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Rizvi ZA, Sadhu S, Dandotiya J, Sharma P, Binayke A, Singh V, Das V, Khatri R, Kumar R, Samal S, Kalia M, Awasthi A. SARS-CoV-2 infection induces thymic atrophy mediated by IFN-γ in hACE2 transgenic mice. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2350624. [PMID: 38655818 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350624] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Pathogenic infections cause thymic atrophy, perturb thymic T-cell development, and alter immunological response. Previous studies reported dysregulated T-cell function and lymphopenia in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). However, immunopathological changes in the thymus associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection have not been elucidated. Here, we report that SARS-CoV-2 infects thymocytes, and induces CD4+CD8+ (double positive; DP) T-cell apoptosis leading to thymic atrophy and loss of peripheral TCR repertoire in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice. Infected thymus led to increased CD44+CD25- T-cells, indicating an early arrest in the T-cell maturation pathway. Thymic atrophy was notably higher in male hACE2-Tg mice than in females and involved an upregulated de-novo synthesis pathway of thymic glucocorticoid. Further, IFN-γ was crucial for thymic atrophy, as anti-IFN-γ -antibody neutralization blunted thymic involution. Therapeutic use of Remdesivir also rescued thymic atrophy. While the Omicron variant and its sub-lineage BA.5 variant caused marginal thymic atrophy, the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 exhibited severe thymic atrophy characterized by severely depleted DP T-cells. Recently characterized broadly SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing monoclonal antibody P4A2 was able to rescue thymic atrophy and restore the thymic maturation pathway of T-cells. Together, we report SARS-CoV-2-associated thymic atrophy resulting from impaired T-cell maturation pathway which may contribute to dyregulated T cell response during COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaigham Abbas Rizvi
- Immuno-biology Lab, Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
- Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Srikanth Sadhu
- Immuno-biology Lab, Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
- Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Jyotsna Dandotiya
- Immuno-biology Lab, Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
- Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Puja Sharma
- Regional Centre Biotechnology, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Akshay Binayke
- Immuno-biology Lab, Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
- Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Virendra Singh
- Immuno-biology Lab, Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
- Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Vinayaka Das
- Immuno-biology Lab, Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
- Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Ritika Khatri
- Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Sweety Samal
- Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Manjula Kalia
- Regional Centre Biotechnology, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
| | - Amit Awasthi
- Immuno-biology Lab, Infection and Immunology Centre, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
- Immunology-Core Lab, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, NCR-Biotech Science Cluster, Faridabad, Haryana, India
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Dinges SS, Amini K, Notarangelo LD, Delmonte OM. Primary and secondary defects of the thymus. Immunol Rev 2024; 322:178-211. [PMID: 38228406 PMCID: PMC10950553 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13306] [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] [Indexed: 01/18/2024]
Abstract
The thymus is the primary site of T-cell development, enabling generation, and selection of a diverse repertoire of T cells that recognize non-self, whilst remaining tolerant to self- antigens. Severe congenital disorders of thymic development (athymia) can be fatal if left untreated due to infections, and thymic tissue implantation is the only cure. While newborn screening for severe combined immune deficiency has allowed improved detection at birth of congenital athymia, thymic disorders acquired later in life are still underrecognized and assessing the quality of thymic function in such conditions remains a challenge. The thymus is sensitive to injury elicited from a variety of endogenous and exogenous factors, and its self-renewal capacity decreases with age. Secondary and age-related forms of thymic dysfunction may lead to an increased risk of infections, malignancy, and autoimmunity. Promising results have been obtained in preclinical models and clinical trials upon administration of soluble factors promoting thymic regeneration, but to date no therapy is approved for clinical use. In this review we provide a background on thymus development, function, and age-related involution. We discuss disease mechanisms, diagnostic, and therapeutic approaches for primary and secondary thymic defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah S. Dinges
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, Immunology and Critical Care Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kayla Amini
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Luigi D. Notarangelo
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ottavia M. Delmonte
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Corral-Ruiz GM, Pérez-Vega MJ, Galán-Salinas A, Mancilla-Herrera I, Barrios-Payán J, Fabila-Castillo L, Hernández-Pando R, Sánchez-Torres LE. Thymic atrophy induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA and Plasmodium yoelii 17XL infection. Immunol Lett 2023; 264:4-16. [PMID: 37875239 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2023.10.006] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is the anatomical site where T cells undergo a complex process of differentiation, proliferation, selection, and elimination of autorreactive cells which involves molecular signals in different intrathymic environment. However, the immunological functions of the thymus can be compromised upon exposure to different infections, affecting thymocyte populations. In this work, we investigated the impact of malaria parasites on the thymus by using C57BL/6 mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA and Plasmodium yoelii 17XL; these lethal infection models represent the most severe complications, cerebral malaria, and anemia respectively. Data showed a reduction in the thymic weight and cellularity involving different T cell maturation stages, mainly CD4-CD8- and CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, as well as an increased presence of apoptotic cells, leading to significant thymic cortex reduction. Thymus atrophy showed no association with elevated serum cytokines levels, although increased glucocorticoid levels did. The severity of thymic damage in both models reached the same extend although it occurs at different stages of infection, showing that thymic atrophy does not depend on parasitemia level but on the specific host-parasite interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Corral-Ruiz
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - M J Pérez-Vega
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - A Galán-Salinas
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - I Mancilla-Herrera
- Departamento de Infectología e Inmunología, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - J Barrios-Payán
- Sección de Patología Experimental, Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - L Fabila-Castillo
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - R Hernández-Pando
- Sección de Patología Experimental, Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - L E Sánchez-Torres
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Joseph JP, Gugulothu SB, Nandi D, Chatterjee K. Mechanical Properties Affect Primary T Cell Activation in 3D Bioprinted Hydrogels. ACS Macro Lett 2023; 12:1085-1093. [PMID: 37466277 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.3c00271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
T cells play a critical role in the adaptive immune response of the body, especially against intracellular pathogens and cancer. In vitro, T cell activation studies typically employ planar (two-dimensional, 2D) culture systems that do not mimic native cell-to-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, which influence activation. The goal of this work was to study T cell responses in a cell line (EL4) and primary mouse T cells in three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted matrices of varied stiffness. Cell-laden hydrogels were 3D bioprinted from gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) using a digital light processing (DLP)-based 3D bioprinter operated with visible light (405 nm). Mechanical characterization revealed that the hydrogels had pathophysiologically relevant stiffnesses for a lymph node-mimetic tissue construct. EL4, a mouse T cell lymphoma line, or primary mouse T cells were 3D bioprinted and activated using a combination of 10 ng/mL of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and 0.1 μM of ionomycin. Cellular responses revealed differences between 2D and 3D cultures and that the biomechanical properties of the 3D bioprinted hydrogel influence T cell activation. Cellular responses of the 2D and 3D cultures in a soft matrix (19.83 ± 2.36 kPa) were comparable; however, they differed in a stiff matrix (52.95 ± 1.36 kPa). The fraction of viable EL4 cells was 1.3-fold higher in the soft matrix than in the stiff matrix. Furthermore, primary mouse T cells activated with PMA and ionomycin showed 1.35-fold higher viable cells in the soft matrix than in the stiff matrix. T cells bioprinted in a soft matrix and a stiff matrix released 7.4-fold and 5.9-fold higher amounts of interleukin-2 (IL-2) than 2D cultured cells, respectively. Overall, the study demonstrates the changes in the response of T cells in 3D bioprinted scaffolds toward engineering an ex vivo lymphoid tissue-mimetic system that can faithfully recapitulate T cell activation and unravel pathophysiological characteristics of T cells in infectious biology, autoimmunity, and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel P Joseph
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru - 560012, India
| | | | - Dipankar Nandi
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru - 560012, India
| | - Kaushik Chatterjee
- Centre for BioSystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru - 560012, India
- Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru - 560012, India
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5
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Rananaware SR, Pathak S, Majumdar S, Joseph JP, Ramteke NS, Adiga V, Nandi D. Dynamic changes in thymic sub-populations during acute and long-term infections with virulent and virulence-attenuated Salmonella Typhimurium strains in C57BL/6 and autoimmune-prone lpr mice. Microb Pathog 2023; 177:106034. [PMID: 36813006 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106034] [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: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
SALMONELLA Typhimurium infection in mice results in drastic loss of immature CD4- CD8- double negative (DN) and CD4+ CD8+ double positive (DP) thymic subsets compared to mature single positive (SP) subsets. We investigated changes in thymocyte sub-populations post infection with a wild type (WT) virulent strain and ΔrpoS, a virulence-attenuated strain, of Salmonella Typhimurium in C57BL/6 (B6) and Fas-deficient autoimmune-prone lpr mice. The WT strain caused acute thymic atrophy with greater loss of thymocytes in lpr mice compared to B6 mice. Infection with ΔrpoS caused progressive thymic atrophy in B6 and lpr mice. Analysis of thymocyte subsets revealed that immature thymocytes including the DN, immature single positive (ISP), and DP thymocytes underwent extensive loss. SP thymocytes were more resistant to loss in WT-infected B6 mice, whereas WT-infected lpr and ΔrpoS-infected mice exhibited depletion of SP thymocytes. Overall, thymocyte sub-populations exhibited differential susceptibilities depending on bacterial virulence and the host background.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sanmoy Pathak
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Shamik Majumdar
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Joel P Joseph
- Centre for Biosystems Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Nikita S Ramteke
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Vasista Adiga
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India
| | - Dipankar Nandi
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560012, India.
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6
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Savino W, Durães J, Maldonado-Galdeano C, Perdigon G, Mendes-da-Cruz DA, Cuervo P. Thymus, undernutrition, and infection: Approaching cellular and molecular interactions. Front Nutr 2022; 9:948488. [PMID: 36225882 PMCID: PMC9549110 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.948488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Undernutrition remains a major issue in global health. Low protein-energy consumption, results in stunting, wasting and/or underweight, three deleterious forms of malnutrition that affect roughly 200 million children under the age of five years. Undernutrition compromises the immune system with the generation of various degrees of immunodeficiency, which in turn, renders undernourished individuals more sensitive to acute infections. The severity of various infectious diseases including visceral leishmaniasis (VL), influenza, and tuberculosis is associated with undernutrition. Immunosuppression resulting from protein-energy undernutrition severely impacts primary and secondary lymphoid organs involved in the response to related pathogens. The thymus—a primary lymphoid organ responsible for the generation of T lymphocytes—is particularly compromised by both undernutrition and infectious diseases. In this respect, we will discuss herein various intrathymic cellular and molecular interactions seen in undernutrition alone or in combination with acute infections. Many examples illustrated in studies on humans and experimental animals clearly revealed that protein-related undernutrition causes thymic atrophy, with cortical thymocyte depletion. Moreover, the non-lymphoid microenvironmental compartment of the organ undergoes important changes in thymic epithelial cells, including their secretory products such as hormones and extracellular matrix proteins. Of note, deficiencies in vitamins and trace elements also induce thymic atrophy. Interestingly, among the molecular interactions involved in the control of undernutrition-induced thymic atrophy is a hormonal imbalance with a rise in glucocorticoids and a decrease in leptin serum levels. Undernutrition also yields a negative impact of acute infections upon the thymus, frequently with the intrathymic detection of pathogens or their antigens. For instance, undernourished mice infected with Leishmania infantum (that causes VL) undergo drastic thymic atrophy, with significant reduction in thymocyte numbers, and decreased levels of intrathymic chemokines and cytokines, indicating that both lymphoid and microenvironmental compartments of the organ are affected. Lastly, recent data revealed that some probiotic bacteria or probiotic fermented milks improve the thymus status in a model of malnutrition, thus raising a new field for investigation, namely the thymus-gut connection, indicating that probiotics can be envisioned as a further adjuvant therapy in the control of thymic changes in undernutrition accompanied or not by infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Wilson Savino, ,
| | - Jonathan Durães
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Leishmaniasis Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina Maldonado-Galdeano
- Laboratory of Immunology, Reference Center for Lactobacilli Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
- Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, National University of Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Perdigon
- Laboratory of Immunology, Reference Center for Lactobacilli Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
- Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, National University of Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Daniella Arêas Mendes-da-Cruz
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia Cuervo
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Leishmaniasis Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Patricia Cuervo, ,
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Mileto SJ, Hutton ML, Walton SL, Das A, Ioannidis LJ, Ketagoda D, Quinn KM, Denton KM, Hansen DS, Lyras D. Bezlotoxumab prevents extraintestinal organ damage induced by Clostridioides difficile infection. Gut Microbes 2022; 14:2117504. [PMID: 36045589 PMCID: PMC9450906 DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2022.2117504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile is the most common cause of infectious antibiotic-associated diarrhea, with disease mediated by two major toxins TcdA and TcdB. In severe cases, systemic disease complications may arise, resulting in fatal disease. Systemic disease in animal models has been described, with thymic damage an observable consequence of severe disease in mice. Using a mouse model of C. difficile infection, we examined this disease phenotype, focussing on the thymus and serum markers of systemic disease. The efficacy of bezlotoxumab, a monoclonal TcdB therapeutic, to prevent toxin mediated systemic disease complications was also examined. C. difficile infection causes toxin-dependent thymic damage and CD4+CD8+ thymocyte depletion in mice. These systemic complications coincide with changes in biochemical markers of liver and kidney function, including increased serum urea and creatinine, and hypoglycemia. Administration of bezlotoxumab during C. difficile infection prevents systemic disease and thymic atrophy, without blocking gut damage, suggesting the leakage of gut contents into circulation may influence systemic disease. As the thymus has such a crucial role in T cell production and immune system development, these findings may have important implications in relapse of C. difficile disease and impaired immunity during C. difficile infection. The prevention of thymic atrophy and reduced systemic response following bezlotoxumab treatment, without altering colonic damage, highlights the importance of systemic disease in C. difficile infection, and provides new insights into the mechanism of action for this therapeutic.Abbreviations: Acute kidney injury (AKI); Alanine Transaminase (ALT); Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST); C. difficile infection (CDI); chronic kidney disease (CKD); combined repetitive oligo-peptides (CROPS); cardiovascular disease (CVD); Double positive (DP); hematoxylin and eosin (H&E); immunohistochemical (IHC); multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS); phosphate buffered saline (PBS); standard error of the mean (SEM); surface layer proteins (SLP); Single positive (SP); wild-type (WT).
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J. Mileto
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Melanie L. Hutton
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Sarah L. Walton
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Antariksh Das
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Lisa J. Ioannidis
- Walter and Eliza Hall Insitiute, Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, Parkville, Australia,Department of Medical Biology, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Don Ketagoda
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Kylie M. Quinn
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia,RMIT University School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Chronic Inflammatory and Infectious Diseases Program, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Kate M. Denton
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Diana S. Hansen
- Walter and Eliza Hall Insitiute, Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, Parkville, Australia,Department of Medical Biology, the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Dena Lyras
- Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia,CONTACT Dena Lyras Infection and Immunity Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Microbiology, Monash University, 19 Innovation Walk, Clayton, Victoria3800, Australia
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8
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Barreira-Silva P, Melo-Miranda R, Nobrega C, Roque S, Serre-Miranda C, Borges M, Armada G, de Sá Calçada D, Behar SM, Appelberg R, Correia-Neves M. IFNγ and iNOS-Mediated Alterations in the Bone Marrow and Thymus and Its Impact on Mycobacterium avium-Induced Thymic Atrophy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:696415. [PMID: 34987496 PMCID: PMC8721011 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.696415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Disseminated infection with the high virulence strain of Mycobacterium avium 25291 leads to progressive thymic atrophy. We previously showed that M. avium-induced thymic atrophy results from increased glucocorticoid levels that synergize with nitric oxide (NO) produced by interferon gamma (IFNγ) activated macrophages. Where and how these mediators act is not understood. We hypothesized that IFNγ and NO promote thymic atrophy through their effects on bone marrow (BM) T cell precursors and T cell differentiation in the thymus. We show that M. avium infection cause a reduction in the percentage and number of common lymphoid progenitors (CLP). Additionally, BM precursors from infected mice show an overall impaired ability to reconstitute thymi of RAGKO mice, in part due to IFNγ. Thymi from infected mice present an IFNγ and NO-driven inflammation. When transplanted under the kidney capsule of uninfected mice, thymi from infected mice are unable to sustain T cell differentiation. Finally, we observed increased thymocyte death via apoptosis after infection, independent of both IFNγ and iNOS; and a decrease on active caspase-3 positive thymocytes, which is not observed in the absence of iNOS expression. Together our data suggests that M. avium-induced thymic atrophy results from a combination of defects mediated by IFNγ and NO, including alterations in the BM T cell precursors, the thymic structure and the thymocyte differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palmira Barreira-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Palmira Barreira-Silva, ; Margarida Correia-Neves,
| | - Rita Melo-Miranda
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Claudia Nobrega
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Susana Roque
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Serre-Miranda
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Margarida Borges
- Research Unit on Applied Molecular Biosciences (UCIBIO)/Rede de Química e Tecnologia (REQUINTE), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Gisela Armada
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Daniela de Sá Calçada
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Samuel M. Behar
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Rui Appelberg
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Correia-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Palmira Barreira-Silva, ; Margarida Correia-Neves,
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9
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Salehzadeh M, Soma KK. Glucocorticoid production in the thymus and brain: Immunosteroids and neurosteroids. Brain Behav Immun Health 2021; 18:100352. [PMID: 34988497 PMCID: PMC8710407 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2021.100352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) regulate a myriad of physiological systems, such as the immune and nervous systems. Systemic GC levels in blood are often measured as an indicator of local GC levels in target organs. However, several extra-adrenal organs can produce and metabolize GCs locally. More sensitive and specific methods for GC analysis (i.e., mass spectrometry) allow measurement of local GC levels in small tissue samples with low GC concentrations. Consequently, is it now apparent that systemic GC levels often do not reflect local GC levels. Here, we review the use of systemic GC measurements in clinical and research settings, discuss instances where systemic GC levels do not reflect local GC levels, and present evidence that local GC levels provide useful insights, with a focus on local GC production in the thymus (immunosteroids) and brain (neurosteroids). Lastly, we suggest key areas for further research, such as the roles of immunosteroids and neurosteroids in neonatal programming and the potential clinical relevance of local GC modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody Salehzadeh
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Kiran K Soma
- Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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10
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Luo M, Xu L, Qian Z, Sun X. Infection-Associated Thymic Atrophy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:652538. [PMID: 34113341 PMCID: PMC8186317 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.652538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is a vital organ of the immune system that plays an essential role in thymocyte development and maturation. Thymic atrophy occurs with age (physiological thymic atrophy) or as a result of viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection (pathological thymic atrophy). Thymic atrophy directly results in loss of thymocytes and/or destruction of the thymic architecture, and indirectly leads to a decrease in naïve T cells and limited T cell receptor diversity. Thus, it is important to recognize the causes and mechanisms that induce thymic atrophy. In this review, we highlight current progress in infection-associated pathogenic thymic atrophy and discuss its possible mechanisms. In addition, we discuss whether extracellular vesicles/exosomes could be potential carriers of pathogenic substances to the thymus, and potential drugs for the treatment of thymic atrophy. Having acknowledged that most current research is limited to serological aspects, we look forward to the possibility of extending future work regarding the impact of neural modulation on thymic atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingli Luo
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingxin Xu
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengyu Qian
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi Sun
- Department of Parasitology of Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, China
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11
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Tiwari D, Gupta P. Nuclear Receptors in Asthma: Empowering Classical Molecules Against a Contemporary Ailment. Front Immunol 2021; 11:594433. [PMID: 33574813 PMCID: PMC7870687 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.594433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The escalation in living standards and adoption of 'Western lifestyle' has an allied effect on the increased allergy and asthma burden in both developed and developing countries. Current scientific reports bespeak an association between allergic diseases and metabolic dysfunction; hinting toward the critical requirement of organized lifestyle and dietary habits. The ubiquitous nuclear receptors (NRs) translate metabolic stimuli into gene regulatory signals, integrating diet inflences to overall developmental and physiological processes. As a consequence of such promising attributes, nuclear receptors have historically been at the cutting edge of pharmacy world. This review discusses the recent findings that feature the cardinal importance of nuclear receptors and how they can be instrumental in modulating current asthma pharmacology. Further, it highlights a possible future employment of therapy involving dietary supplements and synthetic ligands that would engage NRs and aid in eliminating both asthma and linked comorbidities. Therefore, uncovering new and evolving roles through analysis of genomic changes would represent a feasible approach in both prevention and alleviation of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pawan Gupta
- Department of Molecular Biology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
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12
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Taves MD, Ashwell JD. Glucocorticoids in T cell development, differentiation and function. Nat Rev Immunol 2020; 21:233-243. [PMID: 33149283 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-020-00464-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are small lipid hormones produced by the adrenals that maintain organismal homeostasis. Circadian and stress-induced changes in systemic GC levels regulate metabolism, cardiovascular and neural function, reproduction and immune activity. Our understanding of GC effects on immunity comes largely from administration of exogenous GCs to treat immune or inflammatory disorders. However, it is increasingly clear that endogenous GCs both promote and suppress T cell immunity. Examples include selecting an appropriate repertoire of T cell receptor (TCR) self-affinities in the thymus, regulating T cell trafficking between anatomical compartments, suppressing type 1 T helper (TH1) cell responses while permitting TH2 cell and, especially, IL-17-producing T helper cell responses, and promoting memory T cell differentiation and maintenance. Furthermore, in addition to functioning at a distance, extra-adrenal (local) production allows GCs to act as paracrine signals, specifically targeting activated T cells in various contexts in the thymus, mucosa and tumours. These pleiotropic effects on different T cell populations during development and immune responses provide a nuanced understanding of how GCs shape immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Taves
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan D Ashwell
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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13
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Streptococcus suis Serotype 2 Infection Causes Host Immunomodulation through Induction of Thymic Atrophy. Infect Immun 2020; 88:IAI.00950-19. [PMID: 31932328 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00950-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus suis serotype 2 is an important bacterial pathogen of swine and is also an emerging zoonotic agent that may be harmful to human health. Although the virulence genes of S. suis have been extensively studied, the mechanisms by which they damage the central immune organs have rarely been studied. In the current work, we wanted to uncover more details about the impact and mechanisms of S. suis on specific populations of thymic and immune cells in infected mice. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays revealed that S. suis infection induced apoptosis in CD3+, CD14+, and epithelial cells from the thymus. S. suis infection resulted in a rapid depletion of mitochondrial permeability and release of cytochrome c (CytC) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) through upregulation of Bax expression and downregulation of Bcl-xl and Bcl2 expression in thymocytes. Moreover, S. suis infection increased cleavage of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9. Thus, S. suis induced thymocyte apoptosis through a p53- and caspase-dependent pathway, which led to a decrease of CD3+ cells in the thymus, subsequently decreasing the numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ cells in the peripheral blood. Finally, expression dysregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in the serum, including interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-12 (p70), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and IL-10, was observed in mice after S. suis type 2 infection. Taken together, these results suggest that S. suis infection can cause atrophy of the thymus and induce apoptosis of thymocytes in mice, thus likely suppressing host immunity.
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14
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Majumdar S, Adiga V, Raghavan A, Rananaware SR, Nandi D. Comparative analysis of thymic subpopulations during different modes of atrophy identifies the reactive oxygen species scavenger, N-acetyl cysteine, to increase the survival of thymocytes during infection-induced and lipopolysaccharide-induced thymic atrophy. Immunology 2019; 157:21-36. [PMID: 30659606 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of immunocompetent T cells entails a complex pathway of differentiation in the thymus. Thymic atrophy occurs with ageing and during conditions such as malnutrition, infections and cancer chemotherapy. The comparative changes in thymic subsets under different modes of thymic atrophy and the mechanisms involved are not well characterized. These aspects were investigated, using mice infected with Salmonella Typhimurium, injection with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), an inflammatory but non-infectious stimulus, etoposide (Eto), a drug used to treat some cancers, and dexamethasone (Dex), a steroid used in some inflammatory diseases. The effects on the major subpopulations of thymocytes based on multicolour flow cytometry studies were, first, the CD4- CD8- double-negative (DN) cells, mainly DN2-4, were reduced with infection, LPS and Eto treatment, but not with Dex. Second, the CD8+ CD3lo immature single-positive cells (ISPs) were highly sensitive to infection, LPS and Eto, but not Dex. Third, treatment with LPS, Eto and Dex reduced all three subpopulations of CD4+ CD8+ double-positive (DP) thymocytes, i.e. DP1, DP2 and DP3, but the DP3 subset was relatively more resistant during infection. Fourth, both CD4+ and CD8+ single-positive (SP) thymocytes were lowered by Eto and Dex, but not during infection. Notably, LPS lowered CD4+ SP subsets, whereas the CD8+ SP subsets were relatively more resistant. Interestingly, the reactive oxygen species quencher, N-acetyl cysteine, greatly improved the survival of thymocytes, especially DNs, ISPs and DPs, during infection and LPS treatment. The implications of these observations for the development of potential thymopoietic drugs are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamik Majumdar
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Vasista Adiga
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Abinaya Raghavan
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Dipankar Nandi
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.,Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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15
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Starikova EA, Golovin AS, Vasilyev KA, Karaseva AB, Serebriakova MK, Sokolov AV, Kudryavtsev IV, Burova LA, Voynova IV, Suvorov AN, Vasilyev VB, Freidlin IS. Role of arginine deiminase in thymic atrophy during experimental Streptococcus pyogenes infection. Scand J Immunol 2019; 89:e12734. [PMID: 30471128 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Expression of gene of arginine deiminase (AD) allows adaptation of Streptococcus pyogenes to adverse environmental conditions. AD activity can lead to L-arginine deficiency in the host cells' microenvironment. Bioavailability of L-arginine is an important factor regulating the functions of the immune cells in mammals. By introducing a mutation into S pyogenes M46-16, we obtained a strain with inactivated arcA/sagp gene (M49-16 delArcA), deficient in AD. This allowed elucidating the function of AD in pathogenesis of streptococcal infection. The virulence of the parental and mutant strains was examined in a murine model of subcutaneous streptococcal infection. L-arginine concentration in the plasma of mice infected with S pyogenes M49-16 delArcA remained unchanged in course of the entire experiment. At the same time mice infected with S pyogenes M49-16 demonstrated gradual diminution of L-arginine concentration in the blood plasma, which might be due to the activity of streptococcal AD. Mice infected with S pyogenes M49-16 delArcA demonstrated less intensive bacterial growth in the primary foci and less pronounced bacterial dissemination as compared with animals infected with the parental strain S pyogenes M46-16. Similarly, thymus involution, alterations in apoptosis, thymocyte subsets and Treg cells differentiation were less pronounced in mice infected with S pyogenes M49-16 delArcA than in those infected with the parental strain. The results obtained showed that S pyogenes M49-16 delArcA, unable to produce AD, had reduced virulence in comparison with the parental S pyogenes M49-16 strain. AD is an important factor for the realization of the pathogenic potential of streptococci.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alena Borisovna Karaseva
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Alexey Victorovich Sokolov
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Saint-Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Igor Vladimirovich Kudryavtsev
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Far Eastern Federal University Vladivostok, Russia
| | | | - Irina Vitalyevna Voynova
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexander Nikolaevich Suvorov
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Saint-Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vadim Borisovich Vasilyev
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Saint-Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Irina Solomonovna Freidlin
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Saint-Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Pavlov First Saint-Petersburg State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
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16
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Absence of Receptor Guanylyl Cyclase C Enhances Ileal Damage and Reduces Cytokine and Antimicrobial Peptide Production during Oral Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Infection. Infect Immun 2018; 86:IAI.00799-17. [PMID: 29463616 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00799-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Nontyphoidal Salmonella disease contributes toward significant morbidity and mortality across the world. Host factors, including gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and gut microbiota, significantly influence the outcome of Salmonella pathogenesis. However, the entire repertoire of host protective mechanisms contributing to Salmonella pathogenicity is not completely appreciated. Here, we investigated the roles of receptor guanylyl cyclase C (GC-C), which is predominantly expressed in the intestine and regulates intestinal cell proliferation and fluid-ion homeostasis. Mice deficient in GC-C (Gucy2c-/-) displayed accelerated mortality compared with that for wild-type mice following infection via the oral route, even though both groups possessed comparable systemic Salmonella infection burdens. Survival following intraperitoneal infection remained similar in both groups, indicating that GC-C offered protection via a gut-mediated response. The serum cortisol level was higher in Gucy2c-/- mice than wild-type (Gucy2c+/+) mice, and an increase in infection-induced thymic atrophy with a loss of immature CD4+ CD8+ double-positive thymocytes was observed. Accelerated and enhanced damage in the ileum, including submucosal edema, epithelial cell damage, focal tufting, and distortion of the villus architecture, was seen in Gucy2c-/- mice concomitantly with a larger number of ileal tissue-associated bacteria. Transcription of key mediators of Salmonella-induced inflammation (interleukin-22/Reg3β) was altered in Gucy2c-/- mice in comparison to that in Gucy2c+/+ mice. A reduction in fecal lactobacilli, which are protective against Salmonella infection, was observed in Gucy2c-/- mice. Gucy2c-/- mice cohoused with wild-type mice continued to show reduced amounts of lactobacilli and increased susceptibility to infection. Our study, therefore, suggests that the receptor GC-C confers a survival advantage during gut-mediated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium pathogenesis, presumably by regulating Salmonella effector mechanisms and maintaining a beneficial microbiome.
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17
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Yadav S, Pathak S, Sarikhani M, Majumdar S, Ray S, Chandrasekar BS, Adiga V, Sundaresan NR, Nandi D. Nitric oxide synthase 2 enhances the survival of mice during Salmonella Typhimurium infection-induced sepsis by increasing reactive oxygen species, inflammatory cytokines and recruitment of neutrophils to the peritoneal cavity. Free Radic Biol Med 2018; 116:73-87. [PMID: 29309892 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2017.12.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Revised: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Sepsis, a leading cause of death in intensive care units, is primarily caused due to an exaggerated immune response. The hyperactive inflammatory response mediated by immune cells against infectious organisms and their toxins results in host cell death and tissue damage, the hallmarks of septic shock. Therefore, molecules that modulate inflammatory responses are attractive therapeutic targets for sepsis. Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule, which is implicated in regulating diverse immune functions. Although, the protective roles of NO in infectious diseases are well documented, its importance in sepsis is controversial. In the present study, the effects of intra-peritoneal injection of mice with Salmonella Typhimurium, a Gram-negative intracellular pathogen, were studied which leads to a rapid upregulation of serum cytokines and infiltration of neutrophils to the peritoneal cavity. Surprisingly, the induction of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, e.g. IL6 and CCL2, and the infiltration of neutrophils into the peritoneal cavity are mitigated in mice lacking Nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2). The reduced inflammatory response in Nos2-/- mice is accompanied by greater bacterial burden in the peritoneal cavity, lower thymic atrophy, higher liver damage and cardiovascular dysfunction followed by decreased survival. However, no significant differences are observed in other responses between C57BL/6 wild type (WT) and Nos2-/- mice: induction of glucocorticoids, phagocytic ability and apoptosis of peritoneal cells. This study clearly highlights the NOS2-dependent and -independent responses in this mouse model of peritonitis induced sepsis. Importantly, pre-treatment of Nos2-/- mice with DETA-NO, a NO donor, upon infection, restores neutrophil recruitment, reduces bacterial numbers in the peritoneal cavity, improves liver and cardio-vascular function and enhances survival. Interestingly, DETA-NO treatment does not significantly increase the survival of infected WT mice. The implications of these results and the complex roles of NO as a target molecule during sepsis are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Yadav
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Sanmoy Pathak
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Mohsen Sarikhani
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Shamik Majumdar
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Semanti Ray
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | | | - Vasista Adiga
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Nagalingam R Sundaresan
- Department of Microbiology & Cell Biology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Dipankar Nandi
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India; Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India.
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18
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Majumdar S, Nandi D. Thymic Atrophy: Experimental Studies and Therapeutic Interventions. Scand J Immunol 2017; 87:4-14. [PMID: 28960415 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The thymus is essential for T cell development and maturation. It is extremely sensitive to atrophy, wherein loss in cellularity of the thymus and/or disruption of the thymic architecture occur. This may lead to lower naïve T cell output and limited TCR diversity. Thymic atrophy is often associated with ageing. What is less appreciated is that proper functioning of the thymus is critical for reduction in morbidity and mortality associated with various clinical conditions including infections and transplantation. Therefore, therapeutic interventions which possess thymopoietic potential and lower thymic atrophy are required. These treatments enhance thymic output, which is a vital factor in generating favourable outcomes in clinical conditions. In this review, experimental studies on thymic atrophy in rodents and clinical cases where the thymus atrophies are discussed. In addition, mechanisms leading to thymic atrophy during ageing as well as during various stress conditions are reviewed. Therapies such as zinc supplementation, IL7 administration, leptin treatment, keratinocyte growth factor administration and sex steroid ablation during thymic atrophy involving experiments in animals and various clinical scenarios are reviewed. Interventions that have been used across different scenarios to reduce the extent of thymic atrophy and enhance its output are discussed. This review aims to speculate on the roles of combination therapies, which by acting additively or synergistically may further alleviate thymic atrophy and boost its function, thereby strengthening cellular T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Majumdar
- Department of Biochemistry & Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - D Nandi
- Department of Biochemistry & Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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19
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Ansari AR, Liu H. Acute Thymic Involution and Mechanisms for Recovery. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2017; 65:401-420. [PMID: 28331940 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-017-0462-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Acute thymic involution (ATI) is usually regarded as a virulence trait. It is caused by several infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi) and other factors, including stress, pregnancy, malnutrition and chemotherapy. However, the complex mechanisms that operate during ATI differ substantially from each other depending on the causative agent. For instance, a transient reduction in the size and weight of the thymus and depletion of populations of T cell subsets are hallmarks of ATI in many cases, whereas severe disruption of the anatomical structure of the organ is also associated with some factors, including fungal, parasitic and viral infections. However, growing evidence shows that ATI may be therapeutically halted or reversed. In this review, we highlight the current progress in this field with respect to numerous pathological factors and discuss the possible mechanisms. Moreover, these new observations also show that ATI can be mechanistically reversed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdur Rahman Ansari
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (CVAS), Jhang, Pakistan.,University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Huazhen Liu
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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20
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Majumdar S, Deobagkar-Lele M, Adiga V, Raghavan A, Wadhwa N, Ahmed SM, Rananaware SR, Chakraborty S, Joy O, Nandi D. Differential susceptibility and maturation of thymocyte subsets during Salmonella Typhimurium infection: insights on the roles of glucocorticoids and Interferon-gamma. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40793. [PMID: 28091621 PMCID: PMC5238503 DOI: 10.1038/srep40793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is known to atrophy during infections; however, a systematic study of changes in thymocyte subpopulations has not been performed. This aspect was investigated, using multi-color flow cytometry, during oral infection of mice with Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium). The major highlights are: First, a block in the developmental pathway of CD4-CD8- double negative (DN) thymocytes is observed. Second, CD4+CD8+ double positive (DP) thymocytes, mainly in the DP1 (CD5loCD3lo) and DP2 (CD5hiCD3int), but not DP3 (CD5intCD3hi), subsets are reduced. Third, single positive (SP) thymocytes are more resistant to depletion but their maturation is delayed, leading to accumulation of CD24hiCD3hi SP. Kinetic studies during infection demonstrated differences in sensitivity of thymic subpopulations: Immature single positive (ISP) > DP1, DP2 > DN3, DN4 > DN2 > CD4+ > CD8+. Upon infection, glucocorticoids (GC), inflammatory cytokines, e.g. Ifnγ, etc are induced, which enhance thymocyte death. Treatment with RU486, the GC receptor antagonist, increases the survival of most thymic subsets during infection. Studies with Ifnγ-/- mice demonstrated that endogenous Ifnγ produced during infection enhances the depletion of DN2-DN4 subsets, promotes the accumulation of DP3 and delays the maturation of SP thymocytes. The implications of these observations on host cellular responses during infections are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamik Majumdar
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Mukta Deobagkar-Lele
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Vasista Adiga
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
- Flow Cytometry Facility, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Abinaya Raghavan
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Nitin Wadhwa
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Syed Moiz Ahmed
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | | | | | - Omana Joy
- Flow Cytometry Facility, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
| | - Dipankar Nandi
- Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
- Flow Cytometry Facility, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, India
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21
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Alves da Costa T, Di Gangi R, Thomé R, Barreto Felisbino M, Pires Bonfanti A, Lumi Watanabe Ishikawa L, Sartori A, Burger E, Verinaud L. Severe Changes in Thymic Microenvironment in a Chronic Experimental Model of Paracoccidioidomycosis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164745. [PMID: 27736987 PMCID: PMC5063316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell maturation takes place within the thymus, a primary lymphoid organ that is commonly targeted during infections. Previous studies showed that acute infection with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), promotes thymic atrophy that is associated with the presence of yeast cells in the organ. However, as human PCM is a chronic infection, it is imperative to investigate the consequences of Pb infection over the thymic structure and function in chronic infection. In this sense, we developed a new experimental model where Pb yeast cells are injected through the intraperitoneal route and mice are evaluated over 120 days of infection. Thymuses were analyzed in chronically infected mice and we found that the thymus underwent extensive morphological alterations and severe infiltration of P. brasiliensis yeast cells. Further analyses showed an altered phenotype and function of thymocytes that are commonly found in peripheral mature T lymphocytes. We also observed activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the thymus. Our data provide new information on the severe changes observed in the thymic microenvironment in a model of PCM that more closely mimics the human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Alves da Costa
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosária Di Gangi
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Thomé
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina Barreto Felisbino
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amanda Pires Bonfanti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa Lumi Watanabe Ishikawa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandrina Sartori
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eva Burger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Liana Verinaud
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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22
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Duan X, Lu J, Zhou K, Wang J, Wu J, Fu Gao G, Fang M. NK-cells are involved in thymic atrophy induced by influenza A virus infection. J Gen Virol 2016; 96:3223-3235. [PMID: 26346306 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.000276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
NK-cells have traditionally been viewed as innate effector lymphocytes that serve as a first line of defence against a range of viruses and tumours. More recently, the importance of NK-cell immunoregulatory functions has been highlighted. NK-cells can inhibit antiviral T-cell responses, and also play an important role in controlling harmful T-cell activity in autoimmunity and transplantation settings. Moreover, immunopathological effects of NK-cells during infection have been reported. Nevertheless, the phenotype and function of NK-cells in the thymus during influenza virus infection is not understood. In the present study, we demonstrated that influenza A virus (IAV) infection in mice led to severe thymic atrophy caused by increased thymic T-cell apoptosis and suppressed proliferation. We found that NK-cells played a critical role in this phenotype. IFN-c production by NK-cells was a contributing factor for thymic atrophy during IAV infection. Taken together, our data indicate that NK-cells are involved in the thymic atrophy associated with IAV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuefeng Duan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jiao Lu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Kai Zhou
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jing Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Jihua Wu
- Department of Pathology, 306 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, PR China
| | - George Fu Gao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
| | - Min Fang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China.,Center for Influenza Research and Early-warning (CASCIRE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, PR China
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23
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Abstract
As the primary site of T-cell development, the thymus plays a key role in the generation of a strong yet self-tolerant adaptive immune response, essential in the face of the potential threat from pathogens or neoplasia. As the importance of the role of the thymus has grown, so too has the understanding that it is extremely sensitive to both acute and chronic injury. The thymus undergoes rapid degeneration following a range of toxic insults, and also involutes as part of the aging process, albeit at a faster rate than many other tissues. The thymus is, however, capable of regenerating, restoring its function to a degree. Potential mechanisms for this endogenous thymic regeneration include keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) signaling, and a more recently described pathway in which innate lymphoid cells produce interleukin-22 (IL-22) in response to loss of double positive thymocytes and upregulation of IL-23 by dendritic cells. Endogenous repair is unable to fully restore the thymus, particularly in the aged population, and this paves the way toward the need for exogenous strategies to help regenerate or even replace thymic function. Therapies currently in clinical trials include KGF, use of the cytokines IL-7 and IL-22, and hormonal modulation including growth hormone administration and sex steroid inhibition. Further novel strategies are emerging in the preclinical setting, including the use of precursor T cells and thymus bioengineering. The use of such strategies offers hope that for many patients, the next regeneration of their thymus is a step closer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed S Chaudhry
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Enrico Velardi
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jarrod A Dudakov
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Marcel R M van den Brink
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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24
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Huang HB, Xiao K, Lu S, Yang KL, Ansari AR, Khaliq H, Song H, Zhong J, Liu HZ, Peng KM. Increased Thymic Cell Turnover under Boron Stress May Bypass TLR3/4 Pathway in African Ostrich. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129596. [PMID: 26053067 PMCID: PMC4460079 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies revealed that thymus is a targeted immune organ in malnutrition, and high-boron stress is harmful for immune organs. African ostrich is the living fossil of ancient birds and the food animals in modern life. There is no report about the effect of boron intake on thymus of ostrich. The purpose of present study was to evaluate the effect of excessive boron stress on ostrich thymus and the potential role of TLR3/4 signals in this process. Histological analysis demonstrated that long-term boron stress (640 mg/L for 90 days) did not disrupt ostrich thymic structure during postnatal development. However, the numbers of apoptotic cells showed an increased tendency, and the expression of autophagy and proliferation markers increased significantly in ostrich thymus after boron treatment. Next, we examined the expression of TLR3 and TLR4 with their downstream molecular in thymus under boron stress. Since ostrich genome was not available when we started the research, we first cloned ostrich TLR3 TLR4 cDNA from thymus. Ostrich TLR4 was close to white-throated Tinamou. Whole avian TLR4 codons were under purify selection during evolution, whereas 80 codons were under positive selection. TLR3 and TLR4 were expressed in ostrich thymus and bursa of fabricius as was revealed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). TLR4 expression increased with age but significantly decreased after boron treatment, whereas TLR3 expression showed the similar tendency. Their downstream molecular factors (IRF1, JNK, ERK, p38, IL-6 and IFN) did not change significantly in thymus, except that p100 was significantly increased under boron stress when analyzed by qRT-PCR or western blot. Taken together, these results suggest that ostrich thymus developed resistance against long-term excessive boron stress, possibly by accelerating intrathymic cell death and proliferation, which may bypass the TLR3/4 pathway. In addition, attenuated TLRs activity may explain the reduced inflammatory response to pathogens under boron stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-bo Huang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ke Xiao
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shun Lu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ke-li Yang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Abdur Rahman Ansari
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haseeb Khaliq
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hui Song
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Juming Zhong
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, United States of America
| | - Hua-zhen Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ke-mei Peng
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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25
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Leyva-Rangel JP, de Los Angeles Hernández-Cueto M, Galan-Enriquez CS, López-Medina M, Ortiz-Navarrete V. Bacterial clearance reverses a skewed T-cell repertoire induced by Salmonella infection. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2015; 3:209-23. [PMID: 26417438 PMCID: PMC4578521 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Salmonella typhimurium invades the spleen, liver, and peripheral lymph nodes and has recently been detected in the bone marrow and thymus, resulting in a reduced thymic size and a decline in the total number of thymic cells. A specific deletion of the double-positive cell subset has been characterized, yet the export of mature T cells to the periphery remains normal. We analyzed Salmonella pathogenesis regarding thymic structure and the T-cell maturation process. We demonstrate that, despite alterations in the thymic structure, T-cell development is maintained during Salmonella infection, allowing the selection of single-positive T-cell clones expressing particular T-cell receptor beta chains (TCR-Vβ). Moreover, the treatment of infected mice with an antibiotic restored the normal thymic architecture and thymocyte subset distribution. Additionally, the frequency of TCR-Vβ usage after treatment was comparable to that in non-infected mice. However, bacteria were still recovered from the thymus after 1 month of treatment. Our data reveal that a skewed T-cell developmental process is present in the Salmonella-infected thymus that alters the TCR-Vβ usage frequency. Likewise, the post-treatment persistence of Salmonella reveals a novel function of the thymus as a potential reservoir for this infectious agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica P Leyva-Rangel
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas Facultad de Medicina, UNAM Mexico City, CP 045510, Mexico ; Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) Mexico City
| | | | - Carlos-Samuel Galan-Enriquez
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) Mexico City
| | - Marcela López-Medina
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) Mexico City
| | - Vianney Ortiz-Navarrete
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) Mexico City
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26
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Lopez-Medina M, Perez-Lopez A, Alpuche-Aranda C, Ortiz-Navarrete V. Salmonella modulates B cell biology to evade CD8(+) T cell-mediated immune responses. Front Immunol 2014; 5:586. [PMID: 25484884 PMCID: PMC4240163 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although B cells and antibodies are the central effectors of humoral immunity, B cells can also produce and secrete cytokines and present antigen to helper T cells. The uptake of antigen is mainly mediated by endocytosis; thus, antigens are often presented by MHC-II molecules. However, it is unclear if B cells can present these same antigens via MHC-I molecules. Recently, Salmonella bacteria were found to infect B cells, allowing possible antigen cross-processing that could generate bacterial peptides for antigen presentation via MHC-I molecules. Here, we will discuss available knowledge regarding Salmonella antigen presentation by infected B cell MHC-I molecules and subsequent inhibitory effects on CD8(+) T cells for bacterial evasion of cell-mediated immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela Lopez-Medina
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del IPN , México City, DF , Mexico
| | - Araceli Perez-Lopez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Irvine School of Medicine, University of California , Irvine, CA , USA
| | - Celia Alpuche-Aranda
- Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Secretaría de Salud y Asistencia , Cuernavaca, Morelos CP , Mexico
| | - Vianney Ortiz-Navarrete
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del IPN , México City, DF , Mexico
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27
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Liu B, Zhang X, Deng W, Liu J, Li H, Wen M, Bao L, Qu J, Liu Y, Li F, An Y, Qin C, Cao B, Wang C. Severe influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection induces thymic atrophy through activating innate CD8(+)CD44(hi) T cells by upregulating IFN-γ. Cell Death Dis 2014; 5:e1440. [PMID: 25275588 PMCID: PMC4649502 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2014.323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Revised: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Thymic atrophy has been described as a consequence of infection by several pathogens including highly pathogenic avian influenza virus and is induced through diverse mechanisms. However, whether influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection induces thymic atrophy and the mechanisms underlying this process have not been completely elucidated. Our results show that severe infection of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 led to progressive thymic atrophy and CD4+CD8+ double-positive (DP) T-cells depletion due to apoptosis. The viruses were present in thymus, where they activated thymic innate CD8+CD44hi single-positive (SP) thymocytes to secrete a large amount of IFN-γ. Milder thymic atrophy was observed in innate CD8+ T-cell-deficient mice (C57BL/6J). Neutralization of IFN-γ could significantly rescue the atrophy, but peramivir treatment did not significantly alleviate thymic atrophy. In this study, we demonstrated that thymic innate CD8+CD44hi SP T-cells have critical roles in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection-induced thymic atrophy through secreting IFN-γ. This exceptional mechanism might serve as a target for the prevention and treatment of thymic atrophy induced by influenza A(H1N1)pdm09.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - X Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - W Deng
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - J Liu
- National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC), Beijing, China
| | - H Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - M Wen
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - L Bao
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - J Qu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Y Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - F Li
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Y An
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - C Qin
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - B Cao
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - C Wang
- 1] Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China [2] Department of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China [3] Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing, China [4] Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Ministry of Heath, P. R. China, Beijing, China
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28
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Doe K, Nozawa K, Hiruma K, Yamada Y, Matsuki Y, Nakano S, Ogasawara M, Nakano H, Ikeda T, Ikegami T, Fujishiro M, Kawasaki M, Ikeda K, Amano H, Morimoto S, Ogawa H, Takamori K, Sekigawa I, Takasaki Y. Antibody against chromatin assembly factor-1 is a novel autoantibody specifically recognized in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus 2014; 23:1031-41. [PMID: 24836587 DOI: 10.1177/0961203314536245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Autoantibodies to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) are specifically, if rarely, present in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patient sera. Even SLE patients lacking PCNA reactivity often show reaction to PCNA-binding protein. Here, immunoreactivity to chromatin assembly factor-1 (CAF-1), an essential molecule for DNA replication and a PCNA-binding protein, was compared for the sera of SLE patients, normal healthy controls (NHCs) and other disease controls, and in autoimmune sera reactive to standard autoantigens, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting. CAF1 and IRF1 expression in SLE and NHC peripheral mononuclear cells were compared by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum interferon-γ-inducing protein-10 and anti-double-stranded (ds)DNA antibody levels were measured by ELISA. Increased CAF-1 autoimmune reactivity was recognized in SLE or serum anti-dsDNA antibody-positive patients. Significantly greater central nervous system (CNS) involvement (aseptic meningitis) and serum anti-dsDNA antibody titers were present more often in anti-CAF-1 antibody-positive than antibody-negative SLE patients. IFN-γ positively regulated CAF-1 expression in vitro and was associated with anti-CAF-1 antibody production in SLE. Thus, a novel anti-CAF-1 autoantibody is frequently found in patients with SLE and is a useful biomarker for diagnosis, especially in cases with CNS involvement. Aberrant IFN-γ regulation appears to play an important role in anti-CAF-1 antibody production in SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Doe
- Department of Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Nozawa
- Department of Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - K Hiruma
- Department of Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Yamada
- Department of Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Matsuki
- Department of Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - S Nakano
- Department of Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - M Ogasawara
- Department of Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - H Nakano
- Laboratory of Molecular and Biochemical Research, Research Support Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - T Ikeda
- Laboratory of Molecular and Biochemical Research, Research Support Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - T Ikegami
- Laboratory of Molecular and Biochemical Research, Research Support Center, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - M Fujishiro
- Institute for Environment and Gender Specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - M Kawasaki
- Institute for Environment and Gender Specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - K Ikeda
- Institute for Environment and Gender Specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - H Amano
- Department of Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - S Morimoto
- Institute for Environment and Gender Specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - H Ogawa
- Institute for Environment and Gender Specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - K Takamori
- Institute for Environment and Gender Specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - I Sekigawa
- Institute for Environment and Gender Specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan
| | - Y Takasaki
- Department of Rheumatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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29
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Deobagkar-Lele M, Victor ES, Nandi D. c-Jun NH2 -terminal kinase is a critical node in the death of CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes during Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection. Eur J Immunol 2013; 44:137-49. [PMID: 24105651 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201343506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Revised: 08/15/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Thymic atrophy, due to the depletion of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes, is observed during infections with numerous pathogens. Several mechanisms, such as glucocorticoids and inflammatory cytokines, are known to be involved in this process; however, the roles of intracellular signaling molecules have not been investigated. In this study, the functional role of c-Jun NH2 -terminal kinase (JNK) during infection-induced thymic atrophy was addressed. The levels of phosphorylated JNK in immature CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes from C57BL/6 (Nramp-deficient) and 129/SvJ (Nramp-sufficient) mice were increased upon oral infection of mice with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium). Furthermore, inhibition of JNK signaling, but not ERK or p38 MAPK, prevented the in vitro death of infected thymocytes. Importantly, the in vivo inhibition of JNK signaling with SP600125 protected C57BL/6 CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes from depletion via multiple mechanisms as follows: lower intracellular ROS, inflammatory cytokines, Bax and caspase 3 activity, increase in Bcl-xL amounts, and prevention of the loss in mitochondrial membrane potential. Notably, thymic architecture was preserved in infected mice treated with SP600125. Overall, this study identifies a novel role for JNK as a crucial regulator of the death of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes during S. typhimurium infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukta Deobagkar-Lele
- Department of Biochemistry and Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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30
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Tolerance has its limits: how the thymus copes with infection. Trends Immunol 2013; 34:502-10. [PMID: 23871487 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2013.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Revised: 05/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is required for T cell differentiation; a process that depends on which antigens are encountered by thymocytes, the environment surrounding the differentiating cells, and the thymic architecture. These features are altered by local infection of the thymus and by the inflammatory mediators that accompany systemic infection. Although once believed to be an immune privileged site, it is now known that antimicrobial responses are recruited to the thymus. Resolving infection in the thymus is important because chronic persistence of microbes impairs the differentiation of pathogen-specific T cells and diminishes resistance to infection. Understanding how these mechanisms contribute to disease susceptibility, particularly in infants with developing T cell repertoires, requires further investigation.
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