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Rahimifard K, Shahbazi M, Oliaei F, Akbari R, Tarighi M, Mohammadnia-Afrouzi M. Increased frequency of CD39 +CD73 + regulatory T cells and Deltex-1 gene expression level in kidney transplant recipients with excellent long-term graft function. Transpl Immunol 2023; 78:101823. [PMID: 36921728 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2023.101823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to limit inflammatory responses has been demonstrated. However, different subpopulations of this cell have varying abilities to suppress alloreactive immune responses. The primary goal of this study was to assess the frequency of CD4+FOXP3+CD39+CD73+ Tregs and Deltex-1 gene expression on long-term renal transplant function. METHODS A total of 49 subjects were divided into 3 groups: (i) the excellent long-term graft function (ELTGF) group, (ii) the chronic graft dysfunction (CGD) group, and (iii) the healthy control (HC) group. Following sample collection, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated, and the Deltex-1 gene expression level and the frequency of CD4+FOXP3+CD39+CD73+ Tregs were evaluated. RESULTS The ELTGF group had more CD4+FOXP3+ Tregs than the CGD group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.07). However, the frequency of CD4+FOXP3+CD39+CD73+ Tregs and the ratio of these cells to total CD4+ lymphocytes significantly increased in the ELTGF group than in the CGD group (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02 respectively). In addition, the expression level of the Deltex-1 gene was significantly lower in the CGD group than in the other 2 groups (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04 respectively). CONCLUSIONS Given the increased frequency of CD4+FOXP3+CD39+CD73+ Tregs and the expression level of the Deltex-1 gene in the ELTGF group, it appears that these factors probably improved function and long-term survival of the transplanted organ through the suppression of alloreactive responses and reduction of inflammation. In other words, one of the immunological mechanisms involved in the CGD group may be a deficiency in Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimiya Rahimifard
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Immunoregulation Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mehdi Shahbazi
- Immunoregulation Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Farshid Oliaei
- Kidney Transplantation Center, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Roghayeh Akbari
- Kidney Transplantation Center, Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mona Tarighi
- Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Immunoregulation Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | - Mousa Mohammadnia-Afrouzi
- Immunoregulation Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
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Downregulation of miR-137 Facilitates CD4+ T Cell Pyroptosis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus via Stimulating AMPK Pathway. J Immunol Res 2023; 2023:1241774. [PMID: 36815949 PMCID: PMC9936506 DOI: 10.1155/2023/1241774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective From the pathogenic mechanism point of view, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) features prominently in T lymphocyte apoptosis. Yet the regulatory mechanism underlying SLE cell apoptosis remains to be explored. This research intends to clarify the role played by miR-137 in SLE and the underlying mechanisms. Methods Twenty SLE patients (SLE group) and twenty healthy controls (control group) were selected, from whom peripheral blood CD4+ T cells were isolated via magnetic-activated cell sorting. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) quantified miR-137 and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in CD4+ T cells. Further, transfection of miR-137 mimics and inhibitors into CD4+ T cells was carried out to alter miR levels. Levels of pyroptosis, apoptosis, and inflammatory- and pyroptosis-related proteins were determined through PI staining, flow cytometry, and Western blotting, respectively. A luciferase reporter gene assay identified the targeting relation between miR-137 and AMPK. Results SLE patients showed downregulated miR-137 and upregulated AMPK in CD4+ T cells than controls. miR-137 upregulation by miR-137 mimic transfection inhibited Jurkat cell pyroptosis and apoptosis at both mRNA and protein levels and suppressed NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activity and pyroptosis-related protein gasdermin D (GSDMD), while miR-137 inhibitor transfection contributed to completely opposite effects. miR-137 directly targeted AMPK, as indicated by the luciferase reporter gene assay. Furthermore, miR-137 inhibitor intervention induced healthy CD4+ T cell pyroptosis and apoptosis via mediating AMPK, whereas miR-137 mimic transfection into CD4+ T cells of SLE patients leads to opposite results. Conclusion Upregulating miR-137 inhibits CD4+ T cell pyroptosis in SLE patients by modulating the AMPK pathway, suggesting the potential diagnostic and therapeutic role of miR-137 in SLE.
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Meng XW, Cheng ZL, Lu ZY, Tan YN, Jia XY, Zhang M. MX2: Identification and systematic mechanistic analysis of a novel immune-related biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus. Front Immunol 2022; 13:978851. [PMID: 36059547 PMCID: PMC9433551 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.978851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that involves multiple organs. However, the current SLE-related biomarkers still lack sufficient sensitivity, specificity and predictive power for clinical application. Thus, it is significant to explore new immune-related biomarkers for SLE diagnosis and development. Methods We obtained seven SLE gene expression profile microarrays (GSE121239/11907/81622/65391/100163/45291/49454) from the GEO database. First, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened using GEO2R, and SLE biomarkers were screened by performing WGCNA, Random Forest, SVM-REF, correlation with SLEDAI and differential gene analysis. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROCs) and AUC values were used to determine the clinical value. The expression level of the biomarker was verified by RT‒qPCR. Subsequently, functional enrichment analysis was utilized to identify biomarker-associated pathways. ssGSEA, CIBERSORT, xCell and ImmuCellAI algorithms were applied to calculate the sample immune cell infiltration abundance. Single-cell data were analyzed for gene expression specificity in immune cells. Finally, the transcriptional regulatory network of the biomarker was constructed, and the corresponding therapeutic drugs were predicted. Results Multiple algorithms were screened together for a unique marker gene, MX2, and expression analysis of multiple datasets revealed that MX2 was highly expressed in SLE compared to the normal group (all P < 0.05), with the same trend validated by RT‒qPCR (P = 0.026). Functional enrichment analysis identified the main pathway of MX2 promotion in SLE as the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway (NES=2.492, P < 0.001, etc.). Immuno-infiltration analysis showed that MX2 was closely associated with neutrophils, and single-cell and transcriptomic data revealed that MX2 was specifically expressed in neutrophils. The NOD-like receptor signaling pathway was also remarkably correlated with neutrophils (r >0.3, P < 0.001, etc.). Most of the MX2-related interacting proteins were associated with SLE, and potential transcription factors of MX2 and its related genes were also significantly associated with the immune response. Conclusion Our study found that MX2 can serve as an immune-related biomarker for predicting the diagnosis and disease activity of SLE. It activates the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway and promotes neutrophil infiltration to aggravate SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Wen Meng
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Zhi-Luo Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Zhi-Yuan Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Ya-Nan Tan
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
| | - Xiao-Yi Jia
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research and Development of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao-Yi Jia, ; Min Zhang,
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao-Yi Jia, ; Min Zhang,
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Katsuyama E, Suarez-Fueyo A, Bradley SJ, Mizui M, Marin AV, Mulki L, Krishfield S, Malavasi F, Yoon J, Sui SJH, Kyttaris VC, Tsokos GC. The CD38/NAD/SIRTUIN1/EZH2 Axis Mitigates Cytotoxic CD8 T Cell Function and Identifies Patients with SLE Prone to Infections. Cell Rep 2021; 30:112-123.e4. [PMID: 31914379 PMCID: PMC7577012 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) suffer frequent infections that account for significant morbidity and mortality. T cell cytotoxic responses are decreased in patients with SLE, yet the responsible molecular events are largely unknown. We find an expanded CD8CD38high T cell subset in a sub-group of patients with increased rates of infections. CD8CD38high T cells from healthy subjects and patients with SLE display decreased cytotoxic capacity, degranulation, and expression of granzymes A and B and perforin. The key cytotoxicity-related transcription factors T-bet, RUNX3, and EOMES are decreased in CD8CD38high T cells. CD38 leads to increased acetylated EZH2 through inhibition of the deacetylase Sirtuin1. Acetylated EZH2 represses RUNX3 expression, whereas inhibition of EZH2 restores CD8 T cell cytotoxic responses. We propose that high levels of CD38 lead to decreased CD8 T cell-mediated cytotoxicity and increased propensity to infections in patients with SLE, a process that can be reversed pharmacologically. Katsuyama et al. find that an expanded CD8CD38high T cell population in SLE patients is linked to infections. CD8CD38high T cells display decreased cytotoxic capacity by suppressing the expression of related molecules through an NAD+/Sirtuin1/EZH2 pathway. EZH2 inhibitors increase cytotoxicity offering a means to mitigate infection rates in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eri Katsuyama
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abel Suarez-Fueyo
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sean J Bradley
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Masayuki Mizui
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ana V Marin
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lama Mulki
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Suzanne Krishfield
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fabio Malavasi
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, Department of Genetics, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Torino, and Fondazione Ricerca Molinette, Torino, Italy
| | - Joon Yoon
- Harvard Chan Bioinformatics Core, Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shannan J Ho Sui
- Harvard Chan Bioinformatics Core, Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vasileios C Kyttaris
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - George C Tsokos
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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