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Simoliunas E, Ruedas-Torres I, Jiménez-Gómez Y, Edin E, Aghajanzadeh-Kiyaseh M, Zamani-Roudbaraki M, Asoklis R, Alksne M, Thathapudi NC, Poudel BK, Rinkunaite I, Asoklis K, Iesmantaite M, Ortega-Llamas L, Makselis A, Munoz M, Baltriukiene D, Bukelskiene V, Gómez-Laguna J, González-Andrades M, Griffith M. Inflammation-suppressing cornea-in-a-syringe with anti-viral GF19 peptide promotes regeneration in HSV-1 infected rabbit corneas. NPJ Regen Med 2024; 9:11. [PMID: 38429307 PMCID: PMC10907611 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-024-00355-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathophysiologic inflammation, e.g., from HSV-1 viral infection, can cause tissue destruction resulting in ulceration, perforation, and ultimately blindness. We developed an injectable Cornea-in-a-Syringe (CIS) sealant-filler to treat damaged corneas. CIS comprises linear carboxylated polymers of inflammation-suppressing 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine, regeneration-promoting collagen-like peptide, and adhesive collagen-citrate glue. We also incorporated GF19, a modified anti-viral host defense peptide that blocked HSV-1 activity in vitro when released from silica nanoparticles (SiNP-GF19). CIS alone suppressed inflammation when tested in a surgically perforated and HSV-1-infected rabbit corneal model, allowing tissue and nerve regeneration. However, at six months post-operation, only regenerated neocorneas previously treated with CIS with SiNP-GF19 had structural and functional features approaching those of normal healthy corneas and were HSV-1 virus-free. We showed that composite injectable biomaterials can be designed to allow regeneration by modulating inflammation and blocking viral activity in an infected tissue. Future iterations could be optimized for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egidijus Simoliunas
- Department of Biological Models, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Inés Ruedas-Torres
- Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathology and Toxicology, Pathology and Immunology Group (UCO-PIG), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, University of Córdoba, International Excellence Agrifood Campus 'CeiA3', 14014, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Yolanda Jiménez-Gómez
- Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Department of Ophthalmology, Reina Sofia University Hospital and University of Cordoba, 14004, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Elle Edin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Montreal, Montrea, QC, Canada
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mozhgan Aghajanzadeh-Kiyaseh
- Department of Ophthalmology and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Montreal, Montrea, QC, Canada
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Mostafa Zamani-Roudbaraki
- Department of Ophthalmology and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Montreal, Montrea, QC, Canada
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Rimvydas Asoklis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Vilnius University Hospital, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Milda Alksne
- Department of Biological Models, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Neethi C Thathapudi
- Department of Ophthalmology and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Montreal, Montrea, QC, Canada
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Bijay K Poudel
- Department of Ophthalmology and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Montreal, Montrea, QC, Canada
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Ieva Rinkunaite
- Department of Biological Models, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Kasparas Asoklis
- Department of Biological Models, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Monika Iesmantaite
- Department of Biological Models, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Laura Ortega-Llamas
- Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Department of Ophthalmology, Reina Sofia University Hospital and University of Cordoba, 14004, Cordoba, Spain
| | - Almantas Makselis
- Department of Ophthalmology, Vilnius University Hospital, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Marcelo Munoz
- Heart Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Daiva Baltriukiene
- Department of Biological Models, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Virginija Bukelskiene
- Department of Biological Models, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Jaime Gómez-Laguna
- Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathology and Toxicology, Pathology and Immunology Group (UCO-PIG), UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, University of Córdoba, International Excellence Agrifood Campus 'CeiA3', 14014, Córdoba, Spain.
| | - Miguel González-Andrades
- Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), Department of Ophthalmology, Reina Sofia University Hospital and University of Cordoba, 14004, Cordoba, Spain.
| | - May Griffith
- Department of Ophthalmology and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Montreal, Montrea, QC, Canada.
- Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Cai Y, Ji H, Zhou X, Zhao K, Zhang X, Pan L, Shi R. Interleukin-21 modulates balance between regulatory T cells and T-helper 17 cells in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:719. [PMID: 37875903 PMCID: PMC10594809 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08723-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic HBV infection is always accompanied by differences in the balance between regulatory T cells (Tregs) and T-helper 17 (Th17) cells in infection phases. IL-21 plays an important role in the progression of chronic HBV infection. Thus, the aim of our study was to investigate the role of the regulatory function of IL-21 in maintaining the balance between Tregs and Th17 cells in chronic HBV infection. METHODS Twenty-five chronic HBV-infected patients in the immune-tolerant (IT) phase and 23 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients were recruited in this study. Cytokines production was measured by ELISA. The mRNA expression levels were determined by qPCR. CD4+T cells were stimulated with or without IL-21. Tregs and Th17 cells were measured by flow cytometry. pSTAT3 and STAT3 expression was assessed by Western blotting. RESULTS The concentration of IL-21 in the serum of CHB were significantly higher than that in the serum from IT patients, and IL-21 and IL-21R levels in the PBMCs from CHB were higher than those from IT patients. IL-21 promoted Th17 cells differentiation and function but inhibited Treg cells differentiation and function by activating STAT3 signaling pathways, upregulating RORγt expression, downregulating Foxp3 expression, by increasing IL-17and IL-22 secretion, and decreasing TGF-β secretion in chronic HBV infection. The proportion of Tregs and TGF-β concentrations in CHB was significantly lower than that in IT patients. Furthermore, the percentage of Th17 cells and the IL-17 concentration in CHB was markedly higher than that in IT patients, causing a reduction in the Tregs/Th17 ratio in CHB patients. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that IL-21 may contribute to inflammation in chronic HBV infection by modulating the balance between Treg and Th17 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Cai
- Medical School, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing, 210009, China
- Department of Gastroenterology Disease, The First People's Hospital of Jintan District, Changzhou, 213200, China
| | - Hailei Ji
- Department of Infections Disease, The Third People's Hospital of Zhenjiang, Zhenjiang, 212000, China
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology Disease, The First People's Hospital of Jintan District, Changzhou, 213200, China
| | - Kai Zhao
- Department of Gastroenterology Disease, The First People's Hospital of Jintan District, Changzhou, 213200, China
| | - Xiaoping Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology Disease, The First People's Hospital of Jintan District, Changzhou, 213200, China
| | - Liang Pan
- Department of Gastroenterology Disease, The First People's Hospital of Jintan District, Changzhou, 213200, China
| | - Ruihua Shi
- Medical School, Southeast University, 87 Dingjiaqiao Road, Nanjing, 210009, China.
- Department of Gastroenterology Disease, The Affiliated Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, Nanjing, 210009, China.
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Chen HM, Liu HL, Yang YC, Cheng XL, Wang YF, Xing FF, Zhao YR. Serum IL-21 levels associated with chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis B-related liver failure. Exp Ther Med 2014; 7:1013-1019. [PMID: 24669269 PMCID: PMC3964921 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2014.1533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of interleukin (IL)-21 in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. IL-21 stimulates T and B cell responses and plays a role in the control of chronic viral infections. Serum IL-21 levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay in 109 patients with chronic HBV infection at various clinical stages, as well as in 19 healthy controls (HCs). The proportion of T cells producing IL-21 in the peripheral blood was assessed by intracellular cytokine staining and flow cytometry. Mean serum IL-21 levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and the HCs were 303.54±152.77 pg/ml and 68.24±9.06 pg/ml, respectively (P=0.003). In addition, the mean serum IL-21 level in patients with hepatitis B-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HB-ACLF) was 455.38±412.38 pg/ml, which exhibited a statistically significant difference when compared with the HCs (P=0.000). Serum IL-21 levels were highest in the patients with HB-ACLF (455.38±412.38 pg/ml) and exhibited a significant difference when compared with the CHB patients (P=0.04). The mean serum IL-21 levels in patients with cirrhosis also increased, but there was no statistically significant difference when compared with the HCs (P=0.82). The frequency of IL-21+CD4+ cells also increased compared with the HCs and correlated with the number and percentage of lymphocytes in the peripheral blood. Serum IL-21 levels increased in CHB and HB-ACLF patients. Relatively low serum IL-21 levels in CHB may have a causal role in the persistence of HBV infection. Higher serum levels in HB-ACLF may activate T and B cells to eliminate the virus or injure the liver via the release of inflammatory cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Mei Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Li Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Cong Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Li Cheng
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Yue-Fei Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Fan-Fan Xing
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Ying-Ren Zhao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
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Dorfmeier CL, Tzvetkov EP, Gatt A, McGettigan JP. Investigating the role for IL-21 in rabies virus vaccine-induced immunity. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2129. [PMID: 23516660 PMCID: PMC3597479 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Over two-thirds of the world's population lives in regions where rabies is endemic, resulting in over 15 million people receiving multi-dose post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and over 55,000 deaths per year globally. A major goal in rabies virus (RABV) research is to develop a single-dose PEP that would simplify vaccination protocols, reduce costs associated with RABV prevention, and save lives. Protection against RABV infections requires virus neutralizing antibodies; however, factors influencing the development of protective RABV-specific B cell responses remain to be elucidated. Here we used a mouse model of IL-21 receptor-deficiency (IL-21R-/-) to characterize the role for IL-21 in RABV vaccine-induced immunity. IL-21R-/- mice immunized with a low dose of a live recombinant RABV-based vaccine (rRABV) produced only low levels of primary or secondary anti-RABV antibody response while wild-type mice developed potent anti-RABV antibodies. Furthermore, IL-21R-/- mice immunized with low-dose rRABV were only minimally protected against pathogenic RABV challenge, while all wild-type mice survived challenge, indicating that IL-21R signaling is required for antibody production in response to low-dose RABV-based vaccination. IL-21R-/- mice immunized with a higher dose of vaccine produced suboptimal anti-RABV primary antibody responses, but showed potent secondary antibodies and protection similar to wild-type mice upon challenge with pathogenic RABV, indicating that IL-21 is dispensable for secondary antibody responses to live RABV-based vaccines when a primary response develops. Furthermore, we show that IL-21 is dispensable for the generation of Tfh cells and memory B cells in the draining lymph nodes of immunized mice but is required for the detection of optimal GC B cells or plasma cells in the lymph node or bone marrow, respectively, in a vaccine dose-dependent manner. Collectively, our preliminary data show that IL-21 is critical for the development of optimal vaccine-induced primary but not secondary antibody responses against RABV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corin L. Dorfmeier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Evgeni P. Tzvetkov
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Anthony Gatt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - James P. McGettigan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Jefferson Vaccine Center, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Kimmel Cancer Center, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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