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Li Y, Yang Y, Chen D, Wang Y, Zhang X, Li W, Chen S, Wong SM, Shen M, Akerley BJ, Shen H. Memory Th17 cell-mediated protection against lethal secondary pneumococcal pneumonia following influenza infection. mBio 2023; 14:e0051923. [PMID: 37222516 PMCID: PMC10470593 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.00519-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) frequently causes secondary pneumonia after influenza A virus (IAV) infection, leading to high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Concomitant pneumococcal and influenza vaccination improves protection against coinfection but does not always yield complete protection. Impaired innate and adaptive immune responses have been associated with attenuated bacterial clearance in influenza virus-infected hosts. In this study, we showed that preceding low-dose IAV infection caused persistent Sp infection and suppression of bacteria-specific T-helper type 17 (Th17) responses in mice. Prior Sp infection protected against subsequent IAV/Sp coinfection by improving bacterial clearance and rescuing bacteria-specific Th17 responses in the lungs. Furthermore, blockade of IL-17A by anti-IL-17A antibodies abrogated the protective effect of Sp preinfection. Importantly, memory Th17 responses induced by Sp preinfection overcame viral-driven Th17 inhibition and provided cross-protection against different Sp serotypes following coinfection with IAV. These results indicate that bacteria-specific Th17 memory cells play a key role in providing protection against IAV/Sp coinfection in a serotype-independent manner and suggest that a Th17-based vaccine would have excellent potential to mitigate disease caused by coinfection. IMPORTANCE Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp) frequently causes secondary bacterial pneumonia after influenza A virus (IAV) infection, leading to increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current pneumococcal vaccines induce highly strain-specific antibody responses and provide limited protection against IAV/Sp coinfection. Th17 responses are broadly protective against Sp single infection, but whether the Th17 response, which is dramatically impaired by IAV infection in naïve mice, might be effective in immunization-induced protection against pneumonia caused by coinfection is not known. In this study, we have revealed that Sp-specific memory Th17 cells rescue IAV-driven inhibition and provide cross-protection against subsequent lethal coinfection with IAV and different Sp serotypes. These results indicate that a Th17-based vaccine would have excellent potential to mitigate disease caused by IAV/Sp coinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Li
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Dafan Chen
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xinyun Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenchao Li
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shengsen Chen
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Endoscopy, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Cancer and Basic Medicine (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sandy M. Wong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Mengwen Shen
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Emergency Medical, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Brian J. Akerley
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Center for Immunology and Microbial Research, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
| | - Hao Shen
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Kim JH, Ahn S, Ghosh P, Rhee DK. Immunization with a Pneumococcal pep27 Mutant Strain Alleviates Atopic Dermatitis through the Upregulation of Regulatory T-Cell Activity and Epithelial Barrier Function and Suppressing TSLP Expression. J Invest Dermatol 2023; 143:115-123.e6. [PMID: 35988588 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory disease driven in part by type 2 helper T (Th2) cytokines and skin barrier disruption alleviating the entry of allergens. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an epithelial cell‒derived cytokine, is known to aggravate AD symptoms by activating Th2. In addition, regulatory T cells (Tregs) inhibit inflammatory cells such as Th2. However, the relationship between TSLP and Tregs in AD is unclear. A murine dermatitis model was induced by applying oxazolone to the ear skin of mice. Prophylactic and therapeutic responses were analyzed by immunizing mice intranasally with a pneumococcal pep27 mutant (Δpep27 mutant), attenuated strain by reducing the virulence of a pathogen. Intranasal immunization with a pneumococcal pep27 mutant could elicit anti-inflammatory Treg-relevant factors and epithelial barrier genes (loricrin, involucrin, filaggrin, and small proline-rich repeat proteins). Thus, pneumococcal pep27-mutant immunization suppressed epidermal collapse, IgE, TSLP, and upregulation of Th2 expression by upregulating Treg activity. In contrast, Treg inhibition aggravated AD symptoms through the upregulation of TSLP and Th2 and the repression of epithelial barrier function compared with that of the noninhibited pneumococcal Δpep27-mutant group. Taken together, immunization with pneumococcal Δpep27 mutant upregulated Treg and epithelial barrier function and inhibited TSLP and Th2 to relieve AD symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Hoon Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Saemi Ahn
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Prachetash Ghosh
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Kwon Rhee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea; DNBio Pharm, Research Center, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
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Iqbal H, Kim GL, Kim JH, Ghosh P, Shah M, Lee W, Rhee DK. Pep27 Mutant Immunization Inhibits Caspase-14 Expression to Alleviate Inflammatory Bowel Disease via Treg Upregulation. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10091871. [PMID: 36144473 PMCID: PMC9502188 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10091871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a highly prevalent gut inflammatory disorder. Complicated clinical outcomes prolong the use of conventional therapy and often lead to compromised immunity followed by adverse events and high relapse rates. Thus, a profound medical intervention is required. Previously, intranasal immunization of pneumococcal pep27 mutant (Δpep27) exhibited long-lasting protection against immune-related disorders. System biology analysis has predicted an inverse correlation between Δpep27 immunization and gastroenteritis. Recently, we established that Δpep27-elicited Tregs repressed Wnt5a expression and enhanced barrier integrity, suggesting the restoration of immunological tolerance. Therefore, we evaluated whether Δpep27 can alleviate IBD. Δpep27 dose-dependent response was analyzed in dextran sulfate sodium-induced mice using transcriptome analysis. Pro- and anti-inflammatory signatures were cross-correlated by quantitative PCR and western blot analyses. To address the hierarchy regulating the activity of caspase-14, an undefined marker in IBD, and regulatory T cells (Tregs), antibody-based neutralization studies were conducted. Fecal microbiome profiles were analyzed by 16S rRNA pyrosequencing. Δpep27 significantly attenuated dextran sulfate sodium-induced oxidative stress parameters, proinflammatory cytokines, caspase-14 expression level, and upregulated tight junction, anti-inflammatory genes IL-10 and TGF-β1 via upregulation of Tregs to restore healthy gut microbiota. Neutralization studies unveiled that ∆pep27 had a remedial effect via Treg upregulation. Caspase-14, being an important mediator in the pathogenesis of IBD, can be an alternate therapeutic target in IBD. ∆pep27-increased Tregs repressed caspase-14 expression and reversed gut microbial dysbiosis, aiding to re-establish immunological tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Iqbal
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Gyu-Lee Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Ji-Hoon Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | | | - Masaud Shah
- Department of Physiology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Korea
| | - Wonsik Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
| | - Dong-Kwon Rhee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Korea
- Research Center, DNBIO, Suwon 16419, Korea
- Correspondence:
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Iqbal H, Kim GL, Kim JH, Ghosh P, Shah M, Lee W, Rhee DK. Pneumococcal pep27-mutant inhibits Wnt5a expression via the regulation of T helper cells to attenuate colitis. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 109:108927. [PMID: 35691272 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gut inflammatory disease characterized by extensive colitis and remission of the symptoms. The incidence rate and prevalence of IBD are increasing worldwide; IBD affects millions of people, has poorly defined etiology, and often results in a failure of pharmacological interventions. Regardless of the cause, mucosal healing is indispensable for the regeneration of inflamed mucosa to ensure intestinal homeostasis. Intranasal immunization with the pneumococcal pep27 mutant (Δpep27) has been reported as an avirulent and live vaccine that has been proposed to suppress immune-regulated disorders, eliciting long-lasting immunity. The dose-dependent activity of Δpep27 in the lungs was measured by transcriptome analysis to investigate the long-lasting immunogenic response against IBD. Novel therapeutic targets based on the modulation of Wnt signaling and T regulatory cells interconnected with other signaling cascades in the context of IBD were investigated by qPCR and immunoblotting. M1/M2 macrophages were quantified by FACS analysis. Dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis induced significant upregulation of Th2 and Th17 as well as noncanonical Wnt5, which subsequently inhibited regulatory T (Treg) expression. In contrast, Δpep27 immunization significantly attenuated the levels of Wnt5, proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress parameters, and infiltration of inflammatory cells and enhanced barrier integrity via T helper cell homeostasis and upregulation of M2 macrophages. The data of the present study suggested that Δpep27-elicited Tregs were able to repress Wnt5a expression, assisting with the restoration of immunological tolerance and providing a robust regenerative and antioxidant milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Iqbal
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Gyu-Lee Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Ji-Hoon Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Prachetash Ghosh
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Masaud Shah
- Department of Physiology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, South Korea
| | - Wonsik Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Dong-Kwon Rhee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea; DNBIO Pharm. Inc., Research Center, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
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Yu JI, Kim JH, Nam KE, Lee W, Rhee DK. Pneumococcal Δ pep27 Immunization Attenuates TLRs and NLRP3 Expression and Relieves Murine Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis. J Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 32:709-717. [PMID: 35484967 PMCID: PMC9628895 DOI: 10.4014/jmb.2203.03006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Allergic rhinitis (AR), one of the most common inflammatory diseases, is caused by immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated reactions against inhaled allergens. AR involves mucosal inflammation driven by type 2 helper T (Th2) cells. Previously, it was shown that the Streptococcus pneumoniae pep27 mutant (Δpep27) could prevent and treat allergic asthma by reducing Th2 responses. However, the underlying mechanism of Δpep27 immunization in AR remains undetermined. Here, we investigated the role of Δpep27 immunization in the development and progression of AR and elucidated potential mechanisms. In an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR mice model, Δpep27 alleviated allergic symptoms (frequency of sneezing and rubbing) and reduced TLR2 and TLR4 expression, Th2 cytokines, and eosinophil infiltration in the nasal mucosa. Mechanistically, Δpep27 reduced the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the nasal mucosa by down-regulating the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway. In conclusion, Δpep27 seems to alleviate TLR signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation to subsequently prevent AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Ik Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hoon Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-El Nam
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonsik Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Kwon Rhee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea,DNBio Pharm. Inc., Research Center, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea,Corresponding author Phone: +82-31-290-7707 E-mail:
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Development of Next Generation Streptococcus pneumoniae Vaccines Conferring Broad Protection. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010132. [PMID: 32192117 PMCID: PMC7157650 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major pathogen causing pneumonia with over 2 million deaths annually, especially in young children and the elderly. To date, at least 98 different pneumococcal capsular serotypes have been identified. Currently, the vaccines for prevention of S. pneumoniae infections are the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide-based vaccine (PPV23) and the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV10 and PCV13). These vaccines only cover some pneumococcal serotypes and are unable to protect against non-vaccine serotypes and unencapsulated S. pneumoniae. This has led to a rapid increase in antibiotic-resistant non-vaccine serotypes. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop new, effective, and affordable pneumococcal vaccines, which could cover a wide range of serotypes. This review discusses the new approaches to develop effective vaccines with broad serotype coverage as well as recent development of promising pneumococcal vaccines in clinical trials. New vaccine candidates are the inactivated whole-cell vaccine strain (Δpep27ΔcomD mutant) constructed by mutations of specific genes and several protein-based S. pneumoniae vaccines using conserved pneumococcal antigens, such as lipoprotein and surface-exposed protein (PspA). Among the vaccines in Phase 3 clinical trials are the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, PCV-15 (V114) and 20vPnC. The inactivated whole-cell and several protein-based vaccines are either in Phase 1 or 2 trials. Furthermore, the recent progress of nanoparticles that play important roles as delivery systems and adjuvants to improve the performance, as well as the immunogenicity of the nanovaccines, are reviewed.
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Kim BG, Ghosh P, Ahn S, Rhee DK. Pneumococcal pep27 mutant immunization suppresses allergic asthma in mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 514:210-216. [PMID: 31029416 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.04.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Asthma is an allergic airway disease (AAD) characterized by eosinophilic inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and airway hyper responsiveness, and it is caused by dysregulated immune responses. Conversely, regulatory T cells (Tregs) control aberrant immune responses and maintain homeostasis. Recent evidence suggests that Streptococcus pneumoniae, including its components as well as a live attenuated mutant, and pneumococcal infection induce Tregs and can thus potentially be harnessed therapeutically for asthma treatment. Previously, a pep27 deletion mutant (Δpep27) demonstrated a significantly attenuated virulence in a sepsis model, and Δpep27 immunization induced serotype-nonspecific protection against S. pneumoniae infection, as well as influenza virus, possibly via an immune tolerance mechanism. Here, the potential of Δpep27 immunization for asthma protection was studied. Mice were immunized intranasally with Δpep27 before or after ovalbumin sensitization and subsequent challenge. Δpep27 immunization suppressed hallmark features of AAD, including antigen-specific type 2 helper T cell cytokine and antibody responses, peripheral and pulmonary eosinophil accumulation, and goblet cell hyperplasia. Thus, a Δpep27 vaccine may be highly feasible as a preventive or therapeutic agent for asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Gyeong Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Prachetash Ghosh
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Saemi Ahn
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea
| | - Dong-Kwon Rhee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, South Korea.
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Seon SH, Rhee DK. Effective prevention of secondary pneumococcal infection following influenza virus infection. Future Microbiol 2018; 13:953-955. [PMID: 29947557 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2018-0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Seung Han Seon
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Su-Won 16419, South Korea
| | - Dong-Kwon Rhee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Su-Won 16419, South Korea
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Molecular characterization of single-chain antibody variable fragments (scFv) specific to Pep27 from Streptococcus pneumoniae. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 501:718-723. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.05.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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