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Huang X, Ren L, Ye P, Cheng C, Wu J, Wang S, Sun Y, Liu Z, Xie A, Xia J. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ deficiency in T cells accelerates chronic rejection by influencing the differentiation of CD4+ T cells and alternatively activated macrophages. PLoS One 2014; 9:e112953. [PMID: 25383620 PMCID: PMC4226585 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Accepted: 10/22/2014] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In a previous study, activation of the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ) inhibited chronic cardiac rejection. However, because of the complexity of chronic rejection and the fact that PPARγ is widely expressed in immune cells, the mechanism of the PPARγ - induced protective effect was unclear. Materials and Methods A chronic rejection model was established using B6.C-H-2bm12KhEg (H-2bm12) mice as donors, and MHC II-mismatched T-cell-specific PPARγ knockout mice or wild type (WT) littermates as recipients. The allograft lesion was assessed by histology and immunohistochemistry. T cells infiltrates in the allograft were isolated, and cytokines and subpopulations were detected using cytokine arrays and flow cytometry. Transcription levels in the allograft were measured by RT-PCR. In vitro, the T cell subset differentiation was investigated after culture in various polarizing conditions. PPARγ-deficient regularory T cells (Treg) were cocultured with monocytes to test their ability to induce alternatively activated macrophages (AAM). Results T cell-specific PPARγ knockout recipients displayed reduced cardiac allograft survival and an increased degree of pathology compared with WT littermates. T cell-specific PPARγ knockout resulted in more CD4+ T cells infiltrating into the allograft and altered the Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg ratios. The polarization of AAM was also reduced by PPARγ deficiency in T cells through the action of Th2 and Treg. PPARγ-deficient T cells eliminated the pioglitazone-induced polarization of AAM and reduced allograft survival. Conclusions PPARγ-deficient T cells influenced the T cell subset and AAM polarization in chronic allograft rejection. The mechanism of PPARγ activation in transplantation tolerance could yield a novel treatment without side effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lingyun Ren
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ping Ye
- Department of Cardiology, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chao Cheng
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sihua Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuan Sun
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
| | - Aini Xie
- Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jiahong Xia
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Central Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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Li D, Tsang JYS, Peng J, Ho DHH, Chan YK, Zhu J, Lui VCH, Xu A, Lamb JR, Tam PKH, Chen Y. Adiponectin mediated MHC class II mismatched cardiac graft rejection in mice is IL-4 dependent. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48893. [PMID: 23155424 PMCID: PMC3498365 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2012] [Accepted: 10/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Adiponectin regulates glucose and fatty-acid metabolism but its role in chronic graft rejection mediated by Th2 cytokines remains ill-defined. Methodology/Principal Findings Wild type and adiponectin-null mice were used as graft recipients in mouse MHC class II disparate cardiac transplantation (bm12 toB6) and the graft rejection was monitored. In adiponectin-null mice we observed that the cellular infiltrate of eosinophils, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was reduced in grafts compared to the controls as was collagen deposition and vessel occlusion. A similar outcome was observed for skin transplants except that neutrophil infiltration was increased. Low levels of IL-4 were detected in the grafts and serum. The effect of adiponectin signaling on IL-4 expression was further investigated. Treatment with AMPK and p38 MAPK inhibitors blocked adiponectin enhanced T cell proliferation in mixed lymphocyte reactions. Inhibition of AMPK reduced eosinophil infiltration in skin grafts in wild type recipients and in contrast AMPK activation increased eosinophils in adiponectin-null recipients. The addition of adiponectin increased IL-4 production by the T cell line EL4 with augmented nuclear GATA-3 and phospho-STAT6 expression which were suppressed by knockdown of adiponectin receptor 1 and 2. Conclusions Our results demonstrate a direct effect of adiponectin on IL-4 expression which contributes to Th2 cytokine mediated rejection in mouse MHC class II histoincompatible transplants. These results add to our understanding of the interrelationship of metabolism and immune regulation and raise the possibility that AMPK inhibitors may be beneficial in selected types of rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daxu Li
- Paediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Julia Y. S. Tsang
- Paediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jiao Peng
- Paediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Derek H. H. Ho
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yee Kwan Chan
- School of Biological Science, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Paediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vincent C. H. Lui
- Paediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Aimin Xu
- Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jonathan R. Lamb
- Division of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul K. H. Tam
- Paediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- * E-mail: (YC); (PT)
| | - Yan Chen
- Paediatric Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- * E-mail: (YC); (PT)
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Chen Y, Li D, Tsang JYS, Niu N, Peng J, Zhu J, Hui K, Xu A, Lui VCH, Lamb JR, Tam PKH. PPAR-γ signaling and IL-5 inhibition together prevent chronic rejection of MHC Class II-mismatched cardiac grafts. J Heart Lung Transplant 2011; 30:698-706. [PMID: 21435906 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2011.01.704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2010] [Revised: 12/13/2010] [Accepted: 01/10/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic rejection can prevent long-term survival of organ transplants. Although the beneficial effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) in reducing graft rejection have been reported, the details of the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, especially in the context of modulating cellular infiltration and preventing vasculopathy and interstitial fibrosis. METHODS The therapeutic effects of the PPAR-γ agonist, rosiglitazone, combined with anti-interleukin-5 are explored in a mouse model of MHC Class II-histoincompatible cardiac transplantation. RESULTS Rosiglitazone treatment alone marginally increased long-term survival and reduced CD8 T-cell infiltration and vasculopathy in the grafts. However, there was no reduction in collagen deposition and interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and eosinophil infiltration were increased. Anti-IL-5 antibody treatment alone reduced eosinophil infiltration and collagen deposition, but had no effect on CD8 T-cell infiltration or vasculopathy. Combined treatment with anti-IL-5 antibody and rosiglitazone prevented graft rejection. Furthermore, rosiglitazone treatment increased adiponectin receptor II expression in grafts and on dendritic cells and T cells in vitro. Graft survival correlated with increased expression in grafts of the inhibitory molecule PD-L1. CONCLUSIONS The findings obtained increase the knowledge on the mode of action of rosiglitazone in promoting the survival of MHC Class II-mismatched cardiac transplants in which the CD8 T cells and eosinophils play key roles. PPAR-γ signaling combined with IL-5 blockade prevents graft rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Chen
- Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR.
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Gramley F, Lorenzen J, Pezzella F, Kettering K, Himmrich E, Plumhans C, Koellensperger E, Munzel T. Hypoxia and myocardial remodeling in human cardiac allografts: a time-course study. J Heart Lung Transplant 2009; 28:1119-26. [PMID: 19782587 DOI: 10.1016/j.healun.2009.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2009] [Revised: 05/22/2009] [Accepted: 05/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac allografts are known to develop myocardial fibrosis, which may be a cause of progressive cardiac dysfunction. Apart from the renin-angiotensin and transforming growth factor-beta system, hypoxia has been proposed as an important player in the pathogenesis of fibrosis, but its significance remains unclear. This study examines the degree of myocardial fibrosis, cellular remodeling and hypoxic signaling over a time-course of 10 years after human cardiac allograft transplantation. METHODS Serial right ventricular biopsies of 57 patients were collected in 6-month intervals after cardiac transplant surgery for a total of 10 years to allow a retrospective longitudinal analysis. Over this period, tissue remodeling, including interstitial fibrosis and cellular changes, were determined morphometrically. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to analyze expression of the following hypoxia-related proteins: hypoxia-induced factor 1-alpha (HIF1alpha); the oxygen sensor prolyl hydroxylase 3 (PHD3); and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). RESULTS Fibrosis increased significantly from 12.6 +/- 6.5% at the point of transplantation throughout follow-up to 28.8 +/- 7.7% at 10 years. The DNA content and number of nuclei changed over the period of follow-up, displaying signs of cellular hypertrophy and a loss of myocytes. Whereas HIF1alpha expression revealed a U-shaped pattern with both early and late elevation during fibrogenesis, PHD3 and VEGF expression patterns showed a gradual increase with PHD3 decreasing again in later fibrogenesis. CONCLUSIONS In cardiac allografts, extensive and progressive tissue remodeling is present. Hypoxia may play a role in this process by up-regulating HIF1alpha and leading to differential regulation of pro-angiogenic signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Gramley
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, University of Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, Mainz, Germany.
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Zhang SD, Gant TW. A simple and robust method for connecting small-molecule drugs using gene-expression signatures. BMC Bioinformatics 2008; 9:258. [PMID: 18518950 PMCID: PMC2464610 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2105-9-258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2008] [Accepted: 06/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Interaction of a drug or chemical with a biological system can result in a gene-expression profile or signature characteristic of the event. Using a suitably robust algorithm these signatures can potentially be used to connect molecules with similar pharmacological or toxicological properties by gene expression profile. Lamb et al first proposed the Connectivity Map [Lamb et al (2006), Science 313, 1929–1935] to make successful connections among small molecules, genes, and diseases using genomic signatures. Results Here we have built on the principles of the Connectivity Map to present a simpler and more robust method for the construction of reference gene-expression profiles and for the connection scoring scheme, which importantly allows the valuation of statistical significance of all the connections observed. We tested the new method with two randomly generated gene signatures and three experimentally derived gene signatures (for HDAC inhibitors, estrogens, and immunosuppressive drugs, respectively). Our testing with this method indicates that it achieves a higher level of specificity and sensitivity and so advances the original method. Conclusion The method presented here not only offers more principled statistical procedures for testing connections, but more importantly it provides effective safeguard against false connections at the same time achieving increased sensitivity. With its robust performance, the method has potential use in the drug development pipeline for the early recognition of pharmacological and toxicological properties in chemicals and new drug candidates, and also more broadly in other 'omics sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Dong Zhang
- MRC Toxicology Unit, Hodgkin Building, Lancaster Road, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.
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Dichotomous effects of rosiglitazone in transplantation-induced systemic vasodilator dysfunction in rats. Transplantation 2008; 85:582-8. [PMID: 18347538 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0b013e3181639c83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transplantation-induced systemic endothelial dysfunction causes severe cardiovascular morbidity and mortality after transplantation. Interventions that improve systemic endothelial function after transplantation and furthermore reduce intragraft vascular dysfunction might improve graft and patient survival. Treatment with the PPARgamma agonist rosiglitazone is an intervention that potentially fulfills these criteria. In this study, we determined the effect of rosiglitazone treatment on transplantation-induced endothelial dysfunction and vasomotor activity in an experimental model for chronic transplant dysfunction in rats. METHODS Lewis abdominal aortic allografts were orthotopically transplanted into Brown Norway recipients that received either regular chow or chow containing rosiglitazone (approximately 4.2 mg/day). Endothelium-dependent (response to metacholine) and total (response to sodium nitrite) vasodilatory responses were determined in autologous thoracic aortic rings using an ex vivo organ bath setup. Measurements were performed 8 weeks after transplantation. RESULTS Aortic allografting induced systemic endothelial dysfunction as measured by reduced endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the recipient's vascular system. Rosiglitazone treatment restored endothelium-dependent vasodilatory responses to pretransplantation levels. However, rosiglitazone treatment reduced the total dilatory response despite normalized endothelial function, indicating impairment of vascular smooth muscle cell vasomotor activity. CONCLUSIONS Rosiglitazone treatment after allogeneic transplantation restores endothelial function but impairs vascular smooth muscle cell vasomotor activity. This dichotomous effect of rosiglitazone might impede use of rosiglitazone after organ transplantation since this potentially increases cardiovascular risk despite improved endothelial cell function.
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Crescioli C, Squecco R, Cosmi L, Sottili M, Gelmini S, Borgogni E, Sarchielli E, Scolletta S, Francini F, Annunziato F, Vannelli GB, Serio M. Immunosuppression in cardiac graft rejection: a human in vitro model to study the potential use of new immunomodulatory drugs. Exp Cell Res 2008; 314:1337-50. [PMID: 18291365 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2007] [Revised: 12/20/2007] [Accepted: 12/20/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
CXCL10-CXCR3 axis plays a pivotal role in cardiac allograft rejection, so that targeting CXCL10 without inducing generalized immunosuppression may be of therapeutic significance in allotransplantation. Since the role of resident cells in cardiac rejection is still unclear, we aimed to establish reliable human cardiomyocyte cultures to investigate Th1 cytokine-mediated response in allograft rejection. We used human fetal cardiomyocytes (Hfcm) isolated from fetal hearts, obtained after legal abortions. Hfcm expressed specific cardiac lineage markers, specific cardiac structural proteins, typical cardiac currents and generated ventricular action potentials. Thus, Hfcm represent a reliable in vitro tool for allograft rejection research, since they resemble the features of mature cells. Hfcm secreted CXCL10 in response to IFNgamma and TNFalphaalpha; this effect was magnified by cytokine combination. Cytokine synergy was associated to a significant TNFalpha-induced up-regulation of IFNgammaR. The response of Hfcm to some currently used immunosuppressive drugs compared to rosiglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist and Th1-mediated response inhibitor, was also evaluated. Only micophenolic acid and rosiglitazone halved CXCL10 secretion by Hfcm. Given the pivotal role of IFNgamma-induced chemokines in Th1-mediated allograft rejection, these preliminary results suggest that the combined effects of immunosuppressive agents and rosiglitazone could be potentially beneficial to patients receiving heart transplants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Crescioli
- Center for Research Transfer and High Education DENOthe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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