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Song X, Chen R, Li J, Zhu Y, Jiao J, Liu H, Chen Z, Geng J. Fragile Treg cells: Traitors in immune homeostasis? Pharmacol Res 2024; 206:107297. [PMID: 38977207 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells play a key role in maintaining immune tolerance and tissue homeostasis. However, in some disease microenvironments, Treg cells exhibit fragility, which manifests as preserved FoxP3 expression accompanied by inflammation and loss of immunosuppression. Fragile Treg cells are formatively, phenotypically and functionally diverse in various diseases, further complicating the role of Treg cells in the immunotherapeutic response and offering novel targets for disease treatment by modulating specific Treg subsets. In this review, we summarize findings on fragile Treg cells to provide a framework for characterizing the formation and role of fragile Treg cells in different diseases, and we discuss how this information may guide the development of more specific Treg-targeted immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiyu Song
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China.
| | - Ruo Chen
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China.
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Student Brigade of Basic Medicine School, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China.
| | - Yumeng Zhu
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China.
| | - Jianhua Jiao
- Department of Urology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China.
| | - Hongjiao Liu
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China.
| | - Zhinan Chen
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China.
| | - Jiejie Geng
- National Translational Science Center for Molecular Medicine & Department of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, PR China; State Key Laboratory of New Targets Discovery and Drug Development for Major Diseases, PR China.
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Kommoju V, Mariaselvam CM, Bulusu SN, Ganapathy CK, Narasimhan PB, Thabah MM, Negi VS. Conventional Tregs in treatment-naïve rheumatoid arthritis are deficient in suppressive function with an increase in percentage of CXCR3 and CCR6 expressing Tregs. Immunol Res 2024; 72:396-408. [PMID: 38151700 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-023-09444-7] [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: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), immune homeostasis is maintained by T regulatory cells (Tregs) that in an inflammatory milieu can change towards T-helper-like phenotypes (Th-like Tregs). Our aim was to examine the phenotypic and functional characteristics of CD4+CD25+CD127lo/- Tregs, Th-like Tregs and T effector (Teff) cells in the peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) of treatment-naïve early RA, as compared to osteoarthritis (OA) and healthy control (HC) peripheral blood. Frequencies of Tregs, CXCR3, CCR6 expressing Tregs (Th-like Tregs), and Teff cells were analyzed using flow cytometry in RA (n = 80), OA (n = 20), and HC (n = 40). Cytokine concentrations of the respective T cell subsets in plasma and SF were measured using flow cytometric bead array. Tregs sorted from RA and HC PB using magnetic beads were analyzed for functional capacities by CFSE proliferation assay and FOXP3 gene expression using real-time PCR. We observed that the frequencies of Th17 cells in PB and SF were significantly higher in RA when compared to HC, whereas Tregs were lower in PB and high in SF compared to HC and OA respectively. Th1- and Th17-related pro-inflammatory cytokines IL12p70, INF-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6, and IL-17A were significantly higher in the plasma and SF of RA. Tregs expressing CXCR3 (Th1-like Tregs) and CCR6 (Th17-like Treg) were significantly higher in PB and SF of RA compared to controls and was positively associated with seropositivity and disease activity. Treg cells isolated from peripheral blood of RA showed decreased function and reduced FOXP3 gene expression compared to HC. In our study, we have demonstrated higher frequencies of Th1 and Th17 cells and increased circulatory and SF pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL12P70, INF-γ, IL-6, IL-17A, and TNF-α) in RA. This inflammatory milieu might alter total Tregs frequencies and influence conversion of Tregs into Th-like Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vallayyachari Kommoju
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, 605 006, India
| | - Christina Mary Mariaselvam
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, 605 006, India
| | - Sree Nethra Bulusu
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, 605 006, India
| | - Chengappa Kavadichanda Ganapathy
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, 605 006, India
| | - Prakash Babu Narasimhan
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, 605 006, India
| | - Molly Mary Thabah
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, 605 006, India
| | - Vir Singh Negi
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Pondicherry, 605 006, India.
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, India.
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Wang J, Xue Y, Zhou L. New Classification of Rheumatoid Arthritis Based on Immune Cells and Clinical Characteristics. J Inflamm Res 2024; 17:3293-3305. [PMID: 38800595 PMCID: PMC11128232 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s395566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic immune disease characterized by joint synovitis, but there are differences in clinical manifestations and serum test results among different patients. Methods This is a bioinformatics study. We first obtained the gene expression profile of RA and normal synovium from the database, and screened the differentially expressed immune related genes for enrichment analysis. Subsequently, we classified RA into three subtypes by unsupervised clustering of serum gene expression profiles based on immune enrichment scores. Then, the enrichment and clinical characteristics of different subtypes were analyzed. Finally, according to the infiltration of different subtypes of immune cells, diagnostic markers were screened and verified by qRT-PCR. Results C1 subtype is related to the increase of neutrophils, C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and joint pain is more significant in patients. C2 subtype is related to the expression of CD8+T cells and Tregs, and patients have mild joint pain symptoms. The RF value of C3 subtype is higher, and the expression of various immune cells is increased. CD4 T cells, NK cells activated, macrophages M1 and neutrophils are immune cells significantly infiltrated in synovium and serum of RA patients. IFNGR1, TRAC, IFITM1 can be used as diagnostic markers of different subtypes. Conclusion In this study, RA patients were divided into different immune molecular subtypes based on gene expression profile, and immune diagnostic markers were screened, which provided a new idea for the diagnosis and treatment of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqian Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuan Xue
- Department of Orthopaedic, Wuxi Ninth People’s Hospital of Soochow University, Wuxi, 214000, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liang Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedic, Lianshui County People’s Hospital, Huai‘an, People’s Republic of China
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Su QY, Li HC, Jiang XJ, Jiang ZQ, Zhang Y, Zhang HY, Zhang SX. Exploring the therapeutic potential of regulatory T cell in rheumatoid arthritis: Insights into subsets, markers, and signaling pathways. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 174:116440. [PMID: 38518605 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116440] [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: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a complex autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic disease characterized by an imbalance between immunological reactivity and immune tolerance. Regulatory T cells (Tregs), which play a crucial role in controlling ongoing autoimmunity and maintaining peripheral tolerance, have shown great potential for the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases such as RA. This review aims to provide an updated summary of the latest insights into Treg-targeting techniques in RA. We focus on current therapeutic strategies for targeting Tregs based on discussing their subsets, surface markers, suppressive function, and signaling pathways in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin-Yi Su
- The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Rheumatology, Taiyuan, China; Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Huan-Cheng Li
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Jiang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Zhong-Qing Jiang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - He-Yi Zhang
- Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Sheng-Xiao Zhang
- The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Department of Rheumatology, Taiyuan, China; Shanxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Rheumatism Immune Microecology, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China; Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China.
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Wu YK, Liu CD, Liu C, Wu J, Xie ZG. Machine learning and weighted gene co-expression network analysis identify a three-gene signature to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1387311. [PMID: 38711508 PMCID: PMC11070572 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1387311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic immune-related disease characterized by synovial inflammation and destruction of joint cartilage. The pathogenesis of RA remains unclear, and diagnostic markers with high sensitivity and specificity are needed urgently. This study aims to identify potential biomarkers in the synovium for diagnosing RA and to investigate their association with immune infiltration. Methods We downloaded four datasets containing 51 RA and 36 healthy synovium samples from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes were identified using R. Then, various enrichment analyses were conducted. Subsequently, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), random forest (RF), support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to identify the hub genes for RA diagnosis. Receiver operating characteristic curves and nomogram models were used to validate the specificity and sensitivity of hub genes. Additionally, we analyzed the infiltration levels of 28 immune cells in the expression profile and their relationship with the hub genes using single-sample gene set enrichment analysis. Results Three hub genes, namely, ribonucleotide reductase regulatory subunit M2 (RRM2), DLG-associated protein 5 (DLGAP5), and kinesin family member 11 (KIF11), were identified through WGCNA, LASSO, SVM-RFE, and RF algorithms. These hub genes correlated strongly with T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophage cells as indicated by immune cell infiltration analysis. Conclusion RRM2, DLGAP5, and KIF11 could serve as potential diagnostic indicators and treatment targets for RA. The infiltration of immune cells offers additional insights into the underlying mechanisms involved in the progression of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Kai Wu
- Department of Orthopaedic, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Orthopaedics, Ningyang County First People’s Hospital, Tai an, China
| | - Cai-De Liu
- Department of General Practice, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Wei Fang, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ningyang County Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Tai an, China
| | - Jun Wu
- Medical Cosmetology and Plastic Surgery Center, LinYi People’s Hospital, Lin Yi, China
| | - Zong-Gang Xie
- Department of Orthopaedic, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
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Ogongo P, Tran A, Marzan F, Gingrich D, Krone M, Aweeka F, Lindestam Arlehamn CS, Martin JN, Deeks SG, Hunt PW, Ernst JD. High-parameter phenotypic characterization reveals a subset of human Th17 cells that preferentially produce IL-17 against M. tuberculosis antigen. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1378040. [PMID: 38698866 PMCID: PMC11064812 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1378040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Interleukin-17-producing CD4 T cells contribute to the control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in humans; whether infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disproportionately affects distinct Th17-cell subsets that respond to Mtb is incompletely defined. Methods We performed high-definition characterization of circulating Mtb-specific Th17 cells by spectral flow cytometry in people with latent TB and treated HIV (HIV-ART). We also measured kynurenine pathway activity by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) on plasma and tested the hypothesis that tryptophan catabolism influences Th17-cell frequencies in this context. Results We identified two subsets of Th17 cells: subset 1 defined as CD4+Vα7.2-CD161+CD26+and subset 2 defined as CD4+Vα7.2-CCR6+CXCR3-cells of which subset 1 was significantly reduced in latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) with HIV-ART, yet Mtb-responsive IL-17-producing CD4 T cells were preserved; we found that IL-17-producing CD4 T cells dominate the response to Mtb antigen but not cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigen or staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), and tryptophan catabolism negatively correlates with both subset 1 and subset 2 Th17-cell frequencies. Conclusions We found differential effects of ART-suppressed HIV on distinct subsets of Th17 cells, that IL-17-producing CD4 T cells dominate responses to Mtb but not CMV antigen or SEB, and that kynurenine pathway activity is associated with decreases of circulating Th17 cells that may contribute to tuberculosis immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Ogongo
- Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anthony Tran
- Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Florence Marzan
- Drug Research Unit, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - David Gingrich
- Drug Research Unit, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Melissa Krone
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Francesca Aweeka
- Drug Research Unit, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Jeffrey N. Martin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Steven G. Deeks
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Peter W. Hunt
- Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Joel D. Ernst
- Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Ogongo P, Tran A, Marzan F, Gingrich D, Krone M, Aweeka F, Lindestam Arlehamn CS, Martin JN, Deeks SG, Hunt PW, Ernst JD. High-parameter phenotypic characterization reveals a subset of human Th17 cells that preferentially produce IL17 against M. tuberculosis antigen. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.01.06.523027. [PMID: 36711855 PMCID: PMC9881994 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.06.523027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Background Interleukin 17 producing CD4 T cells contribute to the control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in humans; whether infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disproportionately affects distinct Th17 cell subsets that respond to Mtb is incompletely defined. Methods We performed high-definition characterization of circulating Mtb-specific Th17 cells by spectral flow cytometry in people with latent TB and treated HIV (HIV-ART). We also measured kynurenine pathway activity by LC/MS on plasma and tested the hypothesis that tryptophan catabolism influences Th17 cell frequencies in this context. Results We identified two subsets of Th17 cells: subset 1 defined as CD4+Vα7.2-CD161+CD26+ and subset 2 defined as CD4+Vα7.2-CCR6+CXCR3- cells of which subset 1 was significantly reduced in LTBI with HIV-ART, yet Mtb-responsive IL17-producing CD4 T cells were preserved; we found that IL17-producing CD4 T cells dominate the response to Mtb antigen but not CMV antigen or staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB); and tryptophan catabolism negatively correlates with both subset 1 and subset 2 Th17 cell frequencies. Conclusions We found differential effects of ART-suppressed HIV on distinct subsets of Th17 cells, that IL17-producing CD4 T cells dominate responses to Mtb but not CMV antigen or SEB, and that kynurenine pathway activity is associated with decreases of circulating Th17 cells that may contribute to tuberculosis immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Ogongo
- Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Institute of Primate Research, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anthony Tran
- Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Florence Marzan
- Drug Research Unit, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David Gingrich
- Drug Research Unit, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Melissa Krone
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Francesca Aweeka
- Drug Research Unit, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey N. Martin
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Steven G. Deeks
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Peter W. Hunt
- Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joel D. Ernst
- Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Li D, Liu W, Sun S, Zhang Y, Zhang P, Feng G, Wei J, Chai L. Chinese herbal formula, modified Xianfang Huoming Yin, alleviates the inflammatory proliferation of rat synoviocytes induced by IL-1β through regulating the migration and differentiation of T lymphocytes. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 309:116297. [PMID: 36849102 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Xianfang Huoming Yin (XFH) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula, which has the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying toxins, dispersing swellings, activating blood circulation, and relieving pain. It is usually applied to treat various autoimmune diseases, including Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). AIM OF THE STUDY The migration of T lymphocytes plays an indispensable role in the pathogenesis of RA. Our previous studies demonstrated that modified Xianfang Huoming Yin (XFHM) could modulate the differentiation of T, B, and NK cells, and contribute to the restoration of immunologic balance. It also could downregulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by regulating the activation of NF-κ B and JAK/STAT signaling pathways in the collagen-induced arthritis mouse model. In this study, we want to investigate whether XFHM has therapeutic effects on the inflammatory proliferation of rat fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLSs) by interfering with the migration of T lymphocytes in vitro experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS High performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/mass spectrometer system was used to identify the constituents of the XFHM formula. A co-culture system of rat fibroblast-like synovial cells (RSC-364 cells) and peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated by interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) was used as the cell model. IL-1β inhibitor (IL-1βRA) was used as a positive control medicine, and two concentrations (100 μg/mL and 250 μg/mL) of freeze-dried XFHM powder were used as intervention measure. The lymphocyte migration levels were analyzed by the Real-time xCELLigence analysis system after 24 h and 48 h of treatment. The percentage of CD3+CD4+ T cells and CD3+CD8+ T cells, and the apoptosis rate of FLSs were detected by flow cytometry. The morphology of RSC-364 cells was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein expression of key factors for T cell differentiation and NF-κ B signaling pathway-related proteins in RSC-364 cells were examined by western-blot analysis. The migration-related cytokines levels of P-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 in the supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Twenty-one different components in XFHM were identified. The migration CI index of T cells was significantly decreased in treatment with XFHM. XFHM also could significantly downregulate the levels r of CD3+CD4+T cells and CD3+CD8+T cells that migrated to the FLSs layer. Further study found that XFHM suppresses the production of P-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1. Meanwhile, it downregulated the protein levels of T-bet, ROR γ t, IKKα/β, TRAF2, and NF-κ B p50, upregulated the expression of GATA-3 and alleviated synovial cells inflammation proliferation, contributing to the FLSs apoptosis. CONCLUSION XFHM could attenuate the inflammation of synovium by inhibiting T lymphocyte cell migration, regulating differentiation of T cells through modulating the activation of the NF-κ B signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Song Sun
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yingkai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Pingxin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Guiyu Feng
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Wei
- Department of Pharmacy, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
| | - Limin Chai
- Key Laboratory of Chinese Internal Medicine of Ministry of Education and Beijing, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.
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Cheru N, Hafler DA, Sumida TS. Regulatory T cells in peripheral tissue tolerance and diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1154575. [PMID: 37197653 PMCID: PMC10183596 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1154575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of peripheral tolerance by CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) is essential for regulating autoreactive T cells. The loss of function of Foxp3 leads to autoimmune disease in both animals and humans. An example is the rare, X-linked recessive disorder known as IPEX (Immune Dysregulation, Polyendocrinopathy, Enteropathy X-linked) syndrome. In more common human autoimmune diseases, defects in Treg function are accompanied with aberrant effector cytokines such as IFNγ. It has recently become appreciated that Tregs plays an important role in not only maintaining immune homeostasis but also in establishing the tissue microenvironment and homeostasis of non-lymphoid tissues. Tissue resident Tregs show profiles that are unique to their local environments which are composed of both immune and non-immune cells. Core tissue-residence gene signatures are shared across different tissue Tregs and are crucial to homeostatic regulation and maintaining the tissue Treg pool in a steady state. Through interaction with immunocytes and non-immunocytes, tissue Tregs exert a suppressive function via conventional ways involving contact dependent and independent processes. In addition, tissue resident Tregs communicate with other tissue resident cells which allows Tregs to adopt to their local microenvironment. These bidirectional interactions are dependent on the specific tissue environment. Here, we summarize the recent advancements of tissue Treg studies in both human and mice, and discuss the molecular mechanisms that maintain tissue homeostasis and prevent pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nardos Cheru
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - David A. Hafler
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Tomokazu S. Sumida
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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Luo W, Zhang G, Wang Z, Wu Y, Xiong Y. Ubiquitin-specific proteases: Vital regulatory molecules in bone and bone-related diseases. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 118:110075. [PMID: 36989900 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110075] [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] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Stabilization of bone structure and function involves multiple cell-to-cell and molecular interactions, in which the regulatory functions of post-translational modifications such as ubiquitination and deubiquitination shouldn't be underestimated. As the largest family of deubiquitinating enzymes, the ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) participate in the development of bone homeostasis and bone-related diseases through multiple classical osteogenic and osteolytic signaling pathways, such as BMP/TGF-β pathway, NF-κB/p65 pathway, EGFR-MAPK pathway and Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Meanwhile, USPs may also broadly regulate regulate hormone expression level, cell proliferation and differentiation, and may further influence bone homeostasis from gene fusion and nuclear translocation of transcription factors. The number of patients with bone-related diseases is currently enormous, making exploration of their pathogenesis and targeted therapy a hot topic. Pathological increases in the levels of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1β and TNF-α lead to inflammatory bone diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis. While impaired body metabolism greatly increases the probability of osteoporosis. Abnormal physiological activity of bone-associated cells results in a variety of bone tumors. The regulatory role of USPs in bone-related disease has received particular attention from academics in recent studies. In this review, we focuse on the roles and mechanisms of USPs in bone homeostasis and bone-related diseases, with the expectation of informing targeted therapies in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guorui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhanqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Oral Implantology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yingying Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Oral Implantology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; Department of Oral Implantology, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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11
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Keller LE, Tait Wojno ED, Begum L, Fortier LA. T Helper 17-Like Regulatory T Cells in Equine Synovial Fluid Are Associated With Disease Severity of Naturally Occurring Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis. Am J Sports Med 2023; 51:1047-1058. [PMID: 36794851 PMCID: PMC10375548 DOI: 10.1177/03635465231153588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infiltration of cluster of differentiation (CD) 3+ (CD3+) T cells into the synovium and synovial fluid occurs in most patients with posttraumatic osteoarthritis. During disease progression, proinflammatory T helper 17 cells and anti-inflammatory regulatory T cells infiltrate the joint in response to inflammation. This study aimed to characterize the dynamics of regulatory T and T helper 17 cell populations in synovial fluid from equine clinical patients with posttraumatic osteoarthritis to determine whether phenotype and function are associated with potential immunotherapeutic targets. HYPOTHESIS An imbalance of the ratio of regulatory T cells and T helper 17 cells would be associated with disease progression in posttraumatic osteoarthritis, suggesting opportunities for immunomodulatory therapy. STUDY DESIGN Descriptive laboratory study. METHODS Synovial fluid was aspirated from the joints of equine clinical patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery for posttraumatic osteoarthritis resulting from intra-articular fragmentation. Joints were classified as having mild or moderate posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Synovial fluid was also obtained from nonoperated horses with normal cartilage. Peripheral blood was obtained from horses with normal cartilage and those with mild and moderate posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Synovial fluid and peripheral blood cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, and native synovial fluid was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS CD3+ T cells represented 81% of lymphocytes in synovial fluid, which increased in animals with moderate posttraumatic osteoarthritis to 88.3% (P = .02). CD14+ macrophages were doubled in those with moderate posttraumatic osteoarthritis compared with mild posttraumatic osteoarthritis and controls (P < .001). Less than 5% of CD3+ T cells found within the joint were forkhead box P3 protein+ (Foxp3+) regulatory T cells, but a 4- to 8-times higher percentage of nonoperated and mild posttraumatic osteoarthritis joint regulatory T cells secreted interleukin (IL)-10 than peripheral blood Tregs (P < .005). T regulatory-1 cells that secreted IL-10 but did not express Foxp3 accounted for approximately 5% of CD3+ T cells in all joints. T helper 17 cells and Th17-like regulatory T cells were increased in those with moderate posttraumatic osteoarthritis (P < .0001) compared with mild and nonoperated patients. IL-10, IL-17A, IL-6, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand (CCL) 2 (CCL2), and CCL5 concentrations detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in synovial fluid were not different between groups. CONCLUSIONS An imbalance of the ratio of regulatory T cells and T helper 17 cells and an increase in T helper 17 cell-like regulatory T cells in synovial fluid from joints with more severe disease provide novel insights into immunological mechanisms that are associated with posttraumatic osteoarthritis progression and pathogenesis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Early and targeted use of immunotherapeutics in the mitigation of posttraumatic osteoarthritis may improve patient clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Keller
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Elia D Tait Wojno
- University of Washington, Department of Immunology, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Laila Begum
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Lisa A Fortier
- Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Ithaca, New York, USA
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12
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Povoleri GAM, Fleskens V, Taams LS. Isolation and Functional Characterization of Regulatory CD4+ T Cells from the Inflamed Joints of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2559:189-203. [PMID: 36180634 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2647-4_13] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells play a critical role in maintaining immune homeostasis and in preventing and controlling unwanted immune activation. These cells are often studied in the context of human peripheral blood, but can also be isolated from other biofluids. Here we describe methods for the isolation and functional characterization of human CD4+ CD25hi CD127low regulatory T cells from the synovial fluid of patients with inflammatory arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A M Povoleri
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology (CIBCI), Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Veerle Fleskens
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology (CIBCI), Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Leonie S Taams
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology (CIBCI), Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
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13
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Wang X, Zhou H, Liu Q, Cheng P, Zhao T, Yang T, Zhao Y, Sha W, Zhao Y, Qu H. Targeting regulatory T cells for cardiovascular diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1126761. [PMID: 36911741 PMCID: PMC9995594 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1126761] [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: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The CVDs are accompanied by inflammatory progression, resulting in innate and adaptive immune responses. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have an immunosuppressive function and are one of the subsets of CD4+T cells that play a crucial role in inflammatory diseases. Whether using Tregs as a biomarker for CVDs or targeting Tregs to exert cardioprotective functions by regulating immune balance, suppressing inflammation, suppressing cardiac and vascular remodeling, mediating immune tolerance, and promoting cardiac regeneration in the treatment of CVDs has become an emerging research focus. However, Tregs have plasticity, and this plastic Tregs lose immunosuppressive function and produce toxic effects on target organs in some diseases. This review aims to provide an overview of Tregs' role and related mechanisms in CVDs, and reports on the research of plasticity Tregs in CVDs, to lay a foundation for further studies targeting Tregs in the prevention and treatment of CVDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinting Wang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Zhou
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Peipei Cheng
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingyao Zhao
- Guanghua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianshu Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Zhao
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanjing Sha
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanyan Zhao
- Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiyan Qu
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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14
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Wang J, Zhang SX, Chang JS, Cheng T, Jiang XJ, Su QY, Zhang JQ, Luo J, Li XF. Low-dose IL-2 improved clinical symptoms by restoring reduced regulatory T cells in patients with refractory rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized controlled trial. Front Immunol 2022; 13:947341. [PMID: 36524114 PMCID: PMC9744779 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.947341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been found to play crucial roles in immune tolerance. However, the status of Tregs in refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is still unclear. Moreover, low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been reported to selectively promote the expansion of Tregs. This study investigated the status of CD4+ Tregs and low-dose IL-2 therapy in patients with refractory RA. Methods The absolute number of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Treg (CD4 Treg), CD4+IL17+ T (Th17), and other subsets in peripheral blood (PB) from 41 patients with refractory RA and 40 healthy donors was characterized by flow cytometry combined with an internal microsphere counting standard. Twenty-six patients with refractory RA were treated with daily subcutaneous injections of 0.5 million IU of human IL-2 for five consecutive days. Then, its effects on CD4 Treg and Th17 cells in PB were analyzed. Results A decrease in the absolute number of PB CD4 Tregs rather than the increase in the number of Th17 was found to contribute to an imbalance between Th17 and CD4 Tregs in these patients, suggesting an essential role of CD4 Tregs in sustained high disease activity. Low-dose IL-2 selectively increased the number of CD4 Tregs and rebalanced the ratio of Th17 and CD4 Tregs, leading to increased clinical symptom remission without the observed side effects. Conclusions An absolute decrease of PB CD4 Tregs in patients with refractory RA was associated with continuing disease activation but not the increase of Th17 cells. Low-dose IL-2, a potential therapeutic candidate, restored decreased CD4 Tregs and promoted the rapid remission of patients with refractory RA without overtreatment and the observed side effects. Clinical trial registration http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=13909, identifier ChiCTR-INR-16009546.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Sheng-Xiao Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jia-Song Chang
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
- Department of Physiology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Ting Cheng
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiao-Jing Jiang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Qin-Yi Su
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jia-Qi Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Li
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University, Ministry of Education, Taiyuan, China
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15
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Gao Y, Cai W, Zhou Y, Li Y, Cheng J, Wei F. Immunosenescence of T cells: a key player in rheumatoid arthritis. Inflamm Res 2022; 71:1449-1462. [DOI: 10.1007/s00011-022-01649-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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16
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Yan S, Kotschenreuther K, Deng S, Kofler DM. Regulatory T cells in rheumatoid arthritis: functions, development, regulation, and therapeutic potential. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:533. [PMID: 36173485 PMCID: PMC9522664 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04563-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that mainly affects the joints but also leads to systemic inflammation. Auto-reactivity and dysregulation of self-tolerance are thought to play a vital role in disease onset. In the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, disturbed immunosuppressive properties of regulatory T cells contribute to the dysregulation of immune homeostasis. In RA patients, the functions of Treg cells and their frequency are reduced. Therefore, focusing on the re-establishment of self-tolerance by increasing Treg cell frequencies and preventing a loss of function is a promising strategy for the treatment of RA. This approach could be especially beneficial for those patients who do not respond well to current therapies. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current knowledge about the function, differentiation and regulation of Treg cells in RA patients and in animal models of autoimmune arthritis. In addition, we highlight the therapeutic potential as well as the challenges of Treg cell targeting treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaifeng Yan
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Konstantin Kotschenreuther
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Shuya Deng
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - David M Kofler
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany.
- Center for Integrated Oncology, Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Cologne, Germany.
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17
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Olsson AM, Povoleri GAM, Somma D, Ridley ML, Rizou T, Lalnunhlimi S, Macdonald L, Rajasekhar M, Martinez-Nunez RT, Kurowska-Stolarska M, Taams LS. miR-155-overexpressing monocytes resemble HLAhighISG15+ synovial tissue macrophages from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and induce polyfunctional CD4+ T-cell activation. Clin Exp Immunol 2022; 207:188-198. [PMID: 35020867 PMCID: PMC8982969 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxab016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRs) are known to regulate pro-inflammatory effector functions of myeloid cells, and miR dysregulation is implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a condition characterized by inflammation and destruction of the joints. We showed previously that miR-155 is increased in myeloid cells in RA and induces pro-inflammatory activation of monocytes and macrophages; however, its role at the interface between innate and adaptive immunity was not defined. Here, RNA-sequencing revealed that overexpression of miR-155 in healthy donor monocytes conferred a specific gene profile which bears similarities to that of RA synovial fluid-derived CD14+ cells and HLAhighISG15+ synovial tissue macrophages, both of which are characterized by antigen-presenting pathways. In line with this, monocytes in which miR-155 was overexpressed, displayed increased expression of HLA-DR and both co-stimulatory and co-inhibitory molecules, and induced activation of polyfunctional T cells. Together, these data underpin the notion that miR-155-driven myeloid cell activation in the synovium contributes not only to inflammation but may also influence the adaptive immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton M Olsson
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Giovanni A M Povoleri
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Domenico Somma
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Michael L Ridley
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,GSK, Stevenage, UK
| | - Tatiana Rizou
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Sylvine Lalnunhlimi
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Lucy Macdonald
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Megha Rajasekhar
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Rocio T Martinez-Nunez
- Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Mariola Kurowska-Stolarska
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.,Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Leonie S Taams
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
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18
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Kmiołek T, Paradowska-Gorycka A. miRNAs as Biomarkers and Possible Therapeutic Strategies in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030452. [PMID: 35159262 PMCID: PMC8834522 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the past years, more and more attention has been devoted to the epigenetic dysregulation that provides an additional window for understanding the possible mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a heterogeneous disease where a specific immunologic and genetic/epigenetic background is responsible for disease manifestations and course. In this field, microRNAs (miRNA; miR) are being identified as key regulators of immune cell development and function. The identification of disease-associated miRNAs will introduce us to the post-genomic era, providing the real probability of manipulating the genetic impact of autoimmune diseases. Thereby, different miRNAs may be good candidates for biomarkers in disease diagnosis, prognosis, treatment and other clinical applications. Here, we outline not only the role of miRNAs in immune and inflammatory responses in RA, but also present miRNAs as diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers. Research into miRNAs is still in its infancy; however, investigation into these novel biomarkers could progress the use of personalized medicine in RA treatment. Finally, we discussed the possibility of miRNA-based therapy in RA patients, which holds promise, given major advances in the therapy of patients with inflammatory arthritis.
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19
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Yan S, Golumba-Nagy V, Kotschenreuther K, Thiele J, Refaian N, Shuya D, Gloyer L, Dittrich-Salamon M, Meyer A, Heindl LM, Kofler DM. Membrane-bound IL-6R is upregulated on Th17 cells and inhibits Treg cell migration by regulating post-translational modification of VASP in autoimmune arthritis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 79:3. [PMID: 34913099 PMCID: PMC8674172 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-04076-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune arthritis is characterized by impaired regulatory T (Treg) cell migration into inflamed joint tissue and by dysregulation of the balance between Treg cells and Th17 cells. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is known to contribute to this dysregulation, but the molecular mechanisms behind impaired Treg cell migration remain largely unknown. In this study, we assessed dynamic changes in membrane-bound IL-6 receptor (IL6R) expression levels on Th17 cells by flow cytometry during the development of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). In a next step, bioinformatics analysis based on proteomics was performed to evaluate potential pathways affected by altered IL-6R signaling in autoimmune arthritis. Our analysis shows that membrane-bound IL-6R is upregulated on Th17 cells and is inversely correlated with IL-6 serum levels in experimental autoimmune arthritis. Moreover, IL-6R expression is significantly increased on Th17 cells from untreated patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Interestingly, CD4+ T cells from CIA mice and RA patients show reduced phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP). Bioinformatics analysis based on proteomics of CD4+ T cells with low or high phosphorylation levels of VASP revealed that integrin signaling and related pathways are significantly enriched in cells with low phosphorylation of VASP. Specific inhibition of p-VASP reduces the migratory function of Treg cells but has no influence on effector CD4+ T cells. Importantly, IL-6R blockade restores the phosphorylation level of VASP, thereby improving the migratory function of Treg cells from RA patients. Thus, our results establish a link between IL6R signaling and phosphorylation of VASP, which controls Treg cell migration in autoimmune arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuaifeng Yan
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Viktoria Golumba-Nagy
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Konstantin Kotschenreuther
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Jan Thiele
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nasrin Refaian
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Deng Shuya
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Lydia Gloyer
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Mara Dittrich-Salamon
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anja Meyer
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ludwig M Heindl
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - David M Kofler
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department I of Internal Medicine, University of Cologne, Kerpenerstr. 62, 50937, Cologne, Germany. .,Center for Integrated Oncology, Aachen Bonn Cologne Duesseldorf, Cologne, Germany.
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20
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Sun J, Liu R, He X, Bian J, Zhao W, Shi W, Ruan Q. MicroRNA-21 Regulates Diametrically Opposed Biological Functions of Regulatory T Cells. Front Immunol 2021; 12:766757. [PMID: 34858422 PMCID: PMC8632542 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.766757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are considered important for controlling the onset and development of autoimmune disease. Although studies have shown that miR-21 is expressed at higher levels in Treg cells, it remains largely elusive whether miR-21 regulates the immune-suppressive function of Tregs. In the current study, we generated mice lacking miR-21 specifically in their Tregs and investigated the role of miR-21 in regulating Treg function both in vitro and in vivo. Our study revealed that Tregs lacking miR-21 exhibit normal phenotype and unaltered function in suppressing T cell proliferation and dendritic cell activation in vitro. However, compared with miR-21-sufficient Tregs, they produce significant more IL-17 and IL-10 when under pathogenic Th17-priming condition. Adenoviral delivery of miR-21 into Treg cells is able to reduce the expression of both IL-17 and IL-10. Mechanistic study revealed that miR-21 down-regulates IL-10 expression through direct targeting of IL-10, and suppresses reprogramming of Tregs into IL-17-secreting cells through down-regulating Stat3 activity. However, we detected no significant or marginal difference in the development of various autoimmune diseases between wild type mice and mice with Treg-specific deletion of miR-21. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that miR-21 in Tregs regulates diametrically opposed biological Treg functions and is largely dispensable for the development of autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jijun Sun
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Institute of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Ruiling Liu
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Institute of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiaozhen He
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Institute of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Jiang Bian
- Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wenbo Zhao
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Institute of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Weiyun Shi
- Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Qingguo Ruan
- State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Shandong Institute of Ophthalmology, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao, China
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21
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Hatzioannou A, Boumpas A, Papadopoulou M, Papafragkos I, Varveri A, Alissafi T, Verginis P. Regulatory T Cells in Autoimmunity and Cancer: A Duplicitous Lifestyle. Front Immunol 2021; 12:731947. [PMID: 34539668 PMCID: PMC8446642 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.731947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells, possess a strategic role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis, and their function has been closely linked to development of diverse pathologies including autoimmunity and cancer. Comprehensive studies in various disease contexts revealed an increased plasticity as a characteristic of Treg cells. Although Treg cell plasticity comes in various flavors, the major categories enclose the loss of Foxp3 expression, which is the master regulator of Treg cell lineage, giving rise to “ex-Treg” cells and the “fragile” Treg cells in which FOXP3 expression is retained but accompanied by the engagement of an inflammatory program and attenuation of the suppressive activity. Treg cell plasticity possess a tremendous therapeutic potential either by inducing Treg cell de-stabilization to promote anti-tumor immunity, or re-enforcing Treg cell stability to attenuate chronic inflammation. Herein, we review the literature on the Treg cell plasticity with lessons learned in autoimmunity and cancer and discuss challenges and open questions with potential therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aikaterini Hatzioannou
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Athina Boumpas
- Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Miranta Papadopoulou
- Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Iosif Papafragkos
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece.,Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Tolerance, Division of Basic Sciences, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Athina Varveri
- Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Themis Alissafi
- Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Panayotis Verginis
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Center of Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH), Heraklion, Greece.,Laboratory of Immune Regulation and Tolerance, Division of Basic Sciences, Medical School, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
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22
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Li X, Xu H, Huang J, Luo D, Lv S, Lu X, Xiao C. Dysfunctions, Molecular Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Strategies of Regulatory T Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:716081. [PMID: 34512345 PMCID: PMC8428974 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.716081] [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: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) represent a distinct subpopulation of CD4+ T lymphocytes that promote immune tolerance and maintain immune system homeostasis. The dysfunction of Tregs is tightly associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although the complex pathogenic processes of RA remain unclear, studies on Tregs in RA have achieved substantial progress not only in fundamental research but also in clinical application. This review discusses the current knowledge of the characterizations, functions, and molecular mechanisms of Tregs in the pathogenesis of RA, and potential therapies for these disorders are also involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoya Li
- The Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences/Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.,Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Huihui Xu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Research of Chinese Medicine on Prevention and Treatment for Major Diseases, Experimental Research Center, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Changping District, Beijing, China
| | - Shuang Lv
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangchen Lu
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.,School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Cheng Xiao
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.,Department of Emergency, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
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23
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Wei W, Lu W, Chen X, Yang Y, Zheng M. Use of Network Pharmacology to Investigate the Mechanism of the Compound Xuanju Capsule in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:5568791. [PMID: 34414237 PMCID: PMC8370818 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5568791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To clarify the therapeutic mechanisms of compound Xuanju capsule-treated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on network pharmacology tactics. METHOD The TCMSP, TCMID and STITCH databases were used to screen the active ingredients and targets in the compound Xuanju capsule; the OMIM, TTD, PharmGKB and GeneCards databases were applied to screen the RA-related disease targets. Then, the obtained targets were imported into Cytoscape 3.7.1 software to construct the active ingredient-target network and the RA-related disease-target network. The active ingredient-target PPI network, the RA-related disease-target PPI network and the common target PPI network were built by using the STRING platform and Cytoscape 3.7.1 software. The GO and KEGG analyses of the common targets were analyzed by using the Metascape and Bioinformatics online tools. RESULTS A total of 51 active ingredients and 513 corresponding ingredient targets were harvested from the compound Xuanju capsule; 641 RA-related disease targets were obtained. After two PPI networks were constructed and merged, 116 RA-related targets of compound Xuanju capsules were identified and analyzed. 116 RA-related targets of compound Xuanju capsules are mainly involved in the biological processes and molecular functions, such as the cytokine-mediated signaling pathways, the response to lipopolysaccharide and the blood vascular development, the cytokine activity, the cytokine receptor binding and the receptor regulator activity. Furthermore, 116 RA-related targets of compound Xuanju capsules are concentrated in signaling pathways such as the IL-17, TNF, Th17 cell differentiation, Toll receptor and RA signaling pathway. CONCLUSION The compound Xuanju capsule had the action characteristics of multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways in the treatment of RA, which might primarily reduce the release of proinflammatory factors (such as IL-6 and TNF-α) and increase the production of anti-inflammatory factors (such as IL-10) by regulating inflammation-related signaling pathways (such as IL-17), thereby alleviating the inflammatory damage and improving the bone tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyang Wei
- Academic Research and Development Center of Zhejiang Strong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, 310053 Zhejiang, China
| | - Wanpeng Lu
- Academic Research and Development Center of Zhejiang Strong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, 310053 Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaolong Chen
- Academic Research and Development Center of Zhejiang Strong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, 310053 Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunfeng Yang
- Academic Research and Development Center of Zhejiang Strong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, 310053 Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengkai Zheng
- Academic Research and Development Center of Zhejiang Strong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, 310053 Zhejiang, China
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24
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Chen J, Ye H, Xiao W, Mao Y, Ai S, Chen R, Lian X, Shi L, Wang X, Bi S, Yang S, Ji X, Zhang T, Yang H. Increased Dysfunctional and Plastic Regulatory T Cells in Idiopathic Orbital Inflammation. Front Immunol 2021; 12:634847. [PMID: 34012433 PMCID: PMC8126653 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.634847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Idiopathic orbital inflammation (IOI) is a disfiguring and vision-threatening fibroinflammatory disorder. The pathogenesis of IOI has not been elucidated. We sought to clarify the regulatory T cell (Treg) distribution and function in patients with IOI. Methods The frequency, phenotype and function of Tregs were identified by multicolor flow cytometry and in vitro cell functional assays. Plasma and tissue samples were obtained to investigate cytokines, chemokines and their receptors of interest by relative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Luminex assays. Results Compared with healthy subjects, patients with IOI exhibited obvious increases of Tregs in peripheral blood and affected orbital tissues. Circulating Tregs from patients with IOI were significantly more polarized to a Th17-like phenotype with defective regulatory function, whereas orbit-derived Tregs were polarized to a Th2-like phenotype. Furthermore, ST2 expression levels in circulating Tregs and interleukin (IL)-33 mRNA levels in orbital tissues were decreased in IOI. IL-33 restored the suppressive function of Tregs, reduced interferon (IFN)-γ production by Tregs and decreased the activation of orbital fibroblasts (OFs) cocultured with Tregs in IOI. Conclusion Increased Tregs with proinflammatory and profibrotic polarization were first identified in IOI, suggesting that Treg plasticity and heterogeneity plays an essential role in IOI pathogenesis. Additionally, our study identified a regulatory effect of IL-33 on inflammation and fibrosis in IOI. Reversing the plastic Tregs via IL-33 might be a potential option for IOI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingqiao Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huijing Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuxiang Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Siming Ai
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rongxin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiufen Lian
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaowei Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shenglan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xian Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Te Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huasheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Chatzileontiadou DSM, Sloane H, Nguyen AT, Gras S, Grant EJ. The Many Faces of CD4 + T Cells: Immunological and Structural Characteristics. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:E73. [PMID: 33374787 PMCID: PMC7796221 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As a major arm of the cellular immune response, CD4+ T cells are important in the control and clearance of infections. Primarily described as helpers, CD4+ T cells play an integral role in the development and activation of B cells and CD8+ T cells. CD4+ T cells are incredibly heterogeneous, and can be divided into six main lineages based on distinct profiles, namely T helper 1, 2, 17 and 22 (Th1, Th2, Th17, Th22), regulatory T cells (Treg) and T follicular helper cells (Tfh). Recent advances in structural biology have allowed for a detailed characterisation of the molecular mechanisms that drive CD4+ T cell recognition. In this review, we discuss the defining features of the main human CD4+ T cell lineages and their role in immunity, as well as their structural characteristics underlying their detection of pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetra S. M. Chatzileontiadou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (D.S.M.C.); (H.S.); (A.T.N.); (S.G.)
| | - Hannah Sloane
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (D.S.M.C.); (H.S.); (A.T.N.); (S.G.)
| | - Andrea T. Nguyen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (D.S.M.C.); (H.S.); (A.T.N.); (S.G.)
| | - Stephanie Gras
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (D.S.M.C.); (H.S.); (A.T.N.); (S.G.)
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Advanced Molecular Imaging, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Emma J. Grant
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; (D.S.M.C.); (H.S.); (A.T.N.); (S.G.)
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26
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Paradowska-Gorycka A, Wajda A, Romanowska-Próchnicka K, Walczuk E, Kuca-Warnawin E, Kmiolek T, Stypinska B, Rzeszotarska E, Majewski D, Jagodzinski PP, Pawlik A. Th17/Treg-Related Transcriptional Factor Expression and Cytokine Profile in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:572858. [PMID: 33362761 PMCID: PMC7759671 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.572858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The aim of our study was to determine whether there is a correlation between transcription factors expression and Th17/Treg ratio, cytokine profile in the RA phenotype as well as to identify transcription factors that could be a potential biomarker for RA. Methods The study was conducted on 45 patients with RA, 27 patients with OA and 46 healthy controls (HCs). Th17 and Treg frequency was determined by flow cytometry (15 patients with RA/OA and 15 subjects of HC). Gene expression was estimated by qPCR, and the serum cytokine levels were determined by ELISA. Results The percentage of Treg (CD4+CD25highCD127-) cells in RA patients was lower than in OA patients or HCs. Proportions of Th17 (CD4+CCR6+CXCR3-) cells were higher in RA and OA in comparison to HCs. STAT5 showed a very high expression in the blood of RA patients compared to healthy subjects. The expression of STAT5 and HELIOS was not detected in Th17 cells. A positive correlation between SMAD3 and STAT3 in RA patients was observed. Negative correlations between HIF-1A and SMAD2 in RA Treg cells and DAS-28 score were observed. The range of serum of IL-17 and IL-21 were higher in RA patients than in OA patients. Concentrations of serum IL-2 and IFN-γ were higher in RA and OA patients than in healthy subjects. Based on the ROC analysis, the diagnostic potential of the combination of HIF1A, SMAD3 and STAT3, was determined at AUC 0.95 for distinguishing RA patients from HCs. For distinguishing RA patients from OA patients the diagnostic potential of the combination of SMAD2, SMAD3, SMAD4 and STAT3, was determined at AUC 0.95. Conclusion Based on our study, we conclude that SMAD3 and STAT3 could be potential diagnostic biomarkers for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Paradowska-Gorycka
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Wajda
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Romanowska-Próchnicka
- Department of Connective Tissue Diseases, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland.,Department of Pathophysiology, Warsaw Medical University, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Walczuk
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Kuca-Warnawin
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Kmiolek
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Barbara Stypinska
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Rzeszotarska
- Department of Molecular Biology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dominik Majewski
- Department of Rheumatology and Internal Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Science, Poznan, Poland
| | - Pawel Piotr Jagodzinski
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Andrzej Pawlik
- Department of Physiology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
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27
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Kanjana K, Chevaisrakul P, Matangkasombut P, Paisooksantivatana K, Lumjiaktase P. Inhibitory activity of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells reveals high specificity for displaying immune tolerance in remission state rheumatoid arthritis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19789. [PMID: 33188235 PMCID: PMC7666192 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76168-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune regulation status may indicate immunological remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the Regulatory T cell (Treg) properties, together with 14 plasma cytokines levels between active RA and clinical remission patients. Peripheral blood (PB) Foxp3+ Treg was collected from RA patients for determination of Treg inhibitory activity using a co-culture system. Other PB T cell types and plasma cytokines were determined by flow-cytometry. The Treg results were analyzed according to the disease activity score-28 (DAS28). Then sensitivity and specificity were calculated for the indication of the remission status. The number and inhibitory activity of Treg are higher in the clinical remission as compared to the active RA (p value < 0.0001). Also, Treg: CD4+CD25+CD127+ cell ratio demonstrates the similar result (p value < 0.05). Treg inhibitory activity is inversely correlated with the DAS28. Specificity and positive likelihood ratio of inhibitory activity for indicating remission status are 92.31% (95% CI 63.97-99.81) and 11.14 (95% CI 1.67-74.14), respectively. Treg inhibitory activity is a promising prognostic marker and probably represents the immunological remission status in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korawit Kanjana
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, 270 Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Parawee Chevaisrakul
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ponpan Matangkasombut
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Karan Paisooksantivatana
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, 270 Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand
| | - Putthapoom Lumjiaktase
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Rama 6 Road, 270 Thung Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
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28
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Du YY, Chen ZX, Liu MY, Liu QP, Lin CS, Chu CQ, Xu Q. Leonurine Regulates Treg/Th17 Balance to Attenuate Rheumatoid Arthritis Through Inhibition of TAZ Expression. Front Immunol 2020; 11:556526. [PMID: 33117342 PMCID: PMC7575723 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.556526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leonurine, an active alkaloid extracted from Herba leonuri, is reported to have potent anti-inflammatory activity against rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, the molecular mechanism of action of leonurine in RA remains poorly understood. In this study, we detected 3,425 mRNAs differentially expressed between CD4+ T cells of RA patients and those of healthy individuals using microarray raw data mining. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis revealed that transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) regulates a variety of biological processes including T-helper (Th)-17 cell development, and was thus selected for functional verification. In a naïve CD4+ T cell differentiation assay, we found that TAZ overexpression was associated with impaired balance between T regulatory (Treg) and Th17 cells in vitro. TAZ overexpression increased the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-17, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and decreased that of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Leonurine treatment had a direct recovery effect on the impaired balance and reduced the expression of TAZ and led to normalization of IL-17, IL-1β, and TNF-α and IL-10. Furthermore, IL-6 was found to promote the expression of TAZ and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), and RANK. Leonurine significantly inhibited TAZ-mediated expression of RANKL, and RANK and IL-6 in synovial fibroblasts. We conclude that the therapeutic effect of leonurine was through suppression of TAZ led to restoration of Treg/Th17 balance and suppression of synovial fibroblast action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Yi Du
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Xin Chen
- Chinese Medicine Department, South China Agricultural University Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min-Ying Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing-Ping Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chang-Song Lin
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cong-Qiu Chu
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Qiang Xu
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.,Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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29
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Qiu R, Zhou L, Ma Y, Zhou L, Liang T, Shi L, Long J, Yuan D. Regulatory T Cell Plasticity and Stability and Autoimmune Diseases. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2020; 58:52-70. [PMID: 30449014 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-018-8721-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a class of CD4+ T cells with immunosuppressive functions that play a critical role in maintaining immune homeostasis. However, in certain disease settings, Tregs demonstrate plastic differentiation, and the stability of these Tregs, which is characterized by the stable expression or protective epigenetic modifications of the transcription factor Foxp3, becomes abnormal. Plastic Tregs have some features of helper T (Th) cells, such as the secretion of Th-related cytokines and the expression of specific transcription factors in Th cells, but also still retain the expression of Foxp3, a feature of Tregs. Although such Th-like Tregs can secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, they still possess a strong ability to inhibit specific Th cell responses. Therefore, the plastic differentiation of Tregs not only increases the complexity of the immune circumstances under pathological conditions, especially autoimmune diseases, but also shows an association with changes in the stability of Tregs. The plastic differentiation and stability change of Tregs play vital roles in the progression of diseases. This review focuses on the phenotypic characteristics, functions, and formation conditions of several plastic Tregs and also summarizes the changes of Treg stability and their effects on inhibitory function. Additionally, the effects of Treg plasticity and stability on disease prognosis for several autoimmune diseases were also investigated in order to better understand the relationship between Tregs and autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runze Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Liyu Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanjing Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Lingling Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Liang
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Shi
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Long
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China.
| | - Dongping Yuan
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Xianlin Dadao 138, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China.
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Bittner-Eddy PD, Fischer LA, Costalonga M. Transient Expression of IL-17A in Foxp3 Fate-Tracked Cells in Porphyromonas gingivalis-Mediated Oral Dysbiosis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:677. [PMID: 32391008 PMCID: PMC7190800 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In periodontitis Porphyromonas gingivalis contributes to the development of a dysbiotic oral microbiome. This altered ecosystem elicits a diverse innate and adaptive immune response that simultaneously involves Th1, Th17, and Treg cells. It has been shown that Th17 cells can alter their gene expression to produce interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) is considered the master regulator of Treg cells that produce inhibitory cytokines like IL-10. Differentiation pathways that lead to Th17 and Treg cells from naïve progenitors are considered antagonistic. However, it has been reported that Treg cells expressing IL-17A as well as IFN-γ producing Th17 cells have been observed in several inflammatory conditions. Each scenario appears plausible with T cell transdifferentiation resulting from persistent microbial challenge and consequent inflammation. We established that oral colonization with P. gingivalis drives an initial IL-17A dominated Th17 response in the oral mucosa that is dependent on intraepithelial Langerhans cells (LCs). We hypothesized that Treg cells contribute to this initial IL-17A response through transient expression of IL-17A and that persistent mucosal colonization with P. gingivalis drives Th17 cells toward an IFN-γ phenotype at later stages of infection. We utilized fate-tracking mice where IL-17A- or Foxp3-promoter activity drives the permanent expression of red fluorescent protein tdTomato to test our hypothesis. At day 28 of infection timeline, Th17 cells dominated in the oral mucosa, outnumbering Th1 cells by 3:1. By day 48 this dominance was inverted with Th1 cells outnumbering Th17 cells by nearly 2:1. Tracking tdTomato+ Th17 cells revealed only sporadic transdifferentiation to an IFN-γ-producing phenotype by day 48; the appearance of Th1 cells at day 48 was due to a late de novo Th1 response. tdTomato+ Foxp3+ T cells were 35% of the total live CD4+T cells in the oral mucosa and 3.9% of them developed a transient IL-17A-producing phenotype by day 28. Interestingly, by day 48 these IL-17A-producing Foxp3+ T cells had disappeared. Therefore, persistent oral P. gingivalis infection stimulates an initial IL-17A-biased response led by Th17 cells and a small but significant number of IL-17A-expressing Treg cells that changes into a late de novo Th1 response with only sporadic transdifferentiation of Th17 cells.
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Hanaoka H, Nishimoto T, Okazaki Y, Takeuchi T, Kuwana M. A unique thymus-derived regulatory T cell subset associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Arthritis Res Ther 2020; 22:88. [PMID: 32317002 PMCID: PMC7171795 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-020-02183-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Foxp3 is a marker for regulatory T cells (Treg cells), but recent studies have shown the plasticity and heterogeneity of CD4+Foxp3+ T cells. This study aimed to examine the phenotype and function of circulating CD4+Foxp3+ T cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods We enrolled 47 patients with SLE, 31 with organ-specific autoimmune diseases (15 with multiple sclerosis and 16 with primary immune thrombocytopenia), and 19 healthy subjects. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used to evaluate the proportion and phenotype of CD4+Foxp3+ cells using multicolor flow cytometry, the status of the Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR) of the foxp3 gene by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, and the immunoregulatory function of CD4+CD25+ cells by allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. Immunohistochemistry of renal biopsy specimens obtained from 6 patients with lupus nephritis and 5 with IgA nephropathy was conducted to detect IL-17A-expressing CD4+Foxp3+ cells. Results CD4+Foxp3+ T cells were increased in SLE patients compared with organ-specific autoimmune disease controls or healthy controls. Circulating CD4+Foxp3+ T cells were correlated with the disease activity of SLE. The increased CD4+Foxp3+ T cells in active SLE patients were mainly derived from thymus-derived Treg (tTreg) cells, as determined by a demethylated TSDR status, and represented a unique phenotype, upregulated expression of CD49d, CD161, and IL-17A, with immunosuppressive ability comparable to that of healthy controls. Finally, CD4+Foxp3+IL-17A+ cells were infiltrated into the renal biopsy specimens of patients with active lupus nephritis. Conclusions A unique tTreg subset with dichotomic immunoregulatory and T helper 17 phenotypes is increased in the circulation of SLE patients and may be involved in the pathogenic process of SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hironari Hanaoka
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Nishimoto
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Yuka Okazaki
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8603, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Takeuchi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan
| | - Masataka Kuwana
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, 35 Shinanomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-8582, Japan. .,Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1-5 Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8603, Japan.
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Update on the Pathomechanism, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options for Rheumatoid Arthritis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040880. [PMID: 32260219 PMCID: PMC7226834 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 391] [Impact Index Per Article: 97.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that involves multiple joints bilaterally. It is characterized by an inflammation of the tendon (tenosynovitis) resulting in both cartilage destruction and bone erosion. While until the 1990s RA frequently resulted in disability, inability to work, and increased mortality, newer treatment options have made RA a manageable disease. Here, great progress has been made in the development of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) which target inflammation and thereby prevent further joint damage. The available DMARDs are subdivided into (1) conventional synthetic DMARDs (methotrexate, hydrochloroquine, and sulfadiazine), (2) targeted synthetic DMARDs (pan-JAK- and JAK1/2-inhibitors), and (3) biologic DMARDs (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α inhibitors, TNF-receptor (R) inhibitors, IL-6 inhibitors, IL-6R inhibitors, B cell depleting antibodies, and inhibitors of co-stimulatory molecules). While DMARDs have repeatedly demonstrated the potential to greatly improve disease symptoms and prevent disease progression in RA patients, they are associated with considerable side-effects and high financial costs. This review summarizes our current understanding of the underlying pathomechanism, diagnosis of RA, as well as the mode of action, clinical benefits, and side-effects of the currently available DMARDs.
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Mansoori MN, Raghuvanshi A, Shukla P, Awasthi P, Trivedi R, Goel A, Singh D. Medicarpin prevents arthritis in post-menopausal conditions by arresting the expansion of TH17 cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 82:106299. [PMID: 32097846 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are characterized by alteration in balance of various cytokines. Rheumatoid arthritis is a well-known inflammatory disease leading to destruction of cartilage at knee and hands. Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is a common autoimmune model for rheumatoid arthritis study. Here, we have investigated the therapeutic role of medicarpin, a natural pterocarpan with known anti-osteoclastogenic activities, in postmenopausal polyarthritis model of DBA/1J mice. For this, mice were ovariectomized and CIA was induced in OVx animals with primary immunization. After 21 days, booster dose was injected in Ovariectomy (OVx) mice to develop postmenopausal poly-arthritis mice model. Medicarpin treatment in mice at dose of 10.0 mg/kg/body wt was started after 21 days of primary immunization for one month of time period every day orally. We found that medicarpin prevented alteration of TH-17/Treg ratio in CIA model leading to reduced osteoclastogenesis. Micro Computed Tomography (Micro-CT) analysis demonstrated that medicarpin prevents cartilage erosion in joints and restores loss of trabeculae parameters in distal tibia. Treatment with medicarpin also prevented alteration of various cytokines level by down-regulating various pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-17A, while up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in CIA model of mice. Biological marker of arthritis is cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). COMP level was up-regulated in CIA induced mice while treatment with medicarpin significantly restored the serum level of COMP compared with untreated groups. Cartilage staining by Safranin-O also indicates that cartilage destruction in joints of CIA mice was prevented by medicarpin treatment. From this study, we can conclude that medicarpin is effective in preventing arthritis in post-menopausal conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohd Nizam Mansoori
- Division of Endocrinology and Centre for Research in Anabolic Skeletal Targets in Health and Illness (ASTHI), CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, B.S. 10/1, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, India
| | - Ashutosh Raghuvanshi
- Division of Medicinal and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Priyanka Shukla
- Division of Endocrinology and Centre for Research in Anabolic Skeletal Targets in Health and Illness (ASTHI), CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, B.S. 10/1, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, India
| | - Pallavi Awasthi
- Division of Medicinal and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Ritu Trivedi
- Division of Endocrinology and Centre for Research in Anabolic Skeletal Targets in Health and Illness (ASTHI), CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, B.S. 10/1, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, India
| | - Atul Goel
- Division of Medicinal and Process Chemistry, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| | - Divya Singh
- Division of Endocrinology and Centre for Research in Anabolic Skeletal Targets in Health and Illness (ASTHI), CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, B.S. 10/1, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Lucknow, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research, Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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Kanjana K, Chevaisrakul P, Matangkasombut P, Paisooksantivatana K, Lumjiaktase P. Regulatory T Cell Suppressive Activity Predicts Disease Relapse During Disease-Modifying Anti-rheumatic Drug Dose Reduction in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Prospective Cohort Study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:25. [PMID: 32118010 PMCID: PMC7011614 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
When the dose of conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (cDMARDs) is tapered in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who achieve sustained remission, biomarkers for predicting disease relapse may be needed. A prospective, unblinded cohort study was conducted in nine RA patients with remission. Peripheral blood samples were collected at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks after cDMARD dose reduction (dose of combination regimens reduced to 50%) to determine the number of regulatory Foxp3+T cells (Tregs) and other T cell subpopulations as well as Treg suppressive activity. Additionally, plasma levels of 14 cytokines at each time-point were measured via flow cytometry. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factor(s) associated with RA relapse during the observational period. In univariate analysis, Treg suppression and DAS28 and VAS scores were associated with RA relapse after cDMARD dose tapering. However, in multivariate analysis, only Treg suppressive activity (<42%) was found to be an independent factor associated with RA relapse after cDMARD dose reduction to 50%. Of all patients who had ≥42% Treg suppressive activity during cDMAD reduction, three-fourth patients remained in the remission stage for 24 weeks. Treg suppressive activity (<42%) in RA patients with remission could be a potential biomarker for predicting RA relapse after cDMARD dose reduction, especially over a short-term period (24 weeks).
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Affiliation(s)
- Korawit Kanjana
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Parawee Chevaisrakul
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ponpan Matangkasombut
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Karan Paisooksantivatana
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Putthapoom Lumjiaktase
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Immunological adaptations in pregnancy that modulate rheumatoid arthritis disease activity. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2020; 16:113-122. [PMID: 31932747 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-019-0351-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the fetus that grows within the maternal uterus is not rejected by the maternal immune system. To enable both tolerance towards the fetus and defence against pathogens, modifications of the maternal immune system occur during gestation. These modifications are able to bring about a natural improvement in disease activity of some autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Various mechanisms of the immune system contribute to the phenomenon of pregnancy-related improvement of RA, and the cessation of these immunomodulatory mechanisms after delivery correlates with postpartum disease flare. HLA disparity between mother and fetus, glycosylation of IgG, immunoregulatory pathways, and alterations in innate and adaptive immune cells and their cytokines have important roles in pregnancy and in pregnancy-related amelioration of RA.
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Harrison SR, Li D, Jeffery LE, Raza K, Hewison M. Vitamin D, Autoimmune Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Calcif Tissue Int 2020; 106:58-75. [PMID: 31286174 PMCID: PMC6960236 DOI: 10.1007/s00223-019-00577-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vitamin D has been reported to influence physiological systems that extend far beyond its established functions in calcium and bone homeostasis. Prominent amongst these are the potent immunomodulatory effects of the active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3). The nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) for 1,25-(OH)2D3 is expressed by many cells within the immune system and resulting effects include modulation of T cell phenotype to suppress pro-inflammatory Th1 and Th17 CD4+ T cells and promote tolerogenic regulatory T cells. In addition, antigen-presenting cells have been shown to express the enzyme 1α-hydroxylase that converts precursor 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3) to 1,25-(OH)2D3, so that immune microenvironments are able to both activate and respond to vitamin D. As a consequence of this local, intracrine, system, immune responses may vary according to the availability of 25-OHD3, and vitamin D deficiency has been linked to various autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this review is to explore the immune activities of vitamin D that impact autoimmune disease, with specific reference to RA. As well as outlining the mechanisms linking vitamin D with autoimmune disease, the review will also describe the different studies that have linked vitamin D status to RA, and the current supplementation studies that have explored the potential benefits of vitamin D for prevention or treatment of RA. The overall aim of the review is to provide a fresh perspective on the potential role of vitamin D in RA pathogenesis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie R Harrison
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
- Department of Rheumatology, Sandwell and West, Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Birmingham, B18 7QH, UK
| | - Danyang Li
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Louisa E Jeffery
- Institute of Translation Medicine, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Karim Raza
- Department of Rheumatology, Sandwell and West, Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Birmingham, B18 7QH, UK
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, Arthritis Research UK Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathogenesis Centre of Excellence and MRC Arthritis Research UK Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Martin Hewison
- Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
- Centre for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Birmingham Health Partners, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
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Abstract
Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systematic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome, are a group of diseases characterized by the activation of immune cells and excessive production of autoantibodies. Although the pathogenesis of these diseases is still not completely understood, studies have shown that multiple factors including genetics, environment and immune responses play important roles in the development and progression of the diseases. In China, there are great achievements in the mechanisms of autoimmune diseases during the last decades. These studies provide new insight to understand the diseases and also shed light on the development of novel therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Li
- Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China.
| | - Xing Sun
- Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Yue Yang
- Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
| | - Zhanguo Li
- Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory for Rheumatism Mechanism and Immune Diagnosis (BZ0135), Beijing, China
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Jansen MAA, Spiering R, Ludwig IS, van Eden W, Hilkens CMU, Broere F. Matured Tolerogenic Dendritic Cells Effectively Inhibit Autoantigen Specific CD4 + T Cells in a Murine Arthritis Model. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2068. [PMID: 31555285 PMCID: PMC6724516 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs) are a promising treatment modality for diseases caused by a breach in immune tolerance, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Current medication for these diseases is directed toward symptom suppression but no real cure is available yet. TolDC-based therapy aims to restore immune tolerance in an antigen-specific manner. Here we used a mouse model to address two major questions: (i) is a maturation stimulus needed for tolDC function in vitro and in vivo and is maturation required for functioning in experimental arthritis and (ii) can tolDCs modulate CD4+ T cell responses? To answer these questions, we compared matured and immature dexamethasone/vitamin D3-generated tolDCs in vitro. Subsequently, we co-transferred these tolDCs with naïve or effector CD4+ T cells to study the characteristics of transferred T cells after 3 days with flow cytometry and Luminex multiplex assays. In addition, we tested the suppressive capabilities of tolDCs in an experimental arthritis model. We found that tolDCs cannot only modulate naïve CD4+ T cell responses as shown by fewer proliferated and activated CD4+ T cells in vivo, but also effector CD4+ T cells. In addition, Treg (CD4+CD25+FoxP3+) expansions were seen in the proliferating cell population in the presence of tolDCs. Furthermore, we show that administered tolDCs are capable to inhibit arthritis in the proteoglycan-induced arthritis model. However, a maturation stimulus is needed for tolDCs to manifest this tolerizing function in an inflammatory environment. Our data will be instrumental for optimization of future tolDC therapies for autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manon A A Jansen
- Division of Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Rachel Spiering
- Musculoskeletal Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,Arthritis Research UK Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathogenesis Centre of Excellence (RACE), Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,NIHR-Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre in Ageing and Long-Term Conditions, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Irene S Ludwig
- Division of Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Willem van Eden
- Division of Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Catharien M U Hilkens
- Musculoskeletal Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,Arthritis Research UK Rheumatoid Arthritis Pathogenesis Centre of Excellence (RACE), Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.,NIHR-Newcastle Biomedical Research Centre in Ageing and Long-Term Conditions, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Femke Broere
- Division of Immunology, Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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Kanjana K, Paisooksantivatana K, Matangkasombut P, Chevaisrakul P, Lumjiaktase P. Efficient short-term expansion of human peripheral blood regulatory T cells for co-culture suppression assay. J Immunoassay Immunochem 2019; 40:573-589. [PMID: 31460830 DOI: 10.1080/15321819.2019.1659813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a small population of CD4+ lymphocytes and play a key role as suppressors of the immune system, a role that can be identified by employing a co-culture suppression assay. Conventional protocol requires a long period of in vitro expansion of Treg numbers; hence, this study describes an establishment of a co-culture suppression assay using a short-term expansion of peripheral blood (PB) Tregs and autologous T cells (Tconvs) IL-2-pre-cultured in parallel for the same length of time, thereby obviating the need of freeze/thawed autologous Tconvs. Tregs and Tconvs were isolated from PB mononuclear cells employing magnetic bead-aided depletion of CD8+ cells followed by cell sorting of CD4+ CD25high+CD127low- (Treg) and CD4+ CD25-CD127+ (Tconv) cell populations. Following a 3-day co-cultivation period under optimized conditions, Treg suppression activity was monitored by comparing using flow cytometry the number of carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester-labeled Tconvs to that of Treg-minus control. The assay allowed significant differentiation between Treg suppression activity of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and those in remission. This method should be more convenient and time-saving than the conventional Treg suppression assay in current use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Korawit Kanjana
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Karan Paisooksantivatana
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ponpan Matangkasombut
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Parawee Chevaisrakul
- Division of Allergy Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Putthapoom Lumjiaktase
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Cormican S, Griffin MD. The Complex Role of Interleukin 6 in Regulating T-cell Responses during Acute Glomerulonephritis. J Am Soc Nephrol 2019; 30:1341-1344. [PMID: 31366693 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2019050453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Cormican
- Regenerative Medicine Institute at CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland; and.,Nephrology Services, Galway University Hospitals, Saolta University Health Group, Galway, Ireland
| | - Matthew D Griffin
- Regenerative Medicine Institute at CÚRAM Centre for Research in Medical Devices, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland; and .,Nephrology Services, Galway University Hospitals, Saolta University Health Group, Galway, Ireland
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Shimizu T, Kamata M, Fukaya S, Hayashi K, Fukuyasu A, Tanaka T, Ishikawa T, Ohnishi T, Tada Y. Anti-IL-17A and IL-23p19 antibodies but not anti-TNFα antibody induce expansion of regulatory T cells and restoration of their suppressive function in imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis. J Dermatol Sci 2019; 95:90-98. [PMID: 31362906 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2019.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Anti-TNFα, IL-17A and IL-23p19 antibodies are effective for psoriasis. However, the contribution of regulatory T cells (Treg) in their effectiveness remains to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE We investigated the effects of TNFα, IL-17A and IL-23p19 inhibition on Tregs in imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis. METHODS Psoriasiform dermatitis was induced by imiquimod application on murine shaved back skin for six days. Mice were treated with anti-TNFα, IL-17A or IL-23p19 monoclonal antibodies every other day from one day before imiquimod application. RESULTS Administration of anti-TNFα, IL-17A or IL-23p19 antibodies improved the clinical score and downregulated Th17-related cytokines and chemokines, while IL-23p19 antibodies upregulated IL-10 mRNA expression. Anti-IL-17A or IL-23p19 antibody-treated imiquimod-applied mice showed a significant increase in the number of Foxp3+ IL-10+ Tregs. Recipient mice adoptively transferred with Tregs derived from donor mice treated with antibodies demonstrated clinical and pathological improvement in imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis. Anti-IL-17A or IL-23p19 antibody-induced Tregs significantly increased the number of Foxp3+ cells and IL-10 expression in imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis in recipient mice but anti-TNFα antibody-induced Tregs did not. CONCLUSION Anti-IL-17A or IL-23p19 antibody inhibits the IL-17/IL-23 signaling pathway, and induces expansion of Tregs and their suppressive capacity in imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teruo Shimizu
- Department of Dermatology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kamata
- Department of Dermatology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Saki Fukaya
- Department of Dermatology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kotaro Hayashi
- Department of Dermatology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsuko Fukuyasu
- Department of Dermatology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takamitsu Tanaka
- Department of Dermatology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takeko Ishikawa
- Department of Dermatology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takamitsu Ohnishi
- Department of Dermatology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yayoi Tada
- Department of Dermatology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Hagenstein J, Melderis S, Nosko A, Warkotsch MT, Richter JV, Ramcke T, Herrnstadt GR, Scheller J, Yan I, Mittrücker HW, Kluger MA, Steinmetz OM. A Novel Role for IL-6 Receptor Classic Signaling: Induction of ROR γt +Foxp3 + Tregs with Enhanced Suppressive Capacity. J Am Soc Nephrol 2019; 30:1439-1453. [PMID: 31311828 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2019020118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND New therapies blocking the IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) have recently become available and are successfully being used to treat inflammatory diseases like arthritis. Whether IL-6 blockers may help patients with kidney inflammation currently remains unknown. METHODS To learn more about the complex role of CD4+ T cell-intrinsic IL-6R signaling, we induced nephrotoxic nephritis, a mouse model for crescentic GN, in mice lacking T cell-specific IL-6Ra. We used adoptive transfer experiments and studies in reporter mice to analyze immune responses and Treg subpopulations. RESULTS Lack of IL-6Ra signaling in mouse CD4+ T cells impaired the generation of proinflammatory Th17 cells, but surprisingly did not ameliorate the course of GN. In contrast, renal damage was significantly reduced by restricting IL-6Ra deficiency to T effector cells and excluding Tregs. Detailed studies of Tregs revealed unaltered IL-10 production despite IL-6Ra deficiency. However, in vivo and in vitro, IL-6Ra classic signaling induced RORγt+Foxp3+ double-positive Tregs (biTregs), which carry the trafficking receptor CCR6 and have potent immunoregulatory properties. Indeed, lack of IL-6Ra significantly reduced Treg in vitro suppressive capacity. Finally, adoptive transfer of T cells containing IL-6Ra-/- Tregs resulted in severe aggravation of GN in mice. CONCLUSIONS Our data refine the old paradigm, that IL-6 enhances Th17 responses and suppresses Tregs. We here provide evidence that T cell-intrinsic IL-6Ra classic signaling indeed induces the generation of Th17 cells but at the same time highly immunosuppressive RORγt+ biTregs. These results advocate caution and indicate that IL-6-directed therapies for GN need to be cell-type specific.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jürgen Scheller
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Heinrich-Heine University, Dusseldorf, Germany
| | - Isabell Yan
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; and
| | - Hans-Willi Mittrücker
- Institute for Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; and
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Pathogenesis and biomarkers for necrotizing enterocolitis: Getting any closer? EBioMedicine 2019; 45:13-14. [PMID: 31227441 PMCID: PMC6642265 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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45
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Reijnders TDY, Stegeman CA, Huitema MG, Rutgers A, Heeringa P, Abdulahad WH. Unraveling the identity of FoxP3+ regulatory T cells in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis patients. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8273. [PMID: 31164680 PMCID: PMC6547679 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44636-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Human CD4+FoxP3+T-cells are heterogeneous in function and include not only suppressive cells (Tregs), but also effector cells that transiently express FoxP3 upon activation. Previous studies in Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA-)patients have demonstrated an increase in FoxP3+T-cells with impaired suppressive capacity and an increase in Th17 cells. We hypothesized that the increase in FoxP3+T-cells results from an increase in non-suppressive effector-like cells. The frequency of circulating CD4+FoxP3+T-cell subsets were determined by flow cytometry in 46 GPA-patients in remission and 22 matched healthy controls (HCs). Expression levels of FoxP3 and CD45RO were used to distinguish between CD45RO- FoxP3low resting Tregs (rTreg), CD45RO+FoxP3high activated Tregs (aTreg) and CD45RO+FoxP3low proinflammatory non-suppressive T-cells (nonTreg). Intracellular expression of IFNγ, IL-17, and IL-21 was compared within these subsets. We found a significant increase in the frequency of nonTreg cells in GPA-patients as compared with HCs. Importantly, within the nonTreg subset, antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA-)positive patients demonstrated a significantly higher percentage of IL-17+ and IL-21+ cells when compared with ANCA-negative patients and HCs. Moreover, expanded nonTregs from ANCA-positive patients induced excessive proliferation of responder cells in vitro and exhibited higher IL-21 production. Production of IL-17 and IL-21 in non-suppressive FoxP3+T-cells may point toward a pathogenic role in ANCA formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom D Y Reijnders
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Coen A Stegeman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - M G Huitema
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Abraham Rutgers
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Heeringa
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Wayel H Abdulahad
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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46
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Vyas SP, Hansda AK, Goswami R. Rheumatoid arthritis: ‘melting pot’ of T helper subsets. Int Rev Immunol 2019; 38:212-231. [PMID: 31155981 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2019.1621865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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47
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Ma F, Li S, Gao X, Zhou J, Zhu X, Wang D, Cai Y, Li F, Yang Q, Gu X, Ge W, Liu H, Xiao X, Hao H. Interleukin-6-mediated CCR9 + interleukin-17-producing regulatory T cells polarization increases the severity of necrotizing enterocolitis. EBioMedicine 2019; 44:71-85. [PMID: 31129099 PMCID: PMC6604880 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2019.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Increased frequency of CCR9+ CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood is linked to several gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases; however, its relationship with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is not understood. We investigated whether the frequencies of CCR9+ CD4+ T cells and related subsets were increased in peripheral blood of both patients and mice with NEC. Methods CCR9+ CD4+ T cells and related subsets were evaluated by flow cytometry in peripheral blood collected from both patients and mice with NEC and controls. The suppressive function of CCR9+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in NEC was assessed via in vitro suppression assay. An in vitro T cell polarization assay was performed to investigate the role of proinflammatory cytokines in Treg cell polarization. In vivo Treg cell polarization analysis was performed using NEC mice treated with anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antibody. Findings A higher proportion of CCR9+ CD4+ T cells occurred in peripheral blood of both patients and mice with NEC than in controls. Elevated CCR9+ CD4+ T cells were primarily CCR9+ IL-17-producing Treg cells, possessing features of conventional Treg cells, but their suppressive activity was seriously impaired and negatively correlated with the severity of intestinal tissue injury. IL-6 promoted polarization of CCR9+ Treg cells to CCR9+ IL-17-producing Treg cells, and blocking IL-6 signalling inhibited this conversion in vitro and ameliorated experimental NEC in vivo. Interpretation Collectively, these data suggested that CCR9+ IL-17-producing Treg cells may be a biomarker of severity and highlight the possibility that antibodies targeting IL-6R could ameliorate NEC by modulating lymphocyte balance. Fund This work was supported by the Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province, China (2017A020215100), the Science and Technology Foundation of Guangzhou, China (201704020086 and 201604020154), the Medical Scientific Research Foundation of Guangdong Province, China (A2017304 and A2014704), and the Social Science and Technology Development Foundation of Dongguan, China (2016108101037).
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Ma
- Department of Neonatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China; Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sitao Li
- Department of Neonatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Gao
- Department of Neonatology, the Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, China
| | - Jialiang Zhou
- Department of Neonatal Surgery, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaochun Zhu
- Department of Neonatal Surgery, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Desheng Wang
- Department of Neonatology, the Fifth People's Hospital of Dongguan, Dongguan, China
| | - Yao Cai
- Department of Neonatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fei Li
- Department of Neonatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiuping Yang
- Department of Neonatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xia Gu
- Department of Neonatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wuping Ge
- Department of Neonatal Surgery, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huanliang Liu
- Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Xin Xiao
- Department of Neonatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Hu Hao
- Department of Neonatology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
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Rajendran M, Looney S, Singh N, Elashiry M, Meghil MM, El-Awady AR, Tawfik O, Susin C, Arce RM, Cutler CW. Systemic Antibiotic Therapy Reduces Circulating Inflammatory Dendritic Cells and Treg-Th17 Plasticity in Periodontitis. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 202:2690-2699. [PMID: 30944162 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Periodontitis (PD) is a common dysbiotic inflammatory disease that leads to local bone deterioration and tooth loss. PD patients experience low-grade bacteremias with oral microbes implicated in the risk of heart disease, cancer, and kidney failure. Although Th17 effectors are vital to fighting infection, functional imbalance of Th17 effectors and regulatory T cells (Tregs) promote inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated, in a small pilot randomized clinical trial, whether expansion of inflammatory blood myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) and conversion of Tregs to Th17 cells could be modulated with antibiotics (AB) as part of initial therapy in PD patients. PD patients were randomly assigned to either 7 d of peroral metronidazole/amoxicillin AB treatment or no AB, along with standard care debridement and chlorhexidine mouthwash. 16s ribosomal RNA analysis of keystone pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis and its consortium members Fusobacterium nucleatum and Streptococcus gordonii confirmed the presence of all three species in the reservoirs (subgingival pockets and blood DCs) of PD patients before treatment. Of the three species, P. gingivalis was reduced in both reservoirs 4-6 wk after therapy. Further, the frequency of CD1C+CCR6+ myeloid DCs and IL-1R1 expression on IL-17A+FOXP3+CD4+ T cells in PD patients were reduced to healthy control levels. The latter led to decreased IL-1β-stimulated Treg plasticity in PD patients and improvement in clinical measures of PD. Overall, we identified an important, albeit short-term, beneficial role of AB therapy in reducing inflammatory DCs and Treg-Th17 plasticity in humans with PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mythilypriya Rajendran
- Department of Periodontics, Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912
| | - Stephen Looney
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912
| | - Nagendra Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912.,Cancer Research Center, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912
| | - Mahmoud Elashiry
- Department of Periodontics, Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912
| | - Mohamed M Meghil
- Department of Periodontics, Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912
| | - Ahmed R El-Awady
- Department of Research, Immunology Program, Children's Cancer Hospital, Cairo 57357, Egypt
| | - Omnia Tawfik
- Department of Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Cairo University, Cairo 12613, Egypt; and
| | - Cristiano Susin
- Department of Periodontology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
| | - Roger M Arce
- Department of Periodontics, Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912
| | - Christopher W Cutler
- Department of Periodontics, Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912;
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Wehr P, Purvis H, Law S, Thomas R. Dendritic cells, T cells and their interaction in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 196:12-27. [PMID: 30589082 PMCID: PMC6422662 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are the key professional antigen-presenting cells which bridge innate and adaptive immune responses, inducing the priming and differentiation of naive to effector CD4+ T cells, the cross-priming of CD8+ T cells and the promotion of B cell antibody responses. DCs also play a critical role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis and tolerance. DC-T cell interactions underpin the generation of an autoimmune response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here we describe the function of DCs and review evidence for DC and T cell involvement in RA pathogenesis, in particular through the presentation of self-peptide by DCs that triggers differentiation and activation of autoreactive T cells. Finally, we discuss the emerging field of targeting the DC-T cell interaction for antigen-specific immunotherapy of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Wehr
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra HospitalBrisbaneAustralia
| | - H. Purvis
- King's College London, Academic Department of Rheumatology, Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and MedicineLondonUK
| | - S.‐C. Law
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra HospitalBrisbaneAustralia
| | - R. Thomas
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra HospitalBrisbaneAustralia
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50
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Mahmud SA, Binstadt BA. Autoantibodies in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Prognosis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Front Immunol 2019; 9:3168. [PMID: 30693002 PMCID: PMC6339949 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.03168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoantibody production occurs in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and numerous other autoimmune diseases. In some conditions, the autoantibodies are clearly pathogenic, whereas in others the roles are less defined. Here we review various autoantibodies associated with JIA, with a particular focus on antinuclear antibodies and antibodies recognizing citrullinated self-antigens. We explore potential mechanisms that lead to the development of autoantibodies and the use of autoantibody testing in diagnosis and prognosis. Finally, we compare and contrast JIA-associated autoantibodies with those found in adults with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn A Mahmud
- Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, and the Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Bryce A Binstadt
- Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, and the Center for Immunology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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