1
|
Ko JH, Kim S, Ryu JS, Song HJ, Oh JY. Interferon-γ elicits the ocular surface pathology mimicking dry eye through direct modulation of resident corneal cells. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:209. [PMID: 37391421 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01511-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite accumulating evidence indicating a key role of interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-producing immune cells in ocular infection and immunity, little is known about the direct effects of IFN-γ on resident corneal cells or on the ocular surface. Here, we report that IFN-γ impacts corneal stromal fibroblasts and epithelial cells to promote inflammation, opacification, and barrier disruption on the ocular surface, leading to dry eye. Our results demonstrated that IFN-γ dose-dependently induced cytotoxicity, pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine production, and expression of major histocompatibility complex class II and CD40 in cultures of corneal stromal fibroblasts and epithelial cells while increasing myofibroblast differentiation of corneal stromal fibroblasts. In mice, subconjunctival IFN-γ administration caused corneal epithelial defects and stromal opacity in dose- and time-dependent manners while promoting neutrophil infiltration and inflammatory cytokine expression in the cornea. Moreover, IFN-γ reduced aqueous tear secretion and the number of conjunctival goblet cells responsible for mucinous tear production. Together, our findings suggest that IFN-γ induces the ocular surface changes characteristic of dry eye disease at least in part through its direct effects on resident corneal cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jung Hwa Ko
- Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Seonghwan Kim
- Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul Metropolitan Government Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, 20 Boramae-ro 5 Gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 07061, Korea
| | - Jin Suk Ryu
- Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Hyo Jeong Song
- Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea
| | - Joo Youn Oh
- Laboratory of Ocular Regenerative Medicine and Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hou Y, Bock F, Hos D, Cursiefen C. Lymphatic Trafficking in the Eye: Modulation of Lymphatic Trafficking to Promote Corneal Transplant Survival. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071661. [PMID: 34359831 PMCID: PMC8306557 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
(Lymph)angiogenesis into the cornea prior to and after corneal transplantation is a critical risk factor for allograft rejection. Lymphatic vessels even more than blood vessels seem important in mediating immune responses, as they facilitate allograft sensitization in the draining lymph nodes. Thus, the concept of modulating lymphatic trafficking to promote corneal graft survival seems promising. A variety of approaches has been developed to inhibit progressive lymphangiogenesis in experimental settings. Recently, additionally to pharmacological approaches, clinically available techniques such as UVA-based corneal collagen crosslinking and fine needle diathermy were reported to be effective in regressing lymphatic vessels and to experimentally promote graft survival. Clinical pilot studies also suggest the efficacy of blocking antigen presenting cell trafficking to regional lymph nodes by regressing corneal lymphatic vessels to enhance allograft survival in high-risk eyes. In this article, we will give an overview of current strategies to modulate lymphatic trafficking with a special focus on recently reported strategies, which may be easy to translate into clinical practice. This novel concept of temporary, pretransplant regression of lymphatic vessels at the site of transplantation to promote subsequent corneal transplant survival (“lymphangioregressive preconditioning”) may also be applicable to other transplantation sites later.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Hou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (Y.H.); (F.B.); (D.H.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Felix Bock
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (Y.H.); (F.B.); (D.H.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Deniz Hos
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (Y.H.); (F.B.); (D.H.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Claus Cursiefen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany; (Y.H.); (F.B.); (D.H.)
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-221-4784-300
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Singh RB, Blanco T, Mittal SK, Alemi H, Chauhan SK, Chen Y, Dana R. Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor Enhances the Suppressive Phenotype of Regulatory T Cells in a Murine Model of Dry Eye Disease. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:720-729. [PMID: 33453179 PMCID: PMC8027920 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a widely expressed 50-kDa glycoprotein belonging to the serine protease inhibitor family, with well-established anti-inflammatory functions. Recently, we demonstrated the immunoregulatory role played by PEDF in dry eye disease (DED) by suppressing the maturation of antigen-presenting cells at the ocular surface following exposure to the desiccating stress. In this study, we evaluated the effect of PEDF on the immunosuppressive characteristics of regulatory T cells (Tregs), which are functionally impaired in DED. In the presence of PEDF, the in vitro cultures prevented proinflammatory cytokine (associated with type 17 helper T cells)-induced loss of frequency and suppressive phenotype of Tregs derived from normal mice. Similarly, PEDF maintained the in vitro frequency and enhanced the suppressive phenotype of Tregs derived from DED mice. On systemically treating DED mice with PEDF, moderately higher frequencies and significantly enhanced suppressive function of Tregs were observed in the draining lymphoid tissues, leading to the efficacious amelioration of the disease. Our results demonstrate that PEDF promotes the suppressive capability of Tregs and attenuates their type 17 helper T-cell-mediated dysfunction in DED, thereby playing a role in the suppression of DED.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan B Singh
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Tomas Blanco
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sharad K Mittal
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Hamid Alemi
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sunil K Chauhan
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yihe Chen
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Reza Dana
- Laboratory of Corneal Immunology, Transplantation and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Singh RB, Marmalidou A, Amouzegar A, Chen Y, Dana R. Animal models of high-risk corneal transplantation: A comprehensive review. Exp Eye Res 2020; 198:108152. [PMID: 32721424 PMCID: PMC7508940 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the past century, corneal transplantation has become the most commonly performed allogeneic solid tissue transplantation. Although more than 80% of the corneal transplantations have favorable outcomes, immune-mediated rejection continues to be the major cause of failure in well over 50% of graft recipients that have inflamed and vascularized host beds. Over the past two decades, the progress in our understanding of the immunological pathways that mediate graft rejection has aided in the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In order to successfully test the efficacy of these interventions, it is essential to model the immunological processes occurring as a consequence of corneal transplantation. Herein, we have comprehensively reviewed the established animal models used for replicating the immunopathological processes causing graft rejection in high-risk corneal transplantation settings. We have also discussed the practical and technical differences, as well as biological and immunological variations in different animal models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rohan Bir Singh
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anna Marmalidou
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Afsaneh Amouzegar
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yihe Chen
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Reza Dana
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Coco G, Foulsham W, Nakao T, Yin J, Amouzegar A, Taketani Y, Chauhan SK, Dana R. Regulatory T cells promote corneal endothelial cell survival following transplantation via interleukin-10. Am J Transplant 2020; 20:389-398. [PMID: 31587452 PMCID: PMC6984989 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The functional competence of corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs) is critical for survival of corneal allografts, but these cells are often targets of the immune response mediated by graft-attacking effector T cells. Although regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been studied for their role in regulating the host's alloimmune response towards the graft, the cytoprotective function of these cells on CEnCs has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to determine whether Tregs suppress effector T cell-mediated and inflammatory cytokine-induced CEnC death, and to elucidate the mechanism by which this cytoprotection occurs. Using 2 well-established models of corneal transplantation (low-risk and high-risk models), we show that Tregs derived from low-risk graft recipients have a superior capacity in protecting CEnCs against effector T cell-mediated and interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α-induced cell death compared to Tregs derived from high-risk hosts. We further demonstrate that the cytoprotective function of Tregs derived from low-risk hosts occurs independently of direct cell-cell contact and is mediated by the immunoregulatory cytokine IL-10. Our study is the first to report that Tregs provide cytoprotection for CEnCs through secretion of IL-10, indicating potentially novel therapeutic targets for enhancing CEnC survival following corneal transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Coco
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,Department of Clinical Science and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - William Foulsham
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts,Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Takeshi Nakao
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jia Yin
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Afsaneh Amouzegar
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yukako Taketani
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sunil K Chauhan
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Reza Dana
- Schepens Eye Research Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regulatory T (Treg) cell-based immunotherapies have been studied as potential cell-based modalities for promoting transplant survival. However, the efficacy of local delivery of Treg cells in corneal transplantation has not been fully elucidated. Herein, we investigated the kinetics of migration of subconjunctivally injected Treg cells and their role in promoting corneal allograft survival. METHODS GFPCD4CD25Foxp3 Treg cells were isolated from draining lymph nodes (DLNs) of GFP transgenic mice and were subconjunctivally injected to corneal allograft recipients. Next, Treg cells, conventional T cells (Tconv) or a combination of both was locally injected to graft recipients, and graft survival was determined by evaluating opacity scores for 10 weeks. Transplanted mice without treatment served as controls. The frequencies of major histocompatibility complex-IICD11b antigen-presenting cells, IFNγCD4 Th1 cells, and CD45 cells in the DLNs and cornea were evaluated at week 2 posttransplantation using flow cytometry. Expressions of IFNγ, IL-10 and TGF-β in the grafts were assessed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS GFP Treg cells were detected in the ipsilateral cornea and DLNs of recipients 6 hours after injection. Subconjunctival injection of Treg cells significantly decreased the frequencies of mature antigen-presenting cells in the graft and DLNs, suppressed Th1 frequencies in DLNs, and inhibited CD45 cell infiltration to the graft. Finally, locally delivered Treg cells significantly reduced the expression of IFN-γ, enhanced the levels of IL-10 and TGF-β in the graft, and promoted long-term allograft survival. CONCLUSIONS Our study elucidates the kinetics of migration of locally delivered Treg cells and shows their role in suppressing host immune response against the allograft.
Collapse
|
7
|
Hou Y, Le VNH, Tóth G, Siebelmann S, Horstmann J, Gabriel T, Bock F, Cursiefen C. UV light crosslinking regresses mature corneal blood and lymphatic vessels and promotes subsequent high-risk corneal transplant survival. Am J Transplant 2018; 18:2873-2884. [PMID: 29673063 PMCID: PMC6282984 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.14874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Revised: 03/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Immunologic graft rejection is the main complication after corneal transplant into pathologically prevascularized so-called high-risk eyes. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether ultraviolet (UV) light crosslinking can regress pathologic corneal blood and lymphatic vessels and thereby improve subsequent graft survival. Using the murine model of suture-induced corneal neovascularization, we found that corneal crosslinking with UVA light and riboflavin regressed both preexisting blood and lymphatic vessels significantly via induction of apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells. In addition, macrophages and CD45+ cell counts were significantly reduced. Consistently, corneal crosslinking reduced keratocyte density and corneal thickness without affecting corneal nonvascular endothelial cells, iris, and lens depending on the crosslinking duration. Furthermore, using the murine model of corneal transplant, long-term graft survival was significantly promoted (P < .05) and CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ T regulatory cells were upregulated (P < .01) in high-risk eyes preoperatively treated with crosslinking. Our results suggest UV light crosslinking as a novel method to regress both pathologic corneal blood and lymphatic vessels and to reduce CD45+ inflammatory cells. Furthermore, this study demonstrates for the first time that preoperative corneal crosslinking in prevascularized high-risk eyes can significantly improve subsequent graft survival and may become a promising novel therapy in the clinic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Hou
- Department of OphthalmologyUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Viet Nhat Hung Le
- Department of OphthalmologyUniversity of CologneCologneGermany,Department of OphthalmologyHue College of Medicine and PharmacyHue UniversityHueVietnam
| | - Gábor Tóth
- Department of OphthalmologySemmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
| | | | - Jens Horstmann
- Department of OphthalmologyUniversity of CologneCologneGermany,Excellence Cluster: Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐associated DiseasesCECADUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Tim Gabriel
- Department of OphthalmologyUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Felix Bock
- Department of OphthalmologyUniversity of CologneCologneGermany,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC)University of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Claus Cursiefen
- Department of OphthalmologyUniversity of CologneCologneGermany,Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC)University of CologneCologneGermany
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
The Effects of Anti-LAP Monoclonal Antibody Down-regulation of CD4+LAP+ T Cells on Allogeneic Corneal Transplantation in Mice. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8021. [PMID: 29789580 PMCID: PMC5964070 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26235-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+latency-associated peptide (LAP)+ T cells are a newly discovered T cell subset with suppressive function on immune responses. In this study, we investigate the role of CD4+LAP+ T cells on mice corneal allograft survival by down-regulating their expression using anti-LAP mAb. We show that a blockage of LAP leads to a decrease in the percentage of T cells expressing CD4+Foxp3+, CD4+GARP+, CD4+LAP+ and CD4+IL-10+ in the lymph nodes and spleens of mice undergoing orthotopic penetrating transplantation of corneal allograft, without affecting corneal graft survival. In addition, higher percentages of CD4+IFN-γ+ and CD4+IL-17A+ T cells in the lymph nodes and spleens, as well as TNF, IFN-γ, IL-17A and IL-6 levels in the aqueous humor, significantly increase in mice with rejected corneal grafts. The expression of TGF-β1 decreases in corneal grafts during corneal rejection period. It is therefore possible that anti-LAP mAb can down-regulate the regulatory T cell subsets with its immunosuppressive effects. The rejection of corneal grafts seems to mainly be associated with the up-regulation of Th1 and Th17 cell subsets in peripheral lymph nodes.
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Over the last decade, several biomarkers and surrogate markers have surfaced as promising predictive markers of risk of rejection in solid organ transplantation. The monitoring of these markers can help to improve graft and recipient care by personalizing immunomodulatory therapies. The complex immune system response against an implanted graft can change during long-term follow-up, and the dynamic balance between effector and regulatory T-cell populations is a crucial factor in antidonor response, risk of rejection, and immunosuppression requirements. Therefore, at any time before and after transplantation, T-effector activity, which is associated with increased production and release of proinflammatory cytokines, can be a surrogate marker of the risk of rejection and need for immunosuppression. In addition, immunosuppressive drugs may have a different effect in each individual patient. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these drugs show high interpatient variability, and pharmacodynamic markers, strongly associated with the specific mechanism of action, can potentially be used to measure individual susceptibility to a specific immunosuppressive agent. The monitoring of a panel of valid biomarkers can improve patient stratification and the selection of immunosuppressive drugs. After transplantation, therapy can be adjusted based on the prediction of rejection episodes (maintained alloreactivity), the prognosis of allograft damage, and the individual's response to the drugs. This review will focus on current data indicating that changes in the T-cell production of the intracellular cytokines interferon-γ and interleukin-2 could be used to predict the risk of rejection and to guide immunosuppressive therapy in transplant recipients.
Collapse
|
10
|
In Vivo Expansion of Regulatory T Cells by Low-Dose Interleukin-2 Treatment Increases Allograft Survival in Corneal Transplantation. Transplantation 2016; 100:525-32. [PMID: 26881788 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000001044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corneal allograft survival dramatically decreases in hosts with inflamed or vascularized recipient beds. We have previously shown that in rejected corneal allografts regulatory T cells (Treg) demonstrate diminished Foxp3 expression and immunoregulatory function. Treatment with low doses of IL-2 selectively expands Treg and has been proposed for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we investigated the effect of low-dose IL-2 administration on Treg function and corneal allograft survival. METHODS Allogeneic corneal transplantation was performed on inflamed host beds. Low-dose systemic IL-2 was administered starting 3 days before grafting until 6 weeks after transplantation. Frequencies of Treg and their immunosuppressive function and antigen specificity were assessed using flow cytometry, in vitro proliferation assays, and adoptive transfer experiments. Frequencies of effector T cells (Teff) and graft infiltrating immune cells were measured at 2 weeks posttransplantation. Long-term allograft survival was evaluated for up to 9 weeks using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS Treatment with low-dose IL-2 significantly increased frequencies of CD4CD25Foxp3 Treg and their immunosuppressive function. It also suppressed alloimmune response as shown by the decreased CD4 IFNγ T cell frequencies and graft infiltration of CD45 and CD4 cells. Clinical evaluation of the grafts showed significant improvement in long-term corneal allograft survival in the IL-2 treated group compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS Our study is the first to report that treatment with low-dose IL-2 increases survival of corneal allografts. We propose that IL-2-mediated Treg expansion can be an effective tool to prevent alloimmunity and to improve long-term allograft survival in transplantation.
Collapse
|
11
|
Choi W, Ji YW, Ham HY, Yeo A, Noh H, Jin SE, Song JS, Kim HC, Kim EK, Lee HK. Gr-1intCD11b+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells accumulate in corneal allograft and improve corneal allograft survival. J Leukoc Biol 2016; 100:1453-1463. [PMID: 27370015 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.5a1115-508rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We identified the characteristics of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and investigated their mechanism of induction and their functional role in allograft rejection using a murine corneal allograft model. In mice, MDSCs coexpress CD11b and myeloid differentiation antigen Gr-1. Gr-1+CD11b+ cells infiltrated allografted corneas between 4 d and 4 wk after surgery; however, the frequencies of Gr-1+CD11b+ cells were not different between accepted and rejected allografts or in peripheral blood or BM. Of interest, Gr-1intCD11b+ cells, but not Gr-1hiCD11b+ cells, infiltrated the accepted graft early after surgery and expressed high levels of immunosuppressive cytokines, including IL-10, TGF-β, and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand. This population remained until 4 wk after surgery. In vitro, only high dose (>100 ng/ml) of IFN-γ plus GM-CSF could induce immunosuppressive cytokine expression in Gr-1intCD11b+ cells. Furthermore, adoptive transfer of Gr-1intCD11b+ cells reduced T cell infiltration, which improved graft survival. In conclusion, high-dose IFN-γ in allograft areas is essential for development of Gr-1intCD11b+ MDSCs in corneal allografts, and subtle environmental changes in the early period of the allograft can result in a large difference in graft survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wungrak Choi
- Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yong Woo Ji
- Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Corneal Dystrophy Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hwa-Yong Ham
- Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Areum Yeo
- Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyemi Noh
- Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Su-Eon Jin
- College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon, Korea
| | - Jong Suk Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeon Chang Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eung Kwon Kim
- Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Corneal Dystrophy Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyung Keun Lee
- Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; .,Corneal Dystrophy Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Yu T, Rajendran V, Griffith M, Forrester JV, Kuffová L. High-risk corneal allografts: A therapeutic challenge. World J Transplant 2016; 6:10-27. [PMID: 27011902 PMCID: PMC4801785 DOI: 10.5500/wjt.v6.i1.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Revised: 10/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Corneal transplantation is the most common surgical procedure amongst solid organ transplants with a high survival rate of 86% at 1-year post-grafting. This high success rate has been attributed to the immune privilege of the eye. However, mechanisms originally thought to promote immune privilege, such as the lack of antigen presenting cells and vessels in the cornea, are challenged by recent studies. Nevertheless, the immunological and physiological features of the cornea promoting a relatively weak alloimmune response is likely responsible for the high survival rate in “low-risk” settings. Furthermore, although corneal graft survival in “low-risk” recipients is favourable, the prognosis in “high-risk” recipients for corneal graft is poor. In “high-risk” grafts, the process of indirect allorecognition is accelerated by the enhanced innate and adaptive immune responses due to pre-existing inflammation and neovascularization of the host bed. This leads to the irreversible rejection of the allograft and ultimately graft failure. Many therapeutic measures are being tested in pre-clinical and clinical studies to counter the immunological challenge of “high-risk” recipients. Despite the prevailing dogma, recent data suggest that tissue matching together with use of systemic immunosuppression may increase the likelihood of graft acceptance in “high-risk” recipients. However, immunosuppressive drugs are accompanied with intolerance/side effects and toxicity, and therefore, novel cell-based therapies are in development which target host immune cells and restore immune homeostasis without significant side effect of treatment. In addition, developments in regenerative medicine may be able to solve both important short comings of allotransplantation: (1) graft rejection and ultimate graft failure; and (2) the lack of suitable donor corneas. The advances in technology and research indicate that wider therapeutic choices for patients may be available to address the worldwide problem of corneal blindness in both “low-risk” and “high-risk” hosts.
Collapse
|
13
|
O.Millán, Brunet M. Cytokine-based immune monitoring. Clin Biochem 2016; 49:338-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2016.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Revised: 01/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
14
|
Abstract
Corneal transplantation stands alone as the most common and successful form of solid organ transplantation. Even though HLA matching and systemic antirejection drugs are not routinely used, 90% of the first time corneal allografts will succeed. By contrast, all other major categories of organ transplantation require HLA matching and the use of systemically administered immunosuppressive drugs. This remarkable success of corneal transplants under these conditions is an example of "immune privilege" and is the primary reason for the extraordinary success of corneal transplantation. A number of dogmas have emerged over the past century to explain immune privilege and the immunobiology of corneal transplantation. Many of these dogmas have been based largely on inferences from clinical observations on keratoplasty patients. The past 30 years have witnessed a wealth of rodent studies on corneal transplantation that have tested hypotheses and dogmas that originated from clinical observations on penetrating keratoplasty patients. Rodent models allow the application of highly sophisticated genetic and immunological tools for testing these hypotheses in a controlled environment and with experiments designed prospectively. These studies have validated some of the widely held assumptions based on clinical observations and in other cases, previous dogmas have been replaced with new insights that could only come from prospective studies performed under highly controlled conditions. This review highlights some of the key dogmas and these widely held assumptions that have been scrutinized through the use of rodent models of penetrating keratoplasty. This review also makes note of new immunological principles of corneal immunology that have emerged from rodent studies on corneal transplantation that most likely would not have been revealed in studies on corneal transplantation patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Y Niederkorn
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Evaristo C, Alegre ML. IFN-γ: The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of immunology? Am J Transplant 2013; 13:3057-8. [PMID: 24148260 PMCID: PMC3923495 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.12468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2013] [Revised: 08/14/2013] [Accepted: 08/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Cesar Evaristo
- Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Maria-Luisa Alegre
- Department of Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
| |
Collapse
|