161+ Th17 Lineage Cells Are Resistant to Regulatory T Cell-Mediated Suppression in the Context of Autoimmunity. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 195:528-40. [PMID: 26062995 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1402990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), regulatory T cells (Tregs) fail to constrain autoimmune inflammation; however, the reasons for this are unclear. We investigated T cell regulation in the RA joint. Tregs from RA synovial fluid suppressed autologous responder T cells; however, when compared with Tregs from healthy control peripheral blood, they were significantly less suppressive. Despite their reduced suppressive activity, Tregs in the RA joint were highly proliferative and expressed FOXP3, CD39, and CTLA-4, which are markers of functional Tregs. This suggested that the reduced suppression is due to resistance of RA synovial fluid responder T cells to Treg inhibition. CD161(+) Th17 lineage cells were significantly enriched in the RA joint; we therefore investigated their relative susceptibility to Treg-mediated suppression. Peripheral blood CD161(+) Th cells from healthy controls were significantly more resistant to Treg-mediated suppression, when compared with CD161(-) Th cells, and this was mediated through a STAT3-dependant mechanism. Furthermore, depletion of CD161(+) Th cells from the responder T cell population in RA synovial fluid restored Treg-mediated suppression. In addition, CD161(+) Th cells exhibited pathogenic features, including polyfunctional proinflammatory cytokine production, an ability to activate synovial fibroblasts, and to survive and persist in the inflamed and hypoxic joint. Because CD161(+) Th cells are known to be enriched at sites of autoinflammation, our finding that they are highly proinflammatory and resistant to Treg-mediated suppression suggests an important pathogenic role in RA and other autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharee A Basdeo
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Barry Moran
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Deborah Cluxton
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mary Canavan
- Department of Rheumatology, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland; and
| | - Jennifer McCormick
- Department of Rheumatology, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland; and
| | - Mary Connolly
- Department of Rheumatology, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland; and
| | - Carl Orr
- Department of Rheumatology, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland; and
| | - Kingston H G Mills
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Douglas J Veale
- Department of Rheumatology, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland; and
| | - Ursula Fearon
- Department of Rheumatology, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland; and
| | - Jean M Fletcher
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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33
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Liu X, Ji B, Sun M, Wu W, Huang L, Sun A, Zong Y, Xia S, Shi L, Qian H, Xu W, Shao Q. Cell-penetrable mouse forkhead box protein 3 alleviates experimental arthritis in mice by up-regulating regulatory T cells. Clin Exp Immunol 2015; 181:87-99. [PMID: 25809415 DOI: 10.1111/cei.12630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2015] [Revised: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (T(regs)) have potential applications in clinical disease therapy, such as autoimmune diseases and transplant rejection. However, their numbers are limited. Forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) is a key transcription factor that controls T(reg) development and function. Here, we generated a cell-permeable fusion protein, protein transduction domain (PTD)-conjugated mouse FoxP3 protein (PTD-mFoxP3), and evaluated whether PTD-mFoxp3 can alleviate rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. As expected, PTD-mFoxP3 was transduced into cells effectively, and inhibited T cell activation and attenuated the cell proliferation. It decreased interleukin (IL) 2 and interferon (IFN)-γ expression, and increased IL-10 expression in activated CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells. PTD-mFoxP3-transduced CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells attenuated proliferation of activated CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells. In addition, PTD-mFoxP3 blocked the Th17 differentiation programme in vitro and down-regulated IL-17 production from T cells by modulating induction and levels of retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt). Intra-articular delivery of PTD-mFoxP3 delayed disease incidence remarkably and alleviated autoimmune symptoms of CIA mice. Moreover, protective effects of PTD-mFoxP3 were associated with regulating the balance of T helper type 17 (Th17) and T(regs). These results suggest that PTD-mFoxP3 may be a candidate for RA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Liu
- Department of Immunology, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu
| | - Baoju Ji
- Department of Immunology, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi
| | - Mengyi Sun
- Department of Immunology, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu.,Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shandong Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Shandong
| | - Weijiang Wu
- Department of Immunology, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu
| | - Lili Huang
- Department of Immunology, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu
| | - Aihua Sun
- Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University, Jiangsu
| | - Yangyong Zong
- Department of Immunology, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu
| | - Sheng Xia
- Department of Immunology, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu
| | - Liyun Shi
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Key Laboratory of Inflammation and Immunoregulation, School of Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hui Qian
- Department of Immunology, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu
| | - Wenrong Xu
- Department of Immunology, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu
| | - Qixiang Shao
- Department of Immunology, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Jiangsu
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34
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Paradowska-Gorycka A, Jurkowska M, Felis-Giemza A, Romanowska-Próchnicka K, Manczak M, Maslinski S, Olesinska M. Genetic polymorphisms of Foxp3 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. J Rheumatol 2014; 42:170-80. [PMID: 25448791 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.131381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to identify 2 polymorphic variants in the promoter region of the Foxp3 gene and their possible association with susceptibility to and severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The association between genetic factors and pathogenesis suggests that T cells take part in the induction of RA. The CD4+CD25highFoxp3+ subset of regulatory T cells plays an essential role in preventing autoimmunity and maintaining immune homeostasis. METHODS Patients with RA (n = 274) and healthy individuals (n = 295) were examined for -3279 C/A and -924 A/G Foxp3 gene polymorphisms by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism method. Serum Foxp3 levels in patients with RA and controls were measured with ELISA. RESULTS Foxp3 -3279 A and -924 G alleles were associated with significantly elevated risk of RA in the population tested (p = 0.003 and p = 0.004, respectively) compared to the wild-type alleles. Overall, -3279 C/A and -924 A/G Foxp3 gene polymorphisms were in indistinct linkage disequilibrium with D' = 0.481 and r(2) = 0.225. From 4 possible haplotypes, frequencies of 2 (AG and CA) showed significant differences between both examined groups (respectively, p < 0.001 and p = 0.007). After appropriate adjustment of Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, the genotype-phenotype analysis showed no significant correlation of the Foxp3 -3279 C/A and -924 A/G polymorphisms with the disease activity, joint damage, laboratory variables, and extraarticular manifestation in patients with RA. Serum Foxp3 level was significantly higher in patients than in controls (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Current findings indicated that the Foxp3 genetic polymorphism and the Foxp3 protein level may be associated with susceptibility to RA in the Polish population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Paradowska-Gorycka
- From the departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Connective Tissue Diseases, and Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology; the Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.A. Paradowska-Gorycka, PhD; M. Jurkowska, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Rheumatology; A. Felis-Giemza, MD; K. Romanowska-Próchnicka, MD, Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology; M. Manczak, MS, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology; S. Maslinski, Professor, Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw; M. Olesinska, Professor, Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology.
| | - Monika Jurkowska
- From the departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Connective Tissue Diseases, and Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology; the Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.A. Paradowska-Gorycka, PhD; M. Jurkowska, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Rheumatology; A. Felis-Giemza, MD; K. Romanowska-Próchnicka, MD, Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology; M. Manczak, MS, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology; S. Maslinski, Professor, Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw; M. Olesinska, Professor, Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology
| | - Anna Felis-Giemza
- From the departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Connective Tissue Diseases, and Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology; the Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.A. Paradowska-Gorycka, PhD; M. Jurkowska, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Rheumatology; A. Felis-Giemza, MD; K. Romanowska-Próchnicka, MD, Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology; M. Manczak, MS, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology; S. Maslinski, Professor, Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw; M. Olesinska, Professor, Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology
| | - Katarzyna Romanowska-Próchnicka
- From the departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Connective Tissue Diseases, and Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology; the Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.A. Paradowska-Gorycka, PhD; M. Jurkowska, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Rheumatology; A. Felis-Giemza, MD; K. Romanowska-Próchnicka, MD, Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology; M. Manczak, MS, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology; S. Maslinski, Professor, Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw; M. Olesinska, Professor, Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology
| | - Malgorzata Manczak
- From the departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Connective Tissue Diseases, and Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology; the Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.A. Paradowska-Gorycka, PhD; M. Jurkowska, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Rheumatology; A. Felis-Giemza, MD; K. Romanowska-Próchnicka, MD, Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology; M. Manczak, MS, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology; S. Maslinski, Professor, Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw; M. Olesinska, Professor, Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology
| | - Slawomir Maslinski
- From the departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Connective Tissue Diseases, and Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology; the Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.A. Paradowska-Gorycka, PhD; M. Jurkowska, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Rheumatology; A. Felis-Giemza, MD; K. Romanowska-Próchnicka, MD, Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology; M. Manczak, MS, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology; S. Maslinski, Professor, Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw; M. Olesinska, Professor, Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology
| | - Marzena Olesinska
- From the departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Connective Tissue Diseases, and Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology; the Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.A. Paradowska-Gorycka, PhD; M. Jurkowska, PhD, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Rheumatology; A. Felis-Giemza, MD; K. Romanowska-Próchnicka, MD, Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology; M. Manczak, MS, Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, Institute of Rheumatology; S. Maslinski, Professor, Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Warsaw; M. Olesinska, Professor, Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, Institute of Rheumatology
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van der Geest KSM, Smigielska-Czepiel K, Park JA, Abdulahad WH, Kim HW, Kroesen BJ, van den Berg A, Boots AMH, Lee EB, Brouwer E. SF Treg cells transcribing high levels of Bcl-2 and microRNA-21 demonstrate limited apoptosis in RA. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2014; 54:950-8. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keu407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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Cribbs AP, Kennedy A, Penn H, Read JE, Amjadi P, Green P, Syed K, Manka SW, Brennan FM, Gregory B, Williams RO. Treg Cell Function in Rheumatoid Arthritis Is Compromised by CTLA-4 Promoter Methylation Resulting in a Failure to Activate the Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Pathway. Arthritis Rheumatol 2014; 66:2344-54. [DOI: 10.1002/art.38715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alan Kennedy
- Kennedy Institute and University of Oxford; Oxford UK
| | | | | | - Parisa Amjadi
- Kennedy Institute and University of Oxford; Oxford UK
| | | | - Khaja Syed
- Kennedy Institute and University of Oxford; Oxford UK
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Kennedy A, Schmidt EM, Cribbs AP, Penn H, Amjadi P, Syed K, Read JE, Green P, Gregory B, Brennan FM. A novel upstream enhancer of FOXP3, sensitive to methylation-induced silencing, exhibits dysregulated methylation in rheumatoid arthritis Treg cells. Eur J Immunol 2014; 44:2968-78. [PMID: 25042153 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201444453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Revised: 06/27/2014] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Treg-cell function is compromised in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). As the master regulator of Treg cells, FOXP3 controls development and suppressive function. Stable Treg-cell FOXP3 expression is epigenetically regulated; constitutive expression requires a demethylated Treg-specific demethylated region. Here, we hypothesised that methylation of the FOXP3 locus is altered in Treg cells of established RA patients. Methylation analysis of key regulatory regions in the FOXP3 locus was performed on Treg cells from RA patients and healthy controls. The FOXP3 Treg-specific demethylated region and proximal promoter displayed comparable methylation profiles in RA and healthy-donor Treg cells. We identified a novel differentially methylated region (DMR) upstream of the FOXP3 promoter, with enhancer activity sensitive to methylation-induced silencing. In RA Treg cells we observed significantly reduced DMR methylation and lower DNA methyltransferase (DNMT1/3A) expression compared with healthy Treg cells. Furthermore, DMR methylation negatively correlated with FOXP3 mRNA expression, and Treg cells isolated from rheumatoid factor negative RA patients were found to express significantly higher levels of FOXP3 than Treg cells from RhF-positive patients, with an associated decrease in DMR methylation. In conclusion, the novel DMR is involved in the regulation of Treg-cell FOXP3 expression, but this regulation is lost post-transcriptionally in RA Treg cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Kennedy
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Chen X, Lu J, An M, Ma Z, Zong H, Yang J. Anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol on adjuvant arthritis rats with abnormal immunological function via the reduction of cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin E2. Mol Med Rep 2014; 9:2592-8. [PMID: 24676467 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.2070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease with unknown etiology. The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol on rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA) with abnormal immunological function via the reduction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). AA model rats were established by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant and alterations in the rats secondary paw swelling and the polyarthritic scores were observed. Pathological examination of joint tissues was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The proliferation of spleen cells was examined using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2‑yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay in vitro. The protein expression of COX-2 in the synovial tissues was detected by western blotting. The level of PGE2 in the serum was assayed using an ELISA kit. The results demonstrated that resveratrol (10 or 50 mg/kg) was able to significantly reduce paw swelling and decrease the arthritis scores. Compared with the AA model rats, a significant reduction in the proliferation of concanavalin A-stimulated spleen cells was observed, articular cartilage degeneration with synovial hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltration was suppressed and the production of COX-2 and PGE2 in AA rats was reduced by treatment with resveratrol. These results suggest that resveratrol has significant anti-inflammatory effects on AA rats, which may be associated with the reduction of COX-2 and PGE2 inflammatory mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Chen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Jinseng Lu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Mei An
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Zhongfei Ma
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Hexiang Zong
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
| | - Jun Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui 230032, P.R. China
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Suppression of murine colitis and its associated cancer by carcinoembryonic antigen-specific regulatory T cells. Mol Ther 2014; 22:1018-28. [PMID: 24686242 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2014.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The adoptive transfer of regulatory T cells (Tregs) offers a promising strategy to combat pathologies that are characterized by aberrant immune activation, including graft rejection and autoinflammatory diseases. Expression of a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) gene in Tregs redirects them to the site of autoimmune activity, thereby increasing their suppressive efficiency while avoiding systemic immunosuppression. Since carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) has been shown to be overexpressed in both human colitis and colorectal cancer, we treated CEA-transgenic mice that were induced to develop colitis with CEA-specific CAR Tregs. Two disease models were employed: T-cell-transfer colitis as well as the azoxymethane-dextran sodium sulfate model for colitis-associated colorectal cancer. Systemically administered CEA-specific (but not control) CAR Tregs accumulated in the colons of diseased mice. In both model systems, CEA-specific CAR Tregs suppressed the severity of colitis compared to control Tregs. Moreover, in the azoxymethane-dextran sodium sulfate model, CEA-specific CAR Tregs significantly decreased the subsequent colorectal tumor burden. Our data demonstrate that CEA-specific CAR Tregs exhibit a promising potential in ameliorating ulcerative colitis and in hindering colorectal cancer development. Collectively, this study provides a proof of concept for the therapeutic potential of CAR Tregs in colitis patients as well as in other autoimmune inflammatory disorders.
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40
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Lei L, Zhan L, Tan W, Chen S, Li Y, Reynolds M. Foxp3 gene expression in oral lichen planus: a clinicopathological study. Mol Med Rep 2014; 9:928-34. [PMID: 24469541 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2014.1919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+CD25+ Forkhead‑box protein 3 (Foxp3+) regulatory T cells are important in oral lichen planus (OLP). The present study aimed to investigate Foxp3 expression in CD4+CD25+ T cells of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and oral lesions in patients diagnosed with OLP, who were grouped as OLP subtype, duration and relapse. Using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blotting and immunohistochemistry, Foxp3 expression levels in explants of oral lesions and CD4+CD25+ T cells from 32 patients with OLP were measured and compared, with 10 healthy subjects as the control group. Foxp3 mRNA expression levels in the explants of oral lesions and circulating CD4+CD25+ T cells in patients with OLP were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). In patients with clinically erosive lesions, Foxp3 mRNA expression was significantly lower in circulating CD4+CD25+ T cells and tissue explants compared to patients with reticular lesions (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively), and lowest in patients with a history of OLP of >1 year or with a history of relapse (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively). Foxp3 protein levels in reticular OLP were significantly higher than those in erosive OLP and the control group. The incidence of Foxp3 protein expression in OLP tissues was 36.24±18.92 and 10.44±6.51% in normal oral mucosa (P=0.019). Atrophic/erosive OLP lesions showed a higher proportion of Foxp3‑expressing cells than that of reticular OLP lesions (P<0.05). This study indicated that Foxp3 expression in patients with OLP is associated with the severity and duration of the disorder, suggesting altered immune suppression in the development, clinical course and responsiveness to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Lei
- Department of Stomatology, Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, P.R. China
| | - Lihua Zhan
- Department of Stomatology, First Affiliated Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518008, P.R. China
| | - Weixia Tan
- DiWang Clinic of Shenzhen Arrail Dental, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518008, P.R. China
| | - Shaohua Chen
- Institute of Hematology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, P.R. China
| | - Yangqiu Li
- Institute of Hematology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510632, P.R. China
| | - Mark Reynolds
- Department of Periodontics, University of Maryland, School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MA 21201, USA
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Deficient or abundant but unable to fight? Estimation of circulating FoxP3+ T regulatory cells and their counteracting FoxP3− in rheumatoid arthritis and correlation with disease activity. EGYPTIAN RHEUMATOLOGIST 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejr.2013.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Wang M, Chen G, Lu C, Xiao C, Li L, Niu X, He X, Jiang M, Lu A. Rheumatoid arthritis with deficiency pattern in traditional chinese medicine shows correlation with cold and hot patterns in gene expression profiles. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2013; 2013:248650. [PMID: 24174973 PMCID: PMC3794642 DOI: 10.1155/2013/248650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2013] [Revised: 07/15/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In our precious study, the correlation between cold and hot patterns in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and gene expression profiles in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been explored. Based on TCM theory, deficiency pattern is another key pattern diagnosis among RA patients, which leads to a specific treatment principle in clinical management. Therefore, a further analysis was performed aiming at exploring the characteristic gene expression profile of deficiency pattern and its correlation with cold and hot patterns in RA patients by bioinformatics analysis approach based on gene expression profiles data detected with microarray technology. The TCM deficiency pattern-related genes network comprises 7 significantly, highly connected regions which are mainly involved in protein transcription processes, protein ubiquitination, toll-like receptor activated NF- κ B regulated gene transcription and apoptosis, RNA clipping, NF- κ B signal, nucleotide metabolism-related apoptosis, and immune response processes. Toll-like receptor activated NF- κ B regulated gene transcription and apoptosis pathways are potential specific pathways related to TCM deficiency patterns in RA patients; TCM deficiency pattern is probably related to immune response. Network analysis can be used as a powerful tool for detecting the characteristic mechanism related to specific TCM pattern and the correlations between different patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minzhi Wang
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Gao Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
| | - Cheng Lu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Cheng Xiao
- Sino-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Li Li
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xuyan Niu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xiaojuan He
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Miao Jiang
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Aiping Lu
- Institute of Basic Research in Clinical Medicine, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China
- School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- E-Institute of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, Shanghai TCM University, Shanghai 201203, China
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The effect of autoimmune arthritis treatment strategies on regulatory T-cell dynamics. Curr Opin Rheumatol 2013; 25:260-7. [PMID: 23274520 DOI: 10.1097/bor.0b013e32835d0ee4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Since their discovery over 15 years ago, intensive research has focused on the presence, phenotype and function of FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The questions of whether Treg deficiencies underlie autoimmune pathology and whether or how Treg-related therapeutic approaches might be successful are still a subject of a vivid debate. In this review we give an overview of how current therapies influence Treg numbers and function in RA and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and discuss these findings in the light of new Treg-based intervention strategies for autoimmune arthritis. RECENT FINDINGS The attempt to relate rheumatic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis to Treg has led to somewhat heterogeneous observations. So far, no clear defects in Treg numbers or function have been identified in autoimmune arthritis. The current standard therapies, that is methotrexate and biologicals, are generally effective, but the exact mechanism of action and their effect on Treg is not fully known. Nevertheless, the majority of in-vitro and ex-vivo data point towards a positive influence of these treatments on Treg number and function. These observations are not all consistent, however, and it is not known whether the observed effects on Treg are primary or secondary effects. To safely conduct targeted regulatory T-cell therapy in rheumatic diseases more knowledge about regulatory T-cell function in an inflammatory environment is needed that coincides with the initiative to elucidate the exact mechanism of current therapies.
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Huang Z, Yang B, Shi Y, Cai B, Li Y, Feng W, Fu Y, Luo L, Wang L. Anti-TNF-α therapy improves Treg and suppresses Teff in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Cell Immunol 2012; 279:25-9. [PMID: 23059810 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2012.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2012] [Revised: 06/24/2012] [Accepted: 09/06/2012] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Anti-TNF-α therapies have been applied in RA treatment, but the regulatory effect of the drug on immune system is not clear. In this study, we included 33 active RA patients and divided them into two groups. One group received anti-TNF-α mAb+methotrexate for 24 weeks, the other group got placebo+methotrexate for the first 12 weeks and anti-TNF-α mAb+methotrexate for another 12 weeks. Circulatory regulatory T cell (Treg) and effector T cell (Teff) frequency was analyzed pre-therapy and week 12 and week 24 for both group patients by flowcytometry. Our results indicated significantly elevated Treg and decreased Teff at week 24 compared with pre-therapy and week 12 for both group patients, and a little higher Treg and lower Teff frequency in anti-TNF-α therapy group than in placebo therapy patients. Our results demonstrated anti-TNF-α therapy has regulatory effect on immune system of RA patients by promoting Treg proportion increase and suppressing Teff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuochun Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, No. 37, Guoxue Xiang, Chengdu 610041, PR China
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