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Wang X, Li N, Zhang J, Wang J, Wei Y, Yang J, Sun D, Liu L, Nian H, Wei R. AS101 regulates the Teff/Treg balance to alleviate rabbit autoimmune dacryoadenitis through modulating NFATc2. Exp Eye Res 2024; 244:109937. [PMID: 38782179 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Sjögren's syndrome (SS) dry eye can cause ocular surface inflammation and lacrimal gland (LG) damage, leading to discomfort and potential vision problems. The existing treatment options for SS dry eye are currently constrained. We investigated the possible therapeutic effect and the underlying mechanism of AS101 in autoimmune dry eye. AS101 was injected subconjunctivally into a rabbit model of autoimmune dacryoadenitis and its therapeutic effects were determined by evaluating clinical and histological scores. The expressions of effector T cells (Teff)/regulatory T cells (Treg)-related transcription factors and cytokines, inflammation mediators, and transcription factor NFATc2 were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and/or Western blot both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, the role of NFATc2 in the immunomodulatory effects of AS101 on T cells was explored by co-culturing activated peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) transfected with NFATc2 overexpression lentiviral plasmid with AS101. AS101 treatment potently ameliorated the clinical severity and reduced the inflammation of LG. Further investigation revealed that AS101 treatment led to decreased expression of Th1-related genes (T-bet and IFN-γ) and Th17-related genes (RORC, IL-17A, IL-17F, and GM-CSF) and increased expression of Treg-related gene Foxp3 in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, AS101 suppressed the expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-23, IL-6, MMP-2, and MMP-9. Mechanistically, AS101 downregulated the expression of NFATc2 in inflamed LGs. Overexpression of NFATc2 in activated PBLs partially blunted the effect of AS101 on Teff suppression and Treg promotion. In conclusion, AS101 is a potential regulator of Teff/Treg cell balance and could be an effective treatment agent for SS dry eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin China, China
| | - Na Li
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin China, China
| | - Jiawen Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin China, China
| | - Jiali Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin China, China
| | - Yankai Wei
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin China, China
| | - Jun Yang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin China, China
| | - Deming Sun
- Doheny Eye Institute, And Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Lin Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin China, China
| | - Hong Nian
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin China, China.
| | - Ruihua Wei
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin China, China.
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Mircheff AK, Wang Y, Li M, Pan BX, Ding C. Pregnancy probabilistically augments potential precursors to chronic, immune-mediated or autoimmune lacrimal gland infiltrates. Ocul Surf 2017; 16:120-131. [PMID: 28974417 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2017.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study asked whether pregnancy, a risk factor for dry eye disease associated with both chronic, immune-mediated- and autoimmune etiologies, augments development of clusters of coordinately functioning cells (CCFC) that may be precursors to pathological lacrimal gland infiltrates. METHODS Lacrimal glands were from six virgin- and six term-pregnant rabbits of the same age and environmental exposure history. Seventy-two immune response-related gene transcripts were assayed by real time RT-PCR. Principal component (PC) analysis identified transcript signatures of CCFC contributing negative (⊖) or positive (⊕) PC loadings and determined gland PC projections, which reflect levels of CCFC development. RESULTS Three CCFC were of interest as potential precursors to pathological infiltrates. CCFC 1⊖ was suggestive of an ectopic lymphoid structure with resting T cells and B cells. CCFC 1⊕ was suggestive of an immune-mediated infiltrate with TH1 cells and mature, cytotoxic B cells. CCFC 2⊖ was suggestive of an ectopic lymphoid structure with activated T cells, mature B cells, germinal center, and plasmacytes. CCFC 4⊖ and CCFC 5⊖ also included plasmacytes. Pregnancy augmented CCFC 1⊖ in some glands; augmented CCFC 1⊕ in others; and augmented CCFC 2⊖, CCFC 4⊖, and CCFC 5⊖ different combinations. CONCLUSIONS Potential precursors of pathological infiltrates form in the lacrimal glands by the time of sexual maturity. Pregnancy augments lacrimal gland plasmacyte populations, and it can augment development of potential precursors to either chronic, immune-mediated infiltrates or autoimmune infiltrates of various phenotypes. Systemic and strictly local, probabilistic phenomena interact with pregnancy to determine which combinatorial phenotypes are favored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin K Mircheff
- Department of Physiology & Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA.
| | - Yanru Wang
- Department of Physiology & Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Meng Li
- Bioinformatics Service, Norris Medical Library, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Billy X Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Chuanqing Ding
- Department of Cell & Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
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Li X, Lu X, Sun D, Wang X, Yang L, Zhao S, Nian H, Wei R. Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reduce Lymphocytic Infiltration in a Rabbit Model of Induced Autoimmune Dacryoadenitis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 57:5161-5170. [PMID: 27699412 PMCID: PMC6016434 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.15-17824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To investigate the immunoregulatory roles of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) in autoimmune dacryoadenitis. Methods Rabbits were treated with ADSCs or phosphate-buffered solution on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 after injection of activated peripheral blood lymphocytes, and clinical scores were determined by assessing tear production, break-up time, and fluorescein and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Inflammatory response was determined by measuring the expression of different mediators of inflammation in the lacrimal glands. The Th1/Th17-mediated autoreactive responses were evaluated by determining the proliferative response and the expression of cytokine genes and the lineage-determining transcription factors. The frequency of regulatory T cells (Tregs) was also examined. Results The ADSC-treated rabbits showed decreased autoimmune responses, and the secretory function of their lacrimal gland was restored significantly. Treatment with ADSCs downregulated the Th1 and Th17 responses but enhanced Tregs function. In addition, ADSC treatment noticeably suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, MPP-2, IL-1β, and IL-6, whereas it enhanced the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Conclusions Our results demonstrated that ADSC administration efficiently ameliorates autoimmune dacryoadenitis mainly via modulating Th1/Th17 responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Li
- Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Lu
- Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China
| | - Deming Sun
- Doheny Eye Institute, and Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, California, United States
| | | | - Liyuan Yang
- Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China
| | - Shaozhen Zhao
- Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong Nian
- Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China
| | - Ruihua Wei
- Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Eye Institute & School of Optometry and Ophthalmology, Tianjin, China
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Mircheff AK, Wang Y, Schechter JE, Li M, Tong W, Attar M, Chengalvala M, Harmuth J, Prusakiewicz JJ. Multiple Natural and Experimental Inflammatory Rabbit Lacrimal Gland Phenotypes. Ocul Surf 2016; 14:460-483.e3. [PMID: 27423911 PMCID: PMC5065763 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtos.2016.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Revised: 06/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Purpose To investigate lacrimal gland (LG) immunophysiological and immune-mediated inflammatory process (IMIP) phenotype diversity. Methods Ex vivo matured dendritic cells (mDC) were loaded with acinar cell microparticles (MP). Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were activated in mixed cell reactions with mDC and injected directly into autologous, unilateral LG (1° ATD-LG) of two rabbit cohorts, one naïve, one immunized with a LG lysate membrane fraction (Pi). Autoimmune IgG titers were assayed by ELISA, MCR PBL stimulation indices (SI) by [3H]-thymidine incorporation. Schirmer tests without and with topical anesthetic (STT-I, STT-IA) and rose Bengal (RB) staining tests were performed. H&E and immunohistochemically stained sections were examined. RNA yields and selected transcript abundances were measured. Immune cell number and transcript abundance data were submitted to Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Results Immunizing Pi dose influenced SI but not IgG titers. STT scores were decreased, and rose Bengal scores increased, by day 118 after immunization. Previous immunization exacerbated scores in 1° ATD-eyes and exacerbated 1° ATD-LG atrophy. IMIP were evident in 2° ATD-LG as well as 1° ATD-LG. PCA described diverse immunophysiological phenotypes in control LG and diverse IMIP phenotypes in ATD-LG. IgG titers and SI pre-adoptive transfer were significantly associated with certain post-adoptive transfer IMIP phenotype features, and certain LG IMIP features were significantly associated with RB and STT IA scores. Conclusions The underlying variability of normal states may contribute to the diversity of experimental IMIP phenotypes. The ability to generate and characterize diverse phenotypes may lead to phenotype-specific diagnostic and therapeutic paradigms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin K Mircheff
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Yanru Wang
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joel E Schechter
- Department of Cell & Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Meng Li
- Bioinformatics Service, Norris Medical Library, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Warren Tong
- Translational Drug Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics and Immunology, Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Mayssa Attar
- Translational Drug Metabolism, Pharmacokinetics and Immunology, Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | - Joe Harmuth
- Immunology Services, Covance Research Products, Denver, PA, USA
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Autoimmune dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis induced in rabbits by intravenous injection of autologous lymphocytes activated ex vivo against lacrimal antigens. Cornea 2012; 31:693-701. [PMID: 22333667 DOI: 10.1097/ico.0b013e31823f8e47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes, activated in a mixed cell reaction when cocultured with purified rabbit lacrimal epithelial cells, are known to induce a severe autoimmune dacryoadenitis when injected directly into the donor animal's remaining inferior lacrimal gland (LG) or subcutaneously at a site remote from the LG. The purpose of the present study was to determine the ability of intravenously (IV) injected autologous stimulated lymphocytes to home to the LG and salivary gland (SG) and induce disease. METHODS One inferior LG was surgically excised from each rabbit. Acinar epithelial cells were purified, cultured for 2 days, gamma-irradiated, and cocultured for 5 days with purified autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes. The activated lymphocytes were used for autoadoptive transfer. RESULTS Tear production was reduced 50% by 4 weeks and tear breakup time was 70% less than normal. Ocular surface defects assessed by rose bengal staining were present but not as pronounced as after direct injection. Four weeks after IV injection, as after direct injection, glands contained large infiltrates composed of predominantly CD4(+) T cells close to interlobular and intralobular ducts; however, they also contained unique areas of streaming lymphocytes. Histopathology at 8 weeks was more severe than at 4 weeks, and SG also showed clusters of abnormal epithelial cells and streaming lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS Lymphocytes activated against lacrimal antigens and injected IV can home to the LG and SG and initiate autoimmune processes, suggesting that these sites constitutively contain not only antigen-presenting cells displaying potentially pathogenic autoantigen epitopes but also chemokines and homing molecules that recruit CD4(+) T cells. This new rabbit model more closely mimics Sjögren syndrome, in that SG manifestations accompany the LG disease. It should be well suited to elucidating Sjögren pathogenesis and pathophysiology and to evaluating experimental therapies.
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Mircheff AK, Wang Y, Thomas PB, Nakamura T, Samant D, Trousdale MD, Warren DW, Ding C, Schechter JE. Systematic Variations in Immune Response-Related Gene Transcript Abundance Suggest New Questions about Environmental Influences on Lacrimal Gland Immunoregulation. Curr Eye Res 2011; 36:285-94. [DOI: 10.3109/02713683.2010.550408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Schechter JE, Warren DW, Mircheff AK. A Lacrimal Gland is a Lacrimal Gland, But Rodent's and Rabbit's Are Not Human. Ocul Surf 2010; 8:111-34. [DOI: 10.1016/s1542-0124(12)70222-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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