1
|
Naseri B, Mardi A, Khosrojerdi A, Baghbani E, Aghebati-Maleki L, Hatami-Sadr A, Heris JA, Eskandarzadeh S, Kafshdouz M, Alizadeh N, Baradaran B. Everolimus treatment enhances inhibitory immune checkpoint molecules' expression in monocyte-derived dendritic cells. Hum Immunol 2024; 85:110798. [PMID: 38569354 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2024.110798] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antigen-specific T-cell immunity is provided by dendritic cells (DCs), which are specialized antigen-presenting cells. Furthermore, they establish a link between innate and adaptive immune responses. Currently, DC modification is a new approach for the therapy of several disorders. During solid organ transplantation, Everolimus, which is a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, was initially utilized to suppress the immune system's functionality. Due to the intervention of Everolimus in various signaling pathways in cells and its modulatory properties on the immune system, this study aims to investigate the effect of treatment with Everolimus on the maturation and expression of immune checkpoint genes in monocyte-derived DCs. METHODS To isolate monocytes from PBMCs, the CD14 marker was used via the MACS method. Monocytes were cultured and induced to differentiate into monocyte-derived DCs by utilizing GM-CSF and IL-4 cytokines. On the fifth day, immature DCs were treated with Everolimus and incubated for 24 h. On the sixth day, the flow cytometry technique was used to investigate the effect of Everolimus on the phenotypic characteristics of DCs. In the end, the expression of immune checkpoint genes in both the Everolimus-treated and untreated DCs groups was assessed using the real-time PCR method. RESULTS The findings of this research demonstrated that the administration of Everolimus to DCs led to a notable rise in human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR expression and a decrease in CD11c expression. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the expression of immune checkpoint molecules, namely CTLA-4, VISTA, PD-L1, and BTLA, in DCs treated with Everolimus. CONCLUSION The findings of this study show that Everolimus can target DCs and affect their phenotype and function in order to shift them toward a partially tolerogenic state. However, additional research is required to gain a comprehensive understanding of the precise impact of Everolimus on the activation status of DCs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bahar Naseri
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amirhossein Mardi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Arezou Khosrojerdi
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | - Elham Baghbani
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | | | | | | | - Mahshid Kafshdouz
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nazila Alizadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Baert L, Mahmudul HM, Stegall M, Joo H, Oh S. B Cell-mediated Immune Regulation and the Quest for Transplantation Tolerance. Transplantation 2024:00007890-990000000-00669. [PMID: 38389135 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000004948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Pathophysiologic function of B cells in graft rejection has been well recognized in transplantation. B cells promote alloantigen-specific T-cell response and secrete antibodies that can cause antibody-mediated graft failures and rejections. Therefore, strategies targeting B cells, for example, B-cell depletion, have been used for the prevention of both acute and chronic rejections. Interestingly, however, recent mounting evidence indicates that subsets of B cells yet to be further identified can display potent immune regulatory functions, and they contribute to transplantation tolerance and operational tolerance in both experimental and clinical settings, respectively. In this review, we integrate currently available information on B-cell subsets, including T-cell Ig domain and mucin domain 1-positive transitional and T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domain-positive memory B cells, displaying immune regulatory functions, with a focus on transplantation tolerance, by analyzing their mechanisms of action. In addition, we will discuss potential T-cell Ig domain and mucin domain 1-positive and T-cell immunoreceptor with Ig and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif domain-positive B cell-based strategies for the enhancement of operational tolerance in transplantation patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laurie Baert
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ
| | | | - Mark Stegall
- Department of Surgery, William J. von Liebig Transplant Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - HyeMee Joo
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ
| | - SangKon Oh
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sadozai H, Rojas-Luengas V, Farrokhi K, Moshkelgosha S, Guo Q, He W, Li A, Zhang J, Chua C, Ferri D, Mian M, Adeyi O, Seidman M, Gorczynski RM, Juvet S, Atkins H, Levy GA, Chruscinski A. Congenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation promotes survival of heart allografts in murine models of acute and chronic rejection. Clin Exp Immunol 2023; 213:138-154. [PMID: 37004176 PMCID: PMC10324556 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxad038] [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: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to induce tolerance would be a major advance in the field of solid organ transplantation. Here, we investigated whether autologous (congenic) hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) could promote tolerance to heart allografts in mice. In an acute rejection model, fully MHC-mismatched BALB/c hearts were heterotopically transplanted into C57BL/6 (CD45.2) mice. One week later, recipient mice were lethally irradiated and reconstituted with congenic B6 CD45.1 Lin-Sca1+ckit+ cells. Recipient mice received a 14-day course of rapamycin both to prevent rejection and to expand regulatory T cells (Tregs). Heart allografts in both untreated and rapamycin-treated recipients that did not undergo HSCT were rejected within 33 days (median survival time = 8 days for untreated recipients, median survival time = 32 days for rapamycin-treated recipients), whereas allografts in HSCT-treated recipients had a median survival time of 55 days (P < 0.001 vs. both untreated and rapamycin-treated recipients). Enhanced allograft survival following HSCT was associated with increased intragraft Foxp3+ Tregs, reduced intragraft B cells, and reduced serum donor-specific antibodies. In a chronic rejection model, Bm12 hearts were transplanted into C57BL/6 (CD45.2) mice, and congenic HSCT was performed two weeks following heart transplantation. HSCT led to enhanced survival of allografts (median survival time = 70 days vs. median survival time = 28 days in untreated recipients, P < 0.01). Increased allograft survival post-HSCT was associated with prevention of autoantibody development and absence of vasculopathy. These data support the concept that autologous HSCT can promote immune tolerance in the setting of allotransplantation. Further studies to optimize HSCT protocols should be performed before this procedure is adopted clinically.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hassan Sadozai
- Center for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Vanessa Rojas-Luengas
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kaveh Farrokhi
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sajad Moshkelgosha
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Qinli Guo
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wei He
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela Li
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Conan Chua
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dario Ferri
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Muhtashim Mian
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Oyedele Adeyi
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Seidman
- Laboratory Medicine Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Reginald M Gorczynski
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen Juvet
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Harold Atkins
- Division of Hematology, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gary A Levy
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrzej Chruscinski
- Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yue C, Gao S, Li S, Xing Z, Qian H, Hu Y, Wang W, Hua C. TIGIT as a Promising Therapeutic Target in Autoimmune Diseases. Front Immunol 2022; 13:911919. [PMID: 35720417 PMCID: PMC9203892 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.911919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Co-inhibitory receptors (IRs) are molecules that protect host against autoimmune reactions and maintain peripheral self-tolerance, playing an essential role in maintaining immune homeostasis. In view of the substantial clinical progresses of negative immune checkpoint blockade in cancer treatment, the role of IRs in autoimmune diseases is also obvious. Several advances highlighted the substantial impacts of T cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT), a novel IR, in autoimmunity. Blockade of TIGIT pathway exacerbates multiple autoimmune diseases, whereas enhancement of TIGIT function has been shown to alleviate autoimmune settings in mice. These data suggested that TIGIT pathway can be manipulated to achieve durable tolerance to treat autoimmune disorders. In this review, we provide an overview of characteristics of TIGIT and its role in autoimmunity. We then discuss recent approaches and future directions to leverage our knowledge of TIGIT as therapeutic target in autoimmune diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenran Yue
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Sheng Gao
- Laboratory Animal Center, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shuting Li
- School of the Second Clinical Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhouhang Xing
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hengrong Qian
- School of the Second Clinical Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ying Hu
- School of the Second Clinical Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wenqian Wang
- Department of Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chunyan Hua
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abstract
Exhaustion of T cells occurs in response to long-term exposure to self and foreign antigens. It limits T cell capacity to proliferate and produce cytokines, leading to an impaired ability to clear chronic infections or eradicate tumors. T-cell exhaustion is associated with a specific transcriptional, epigenetic, and metabolic program and characteristic cell surface markers' expression. Recent studies have begun to elucidate the role of T-cell exhaustion in transplant. Higher levels of exhausted T cells have been associated with better graft function in kidney transplant recipients. In contrast, reinvigorating exhausted T cells by immune checkpoint blockade therapies, while promoting tumor clearance, increases the risk of acute rejection. Lymphocyte depletion and high alloantigen load have been identified as major drivers of T-cell exhaustion. This could account, at least in part, for the reduced rates of acute rejection in organ transplant recipients induced with thymoglobulin and for the pro-tolerogenic effects of a large organ such as the liver. Among the drugs that are widely used for maintenance immunosuppression, calcineurin inhibitors have a contrasting inhibitory effect on exhaustion of T cells, while the influence of mTOR inhibitors is still unclear. Harnessing or encouraging the natural processes of exhaustion may provide a novel strategy to promote graft survival and transplantation tolerance.
Collapse
|
6
|
Chruscinski A, Rojas-Luengas V, Moshkelgosha S, Issachar A, Luo J, Yowanto H, Lilly L, Smith R, Renner E, Zhang J, Epstein M, Grant D, McEvoy CM, Konvalinka A, Humar A, Adeyi O, Fischer S, Volmer FH, Taubert R, Jaeckel E, Juvet S, Selzner N, Levy GA. Evaluation of a gene expression biomarker to identify operationally tolerant liver transplant recipients: the LITMUS trial. Clin Exp Immunol 2022; 207:123-139. [PMID: 35020854 PMCID: PMC8802178 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxab011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
LITMUS was a single-centre, Phase 2a study designed to investigate whether the gene biomarker FGL2/IFNG previously reported for the identification of tolerance in murine models could identify operationally tolerant liver transplant recipients. Multiplex RT-PCR was used to amplify eight immunoregulatory genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 69 adult liver transplant recipients. Patients with PBMC FGL2/IFNG ≥ 1 and a normal liver biopsy underwent immunosuppression (IS) withdrawal. The primary end point was the development of operational tolerance. Secondary end points included correlation of tolerance with allograft gene expression and immune cell markers. Twenty-eight of 69 patients (38%) were positive for the PBMC tolerance biomarker and 23 proceeded to IS withdrawal. Nine of the 23 patients had abnormal baseline liver biopsies and were excluded. Of the 14 patients with normal biopsies, eight (57%) have achieved operational tolerance and are off IS (range 12–57 months). Additional studies revealed that all of the tolerant patients and only one non-tolerant patient had a liver gene ratio of FOXP3/IFNG ≥ 1 prior to IS withdrawal. Increased CD4+ T regulatory T cells were detected both in PBMC and livers of tolerant patients following IS withdrawal. Higher expression of SELE (gene for E-selectin) and lower expression of genes associated with inflammatory responses (GZMB, CIITA, UBD, LSP1, and CXCL9) were observed in the pre-withdrawal liver biopsies of tolerant patients by RNA sequencing. These results suggest that measurement of PBMC FGL2/IFNG may enrich for the identification of operationally tolerant liver transplant patients, especially when combined with intragraft measurement of FOXP3/IFNG. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (LITMUS: NCT02541916).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Chruscinski
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Vanessa Rojas-Luengas
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sajad Moshkelgosha
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Assaf Issachar
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | | | | | - Leslie Lilly
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Robert Smith
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Eberhard Renner
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Maor Epstein
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - David Grant
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Caitriona M McEvoy
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Ana Konvalinka
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Atul Humar
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Oyedele Adeyi
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sandra Fischer
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Felix H Volmer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Richard Taubert
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Elmar Jaeckel
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stephen Juvet
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Nazia Selzner
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Gary A Levy
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Ajmera Transplant Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Hou XX, Wang XQ, Zhou WJ, Li DJ. Regulatory T cells induce polarization of pro-repair macrophages by secreting sFGL2 into the endometriotic milieu. Commun Biol 2021; 4:499. [PMID: 33893391 PMCID: PMC8065041 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02018-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
An increased number of highly active regulatory T cells (Tregs) and macrophages has been found in peritoneal fluid from women with endometriosis. Here, we show that the level of Tregs-derived soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 (sFGL2) increases in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. Higher expression of FGL2 and its receptor CD32B is observed in eutopic endometrium and ectopic tissues. The production of sFGL2 in Tregs may be enhanced by several cytokines. sFGL2 selectively induces pro-repair macrophage polarization mainly through the activation of the SHP2-ERK1/2-STAT3 signaling pathway, and the suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway. Furthermore, sFGL2 induces a much higher level of metallothionein (MT) expression that in turn facilitates pro-repair macrophages polarization. sFGL2-induced pro-repair macrophages promote Th2 and Tregs differentiation, creating a positive feedback loop. These findings suggest that sFGL2 secreted by Tregs skews macrophages toward a pro-repair phenotype via SHP2-ERK1/2-STAT3 signaling pathway, which is involved in the progression of endometriosis. Hou et al. discover that regulatory T-cells secrete soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 that induces endometrial macrophages to polarize towards a pro-repair phenotype through the SHP2-ERK1/2-STAT3 signaling pathway. These data provide insights into the immunology of endometriosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Xin Hou
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRD, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Qiu Wang
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRD, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Jie Zhou
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRD, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Da-Jin Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRD, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhang X, Ma J, Li H, Zhou L, Liu Z, Lyu S, He Q, Li X. Overexpression of fibrinogen-like protein 2 alleviates acute rejection in rat models of liver transplantation. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:408. [PMID: 33842629 PMCID: PMC8033335 DOI: 10.21037/atm-20-7881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Background The role of cluster of differentiation (CD)8+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) has previously been elucidated in tolerance models. Fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2), that is secreted by Treg cells, which exhibited immunosuppressive functions, may alleviate acute rejection (AR). However, the precise role of CD8+ Tregs and FGL2 in the AR of rat liver transplantation remains unknown. Our previous study found that CD8+CD45RClow Tregs played crucial roles in maintaining immune tolerance. Here, we elucidated the role of CD8+ CD45RClowTreg and FGL2 in AR of rat liver transplantation. Methods A rat non-materialized AR of liver transplantation model was established using donors infected with no-load adeno-associated virus and adeno‐associated virus expressing FGL2. Results There was an accumulation of tolerogenic CD8+CD45RClow in allografts compared with blank groups. Moreover, the proportion of CD8+CD45RClow Tregs was increased with longer survival time. Furthermore, we detected higher levels of FGL2 in the allografts infected with AAV-FGL2 in rats with AR of liver transplantation. We found that FGL2 could alleviate AR, and the survival time was prolonged in the recipients of donors infected with AAV-FGL2. Conclusions Our data suggest that CD8+CD45RClow Tregs was accumulated in allografts. The presence of FGL2 alleviated AR and prolonged survival time in the AR of liver transplantation rat model, suggesting that FGL2 and CD8+CD45RClow Tregs may serves as novel therapeutic targets for AR in liver transplantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinxue Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Han Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhe Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Shaocheng Lyu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang He
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xianliang Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreaticosplenic Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Cravedi P. FcγRIIB, a new checkpoint to halt alloreactive memory T cells. Am J Transplant 2020; 20:1967-1968. [PMID: 32185851 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.15854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Cravedi
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Zhang Y, Yang Y, Li X, Chen D, Tang G, Men T. Thalidomide ameliorate graft chronic rejection in an allogenic kidney transplant model. Int Immunopharmacol 2019; 71:32-39. [PMID: 30877871 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2018.12.035] [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: 07/23/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Chronic T cell mediated rejection (TCMR), which is characterized by infiltration of the interstitium by T cells and macrophages, still remains a major barrier to the long-term survival of kidney transplantation. Our recent report indicated that thalidomide can attenuate graft arteriosclerosis in an aortic transplant model. In this study, we investigated the effect of thalidomide on chronic TCMR in a rat model of kidney transplantation. Fischer or Lewis kidney allografts were transplanted into Lewis recipient rats. After kidney transplantation, recipient rats were divided into 3 groups: the isograft (Iso) group, allograft (Allo) group, and thalidomide (Tha) group. Rats were sacrificed at 8 weeks after kidney transplantation, and blood and kidney samples were collected. Serum concentrations of creatinine (SCr),interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-17, and TNF-α in recipients were determined, and flow cytometry was used to detect the percentages of CD4+CD25+, CD4+ Foxp3+and CD4+Th17+ cell subsets in the peripheral blood. Grafts were procured for histopathological examination, and the expressions of α-SMA, transforming growth-β1 (TGF-β1), and VEGF in kidney grafts were investigated using Western blot. Thalidomide treatment significantly ameliorated chronic rejection, reduced renal allograft tissue damage, and decreased serum creatinine levels. Attenuation of chronic TCMR was due to the prohibited production of inflammatory cytokines, altered distribution of the CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ regulatory T (Treg) and CD4+ Th17+ cells in the peripheral blood, and decreased expression of TGF-β1, α-SMA, and VEGF in the kidney graft. These results demonstrated that thalidomide could effectively ameliorate chronic TCMR in a rat kidney transplant model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Department of Urology, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, China; Transplantation Center, The First Affiliate Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Department of Urology, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, China; Department of Urology, The First Affiliate Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, China
| | - Xianduo Li
- Department of Urology, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, China
| | - Dongdong Chen
- Department of Urology, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, China
| | - Guanbao Tang
- Department of Urology, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, China
| | - Tongyi Men
- Department of Urology, Qianfoshan Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lucca LE, Axisa PP, Singer ER, Nolan NM, Dominguez-Villar M, Hafler DA. TIGIT signaling restores suppressor function of Th1 Tregs. JCI Insight 2019; 4:124427. [PMID: 30728325 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.124427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Th1 Tregs are characterized by the acquisition of proinflammatory cytokine secretion and reduced suppressor activity. Th1 Tregs are found at increased frequency in autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis (MS). We have previously reported that in vitro stimulation with IL-12 recapitulates the functional and molecular features of MS-associated Th1 Tregs, revealing a central role for hyperactivation of the Akt pathway in their induction. TIGIT is a newly identified coinhibitory receptor that marks Tregs that specifically control Th1 and Th17 responses. Here, we report that signaling through TIGIT counteracts the action of IL-12 in inducing the Th1 program. Specifically, TIGIT signaling represses production of IFN-γ and T-bet expression and restores suppressor function in Tregs treated with IL-12. FoxO1 functional inhibition abolishes the protective effect of TIGIT, indicating that TIGIT signaling promotes FoxO1 nuclear localization. Consistent with this observation, signaling through TIGIT leads to a rapid suppression of Akt function and FoxO1 phosphorylation. Finally, TIGIT stimulation reduces the production of IFN-γ and corrects the suppressor defect of Tregs from patients with MS. Our results indicate an important role for TIGIT in controlling the functional stability of Tregs through repression of Akt, suggesting that the TIGIT pathway could be targeted for immunomodulatory therapies in human autoimmune disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liliana E Lucca
- Departments of Neurology and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Pierre-Paul Axisa
- Departments of Neurology and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Emily R Singer
- Departments of Neurology and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Neal M Nolan
- Departments of Neurology and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - David A Hafler
- Departments of Neurology and Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Liu XG, Liu Y, Chen F. Soluble fibrinogen like protein 2 (sFGL2), the novel effector molecule for immunoregulation. Oncotarget 2018; 8:3711-3723. [PMID: 27732962 PMCID: PMC5356913 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Soluble fibrinogen-like protein 2 (sFGL2) is the soluble form of fibrinogen-like protein 2 belonging to the fibrinogen-related protein superfamily. It is now well characterized that sFGL2 is mainly secreted by regulatory T cell (Treg) populations, and exerts potently immunosuppressive activities. By repressing not only the differentiation and proliferation of T cells but also the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), sFGL2 acts largely as an immunosuppressant. Moreover, sFGL2 also induces apoptosis of B cells, tubular epithelial cells (TECs), sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs), and hepatocytes. This mini-review focuses primarily on the recent literature with respect to the signaling mechanism of sFGL2 in immunomodulation, and discusses the clinical implications of sFGL2 in transplantation, hepatitis, autoimmunity, and tumors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Guang Liu
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, P. R. China
| | - Yu Liu
- School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Qilu University of Technology, Jinan, P. R. China
| | - Feng Chen
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, P. R. China.,Capital Medical University Cancer Center, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Beijing Key Laboratory for Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Luft O, Khattar R, Farrokhi K, Ferri D, Yavorska N, Zhang J, Sadozai H, Adeyi O, Chruscinski A, Levy GA, Selzner N. Inhibition of the Fibrinogen-Like Protein 2:FcγRIIB/RIII immunosuppressive pathway enhances antiviral T-cell and B-cell responses leading to clearance of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus clone 13. Immunology 2018; 154:476-489. [PMID: 29341118 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent viruses evade immune detection by interfering with virus-specific innate and adaptive antiviral immune responses. Fibrinogen-like protein-2 (FGL2) is a potent effector molecule of CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ regulatory T cells and exerts its immunosuppressive activity following ligation to its cognate receptor, FcγRIIB/RIII. The role of FGL2 in the pathogenesis of chronic viral infection caused by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus clone-13 (LCMV cl-13) was assessed in this study. Chronically infected fgl2+/+ mice had increased plasma levels of FGL2, with reduced expression of the maturation markers, CD80, CD86 and MHC-II on macrophages and dendritic cells and impaired production of neutralizing antibody. In contrast, fgl2-/- mice or fgl2+/+ mice that had been pre-treated with antibodies to FGL2 and FcγRIIB/RIII and then infected with LCMV cl-13 developed a robust CD4+ and CD8+ antiviral T-cell response, produced high titred neutralizing antibody to LCMV and cleared LCMV. Treatment of mice with established chronic infection with antibodies to FGL2 and FcγRIIB/RIII was shown to rescue the number and functionality of virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells with reduced total and virus-specific T-cell expression of programmed cell death protein 1 leading to viral clearance. These results demonstrate an important role for FGL2 in viral immune evasion and provide a rationale to target FGL2 to treat patients with chronic viral infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Luft
- Toronto General Hospital, Multi Organ Transplant Programme, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ramzi Khattar
- Toronto General Hospital, Multi Organ Transplant Programme, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kaveh Farrokhi
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Dario Ferri
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nataliya Yavorska
- Toronto General Hospital, Multi Organ Transplant Programme, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Toronto General Hospital, Multi Organ Transplant Programme, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hassan Sadozai
- Toronto General Hospital, Multi Organ Transplant Programme, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Oyedele Adeyi
- Toronto General Hospital, Multi Organ Transplant Programme, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrzej Chruscinski
- Toronto General Hospital, Multi Organ Transplant Programme, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gary A Levy
- Toronto General Hospital, Multi Organ Transplant Programme, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nazia Selzner
- Toronto General Hospital, Multi Organ Transplant Programme, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Luo S, Yang M, Jin H, Xu ZQ, Li YF, Xia P, Yang YR, Chen BC, Zhang Y. The role of sildenafil in the development of transplant arteriosclerosis in rat aortic grafts. Am J Transl Res 2017; 9:4914-4924. [PMID: 29218089 PMCID: PMC5714775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/01/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Chronic rejection (CR), which is characterized histologically by progressive graft arteriosclerosis, remains a significant barrier to the long-term survival of a graft. Sildenafil has been shown to protect vascular endothelial cells. In this study, we found that sildenafil significantly reduces the thickness of transplant vascular intima in a rat aortic transplant model. Moreover, sildenafil dramatically decreased the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the grafted aortas and increased the concentrations of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in serum. Furthermore, the ratio of regulatory T (Treg) cells and the expression of FoxP3 were increased, and the ratio of Th17 cells was decreased in the sildenafil-treated group. These results demonstrate that sildenafil enhances nitric oxide (NO) signaling by increasing the availability of cGMP, leading to an increase in the ratio of Treg/Th17 cells to attenuate transplant arteriosclerosis in a rat aortic transplant model.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Luo
- Transplantation Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou 325015, Zhejiang Province, China
- Department of Urology, Huangshi Central HospitalHuangshi 435000, Hubei Province, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Department of Intensive Care Unit, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou 325015, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Hao Jin
- Transplantation Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou 325015, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zi-Qiang Xu
- Transplantation Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou 325015, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi-Fu Li
- Transplantation Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou 325015, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Peng Xia
- Transplantation Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou 325015, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yi-Rrong Yang
- Transplantation Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou 325015, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Bi-Cheng Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Top Key Discipline in Surgery, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Surgery, Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou 325015, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Transplantation Centre, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhou 325015, Zhejiang Province, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Milger K, Yu Y, Brudy E, Irmler M, Skapenko A, Mayinger M, Lehmann M, Beckers J, Reichenberger F, Behr J, Eickelberg O, Königshoff M, Krauss-Etschmann S. Pulmonary CCR2 +CD4 + T cells are immune regulatory and attenuate lung fibrosis development. Thorax 2017; 72:1007-1020. [PMID: 28780502 DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2016-208423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Animal models have suggested that CCR2-dependent signalling contributes to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, but global blockade of CCL2 failed to improve the clinical course of patients with lung fibrosis. However, as levels of CCR2+CD4+ T cells in paediatric lung fibrosis had previously been found to be increased, correlating with clinical symptoms, we hypothesised that distinct CCR2+ cell populations might either increase or decrease disease pathogenesis depending on their subtype. OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of CCR2+CD4+ T cells in experimental lung fibrosis and in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and other fibrosis. METHODS Pulmonary CCR2+CD4+ T cells were analysed using flow cytometry and mRNA profiling, followed by in silico pathway analysis, in vitro assays and adoptive transfer experiments. RESULTS Frequencies of CCR2+CD4+ T cells were increased in experimental fibrosis-specifically the CD62L-CD44+ effector memory T cell phenotype, displaying a distinct chemokine receptor profile. mRNA profiling of isolated CCR2+CD4+ T cells from fibrotic lungs suggested immune regulatory functions, a finding that was confirmed in vitro using suppressor assays. Importantly, adoptive transfer of CCR2+CD4+ T cells attenuated fibrosis development. The results were partly corroborated in patients with lung fibrosis, by showing higher percentages of Foxp3+ CD25+ cells within bronchoalveolar lavage fluid CCR2+CD4+ T cells as compared with CCR2-CD4+ T cells. CONCLUSION Pulmonary CCR2+CD4+ T cells are immunosuppressive, and could attenuate lung inflammation and fibrosis. Therapeutic strategies completely abrogating CCR2-dependent signalling will therefore also eliminate cell populations with protective roles in fibrotic lung disease. This emphasises the need for a detailed understanding of the functions of immune cell subsets in fibrotic lung disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Milger
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Helmholtz Center Munich Germany, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine V, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Yingyan Yu
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Helmholtz Center Munich Germany, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany.,Dr von Hauner Children Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eva Brudy
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Helmholtz Center Munich Germany, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Irmler
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Alla Skapenko
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University of Munich, Germany, Munich, Germany
| | - Michael Mayinger
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Helmholtz Center Munich Germany, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Mareike Lehmann
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Helmholtz Center Munich Germany, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Johannes Beckers
- Institute of Experimental Genetics, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany.,Chair of Experimental Genetics, Technische Universität München, Freising, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | | | - Jürgen Behr
- Department of Internal Medicine V, University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Asklepios Clinic Gauting, Munich, Germany
| | - Oliver Eickelberg
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Helmholtz Center Munich Germany, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Melanie Königshoff
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Helmholtz Center Munich Germany, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany
| | - Susanne Krauss-Etschmann
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Helmholtz Center Munich Germany, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Munich, Germany.,Dr von Hauner Children Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Asklepios Clinic Gauting, Munich, Germany.,Research Center Borstel, Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany., Borstel, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bartczak A, Zhang J, Adeyi O, Amir A, Grant D, Gorczynski R, Selzner N, Chruscinski A, Levy GA. Overexpression of fibrinogen-like protein 2 protects against T cell-induced colitis. World J Gastroenterol 2017; 23:2673-2684. [PMID: 28487604 PMCID: PMC5403746 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v23.i15.2673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Revised: 02/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To determine the effect of overexpression of fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) on regulatory T cell (Treg) and effector T (Teff) cell function on T cell-induced colitis in Rag1-/- mice. METHODS Treg and Teff cells from fgl2-/-, fgl2+/+, and fgl2Tg mice were purified by FACS. They were studied in vitro for immunosuppressive activity and cell proliferation and in vivo for their effects on the development and prevention of T cell-induced colitis in Rag1-/- mice. RESULTS In vitro, fgl2Tg Treg had enhanced immunosuppressive activity, and fgl2Tg Teff had reduced proliferation to alloantigen stimulation. Transfer of Teff from C57Bl/6J mice (fgl2+/+) into Rag1-/- mice produced both clinical and histologic colitis with dense infiltrates of CD3+ T cells, crypt abscesses and loss of goblet cells. Fgl2Tg Treg prevented the development of T cell-induced colitis, whereas fgl2+/+ and fgl2-/- Treg were only partially protective. In mice that received fgl2Tg Treg, the ratio of Foxp3+ to CD3+ cells was increased both in the colon and in mesenteric lymph nodes, and Teff cell proliferation as determined by staining with Ki67 was reduced. Teff cells from fgl2Tg mice did not produce colitis. CONCLUSION Here we show that fgl2Tg Teff are hypoproliferative and do not induce colitis. We further demonstrate that fgl2Tg Treg prevent colitis in contrast to fgl2+/+ Treg, which were only partially protective. These studies collectively provide a rationale for exploring the use of FGL2 or Treg expressing high levels of FGL2 in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Collapse
|
17
|
A disparate subset of double-negative T cells contributes to the outcome of murine fulminant viral hepatitis via effector molecule fibrinogen-like protein 2. Immunol Res 2016; 64:518-30. [PMID: 26482053 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-015-8727-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The underlying immune-mediated mechanisms involved in virus-induced severe hepatitis have not been well elucidated. In this study, we investigated the role of CD3(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative T (DN T) cells in the pathogenesis of fulminant viral hepatitis (FVH) induced by murine hepatitis virus strain 3 (MHV-3). After MHV-3 infection, the proportions of DN T cells increased significantly in BALB/cJ mice, and splenic DN T cells expressing high levels of CD69 were recruited by MHV-3-infected hepatocytes to the liver. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin increased, accompanied by massive hepatocyte necrosis. These DN T cells were predominantly consisted of a TCRαβ(+) subset expressing high levels of CD44 and did not produce cytokine except IL-2. Adoptive transfer of this subset of DN T cells to the MHV-3-infected mice resulted in an increase in murine fibrinogen-like protein 2 (mfgl2) expressions in association with massive fibrin deposition in the liver. Following MHV-3 infection, membrane mfgl2 expression and functional procoagulant activity increased remarkably in the DN T cells. Introduction of a recombinant adenovirus which encoded a microRNA specifically targeting mfgl2 gene (Ad-mfgl2-miRNA) in vivo significantly inhibited the hepatic expression of mfgl2 and improved survival in mice. However, under this condition, adoptive transfer of the DN T cells accelerated the disease progression and reversed the benefit from mfgl2 gene silence, leading to a 100 % death rate. Our results demonstrate that DN T cells contribute to the outcome of MHV-3-induced FVH via an important effector molecule mfgl2.
Collapse
|
18
|
Bartczak A, Chruscinski A, Mendicino M, Liu H, Zhang J, He W, Amir AZ, Nguyen A, Khattar R, Sadozai H, Lobe CG, Adeyi O, Phillips MJ, Zhang L, Gorczynski RM, Grant D, Levy GA. Overexpression of Fibrinogen-Like Protein 2 Promotes Tolerance in a Fully Mismatched Murine Model of Heart Transplantation. Am J Transplant 2016; 16:1739-50. [PMID: 26718313 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.13696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) is an immunomodulatory protein that is expressed by regulatory T cells (Tregs). The objective of this study was to determine if recombinant FGL2 (rFGL2) treatment or constitutive FGL2 overexpression could promote transplant tolerance in mice. Although rFGL2 treatment prevented rejection of fully mismatched cardiac allografts, all grafts were rejected after stopping treatment. Next, we generated FGL2 transgenic mice (fgl2(Tg) ) that ubiquitously overexpressed FGL2. These mice developed normally and had no evidence of the autoimmune glomerulonephritis seen in fgl2(-/-) mice. Immune characterization showed fgl2(Tg) T cells were hypoproliferative to stimulation with alloantigens or anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 stimulation, and fgl2(Tg) Tregs had increased immunosuppressive activity compared with fgl2(+/+) Tregs. To determine if FGL2 overexpression can promote tolerance, we transplanted fully mismatched cardiac allografts into fgl2(Tg) recipients. Fifty percent of cardiac grafts were accepted indefinitely in fgl2(Tg) recipients without any immunosuppression. Tolerant fgl2(Tg) grafts had increased numbers and proportions of Tregs and tolerant fgl2(Tg) mice had reduced proliferation to donor but not third party antigens. These data show that tolerance in fgl2(Tg) recipients involves changes in Treg and T cell activity that contribute to a higher intragraft Treg-to-T cell ratio and acceptance of fully mismatched allografts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Bartczak
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Medial Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A Chruscinski
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - H Liu
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of General Surgery and Organ Transplantation, First Hospital, China Medical University, Shen Yang, Liao Ning, China
| | - J Zhang
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - W He
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A Z Amir
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,The GI, Hepatology and Nutrition Division, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - A Nguyen
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - R Khattar
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - H Sadozai
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - C G Lobe
- Cancer Research Division, Sunnybrook Health Science Centre and the Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - O Adeyi
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - M J Phillips
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - L Zhang
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - R M Gorczynski
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - D Grant
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - G A Levy
- Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Care MA, Westhead DR, Tooze RM. Gene expression meta-analysis reveals immune response convergence on the IFNγ-STAT1-IRF1 axis and adaptive immune resistance mechanisms in lymphoma. Genome Med 2015; 7:96. [PMID: 26362649 PMCID: PMC4566848 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-015-0218-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/17/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancers adapt to immune-surveillance through evasion. Immune responses against carcinoma and melanoma converge on cytotoxic effectors and IFNγ-STAT1-IRF1 signalling. Local IFN-driven immune checkpoint expression can mediate feedback inhibition and adaptive immune resistance. Whether such coupled immune polarization and adaptive resistance is generalisable to lymphoid malignancies is incompletely defined. The host response in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the commonest aggressive lymphoid malignancy, provides an empirical model. METHODS Using ten publicly available gene expression data sets encompassing 2030 cases we explore the nature of host response in DLBCL. Starting from the "cell of origin" paradigm for DLBCL classification, we use the consistency of differential expression to define polarized patterns of immune response genes in DLBCL, and derive a linear classifier of immune response gene expression. We validate and extend the results in an approach independent of "cell of origin" classification based on gene expression correlations across all data sets. RESULTS T-cell and cytotoxic gene expression with polarization along the IFNγ-STAT1-IRF1 axis provides a defining feature of the immune response in DLBCL. This response is associated with improved outcome, particularly in the germinal centre B-cell subsets of DLBCL. Analysis of gene correlations across all data sets, independent of "cell of origin" class, demonstrates a consistent association with a hierarchy of immune-regulatory gene expression that places IDO1, LAG3 and FGL2 ahead of PD1-ligands CD274 and PDCD1LG2. CONCLUSION Immune responses in DLBCL converge onto the IFNγ-STAT1-IRF1 axis and link to diverse potential mediators of adaptive immune resistance identifying future therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Care
- Section of Experimental Haematology, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK
- Bioinformatics Group, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - David R Westhead
- Bioinformatics Group, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Reuben M Tooze
- Section of Experimental Haematology, Wellcome Trust Brenner Building, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Chruscinski A, Sadozai H, Rojas-Luengas V, Bartczak A, Khattar R, Selzner N, Levy GA. Role of Regulatory T Cells (Treg) and the Treg Effector Molecule Fibrinogen-like Protein 2 in Alloimmunity and Autoimmunity. Rambam Maimonides Med J 2015; 6:RMMJ.10209. [PMID: 26241231 PMCID: PMC4524397 DOI: 10.5041/rmmj.10209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) are critical to the maintenance of immune tolerance. Treg are known to utilize a number of molecular pathways to control immune responses and maintain immune homeostasis. Fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) has been identified by a number of investigators as an important immunosuppressive effector of Treg, which exerts its immunoregulatory activity by binding to inhibitory FcγRIIB receptors expressed on antigen-presenting cells including dendritic cells, endothelial cells, and B cells. More recently, it has been suggested that FGL2 accounts for the immunosuppressive activity of a highly suppressive subset of Treg that express T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT). Here we discuss the important role of Treg and FGL2 in preventing alloimmune and autoimmune disease. The FGL2-FcγRIIB pathway is also known to be utilized by viruses and tumor cells to evade immune surveillance. Moving forward, therapies based on modulation of the FGL2-FcγRIIB pathway hold promise for the treatment of a wide variety of conditions ranging from autoimmunity to cancer.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Gary A. Levy
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Xu YL, Kou JQ, Wang SZ, Chen CX, Qin ZH. Neurotoxin from Naja naja atra venom inhibits skin allograft rejection in rats. Int Immunopharmacol 2015; 28:188-98. [PMID: 26071222 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2015.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies reported that Naja naja atra venom (NNAV) regulated immune function and had a therapeutic effect on adjunctive arthritis and nephropathy. We hypothesized that NNAV and its active component, neurotoxin (NTX), might inhibit skin allograft rejection. METHODS Skin allografts were used to induce immune rejection in rats. In addition, mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) was used to mimic immune rejection reaction in vitro. Both NNAV and NTX were orally given starting from 5days prior to skin allograft surgery. RESULTS The results showed that oral administration of NNAV or NTX prolonged the survival of skin allografts and inhibited inflammatory response. The production of Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2) was also suppressed. NTX inhibited T-cell proliferation and CD4(+) T cell division induced by skin allografts. NTX also showed immunosuppressive activity in mixed lymphocyte culture. Atropine alone inhibited Con A-induced proliferation of T cells and potentiated NTX' s inhibitory effects on T cells, while pilocarpine only slightly enhanced Con A-induced T cell proliferation and partially reversed the inhibitory effect of NTX. On the other hand, neither nicotine nor mecamylamine had an influence on NTX's inhibitory effects on Con A-induced T cell proliferation in vitro. NTX inhibited T cell proliferation by arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. CONCLUSIONS The present study revealed that NNAV and NTX suppressed skin allograft rejection by inhibiting T cell-mediated immune responses. These findings suggest both NNAV and NTX as potential immunosuppressants for preventing the immune response to skin allografts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yin-Li Xu
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Jian-Qun Kou
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Shu-Zhi Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Cao-Xin Chen
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| | - Zheng-Hong Qin
- Department of Pharmacology and Laboratory of Aging and Nervous Diseases, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Translational Research and Therapy for Neuro-Psycho-Diseases, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
| |
Collapse
|