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Ruiz Pérez M, Vandenabeele P, Tougaard P. The thymus road to a T cell: migration, selection, and atrophy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1443910. [PMID: 39257583 PMCID: PMC11384998 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1443910] [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: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The thymus plays a pivotal role in generating a highly-diverse repertoire of T lymphocytes while preventing autoimmunity. Thymus seeding progenitors (TSPs) are a heterogeneous group of multipotent progenitors that migrate to the thymus via CCR7 and CCR9 receptors. While NOTCH guides thymus progenitors toward T cell fate, the absence or disruption of NOTCH signaling renders the thymus microenvironment permissive to other cell fates. Following T cell commitment, developing T cells undergo multiple selection checkpoints by engaging with the extracellular matrix, and interacting with thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and other immune subsets across the different compartments of the thymus. The different selection checkpoints assess the T cell receptor (TCR) performance, with failure resulting in either repurposing (agonist selection), or cell death. Additionally, environmental cues such as inflammation and endocrine signaling induce acute thymus atrophy, contributing to the demise of most developing T cells during thymic selection. We discuss the occurrence of acute thymus atrophy in response to systemic inflammation. The thymus demonstrates high plasticity, shaping inflammation by abrogating T cell development and undergoing profound structural changes, and facilitating regeneration and restoration of T cell development once inflammation is resolved. Despite the challenges, thymic selection ensures a highly diverse T cell repertoire capable of discerning between self and non-self antigens, ultimately egressing to secondary lymphoid organs where they complete their maturation and exert their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Ruiz Pérez
- Molecular Signaling and Cell Death Unit, VIB-UGent, Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Vandenabeele
- Molecular Signaling and Cell Death Unit, VIB-UGent, Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Tougaard
- Molecular Signaling and Cell Death Unit, VIB-UGent, Center for Inflammation Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation and Mucosal Immunology, VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Ghent, Belgium
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2
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Petrova E, López-Gay JM, Fahrner M, Leturcq F, de Villartay JP, Barbieux C, Gonschorek P, Tsoi LC, Gudjonsson JE, Schilling O, Hovnanian A. Comparative analyses of Netherton syndrome patients and Spink5 conditional knock-out mice uncover disease-relevant pathways. Commun Biol 2024; 7:152. [PMID: 38316920 PMCID: PMC10844249 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05780-y] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Netherton syndrome (NS) is a rare skin disease caused by loss-of-function mutations in the serine peptidase inhibitor Kazal type 5 (SPINK5) gene. Disease severity and the lack of efficacious treatments call for a better understanding of NS mechanisms. Here we describe a novel and viable, Spink5 conditional knock-out (cKO) mouse model, allowing to study NS progression. By combining transcriptomics and proteomics, we determine a disease molecular profile common to mouse models and NS patients. Spink5 cKO mice and NS patients share skin barrier and inflammation signatures defined by up-regulation and increased activity of proteases, IL-17, IL-36, and IL-20 family cytokine signaling. Systemic inflammation in Spink5 cKO mice correlates with disease severity and is associated with thymic atrophy and enlargement of lymph nodes and spleen. This systemic inflammation phenotype is marked by neutrophils and IL-17/IL-22 signaling, does not involve primary T cell immunodeficiency and is independent of bacterial infection. By comparing skin transcriptomes and proteomes, we uncover several putative substrates of tissue kallikrein-related proteases (KLKs), demonstrating that KLKs can proteolytically regulate IL-36 pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our study thus provides a conserved molecular framework for NS and reveals a KLK/IL-36 signaling axis, adding new insights into the disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgeniya Petrova
- INSERM UMR 1163, Laboratory of Genetic Skin Diseases, Imagine Institute and University of Paris, Paris, France.
| | - Jesús María López-Gay
- Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR 3215, INSERM U934, Paris, F-75248, Cedex 05, France
- Sorbonne University, UPMC University Paris 06, CNRS, CNRS UMR 3215, INSERM U934, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Matthias Fahrner
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Freiburg, Germany
| | - Florent Leturcq
- INSERM UMR 1163, Laboratory of Genetic Skin Diseases, Imagine Institute and University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Pierre de Villartay
- Imagine Institute, Laboratory "Genome Dynamics in the Immune System", INSERM UMR 11635, Paris, France
| | - Claire Barbieux
- INSERM UMR 1163, Laboratory of Genetic Skin Diseases, Imagine Institute and University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Patrick Gonschorek
- Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, School of Basic Sciences, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Lam C Tsoi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Johann E Gudjonsson
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Oliver Schilling
- Institute for Surgical Pathology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Germany; German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) and Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alain Hovnanian
- INSERM UMR 1163, Laboratory of Genetic Skin Diseases, Imagine Institute and University of Paris, Paris, France.
- Department of Genomic Medicine of rare diseases, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France.
- University of Paris Cité, Paris, France.
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3
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Corral-Ruiz GM, Pérez-Vega MJ, Galán-Salinas A, Mancilla-Herrera I, Barrios-Payán J, Fabila-Castillo L, Hernández-Pando R, Sánchez-Torres LE. Thymic atrophy induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA and Plasmodium yoelii 17XL infection. Immunol Lett 2023; 264:4-16. [PMID: 37875239 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2023.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is the anatomical site where T cells undergo a complex process of differentiation, proliferation, selection, and elimination of autorreactive cells which involves molecular signals in different intrathymic environment. However, the immunological functions of the thymus can be compromised upon exposure to different infections, affecting thymocyte populations. In this work, we investigated the impact of malaria parasites on the thymus by using C57BL/6 mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA and Plasmodium yoelii 17XL; these lethal infection models represent the most severe complications, cerebral malaria, and anemia respectively. Data showed a reduction in the thymic weight and cellularity involving different T cell maturation stages, mainly CD4-CD8- and CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, as well as an increased presence of apoptotic cells, leading to significant thymic cortex reduction. Thymus atrophy showed no association with elevated serum cytokines levels, although increased glucocorticoid levels did. The severity of thymic damage in both models reached the same extend although it occurs at different stages of infection, showing that thymic atrophy does not depend on parasitemia level but on the specific host-parasite interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Corral-Ruiz
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - M J Pérez-Vega
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - A Galán-Salinas
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - I Mancilla-Herrera
- Departamento de Infectología e Inmunología, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - J Barrios-Payán
- Sección de Patología Experimental, Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - L Fabila-Castillo
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - R Hernández-Pando
- Sección de Patología Experimental, Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - L E Sánchez-Torres
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Lintao RCV, Kammala AK, Radnaa E, Bettayeb M, Vincent KL, Patrikeev I, Yaklic J, Bonney EA, Menon R. Characterization of fetal microchimeric immune cells in mouse maternal hearts during physiologic and pathologic pregnancies. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1256945. [PMID: 37808080 PMCID: PMC10556483 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1256945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: During pregnancy, fetal cells can be incorporated into maternal tissues (fetal microchimerism), where they can persist postpartum. Whether these fetal cells are beneficial or detrimental to maternal health is unknown. This study aimed to characterize fetal microchimeric immune cells in the maternal heart during pregnancy and postpartum, and to identify differences in these fetal microchimeric subpopulations between normal and pregnancies complicated by spontaneous preterm induced by ascending infection. Methods: A Cre reporter mouse model, which when mated with wild-type C57BL/6J females resulted in cells and tissues of progeny expressing red fluorescent protein tandem dimer Tomato (mT+), was used to detect fetal microchimeric cells. On embryonic day (E)15, 104 colony-forming units (CFU) E. coli was administered intravaginally to mimic ascending infection, with delivery on or before E18.5 considered as preterm delivery. A subset of pregnant mice was sacrificed at E16 and postpartum day 28 to harvest maternal hearts. Heart tissues were processed for immunofluorescence microscopy and high-dimensional mass cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF) using an antibody panel of immune cell markers. Changes in cardiac physiologic parameters were measured up to 60 days postpartum via two-dimensional echocardiography. Results: Intravaginal E. coli administration resulted in preterm delivery of live pups in 70% of the cases. mT + expressing cells were detected in maternal uterus and heart, implying that fetal cells can migrate to different maternal compartments. During ascending infection, more fetal antigen-presenting cells (APCs) and less fetal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and fetal double-positive (DP) thymocytes were observed in maternal hearts at E16 compared to normal pregnancy. These HSCs were cleared while DP thymocytes persisted 28 days postpartum following an ascending infection. No significant changes in cardiac physiologic parameters were observed postpartum except a trend in lowering the ejection fraction rate in preterm delivered mothers. Conclusion: Both normal pregnancy and ascending infection revealed distinct compositions of fetal microchimeric immune cells within the maternal heart, which could potentially influence the maternal cardiac microenvironment via (1) modulation of cardiac reverse modeling processes by fetal stem cells, and (2) differential responses to recognition of fetal APCs by maternal T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan C. V. Lintao
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Ananth Kumar Kammala
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Enkhtuya Radnaa
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Mohamed Bettayeb
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Kathleen L. Vincent
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
- Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences Group, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Igor Patrikeev
- Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences Group, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Jerome Yaklic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Elizabeth A. Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Larner College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
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Jussiani GG, Março KS, Bertolo PHL, de Oliveira Vasconcelos R, Machado GF. Thymic changes due to leishmaniasis in dogs: An immunohistochemical study. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2022; 247:110416. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2022.110416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Barreira-Silva P, Melo-Miranda R, Nobrega C, Roque S, Serre-Miranda C, Borges M, Armada G, de Sá Calçada D, Behar SM, Appelberg R, Correia-Neves M. IFNγ and iNOS-Mediated Alterations in the Bone Marrow and Thymus and Its Impact on Mycobacterium avium-Induced Thymic Atrophy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:696415. [PMID: 34987496 PMCID: PMC8721011 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.696415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Disseminated infection with the high virulence strain of Mycobacterium avium 25291 leads to progressive thymic atrophy. We previously showed that M. avium-induced thymic atrophy results from increased glucocorticoid levels that synergize with nitric oxide (NO) produced by interferon gamma (IFNγ) activated macrophages. Where and how these mediators act is not understood. We hypothesized that IFNγ and NO promote thymic atrophy through their effects on bone marrow (BM) T cell precursors and T cell differentiation in the thymus. We show that M. avium infection cause a reduction in the percentage and number of common lymphoid progenitors (CLP). Additionally, BM precursors from infected mice show an overall impaired ability to reconstitute thymi of RAGKO mice, in part due to IFNγ. Thymi from infected mice present an IFNγ and NO-driven inflammation. When transplanted under the kidney capsule of uninfected mice, thymi from infected mice are unable to sustain T cell differentiation. Finally, we observed increased thymocyte death via apoptosis after infection, independent of both IFNγ and iNOS; and a decrease on active caspase-3 positive thymocytes, which is not observed in the absence of iNOS expression. Together our data suggests that M. avium-induced thymic atrophy results from a combination of defects mediated by IFNγ and NO, including alterations in the BM T cell precursors, the thymic structure and the thymocyte differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palmira Barreira-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Palmira Barreira-Silva, ; Margarida Correia-Neves,
| | - Rita Melo-Miranda
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Claudia Nobrega
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Susana Roque
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Serre-Miranda
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Margarida Borges
- Research Unit on Applied Molecular Biosciences (UCIBIO)/Rede de Química e Tecnologia (REQUINTE), Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Gisela Armada
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Daniela de Sá Calçada
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Samuel M. Behar
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Rui Appelberg
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (i3S), Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ICBAS-Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Margarida Correia-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group (ICVS/3B’s), PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Palmira Barreira-Silva, ; Margarida Correia-Neves,
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Duah M, Li L, Shen J, Lan Q, Pan B, Xu K. Thymus Degeneration and Regeneration. Front Immunol 2021; 12:706244. [PMID: 34539637 PMCID: PMC8442952 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.706244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system’s ability to resist the invasion of foreign pathogens and the tolerance to self-antigens are primarily centered on the efficient functions of the various subsets of T lymphocytes. As the primary organ of thymopoiesis, the thymus performs a crucial role in generating a self-tolerant but diverse repertoire of T cell receptors and peripheral T cell pool, with the capacity to recognize a wide variety of antigens and for the surveillance of malignancies. However, cells in the thymus are fragile and sensitive to changes in the external environment and acute insults such as infections, chemo- and radiation-therapy, resulting in thymic injury and degeneration. Though the thymus has the capacity to self-regenerate, it is often insufficient to reconstitute an intact thymic function. Thymic dysfunction leads to an increased risk of opportunistic infections, tumor relapse, autoimmunity, and adverse clinical outcome. Thus, exploiting the mechanism of thymic regeneration would provide new therapeutic options for these settings. This review summarizes the thymus’s development, factors causing thymic injury, and the strategies for improving thymus regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxwell Duah
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Lingling Li
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jingyi Shen
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Qiu Lan
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Bin Pan
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Kailin Xu
- Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China.,Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
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Sterling JP, Lombardi VC. Decreasing the Likelihood of Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome in Burn Injury with Early Antioxidant Treatment. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10081192. [PMID: 34439439 PMCID: PMC8389021 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10081192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Major burn trauma initiates a cascade of physiological events that cause profound stress on the body, resulting in significant complications which often lead to death. An understanding of these events may afford earlier and more precise interventions which, in turn, may reduce these complications, thus, improving patient outcomes. Burn trauma is associated with numerous inflammatory events that result in the release of free radicals, which promote oxidative stress and subsequent tissue damage. These mass-inflammatory events affect the body systemically, leading to several detrimental responses including complement activation, excessive histamine release, decrease in blood pressure, release of reactive oxygen species, and ultimately multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). However, recent studies conducted on the use of antioxidants as a part of a burn treatment protocol have shown promising results. In this review, we will discuss the current research and advancements in the treatment of burn trauma with the use of antioxidants, and how the early administration of antioxidant can possibly reduce the risk of developing MODS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vincent C. Lombardi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, Reno, NV 89557, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-775-682-8278
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VSIG4(+) peritoneal macrophages induce apoptosis of double-positive thymocyte via the secretion of TNF-α in a CLP-induced sepsis model resulting in thymic atrophy. Cell Death Dis 2021; 12:526. [PMID: 34023853 PMCID: PMC8139869 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-021-03806-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Thymic atrophy in sepsis is a critical disadvantage because it induces immunosuppression and increases the mortality rate as the disease progresses. However, the exact mechanism of thymic atrophy has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we discovered a novel role for VSIG4-positive peritoneal macrophages (V4(+) cells) as the principal cells that induce thymic atrophy and thymocyte apoptosis. In CLP-induced mice, V4(+) cells were activated after ingestion of invading microbes, and the majority of these cells migrated into the thymus. Furthermore, these cells underwent a phenotypic shift from V4(+) to V4(−) and from MHC II(low) to MHC II(+). In coculture with thymocytes, V4(+) cells mainly induced apoptosis in DP thymocytes via the secretion of TNF-α. However, there was little effect on CD4 or CD8 SP and DN thymocytes. V4(−) cells showed low levels of activity compared to V4(+) cells. Thymic atrophy in CLP-induced V4(KO) mice was much less severe than that in CLP-induced wild-type mice. In addition, V4(KO) peritoneal macrophages also showed similar activity to V4(−) cells. Taken together, the current study demonstrates that V4(+) cells play important roles in inducing immunosuppression via thymic atrophy in the context of severe infection. These data also suggest that controlling the function of V4(+) cells may play a crucial role in the development of new therapies to prevent thymocyte apoptosis in sepsis.
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da Silva AVA, de Souza TL, Figueiredo FB, Mendes AAV, Ferreira LC, Filgueira CPB, Cuervo P, Porrozzi R, Menezes RC, Morgado FN. Detection of amastigotes and histopathological alterations in the thymus of Leishmania infantum-infected dogs. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2020; 8:127-139. [PMID: 32207879 PMCID: PMC7212199 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction In canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL), lymphopenia, and the disorganization of lymphoid organs such as spleen and lymph nodes have been demonstrated. However, the involvement of thymus in CVL has not been evaluated so far. Herein, we investigated whether the thymus can be colonized by Leishmania infantum in naturally infected dogs. Methods Thymus were obtained from 16 of 58 dogs and samples of this organ were submitted to immunohistochemistry for laminin and fibronectin detection, histopathology, in situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the gene ITS‐1 for Leishmania and sequenced. Samples of spleen, skin and popliteal lymph nodes were collected and submitted to immunohistochemistry and parasitological culture followed by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. Results L. infantum was identified in all dogs. DNA and amastigote forms of Leishmania were detected in the thymus from 16 dogs by PCR and in eight by immunohistochemistry. Besides thymus, parasites were detected in spleen, lymph nodes, and skin. A granulomatous or pyogranulomatous thymitis was observed in eight dogs associated to intact amastigotes forms of this parasite. Fibronectin deposition in thymus was higher in dogs with more clinical signs. Conclusions These results demonstrate that the thymus of dogs can be parasitized by L. infantum, which may generate inflammatory reactions leading to alterations in thymic microarchitecture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurea V A da Silva
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, IOC/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Tainã L de Souza
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, IOC/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Fabiano B Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Curitiba, Paraná, Brasil
| | - Artur A V Mendes
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos, INI/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Luiz C Ferreira
- Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, INI/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Patricia Cuervo
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, IOC/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Renato Porrozzi
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, IOC/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Rodrigo C Menezes
- Laboratório de Pesquisa Clínica em Dermatozoonoses em Animais Domésticos, INI/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Fernanda N Morgado
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Leishmanioses, IOC/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
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11
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Gonzalez-Mancera MS, Bolaños NI, Salamanca M, Orjuela GA, Rodriguez AN, Gonzalez JM. Percentages of CD4+CD8+ Double-positive T Lymphocytes in the Peripheral Blood of Adults from a Blood Bank in Bogotá, Colombia. Turk J Haematol 2019; 37:36-41. [PMID: 31612695 PMCID: PMC7057749 DOI: 10.4274/tjh.galenos.2019.2019.0256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: CD4+CD8+ double-positive T-cells (DPTs) have been classified as a separate T-cell subpopulation, with two main phenotypes: CD4high CD8low and CD4low CD8high. In recent years, the relevance of DPTs in the pathogenesis of infections, tumors, and autoimmune diseases has been recognized. Reference values among healthy individuals remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study is to provide a reference value for DPTs in peripheral blood from healthy donors in a blood bank in Bogotá, Colombia, and to determine the activation status using a surface marker. Materials and Methods: One hundred healthy donors were enrolled in the study. Peripheral blood cells were stained for CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD154 (CD40L), and cellular viability was assessed with 7-aminoactinomycin D and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: The median value for DPTs was 2.6% (interquartile range=1.70%-3.67%). Women had higher percentages of DPTs than men (3.3% vs. 2.1%). The subpopulation of CD4low CD8high showed higher expression of CD154 than the other T-cell subpopulations. Conclusion: DPT reference values were obtained from blood bank donors. A sex difference was found, and the CD4low CD8high subpopulation had the highest activation marker expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natalia I. Bolaños
- University of los Andes, School of Medicine, Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Manuel Salamanca
- University of los Andes, School of Medicine, Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | | | - John M. Gonzalez
- University of los Andes, School of Medicine, Grupo de Ciencias Básicas Médicas, Bogotá, Colombia
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12
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Abusarah J, Khodayarian F, Cui Y, El-Kadiry AEH, Rafei M. Thymic Rejuvenation: Are We There Yet? Gerontology 2018. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.74048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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13
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Pérez AR, Morrot A, Carvalho VF, de Meis J, Savino W. Role of Hormonal Circuitry Upon T Cell Development in Chagas Disease: Possible Implications on T Cell Dysfunctions. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:334. [PMID: 29963015 PMCID: PMC6010535 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell response plays an essential role in the host resistance to infection by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. This infection is often associated with multiple manifestations of T cell dysfunction, both during the acute and the chronic phases of disease. Additionally, the normal development of T cells is affected. As seen in animal models of Chagas disease, there is a strong thymic atrophy due to massive death of CD4+CD8+ double-positive cells by apoptosis and an abnormal escape of immature and potentially autoreactive thymocytes from the organ. Furthermore, an increase in the release of corticosterone triggered by T. cruzi-driven systemic inflammation is strongly associated with the alterations seen in the thymus of infected animals. Moreover, changes in the levels of other hormones, including growth hormone, prolactin, and testosterone are also able to contribute to the disruption of thymic homeostasis secondary to T. cruzi infection. In this review, we discuss the role of hormonal circuits involved in the normal T cell development and trafficking, as well as their role on the thymic alterations likely related to the peripheral T cell disturbances largely reported in both chagasic patients and animal models of Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rosa Pérez
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Immunology (IDICER-CONICET UNR), Rosario, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Ana Rosa Pérez, ,
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Faculty of Medicine, Tuberculosis Research Center, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Frias Carvalho
- Laboratory of Inflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Juliana de Meis
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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14
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Oliveira-de-Abreu E, Silva-dos-Santos D, Lepletier A, Ramos TDP, Ferreira-Reis R, Vasconcelos-Fontes L, Ramos MT, Torres RC, Cotta-de-Almeida V, Carvalho VDF, Villa-Verde DMS. Lack of Galectin-3 Disrupts Thymus Homeostasis in Association to Increase of Local and Systemic Glucocorticoid Levels and Steroidogenic Machinery. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:365. [PMID: 30042731 PMCID: PMC6048246 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintenance of thymus homeostasis is a delicate interplay involving hormones, neurotransmitters and local microenvironmental proteins, as well as saccharides, acting on both thymocytes and stromal cells. Disturbances in these interactions may lead to alterations on thymocyte development. We previously showed that galectin-3, a β-galactoside-binding protein, is constitutively expressed in the thymus, interacting with extracellular matrix glycoproteins and acting as a de-adhesion molecule, thus modulating thymocyte-stromal cell interactions. In this work, we aimed to investigate the participation of galectin-3 in the maintenance of thymus homeostasis, including hormonal-mediated circuits. For that, we used genetically engineered galectin-3-deficient mice. We observed that the thymus of galectin-3-deficient mice was reduced in mass and cellularity compared to wild-type controls; however, the proportions of different thymocyte subpopulations defined by CD4/CD8 expression were not changed. Considering the CD4-CD8- double-negative (DN) subpopulation, an accumulation of the most immature (DN1) stage was observed. Additionally, the proliferative capacity of thymocytes was decreased in all thymocyte subsets, whereas the percentage of apoptosis was increased, especially in the CD4+CD8+ double-positive thymocytes. As glucocorticoid hormones are known to be involved in thymus homeostasis, we evaluated serum and intrathymic corticosterone levels by radioimmunoassay, and the expression of steroidogenic machinery using real-time PCR. We detected a significant increase in corticosterone levels in both serum and thymus samples of galectin-3-deficient mice, as compared to age-matched controls. This was paralleled by an increase of gene transcription of the steroidogenic enzymes, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (Star) and Cyp11b1 in thymus, 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase (Hsd11b1) in the adrenal, and Cyp11a1 in both glands. In conclusion, our findings show that the absence of galectin-3 subverts mouse thymus homeostasis by a mechanism likely associated to intrathymic and systemic stress-related endocrine circuitries, affecting thymocyte number, proliferation and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ednéa Oliveira-de-Abreu
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Danielle Silva-dos-Santos
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ailin Lepletier
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tiago D. P. Ramos
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafaella Ferreira-Reis
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Mariana T. Ramos
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Inflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rafael C. Torres
- Laboratory of Inflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vinícius Cotta-de-Almeida
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Vinícius de Frias Carvalho
- Laboratory of Inflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Déa M. S. Villa-Verde
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Déa M. S. Villa-Verde ;
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15
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Elevated intrathymic sphingosine-1-phosphate promotes thymus involution during sepsis. Mol Immunol 2017; 90:255-263. [PMID: 28846923 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2017.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Sepsis mouse models revealed thymus atrophy, characterised by decreased thymus weight and loss of thymocytes due to apoptosis. Mice suffered from lymphopenia, a lack of T cells in the periphery, which attenuates their ability to fight against recurring and secondary infections during sepsis progression. Key players in thymus atrophy are IL-6, which is directly involved in thymus involution, and the sphingosine-1-phosphate - sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 signaling, influencing thymocytes emigration. In healthy individuals a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) gradient from lymphoid organs to the circulatory system serves as signal for mature T cell egress. In the present study we investigated, whether inhibition of S1P generation improves thymus involution. In sepsis, induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), S1P in the thymus increased, while it decreased in serum, thus disrupting the naturally occurring S1P gradient. As a potential source of S1P we identified increased numbers of apoptotic cells in the thymic cortex of septic mice. Pharmacological inhibition of the S1P generating sphingosine kinases, by 4- [[4-(4-Chlorophenyl)-2-thiazolyl]amino]phenol (SK I-II), administered directly following CLP, prevented thymus atrophy. This was reflected by lymphocytosis, diminished apoptosis, decreased IL-6 expression, and an unaltered thymus weight. In addition SK I-II-treatment preserved the S1P balance and prevented S1P-dependent internalization of the sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1. Our data suggest that inhibition of sphingosine kinase and thus, S1P generation during sepsis restores thymic T cell egress, which might improve septic outcome.
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16
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Kugler DG, Flomerfelt FA, Costa DL, Laky K, Kamenyeva O, Mittelstadt PR, Gress RE, Rosshart SP, Rehermann B, Ashwell JD, Sher A, Jankovic D. Systemic toxoplasma infection triggers a long-term defect in the generation and function of naive T lymphocytes. J Exp Med 2016; 213:3041-3056. [PMID: 27849554 PMCID: PMC5154934 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20151636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Kugler et al. show that systemic infection with Toxoplasma gondii triggers a long-term impairment in thymic function, which leads to an immunodeficient state reflected in decreased antimicrobial resistance. Because antigen-stimulated naive T cells either die as effectors or enter the activated/memory pool, continuous egress of new T lymphocytes from thymus is essential for maintenance of peripheral immune homeostasis. Unexpectedly, we found that systemic infection with the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii triggers not only a transient increase in activated CD4+ Th1 cells but also a persistent decrease in the size of the naive CD4+ T lymphocyte pool. This immune defect is associated with decreased thymic output and parasite-induced destruction of the thymic epithelium, as well as disruption of the overall architecture of that primary lymphoid organ. Importantly, the resulting quantitative and qualitative deficiency in naive CD4+ T cells leads to an immunocompromised state that both promotes chronic toxoplasma infection and leads to decreased resistance to challenge with an unrelated pathogen. These findings reveal that systemic infectious agents, such as T. gondii, can induce long-term immune alterations associated with impaired thymic function. When accumulated during the lifetime of the host, such events, even when occurring at low magnitude, could be a contributing factor in immunological senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Kugler
- Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Francis A Flomerfelt
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Diego L Costa
- Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Karen Laky
- T Cell Development Section, Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Olena Kamenyeva
- Biological Imaging, Research Technology Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Paul R Mittelstadt
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Ronald E Gress
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Stephan P Rosshart
- Immunology Section, Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Barbara Rehermann
- Immunology Section, Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Jonathan D Ashwell
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Alan Sher
- Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Dragana Jankovic
- Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
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17
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Alves da Costa T, Di Gangi R, Thomé R, Barreto Felisbino M, Pires Bonfanti A, Lumi Watanabe Ishikawa L, Sartori A, Burger E, Verinaud L. Severe Changes in Thymic Microenvironment in a Chronic Experimental Model of Paracoccidioidomycosis. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164745. [PMID: 27736987 PMCID: PMC5063316 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
T cell maturation takes place within the thymus, a primary lymphoid organ that is commonly targeted during infections. Previous studies showed that acute infection with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis (Pb), the causative agent of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), promotes thymic atrophy that is associated with the presence of yeast cells in the organ. However, as human PCM is a chronic infection, it is imperative to investigate the consequences of Pb infection over the thymic structure and function in chronic infection. In this sense, we developed a new experimental model where Pb yeast cells are injected through the intraperitoneal route and mice are evaluated over 120 days of infection. Thymuses were analyzed in chronically infected mice and we found that the thymus underwent extensive morphological alterations and severe infiltration of P. brasiliensis yeast cells. Further analyses showed an altered phenotype and function of thymocytes that are commonly found in peripheral mature T lymphocytes. We also observed activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the thymus. Our data provide new information on the severe changes observed in the thymic microenvironment in a model of PCM that more closely mimics the human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Alves da Costa
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rosária Di Gangi
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Thomé
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marina Barreto Felisbino
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amanda Pires Bonfanti
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Larissa Lumi Watanabe Ishikawa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandrina Sartori
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eva Burger
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas (UNIFAL-MG), Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Liana Verinaud
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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18
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Pinna RA, Silva-Dos-Santos D, Perce-da-Silva DS, Oliveira-Ferreira J, Villa-Verde DMS, De Luca PM, Banic DM. Malaria-Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Co-infection: Influence on Disease Outcomes and Immune Response. Front Microbiol 2016; 7:982. [PMID: 27446022 PMCID: PMC4921482 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2016.00982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria and Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) are co-endemic throughout large regions in tropical countries and co-infection may impact the evolution of host-parasite interactions. In the present study, we evaluate Malaria/Leishmaniasis disease outcome, Th1/Th2 cytokine levels and the CD4 and CD8 T-cell profiles in a co-infection murine model (BALB/c) of Plasmodium yoelii 17XNL (Py) and Leishmania amazonensis (La) or L. braziliensis (Lb). Malaria parasitaemia was assessed through blood strains stained with Giemsa. Leishmania lesions were monitored with a digital caliper and parasite loads determined by limiting-dilution assay. Serum levels of IFN-γ, TNF, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17 were determined using multiplexed bead assay and expression of CD3, CD4, and CD8 T-cells markers were determined by Flow Cytometry in the thymus, spleens and lymph nodes. Parasitaemia in Lb+Py co-infected group was lower than in Py single-infected group, suggesting a protective effect of Lb co-infection in Malaria progression. In contrast, La+Py co-infection increased parasitaemia, patent infection and induced mortality in non-lethal Malaria infection. Regarding Leishmaniasis, Lb+Py co-infected group presented smaller lesions and less ulceration than Lb single-infected animals. In contrast, La+Py co-infected group presented only a transitory delay on the development of lesions when compared to La single-infected mice. Decreased levels of IFN-γ, TNF, IL-6, and IL-10 were observed in the serum of co-infected groups, demonstrating a modulation of Malaria immune response by Leishmania co-infections. We observed an intense thymic atrophy in Py single-infected and co-infected groups, which recovered earlier in co-infected animals. The CD4 and CD8 T cell profiles in thymus, spleens and lymph nodes did not differ between Py single and co-infected groups, except for a decrease in CD4+CD8+ T cells which also increased faster in co-infected mice. Our results suggest that Py and Leishmania co-infection may change disease outcome. Interestingly Malaria outcome can be altered according to the Leishmania specie involved. Alternatively Malaria infection reduced the severity or delayed the onset of leishmanial lesions. These alterations in Malaria and CL development seem to be closely related with changes in the immune response as demonstrated by alteration in serum cytokine levels and thymus/spleens T cell phenotypes dynamics during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel A Pinna
- Laboratory of Simulids, Onchocerciasis and Sympatric Diseases: Mansonelliasis and Malaria, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Danielle Silva-Dos-Santos
- Laboratory of Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daiana S Perce-da-Silva
- Laboratory of Simulids, Onchocerciasis and Sympatric Diseases: Mansonelliasis and Malaria, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Joseli Oliveira-Ferreira
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Dea M S Villa-Verde
- Laboratory of Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Paula M De Luca
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Dalma M Banic
- Laboratory of Simulids, Onchocerciasis and Sympatric Diseases: Mansonelliasis and Malaria, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Di Gangi R, Alves da Costa T, Thomé R, Peron G, Burger E, Verinaud L. Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection promotes thymic disarrangement and premature egress of mature lymphocytes expressing prohibitive TCRs. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:209. [PMID: 27189089 PMCID: PMC4869377 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1561-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paracoccidioidomycosis, a chronic granulomatous fungal disease caused by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis yeast cells affects mainly rural workers, albeit recently cases in immunosuppressed individuals has been reported. Protective immune response against P. brasiliensis is dependent on the activity of helper T cells especially IFN-γ-producing Th1 cells. It has been proposed that Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is able to modulate the immune response towards a permissive state and that the thymus plays a major role in it. METHODS In this paper, we show that acute infection of BALB/c mice with P. brasiliensis virulent isolate (Pb18) might cause alterations in the thymic environment as well as the prohibitive TCR-expressing T cells in the spleens. RESULTS After seven days of infection, we found yeast cells on the thymic stroma, the thymic epithelial cells (TEC) were altered regarding their spatial-orientation and inflammatory mediators gene expression was increased. Likewise, thymocytes (differentiating T cells) presented higher migratory ability in ex vivo experiments. Notwithstanding, P. brasiliensis-infected mice showed an increased frequency of prohibitive TCR-expressing T cells in the spleens, suggesting that the selection processes that occur in the thymus may be compromised during the acute infection. CONCLUSION In this paper, for the first time, we show that acute infection with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis yeast cells promotes thymic alterations leading to a defective repertoire of peripheral T cells. The data presented here may represent new mechanisms by which P. brasiliensis subverts the immune response towards the chronic infection observed in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Di Gangi
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Rua Monteiro Lobato, 255, Cidade Universitária, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago Alves da Costa
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Rua Monteiro Lobato, 255, Cidade Universitária, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodolfo Thomé
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Rua Monteiro Lobato, 255, Cidade Universitária, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Peron
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Rua Monteiro Lobato, 255, Cidade Universitária, SP, Brazil
| | - Eva Burger
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil
| | - Liana Verinaud
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biology, State University of Campinas, Rua Monteiro Lobato, 255, Cidade Universitária, SP, Brazil.
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20
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Fiume G, Scialdone A, Albano F, Rossi A, Tuccillo FM, Rea D, Palmieri C, Caiazzo E, Cicala C, Bellevicine C, Falcone C, Vecchio E, Pisano A, Ceglia S, Mimmi S, Iaccino E, de Laurentiis A, Pontoriero M, Agosti V, Troncone G, Mignogna C, Palma G, Arra C, Mallardo M, Buonaguro FM, Scala G, Quinto I. Impairment of T cell development and acute inflammatory response in HIV-1 Tat transgenic mice. Sci Rep 2015; 5:13864. [PMID: 26343909 PMCID: PMC4561375 DOI: 10.1038/srep13864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune activation and chronic inflammation are hallmark features of HIV infection causing T-cell depletion and cellular immune dysfunction in AIDS. Here, we addressed the issue whether HIV-1 Tat could affect T cell development and acute inflammatory response by generating a transgenic mouse expressing Tat in lymphoid tissue. Tat-Tg mice showed thymus atrophy and the maturation block from DN4 to DP thymic subpopulations, resulting in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells depletion in peripheral blood. In Tat-positive thymus, we observed the increased p65/NF-κB activity and deregulated expression of cytokines/chemokines and microRNA-181a-1, which are involved in T-lymphopoiesis. Upon LPS intraperitoneal injection, Tat-Tg mice developed an abnormal acute inflammatory response, which was characterized by enhanced lethality and production of inflammatory cytokines. Based on these findings, Tat-Tg mouse could represent an animal model for testing adjunctive therapies of HIV-1-associated inflammation and immune deregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Fiume
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Annarita Scialdone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Albano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Annalisa Rossi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Franca Maria Tuccillo
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncogenesis Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale", IRCCS, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Domenica Rea
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncogenesis Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale", IRCCS, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Camillo Palmieri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Caiazzo
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Carla Cicala
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Bellevicine
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Cristina Falcone
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Eleonora Vecchio
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Pisano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Simona Ceglia
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Selena Mimmi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Enrico Iaccino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Annamaria de Laurentiis
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Marilena Pontoriero
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valter Agosti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Troncone
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Chiara Mignogna
- Science of Health Department, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Italy
| | - Giuseppe Palma
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncogenesis Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale", IRCCS, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Claudio Arra
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncogenesis Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale", IRCCS, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Massimo Mallardo
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Franco Maria Buonaguro
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncogenesis Unit, Department of Experimental Oncology, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione Giovanni Pascale", IRCCS, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Scala
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Ileana Quinto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Catanzaro "Magna Graecia", Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
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21
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Leyva-Rangel JP, de Los Angeles Hernández-Cueto M, Galan-Enriquez CS, López-Medina M, Ortiz-Navarrete V. Bacterial clearance reverses a skewed T-cell repertoire induced by Salmonella infection. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2015; 3:209-23. [PMID: 26417438 PMCID: PMC4578521 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Salmonella typhimurium invades the spleen, liver, and peripheral lymph nodes and has recently been detected in the bone marrow and thymus, resulting in a reduced thymic size and a decline in the total number of thymic cells. A specific deletion of the double-positive cell subset has been characterized, yet the export of mature T cells to the periphery remains normal. We analyzed Salmonella pathogenesis regarding thymic structure and the T-cell maturation process. We demonstrate that, despite alterations in the thymic structure, T-cell development is maintained during Salmonella infection, allowing the selection of single-positive T-cell clones expressing particular T-cell receptor beta chains (TCR-Vβ). Moreover, the treatment of infected mice with an antibiotic restored the normal thymic architecture and thymocyte subset distribution. Additionally, the frequency of TCR-Vβ usage after treatment was comparable to that in non-infected mice. However, bacteria were still recovered from the thymus after 1 month of treatment. Our data reveal that a skewed T-cell developmental process is present in the Salmonella-infected thymus that alters the TCR-Vβ usage frequency. Likewise, the post-treatment persistence of Salmonella reveals a novel function of the thymus as a potential reservoir for this infectious agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica P Leyva-Rangel
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas Facultad de Medicina, UNAM Mexico City, CP 045510, Mexico ; Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) Mexico City
| | | | - Carlos-Samuel Galan-Enriquez
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) Mexico City
| | - Marcela López-Medina
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) Mexico City
| | - Vianney Ortiz-Navarrete
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) Mexico City
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22
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Lepletier A, de Almeida L, Santos L, da Silva Sampaio L, Paredes B, González FB, Freire-de-Lima CG, Beloscar J, Bottasso O, Einicker-Lamas M, Pérez AR, Savino W, Morrot A. Early double-negative thymocyte export in Trypanosoma cruzi infection is restricted by sphingosine receptors and associated with human chagas disease. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3203. [PMID: 25330249 PMCID: PMC4199546 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is able to target the thymus and induce alterations of the thymic microenvironmental and lymphoid compartments. Acute infection results in severe atrophy of the organ and early release of immature thymocytes into the periphery. To date, the pathophysiological effects of thymic changes promoted by parasite-inducing premature release of thymocytes to the periphery has remained elusive. Herein, we show that sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a potent mediator of T cell chemotaxis, plays a role in the exit of immature double-negative thymocytes in experimental Chagas disease. In thymuses from T. cruzi-infected mice we detected reduced transcription of the S1P kinase 1 and 2 genes related to S1P biosynthesis, together with increased transcription of the SGPL1 sphingosine-1-lyase gene, whose product inactivates S1P. These changes were associated with reduced intrathymic levels of S1P kinase activity. Interestingly, double-negative thymocytes from infected animals expressed high levels of the S1P receptor during infection, and migrated to lower levels of S1P. Moreover, during T. cruzi infection, this thymocyte subset expresses high levels of IL-17 and TNF-α cytokines upon polyclonal stimulation. In vivo treatment with the S1P receptor antagonist FTY720 resulted in recovery the numbers of double-negative thymocytes in infected thymuses to physiological levels. Finally, we showed increased numbers of double-negative T cells in the peripheral blood in severe cardiac forms of human Chagas disease. The formation of mature lineage-committed T cells requires the specialized environment of the thymus, a central organ of the immune system supporting the development of self-tolerant T cells. Key events of intrathymic T-cell development include lineage commitment, selection events and thymic emigration. This organ undergoes physiological involution during aging. However, acute thymic atrophy can occur in the presence autoimmune diseases, malignant tumors and infections caused by intracellular pathogens. The present study shows that the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi changes the thymic microenvironmental and lymphoid compartments, resulting in premature release of very immature CD4−CD8− double-negative thymocytes, TCRneg/low, which bear a pro-inflammatory activation profile. Strikingly, we also found elevated levels of these undifferentiated T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients in severe cardiac forms of chronic Chagas disease. Importantly, we provided evidence that migration of CD4−CD8− T cells from infected mouse thymus is due to sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor-1-dependent chemotaxis. These findings point to an important role for bioactive signaling sphingolipids in the thymic escape of immature thymocytes to the periphery in Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailin Lepletier
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Liliane de Almeida
- Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Santos
- Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luzia da Silva Sampaio
- Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bruno Paredes
- Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Juan Beloscar
- Servicio de Clínica Médica, Hospital J.B. Iturraspe, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Oscar Bottasso
- Servicio de Clínica Médica, Hospital J.B. Iturraspe, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Marcelo Einicker-Lamas
- Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana Rosa Pérez
- Institute of Immunology, National University of Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Institute of Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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23
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Thymic epithelial cell development and its dysfunction in human diseases. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:206929. [PMID: 24672784 PMCID: PMC3929497 DOI: 10.1155/2014/206929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2013] [Accepted: 11/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are the key components in thymic microenvironment for T cells development. TECs, composed of cortical and medullary TECs, are derived from a common bipotent progenitor and undergo a stepwise development controlled by multiple levels of signals to be functionally mature for supporting thymocyte development. Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family members including the receptor activator for NFκB (RANK), CD40, and lymphotoxin β receptor (LTβR) cooperatively control the thymic medullary microenvironment and self-tolerance establishment. In addition, fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), Wnt, and Notch signals are essential for establishment of functional thymic microenvironment. Transcription factors Foxn1 and autoimmune regulator (Aire) are powerful modulators of TEC development, differentiation, and self-tolerance. Dysfunction in thymic microenvironment including defects of TEC and thymocyte development would cause physiological disorders such as tumor, infectious diseases, and autoimmune diseases. In the present review, we will summarize our current understanding on TEC development and the underlying molecular signals pathways and the involvement of thymus dysfunction in human diseases.
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24
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de Meis J, Savino W. Mature peripheral T cells are important to preserve thymus function and selection of thymocytes during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Immunotherapy 2014; 5:573-6. [PMID: 23725281 DOI: 10.2217/imt.13.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Evaluation of: Nobrega C, Nunes-Alves C, Cerqueira-Rodrigues B et al. T cells home to the thymus and control infection. J. Immunol. 190, 1646-1658 (2013). It is well documented that the thymus is a target organ for a large variety of pathogens (virus, bacteria, fungi and protozoa). Moreover, the presence of pathogen-derived antigens in the thymus of infected mice seems to interfere with the capacity of mature T cells to respond to the invading organism. In this way, Nobrega and colleagues demonstrated in 2010 that Mycobacterium avium infection in the thymus leads to the appearance of differentiated T cells tolerogenic for bacterial antigens. In the present and elegant study, the same group demonstrates that T-cell recirculation from the periphery to the thymus is a mechanism that allows the immune system to respond to thymic infection. A Mycobacterium-infected thymus increases the production of Th1-effector chemokines, such as CXCL9 and CXCL10, which in turn recruit CXCR3(+) peripheral T cells involved in intrathymic bacterial control. Taken together, these findings may represent an important issue of the host response, in terms of different pathogens able to infect the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana de Meis
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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25
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Lepletier A, de Carvalho VF, e Silva PMR, Villar S, Pérez AR, Savino W, Morrot A. Trypanosoma cruzi disrupts thymic homeostasis by altering intrathymic and systemic stress-related endocrine circuitries. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2013; 7:e2470. [PMID: 24324845 PMCID: PMC3852165 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0002470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 08/27/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously shown that experimental infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi
is associated with changes in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. Increased glucocorticoid (GC)
levels are believed to be protective against the effects of acute stress during infection but result
in depletion of CD4+CD8+ thymocytes by apoptosis, driving to thymic
atrophy. However, very few data are available concerning prolactin (PRL), another stress-related
hormone, which seems to be decreased during T. cruzi infection. Considering the
immunomodulatory role of PRL upon the effects caused by GC, we investigated if intrathymic
cross-talk between GC and PRL receptors (GR and PRLR, respectively) might influence T.
cruzi-induced thymic atrophy. Using an acute experimental model, we observed changes in
GR/PRLR cross-activation related with the survival of CD4+CD8+
thymocytes during infection. These alterations were closely related with systemic changes,
characterized by a stress hormone imbalance, with progressive GC augmentation simultaneously to PRL
reduction. The intrathymic hormone circuitry exhibited an inverse modulation that seemed to
counteract the GC-related systemic deleterious effects. During infection, adrenalectomy protected
the thymus from the increase in apoptosis ratio without changing PRL levels, whereas an additional
inhibition of circulating PRL accelerated the thymic atrophy and led to an increase in
corticosterone systemic levels. These results demonstrate that the PRL impairment during infection
is not caused by the increase of corticosterone levels, but the opposite seems to occur.
Accordingly, metoclopramide (MET)-induced enhancement of PRL secretion protected thymic atrophy in
acutely infected animals as well as the abnormal export of immature and potentially autoreactive
CD4+CD8+ thymocytes to the periphery. In conclusion, our findings
clearly show that Trypanosoma cruzi subverts mouse thymus homeostasis by altering
intrathymic and systemic stress-related endocrine circuitries with major consequences upon the
normal process of intrathymic T cell development. It is currently estimated that 90 million people in America are exposed to T.
cruzi infection, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Despite the mortality and
morbidity, this infection is yet considered a neglected disease, due to the lack of effective, safe,
and affordable pharmaceuticals for controlling it. T. cruzi leads to
immunosuppression of the T cell compartment and to chronic cardiac inflammation, which seems to be
associated with the disruption of thymic homeostasis. Thymus atrophy, characteristic of acute
infection, is mainly associated with the loss of immature CD4+CD8+
thymocytes, which in turn is associated with increased corticosterone systemic levels, together with
their premature export to the periphery as potential autorreactive cells. Although being deleterious
to the thymus, GCs are protective during this infection, for avoiding an exacerbated
pro-inflammatory response. Here we demonstrate that the increase of GCs in plasma is related to the
impairment of PRL systemic levels. The intrathymic hormonal circuitry is also altered during
infection and an imbalance of the cross-talk involving GR and PRL is related with
CD4+CD8+ depletion. The partial restoration of PRL levels prevented
thymus atrophy of infected mice, thus partially reverting the T. cruzi-induced
subversion of the organ, ultimately reestablishing thymus homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailin Lepletier
- Laboratory of Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute,
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Silvina Villar
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences,
National University of Rosario and CONICET, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Ana Rosa Pérez
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences,
National University of Rosario and CONICET, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Wilson Savino
- Laboratory of Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute,
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Alexandre Morrot
- Laboratory of Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute,
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Paulo de Goes Institute of
Microbiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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26
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Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by a number of immunological alterations, not the least in the T-cell compartment. Numerous animal models of colitis have revealed aberrant thymocyte dynamics associated with skewed thymocyte development. The recent advancements in quantitative methods have proposed critical kinetic alterations in the thymocyte development during the progression of colitis. This review focuses on the aberrant thymocyte dynamics in Gαi2-deficient mice as this mouse model provides most quantitative data of the thymocyte development associated with colitis. Herein, we discuss several dynamic changes during the progression of colitis and propose a hypothesis for the underlying causes for the skewed proportions of the thymocyte populations seen in the Gαi2-deficient mice and in other mouse models of colitis.
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