1
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Yu J, Yan Y, Li S, Xu Y, Parolia A, Rizvi S, Wang W, Zhai Y, Xiao R, Li X, Liao P, Zhou J, Okla K, Lin H, Lin X, Grove S, Wei S, Vatan L, Hu J, Szumilo J, Kotarski J, Freeman ZT, Skala S, Wicha M, Cho KR, Chinnaiyan AM, Schon S, Wen F, Kryczek I, Wang S, Chen L, Zou W. Progestogen-driven B7-H4 contributes to onco-fetal immune tolerance. Cell 2024; 187:4713-4732.e19. [PMID: 38968937 PMCID: PMC11344674 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.06.012] [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: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Immune tolerance mechanisms are shared in cancer and pregnancy. Through cross-analyzing single-cell RNA-sequencing data from multiple human cancer types and the maternal-fetal interface, we found B7-H4 (VTCN1) is an onco-fetal immune tolerance checkpoint. We showed that genetic deficiency of B7-H4 resulted in immune activation and fetal resorption in allogeneic pregnancy models. Analogously, B7-H4 contributed to MPA/DMBA-induced breast cancer progression, accompanied by CD8+ T cell exhaustion. Female hormone screening revealed that progesterone stimulated B7-H4 expression in placental and breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, progesterone receptor (PR) bound to a newly identified -58 kb enhancer, thereby mediating B7-H4 transcription via the PR-P300-BRD4 axis. PR antagonist or BRD4 degrader potentiated immunotherapy in a murine B7-H4+ breast cancer model. Thus, our work unravels a mechanistic and biological connection of a female sex hormone (progesterone) to onco-fetal immune tolerance via B7-H4 and suggests that the PR-P300-BRD4 axis is targetable for treating B7-H4+ cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Yu
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yijian Yan
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shasha Li
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ying Xu
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Abhijit Parolia
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Syed Rizvi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan School of Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Weichao Wang
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yiwen Zhai
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Rongxin Xiao
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Xiong Li
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Peng Liao
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jiajia Zhou
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Karolina Okla
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Oncological Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Heng Lin
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Xun Lin
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sara Grove
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shuang Wei
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Linda Vatan
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jiantao Hu
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Justyna Szumilo
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Jan Kotarski
- Department of Oncological Gynecology and Gynecology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Zachary T Freeman
- Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Stephanie Skala
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Max Wicha
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kathleen R Cho
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Arul M Chinnaiyan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Samantha Schon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Fei Wen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan School of Engineering, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ilona Kryczek
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shaomeng Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Lieping Chen
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Weiping Zou
- Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Center of Excellence for Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Graduate Program in Immunology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Ma Y, Duan L, Reisch B, Kimmig R, Iannaccone A, Gellhaus A. Impact of the Immunomodulatory Factor Soluble B7-H4 in the Progress of Preeclampsia by Inhibiting Essential Functions of Extravillous Trophoblast Cells. Cells 2024; 13:1372. [PMID: 39195262 DOI: 10.3390/cells13161372] [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: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
A key aspect of preeclampsia pathophysiology is the reduced invasiveness of trophoblasts and the impairment of spiral artery remodelling. Understanding the causes of altered trophoblast function is critical to understand the development of preeclampsia. B7-H4, a checkpoint molecule, controls a wide range of processes, including T-cell activation, cytokine release, and tumour progression. Our previous findings indicated that B7-H4 levels are elevated in both maternal blood and placental villous tissue during the early stages of preeclampsia. Here, we investigated the function of B7-H4 in trophoblast physiology. Recombinant B7-H4 protein was used to treat human SGHPL-5 extravillous trophoblast cells. Biological functions were investigated using MTT, wound healing, and transwell assays. Signalling pathways were analysed by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. The functionality of B7-H4 was further confirmed by immunoblotting and immunohistochemical analysis in placental tissues from control and preeclamptic patients following therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) or standard of care treatment. This study showed that B7-H4 inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion capacities of SGHPL-5 extravillous cells while promoting apoptosis by downregulating the PI3K/Akt/STAT3 signalling pathway. These results were consistently confirmed in placental tissues from preterm controls compared to early-onset preeclamptic placental tissues from patients treated with standard of care or TPE treatment. B7-H4 may play a role in the development of preeclampsia by inhibiting essential functions of extravillous trophoblast cells during placental development. One possible mechanism by which TPE improves pregnancy outcomes in preeclampsia is through the elimination of B7-H4 amongst other factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyang Ma
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Liyan Duan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Beatrix Reisch
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Antonella Iannaccone
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Gellhaus
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
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Özer Aslan İ, Doğan K, Kural A, Baghaki S, Helvaci N, Ekin M, Yaşar L. Is it possible to identify COVID-19 infection-related biomarkers during pregnancy?: A prospective study in Turkish population. Medicine (Baltimore) 2024; 103:e38062. [PMID: 38728492 PMCID: PMC11081580 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000038062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has raised concerns about the potential complications it may cause in pregnant women. Therefore, biomarkers that can predict the course of COVID-19 in pregnant women may be of great benefit as they would provide valuable insights into the prognosis and, thus, the management of the disease. In this context, the objective of this study is to identify the biomarkers that can predict COVID-19 progression in pregnant women, focusing on composite hemogram parameters and systemic inflammatory and spike markers. The population of this single-center prospective case-control study consisted of all consecutive pregnant women with single healthy fetuses who tested positive for COVID-19 and who were admitted to Bakirköy Dr Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital in Istanbul, Turkey, a COVID-19 referral hospital, between April 2020 and March 2021, with an obstetric indication, during their second or third trimester. The control group consisted of consecutive pregnant women with a single healthy fetus who were admitted to the same hospital within the same date range, had demographic and obstetric characteristics matching the patient group, but tested negative for COVID-19. The patient and control groups were compared in terms of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR), and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and systemic inflammatory and spike markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), cluster of differentiation 26 (CD26), and B7 homolog 4 (B7H4). There were 45 (51.1%) and 43 (48.8%) pregnant women in the patient and control groups, respectively. There was no significant difference between the groups in demographic and obstetric characteristics (P > .05). The PNR, PLR, and CRP values were significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (P < .05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the groups in IL-6, IL-10, CD26, and B7H4 levels (P > .05). The findings of our study showed that specific inflammatory markers, such as CRP, PLR, and PNR, can potentially predict the course of COVID-19 in pregnant women. However, more comprehensive, well-controlled studies are needed to corroborate our study's findings and investigate other potential inflammatory markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- İlke Özer Aslan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Türkiye
| | - Keziban Doğan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Health Sciences, Bakirkoy Dr.Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Alev Kural
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Health Sciences, Bakirkoy Dr.Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Sema Baghaki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Nazli Helvaci
- Department of Biochemistry, Hamidiye Faculty of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Murat Ekin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Health Sciences, Bakirkoy Dr.Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Levent Yaşar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Health Sciences, Bakirkoy Dr.Sadi Konuk Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
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4
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Dutsch-Wicherek MM, Bączkowska M, Knafel A, Sadowski P, Gałązka K, Lew-Starowicz M. An analysis of placental chorionic villous and decidual basalis tissue immunoreactivity in patients after cesarean section due to a placenta accreta spectrum disorder and elective cesarean section followed by the depressed mood. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2024; 50:55-64. [PMID: 37909688 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15821] [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: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
An analysis of placental chorionic villous and decidual basalis tissue immunoreactivity in patients after cesarean section due to a placenta accreta spectrum disorder and elective cesarean section followed by a depressed mood. RESEARCH BACKGROUND Over the past few years, interest in investigating immune dysfunction in patients with psychiatric disorders has increased. B7-H4 is a molecule with immunosuppressive properties that seems to play a key role in establishing maternal tolerance against fetal antigens. The aim of this study was to compare the B7-H4 immunoreactivity levels in patients after cesarean section. METHODS Placental and decidual tissue samples were obtained from 49 women who delivered at Bielański Hospital in Warsaw between 2009 and 2015. Fifteen of the patients developed postpartum depression and 14 had a diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum. The control group consisted of 20 healthy patients on whom cesarean section was performed due to breech presentation at term. RESULTS The highest levels of B7-H4 immunoreactivity were found in the placental chorionic villous and decidual basalis tissue samples of the patients who later developed postpartum depression, while the lowest levels were found in the samples of those patients with a placenta accreta spectrum disorder. The difference between the B7-H4 immunoreactivity levels of these two groups was statistically significant. The B7-H4 expression levels were statistically significantly higher in the women in the postpartum depression group than in the control group. CONCLUSION Postpartum depression follows a disturbance of the suppressive milieu responsible for rebalancing the maternal immune system after the initial cytotoxic activation during labor.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Monika Bączkowska
- 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Knafel
- 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Sadowski
- Department of Pathomorphology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Krystyna Gałązka
- Department of Pathomorphology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - Michał Lew-Starowicz
- Department of Psychiatry, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
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5
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Duan L, Reisch B, Mach P, Kimmig R, Gellhaus A, Iannaccone A. The immunological role of b7-h4 in pregnant women with sars-cov2 infection. Am J Reprod Immunol 2022; 88:e13626. [PMID: 36121927 PMCID: PMC9538547 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13626] [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: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Problem T‐cells are key players in fighting the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The checkpoint molecule B7‐H4, a member of the B7 family, can inhibit T‐cell activation and proliferation by inhibiting NF‐kb expression. We aimed to elucidate the immunological role of soluble B7‐H4 (sB7‐H4) and B7‐H4 in pregnant women suffered from an acute Sars‐Cov2 infection. Methods Expression levels of sB7‐H4 and cytokines were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. B7‐H4 and cytokines mRNA expression was analyzed by qPCR, and B7‐H4 and NF‐κb (p65) protein levels were investigated by western blot and immunofluorescence staining in placenta chorionic villous and decidual basalis tissues of COVID‐19 affected women and healthy controls. Results Fibrinoid necrosis in the periphery of placental villi was increased in the COVID‐19‐affected patients. sB7‐H4 protein in maternal and cord blood serum and IL‐6/IL‐10 were increased while leukocytes were decreased during SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Serum sB7‐H4 level was increased according to the severity of SARS‐Cov‐2 infection. Cytokines (IL‐6, IL‐18, IL‐1β, TNF‐α), B7‐H4 mRNA and protein in the decidual basalis tissues of COVID‐19‐infected pregnant women were significantly increased compared to healthy controls. IL‐18 and IL‐1β were significantly increased in the placenta chorionic villous samples of COVID‐19 affected patients, while NF‐κb (p65) expression was decreased. Conclusions The expression of the immunological marker sB7‐H4 correlated with the severity of COVID‐19 disease in pregnant women. sB7‐H4 and B7‐H4 can be used to monitor the progression of COVID‐19 infection during pregnancy, and for evaluating of the maternal immune status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyan Duan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Beatrix Reisch
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Pawel Mach
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Gellhaus
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Antonella Iannaccone
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Bączkowska M, Dutsch-Wicherek MM, Przytuła E, Faryna J, Wojtyła C, Ali M, Knafel A, Ciebiera M. Expression of the Costimulatory Molecule B7-H4 in the Decidua and Placental Tissues in Patients with Placental Abruption. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040918. [PMID: 35453668 PMCID: PMC9033103 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040918] [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: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
B7 homolog 4 protein (B7-H4), a member of the B7 family, is a immunomodulatory membrane protein. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of this protein in the decidua and placental tissues in case of placental abruption (PA) compared to cases of retained placental tissue (RPT) and controls. Tissue samples were obtained from 47 patients with PA, 60 patients with RPT, and 41 healthy controls. The samples were stained for B7-H4 expression, analyzed by an expert pathologist, and a semi-quantitative scale was applied. A statistical analysis revealed that the expression of B7-H4 was significantly higher in the decidua in PA samples compared to samples from patients with RPT (p-value < 0.001) and healthy controls (p-value < 0.001). The expression of B7-H4 in the placental chorionic villus was significantly higher in PA samples in relation to samples from healthy controls (p-value < 0.001) but not in relation to RPT samples (p-value = 0.0853). This finding suggests that B7-H4 might play an important role in mechanisms restoring reproductive tract homeostasis. Further research is necessary in regard to the role of B7-H4 in PA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Bączkowska
- Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland; (M.B.); (A.K.)
| | | | - Ewa Przytuła
- Department of Pathology, Bielański Hospital, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland; (E.P.); (J.F.)
| | - Jan Faryna
- Department of Pathology, Bielański Hospital, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland; (E.P.); (J.F.)
| | - Cezary Wojtyła
- International Prevention Research Institute-Collaborating Centre, Calisia University, 62-800 Kalisz, Poland;
| | - Mohamed Ali
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt;
| | - Anna Knafel
- Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland; (M.B.); (A.K.)
| | - Michał Ciebiera
- Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland; (M.B.); (A.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-607-155-177
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7
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Mach P, Köninger A, Reisch B, Kimmig R, Gellhaus A. Soluble PD-L1 and B7-H4 serum levels during the course of physiological pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2022; 87:e13519. [PMID: 34974633 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13519] [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: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM The aim of this study was to evaluate the soluble programmed death-ligand (sPD-L1) and soluble B7-H4 (sB7-H4) serum concentration levels longitudinal throughout the three trimesters of uncomplicated pregnancies. METHOD OF THE STUDY: sPD-L1 and sB7-H4 levels were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The patients (n = 26) were divided into three groups according to the pregnancy trimester. Among 26 women involved in the study 14 had longitudinal sB7-H4 and sPD-L1 measurements in each trimester of pregnancy. RESULTS During the course of pregnancy, the sB7-H4 blood serum levels were significant higher in second trimester than in first and third trimester, whereas sPD-L1 levels increased significantly over the course of pregnancy. CONCLUSION The highest serum levels of sPD-L1 in the third trimester suggest increasing suppression of maternal immunity throughout pregnancy, whereas elevated sB7-H4 concentration levels in second trimester suggests different profile of T-cell regulation in physiological pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Mach
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Angela Köninger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Regensburg, Hospital of the Barmherzige Brueder, Clinic St Hedwig, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Beatrix Reisch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Gellhaus
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
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Ding S, Zhou H, Gu Y, Shen Y, Zhang L, Zhao H, Wu J, Zhang X, Chang X, Liu C. Establishment of a novel double-monoclonal antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): tool for human B7-H4 detection in autoimmune diseases. Clin Exp Immunol 2021; 205:150-159. [PMID: 33961296 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
B7-H4, one of the immunoregulatory proteins, plays an inhibitory role by inhibiting T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Nevertheless, the significance of soluble B7-H4 (sB7-H4) in autoimmune diseases is unclear. In our study, we developed two novel mouse anti-human B7-H4 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (clones 8D4 and 7E1) with utilities for flow cytometry, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence. We characterized 7E1 as a functional antibody with antagonistic activity, which could promote T cell proliferation and regulate cytokine production. Furthermore, based on the different epitope specificities, we established a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) which could detect sB7-H4 sensitively and specifically. Using this ELISA kit, sB7-H4 was observed in a high proportion of autoimmune diseases patients. We found that the levels of sB7-H4 were significantly higher in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), type I diabetes (T1D) and Graves' disease (GD). Together, sB7-H4 in human serum is regarded not only as a regulator of T cell activation but may also be a diagnostic marker of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sisi Ding
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology of Digestive Tract, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hengxin Zhou
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology of Digestive Tract, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yanzheng Gu
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology of Digestive Tract, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yu Shen
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology of Digestive Tract, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Soochow University-Bright Scistar Antibody Joint Laboratory, Suzhou, China
| | - Huayang Zhao
- Soochow University-Bright Scistar Antibody Joint Laboratory, Suzhou, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xueguang Zhang
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xin Chang
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Cuiping Liu
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology & Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Suzhou Key Laboratory for Tumor Immunology of Digestive Tract, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Duan L, Reisch B, Iannaccone A, Hadrovic E, Wu Y, Vogtmann R, Winterhager E, Kimmig R, Köninger A, Mach P, Gellhaus A. Abnormal expression of the costimulatory molecule B7-H4 in placental chorionic villous and decidual basalis tissues of patients with preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Am J Reprod Immunol 2021; 86:e13430. [PMID: 33864713 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND B7-H4, a checkpoint molecule of the B7 family, regulates a broad spectrum such as T-cell activation, cytokine secretion, tumour progression, and invasion capacities. Our previous data revealed that soluble B7-H4 (sB7-H4) blood serum levels are elevated in women at high risk for the hypertensive pregnancy disorder preeclampsia (PE) in the first trimester, as well as in patients with confirmed early/late-onset PE. AIM We here aim to investigate the expression pattern of B7-H4 in placental tissues of PE and HELLP Syndrome versus control group. METHODS B7-H4 protein expression and localization were investigated by immunoblotting and co-immunohistochemistry in placental chorionic villous and decidual basalis tissues. RESULTS B7-H4 protein was prominently expressed at the cell membrane, in the cytoplasm of the syncytiotrophoblast (STB) and interstitial extravillous trophoblast (EVT). B7-H4 protein levels in placental chorionic villous tissue were significantly higher in women with early-onset/late-onset PE and HELLP, while it was decreased in decidual basalis tissues of early-onset PE and HELLP compared with controls. CONCLUSION B7-H4 was inversely expressed in placental chorionic villous and decidual basalis tissues of PE and HELLP patients. The increase in B7-H4 in the STB in PE and HELLP may lead to excessive apical expression and release of soluble B7-H4 in the maternal circulation. In contrast, the decrease in B7-H4 in decidual basalis tissues could be related to the decrease in invasion ability of the EVT in PE. Thus, the current results strongly suggest that B7-H4 is involved in the pathogenesis of PE and HELLP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyan Duan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Beatrix Reisch
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Antonella Iannaccone
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Elina Hadrovic
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Yuqing Wu
- Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rebekka Vogtmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Angela Köninger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinic of the Order of St. John, St. Hedwigs Clinic, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Pawel Mach
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Gellhaus
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Mach P, Andrikos D, Schmidt B, Gellhaus A, Rusch P, Birdir C, Andrikos A, Schmitt V, Kimmig R, Singer BB, Köninger A. Evaluation of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 blood serum levels in women at high risk for preeclampsia. Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 85:e13375. [PMID: 33175421 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM The aim of this study was to evaluate the sCEACAM1 concentrations in serum from patients in the first trimester who have a high risk for developing PE during pregnancy. METHOD OF THE STUDY Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) levels were determined with ELISA. The patients (n = 109) were divided into two groups: patients who have a high risk of developing PE early-onset and a control group. Patients who have a high risk of developing PE were then divided into two subgroups depending on PE development in third trimester of pregnancy: PE in third trimester versus no PE in third trimester. RESULTS sCEACAM1 concentrations in patients who were screened as having a high risk for developing PE were significantly higher than in healthy pregnant women in the first trimester (p = .03). The highest sCEACAM1 concentration was found in the high-risk group with PE development compared to the control group (p = .004). CONCLUSION Elevated sCEACAM1 blood serum levels in women with PE suggest that there is immune dysregulation in early pregnancy, which may be helpful in PE prediction and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel Mach
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Andrikos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Boerge Schmidt
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Alexandra Gellhaus
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Peter Rusch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Cahit Birdir
- Medical Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Argyrios Andrikos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Verena Schmitt
- Institute of Anatomy, University Hospital, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Rainer Kimmig
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bernhard B Singer
- Institute of Anatomy, University Hospital, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Angela Köninger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of Essen, Essen, Germany.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of the Barmherzige Brueder, Clinic St Hedwig, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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11
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Zhao Y, Zheng Q, Jin L. The Role of B7 Family Molecules in Maternal-Fetal Immunity. Front Immunol 2020; 11:458. [PMID: 32265918 PMCID: PMC7105612 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy is a complex but well-arranged process, and a healthy fetus requires immune privilege and surveillance in the presence of paternally derived antigens. Maternal and fetal cells interact at the maternal–fetal interface. The upregulation and downregulation of maternal immunity executed by the leukocyte population predominantly depend on the activity of decidual natural killer cells and trophoblasts and are further modulated by a series of duplex signals. The B7 family, which consists of B7-1, B7-2, B7-H1, B7-DC, B7-H2, B7-H3, B7-H4, B7-H5, BTNL2, B7-H6, and B7-H7, is one of the most characterized and widely distributed signaling molecule superfamilies and conducts both stimulatory and inhibitory signals through separate interactions. In particular, the roles of B7-1, B7-2, B7-H1, and their corresponding receptors in the progression of normal pregnancy and some pregnancy complications have been extensively studied. Together with the TCR–MHC complex, B7 and its receptors play a critical role in cell proliferation and cytokine secretion. Depending on this ligand–receptor crosstalk, the balance between the tolerance and rejection of the fetus is perfectly maintained. This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge of the B7 family and its functions in regulating maternal–fetal immunity through individual interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongbo Zhao
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingliang Zheng
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Jin
- Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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12
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Wang JY, Wang WP. B7-H4, a promising target for immunotherapy. Cell Immunol 2019; 347:104008. [PMID: 31733822 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2019.104008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The coinhibitory molecule B7-H4, an important member of the B7 family, is abnormally expressed in tumors, inflammation and autoimmune diseases. B7-H4 negatively regulates T cell immune response and promotes immune escape by inhibiting the proliferation, cytokine secretion, and cell cycle of T cells. Moreover, B7-H4 plays an extremely important role in tumorigenesis and tumor development including cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, anti-apoptosis, etc. In addition, B7-H4 has the other biological functions, such as protection against type 1 diabetes (T1D) and islet cell transplantation. Therefore, B7-H4 has been identified as a novel marker or a therapeutic target for the treatment of tumors, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and organ transplantation. Here, we summarized the expression profiles, physiological and pathological functions, and regulatory mechanisms of B7-H4, the signaling pathways involved, as well as B7-H4-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yu Wang
- Center for Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
| | - Wei-Peng Wang
- Center for Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
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The B7x Immune Checkpoint Pathway: From Discovery to Clinical Trial. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2019; 40:883-896. [PMID: 31677920 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Revised: 09/12/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
B7x (B7 homolog x, also known as B7-H4, B7S1, and VTCN1) was discovered by ourselves and others in 2003 as the seventh member of the B7 family. It is an inhibitory immune checkpoint of great significance to human disease. Tissue-expressed B7x minimizes autoimmune and inflammatory responses. It is overexpressed in a broad spectrum of human cancers, where it suppresses antitumor immunity. Further, B7x and PD-L1 tend to have mutually exclusive expression in cancer cells. Therapeutics targeting B7x are effective in animal models of cancers and autoimmune disorders, and early-phase clinical trials are underway to determine the efficacy and safety of targeting B7x in human diseases. It took 15 years moving from the discovery of B7x to clinical trials. Further studies will be necessary to identify its receptors, reveal its physiological functions in organs, and combine therapies targeting B7x with other treatments.
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