Involvement of Dendritic Cells and Th17 Cells in Induced Tertiary Lymphoid Structures in a Chronic Beryllium Disease Mouse Model

Survival benefit and spatial properties of tertiary lymphoid structures in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with neoadjuvant therapies

Tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) were associated with survival in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) undergoing surgery alone (SA). However, their clinical relevance in neoadjuvant therapies remains less known. Here, we firstly investigated the presence, maturation and spatial distribution of TLSs in 359 ESCC patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT), neoadjuvant immunotherapy (NCI), neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) or SA. We found mature TLS (MTLS) was an independent prognostic factor in ESCC. NCI group had the lowest immature TLS cases. NCRT group had the lowest MTLSs. MTLSs mostly located in stromal and normal compartments; these MTLSs were positively correlated with neoadjuvant therapy outcomes. NCI group displayed the highest T cells within 150 μm proximity of TLSs among the four groups. Most T cells were dispersed up to more than 150 μm from TLSs, while B cells remained concentrated within TLSs. Innate lymphoid cells and follicular dendritic cells infiltrated and connected with survival differently in NCRT and NCI groups compared with SA group. The novel PD-L1 combined positive score, NCPS, was positively connected with MTLSs and neoadjuvant therapy efficacy. ScRNA-seq analysis revealed TLS+ tumors had increased plasma cells, B cells, Th17, Tfh and Th1, and elevated exhausted CD8+ T cells that highly expressed checkpoint molecules and granzymes. Conclusively, MTLSs favored treatment outcome in ESCC patients receiving multiple neoadjuvant therapies. The spatial distribution of MTLSs was associated with multiregional immune status modified by the neoadjuvant therapies.

Circulating soluble CD30 is associated with renal tertiary lymphoid structures and the progression of IgA nephropathy

BACKGROUND

Renal tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) are involved in renal pathology and prognosis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). CD30 and its ligands participate in the formation of renal TLSs. However, the relationship between circulating CD30 and renal prognosis is unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between circulating CD30 and prognosis in patients with IgAN.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study including 351 patients with biopsy proved IgAN. We collected clinical and pathologic features at the time of biopsy and recorded renal follow-up outcomes. Circulating CD30 levels in IgAN patients at the time of biopsy were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The association between elevated CD30 levels and the composite endpoint (defined as a ≥ 50 % decline in eGFR from baseline, end-stage renal disease, or death) was investigated using Cox regression analysis.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up period of 5.12 years, 44 (12.5 %) patients in the cohort reached the composite endpoint. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis revealed a significant association between higher circulating CD30 levels and a poorer renal prognosis (log-rank P < 0.001). Cox regression analysis showed that high CD30 was an independent factor for the composite endpoints in multivariable-adjusted models (HR 3.397, 95 % CI: 1.230-9.384, P = 0.018). These associations were also observed in a subgroup of patients with concomitant renal TLSs formation (10.443, 95 % CI: 1.680-65.545, P = 0.012), proteinuria > 1 g/d (HR 12.287, 95 % CI: 1.499-100.711, P = 0.019), and female patients (HR 22.372, 95 % CI: 1.797-278.520, P = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

Elevated level of circulating CD30 is an independent risk factor for renal disease progression in patients with IgAN.

Tertiary Lymphoid Structures: A Potential Biomarker for Anti-Cancer Therapy

A tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) is a special component in the immune microenvironment that is mainly composed of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), including T cells, B cells, DC cells, and high endothelial venules (HEVs). For cancer patients, evaluation of the immune microenvironment has a predictive effect on tumor biological behavior, treatment methods, and prognosis. As a result, TLSs have begun to attract the attention of researchers as a new potential biomarker. However, the composition and mechanisms of TLSs are still unclear, and clinical detection methods are still being explored. Although some meaningful results have been obtained in clinical trials, there is still a long way to go before such methods can be applied in clinical practice. However, we believe that with the continuous progress of basic research and clinical trials, TLS detection and related treatment can benefit more and more patients. In this review, we generalize the definition and composition of TLSs, summarize clinical trials involving TLSs according to treatment methods, and describe possible methods of inducing TLS formation.

Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Noninfectious Granulomatous Lung Disease

Sarcoidosis and chronic beryllium disease are noninfectious lung diseases that are characterized by the presence of noncaseating granulomatous inflammation. Chronic beryllium disease is caused by occupational exposure to beryllium containing particles, whereas the etiology of sarcoidosis is not known. Genetic susceptibility for both diseases is associated with particular MHC class II alleles, and CD4+ T cells are implicated in their pathogenesis. The innate immune system plays a critical role in the initiation of pathogenic CD4+ T cell responses as well as the transition to active lung disease and disease progression. In this review, we highlight recent insights into Ag recognition in chronic beryllium disease and sarcoidosis. In addition, we discuss the current understanding of the dynamic interactions between the innate and adaptive immune systems and their impact on disease pathogenesis.