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Reis MDDS, Veneziani LP, Porto FL, Lins MP, Mendes-da-Cruz DA, Savino W. Intrathymic somatotropic circuitry: consequences upon thymus involution. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1108630. [PMID: 37426675 PMCID: PMC10323194 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1108630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth hormone (GH) is a classic pituitary-derived hormone crucial to body growth and metabolism. In the pituitary gland, GH production is stimulated by GH-releasing hormone and inhibited by somatostatin. GH secretion can also be induced by other peptides, such as ghrelin, which interacts with receptors present in somatotropic cells. It is well established that GH acts directly on target cells or indirectly by stimulating the production of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), particularly IGF-1. Notably, such somatotropic circuitry is also involved in the development and function of immune cells and organs, including the thymus. Interestingly, GH, IGF-1, ghrelin, and somatostatin are expressed in the thymus in the lymphoid and microenvironmental compartments, where they stimulate the secretion of soluble factors and extracellular matrix molecules involved in the general process of intrathymic T-cell development. Clinical trials in which GH was used to treat immunocompromised patients successfully recovered thymic function. Additionally, there is evidence that the reduction in the function of the somatotropic axis is associated with age-related thymus atrophy. Treatment with GH, IGF-1 or ghrelin can restore thymopoiesis of old animals, thus in keeping with a clinical study showing that treatment with GH, associated with metformin and dehydroepiandrosterone, could induce thymus regeneration in healthy aged individuals. In conclusion, the molecules of the somatotrophic axis can be envisioned as potential therapeutic targets for thymus regeneration in age-related or pathological thymus involution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Danielma dos Santos Reis
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Luciana Peixoto Veneziani
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- INOVA-IOC Network on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Felipe Lima Porto
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marvin Paulo Lins
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Institute of Biological and Health Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Maceió, Brazil
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniella Arêas Mendes-da-Cruz
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- INOVA-IOC Network on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Wilson Savino
- Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- INOVA-IOC Network on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC), Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Saloman JL, Cohen JA, Kaplan DH. Intimate neuro-immune interactions: breaking barriers between systems to make meaningful progress. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2019; 62:60-67. [PMID: 31841783 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2019.11.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The nervous system is often viewed as an isolated system that integrates information from the environment and host. Recently, there has been a renewed focus exploring the concept that the nervous system also communicates across biological systems. Specifically, several high profile studies have recently highlighted the importance of neuro-immune communication in the context of homeostasis, central nervous system disorders, host defense and injury. Here, we discuss the history of shared mechanisms and interconnectedness of the nervous, immune and epithelial compartments. In light of these overlapping mechanisms, it is perhaps unsurprising that neuro-immune-epithelial signaling plays a key role in regulating diverse biological phenomena. In this review, we explore recent breakthroughs in understanding neuro-immune signaling to highlight the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to biomedical research and the future development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jami L Saloman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, & Nutrition, Department of Neurobiology, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Jonathan A Cohen
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Daniel H Kaplan
- Department of Dermatology, Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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Dong H, Wei Y, Xie C, Zhu X, Sun C, Fu Q, Pan L, Wu M, Guo Y, Sun J, Shen H, Ye J. Structural and functional analysis of two novel somatostatin receptors identified from topmouth culter (Erythroculter ilishaeformis). Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2018; 210:18-29. [PMID: 29698686 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2018.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, we cloned and characterized two somatostatin (SS) receptors (SSTRs) from topmouth culter (Erythroculter ilishaeformis) designated as EISSTR6 and EISSTR7. Analysis of EISSTR6 and EISSTR7 signature motifs, 3D structures, and homology with the known members of the SSTR family indicated that the novel receptors had high similarity to the SSTRs of other vertebrates. EISSTR6 and EISSTR7 mRNA expression was detected in 17 topmouth culter tissues, and the highest level was observed in the pituitary. Luciferase reporter assay revealed that SS14 significantly inhibited forskolin-stimulated pCRE-luc promoter activity in HEK293 cells transiently expressing EISSTR6 and EISSTR7, indicating that the receptors can be activated by SS14. We also identified phosphorylation sites important for the functional activity of EISSTR6 and EISSTR7 by mutating Ser23, 43, 107, 196, 311 and Ser7, 29, 61, 222, 225 residues, respectively, to Ala, which significantly reduced the inhibitory effects of SS14 on the CRE promoter mediated by EISSTR6 and EISSTR7. Furthermore, treatment of juvenile topmouth culters with microcystin-LR or 17β-estradiol significantly affected EISSTR6 and EISSTR7 transcription in the brain, liver and spleen, suggesting that these receptors may be involved in the pathogenic mechanisms induced by endocrine disruptors. Our findings should contribute to the understanding of the structure-function relationship and evolution of the SSTR family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Dong
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Huzhou University, 759 Erhuan East Road, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China; National-local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Genetic Breeding and Nutrition (Zhejiang), Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Genetic Breeding and Nutrition of Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 759 Erhuan East Road, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China.
| | - Yunhai Wei
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the Central Hospital of Huzhou, 198 Hongqi Road, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China
| | - Chao Xie
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Huzhou University, 759 Erhuan East Road, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China
| | - Xiaoxuan Zhu
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Huzhou University, 759 Erhuan East Road, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China
| | - Chao Sun
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Huzhou University, 759 Erhuan East Road, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China
| | - Qianwen Fu
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Huzhou University, 759 Erhuan East Road, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China
| | - Lei Pan
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Huzhou University, 759 Erhuan East Road, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China
| | - Mengting Wu
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Huzhou University, 759 Erhuan East Road, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China
| | - Yinghan Guo
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Huzhou University, 759 Erhuan East Road, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China
| | - Jianwei Sun
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Huzhou University, 759 Erhuan East Road, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China
| | - Hong Shen
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Huzhou University, 759 Erhuan East Road, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China
| | - Jinyun Ye
- National-local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Genetic Breeding and Nutrition (Zhejiang), Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Aquatic Resources Conservation and Development, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Animal Genetic Breeding and Nutrition of Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, 759 Erhuan East Road, Huzhou, Zhejiang 313000, PR China.
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Jouan Y, Patin EC, Hassane M, Si-Tahar M, Baranek T, Paget C. Thymic Program Directing the Functional Development of γδT17 Cells. Front Immunol 2018; 9:981. [PMID: 29867959 PMCID: PMC5951931 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 04/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
γδT cells comprise a unique T cell sublineage endowed with a wide functional repertoire, which allow them to play important—sometimes opposite—roles in many immune responses associated with infection, cancer, and inflammatory processes. This is largely dependent on the existence of pre-programmed discrete functional subsets that differentiate within the thymus at specific temporal windows of life. Since they represent a major early source of interleukin-17A in many models of immune responses, the γδT17 cell population has recently gained considerable interest. Thus, a better dissection of the developmental program of this effector γδT subset appears critical in understanding their associated immune functions. Several recent reports have provided new exciting insights into the developmental mechanisms that control γδT cell lineage commitment and differentiation. Here, we review the importance of thymic cues and intrinsic factors that shape the developmental program of γδT17 cells. We also discuss the potential future areas of research in γδT17 cell development especially in regards to the recently provided data from deep RNA sequencing technology. Pursuing our understanding into this complex mechanism will undoubtedly provide important clues into the biology of this particular T cell sublineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youenn Jouan
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), UMR 1100, Tours, France.,Université de Tours, Tours, France.,Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, Centre Hospitalier Régional Universitaire de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Emmanuel C Patin
- Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, Targeted Therapy Team, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maya Hassane
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Mustapha Si-Tahar
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), UMR 1100, Tours, France.,Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Thomas Baranek
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), UMR 1100, Tours, France.,Université de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Christophe Paget
- INSERM, Centre d'Etude des Pathologies Respiratoires (CEPR), UMR 1100, Tours, France.,Université de Tours, Tours, France
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Franchini A, Ottaviani E. Thymus: Conservation in evolution. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2017; 246:46-50. [PMID: 28322763 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2017] [Revised: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
From an evolutionary point of view, the thymus is a new organ observed for the first time in fish concomitantly with the appearance of adaptive clonotypical immunity. Hormone and neuropeptide expression was demonstrated in different species suggesting a conserved role of these molecules. An integrated evolution of immune and neuroendocrine responses appears to have been realized by means of the re-use of ancestral material, such as neuroendocrine cells and mediators, to create a thymic microenvironment for the maturation and differentiation of T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Franchini
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Enzo Ottaviani
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.
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6
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Abstract
The thymus develops from an endocrine area of the foregut, and retains the ancient potencies of this region. However, later it is populated by bone marrow originated lymphatic elements and forms a combined organ, which is a central part of the immune system as well as an influential element of the endocrine orchestra. Thymus produces self-hormones (thymulin, thymosin, thymopentin, and thymus humoral factor), which are participating in the regulation of immune cell transformation and selection, and also synthesizes hormones similar to that of the other endocrine glands such as melatonin, neuropeptides, and insulin, which are transported by the immune cells to the sites of requests (packed transport). Thymic (epithelial and immune) cells also have receptors for hormones which regulate them. This combined organ, which is continuously changing from birth to senescence seems to be a pacemaker of life. This function is basically regulated by the selection of self-responsive thymocytes as their complete destruction helps the development (up to puberty) and their gradual release in case of weakened control (after puberty) causes the erosion of cells and intercellular material, named aging. This means that during aging, self-destructive and non-protective immune activities are manifested under the guidance of the involuting thymus, causing the continuous irritation of cells and organs. Possibly the pineal body is the main regulator of the pacemaker, the neonatal removal of which results in atrophy of thymus and wasting disease and its later corrosion causes the insufficiency of thymus. The co-involution of pineal and thymus could determine the aging and the time of death without external intervention; however, external factors can negatively influence both of them.
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Affiliation(s)
- György Csaba
- Department of Genetics, Cell and Immunobiology, Semmelweis University , Budapest, Hungary
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Mignini F, Sabbatini M, Mattioli L, Cosenza M, Artico M, Cavallotti C. Neuro-immune modulation of the thymus microenvironment (review). Int J Mol Med 2014; 33:1392-400. [PMID: 24676230 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2014.1709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2013] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus is the primary site for T-cell lympho-poiesis. Its function includes the maturation and selection of antigen specific T cells and selective release of these cells to the periphery. These highly complex processes require precise parenchymal organization and compartmentation where a plethora of signalling pathways occur, performing strict control on the maturation and selection processes of T lymphocytes. In this review, the main morphological characteristics of the thymus microenvironment, with particular emphasis on nerve fibers and neuropeptides were assessed, as both are responsible for neuro-immune‑modulation functions. Among several neurotransmitters that affect thymus function, we highlight the dopaminergic system as only recently has its importance on thymus function and lymphocyte physiology come to light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiorenzo Mignini
- Human Anatomy, School of Drug and Health Products Science, University of Camerino, Ι-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Maurizio Sabbatini
- Human Anatomy, Department of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Piedmont ̔Amedeo Avogadro̓, I-28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Laura Mattioli
- Human Anatomy, School of Drug and Health Products Science, University of Camerino, Ι-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Monica Cosenza
- Human Anatomy, School of Drug and Health Products Science, University of Camerino, Ι-62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Marco Artico
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Medico-legal and Locomotor System Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Ι-00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Cavallotti
- Department of Sensory Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Ι-00185 Rome, Italy
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8
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Min C, Min H, Kemei P, Ke X, Haibo H, Daiyun Z, Xinting Z. Expression of somatostatin and cDNA cloning in the thymus of the African ostrich. Acta Histochem 2014; 116:191-6. [PMID: 23915476 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2013.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2013] [Revised: 06/30/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The thymus in addition to being a central lymphoid organ is also an endocrine organ which produces various neuropeptides that influence the function of this gland. Somatostatin is a neuropeptide that was isolated initially in the hypothalamus and which inhibits the release of growth hormone. The distribution of somatostatin-producing cells and the sequence of somatostatin have been determined in many species. In the present study, we investigated the expression of somatostatin in the thymus of the African ostrich and its sequence by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that somatostatin mRNA was expressed in the thymus and somatostatin immunoreative cells were distributed in both the cortical and medullary regions of the thymus. Results of cDNA cloning revealed that the nucleotide sequence and the encoded protein of African ostrich somatostatin were 348 bases and 116 amino acids in length and that it is highly conserved to that of other reported species. These findings indicated that the somatostatin expressed in the thymus of ostrich might play an important role in the function of the gland. In addition, this research has provided novel molecular data allowing further study of somatostatin in the ostrich.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Min
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, PR China; Xinyang College of Agriculture and Forestry, Xinyang 464000, Henan, PR China.
| | - He Min
- Xinyang College of Agriculture and Forestry, Xinyang 464000, Henan, PR China
| | - Peng Kemei
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, PR China.
| | - Xiao Ke
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, PR China
| | - Huang Haibo
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, PR China
| | - Zhu Daiyun
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, PR China
| | - Zheng Xinting
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, Hubei, PR China
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Kondratyev MS, Lunin SM, Kabanov AV, Samchenko AA, Komarov VM, Fesenko EE, Novoselova EG. Structural and dynamic properties of thymopoietin mimetics. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2013; 32:1793-801. [PMID: 24024467 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2013.834851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We propose a hypothesis that the T-cell receptor is a possible target of thymic hormones. We modelled the conformational dynamics of thymopentin and its structural variants in solution, as well as the interactions of these short peptides with the proposed molecular target. Thymopentin is a five-amino-acid fragment of the thymic hormone thymopoietin (residues 32 to 36) that reproduces the immunomodulatory activity of the complete hormone. Using molecular dynamics and flexible docking methods, we demonstrated high-affinity binding of thymopentin and its prospective mimetics with the T-cell receptor. The calculated biological activity spectra of thymopentin and its two promising modifications can be used in immunomodulatory activity screenings with live systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim S Kondratyev
- a Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences , Moscow region, Institutskaya street, 3, Pushchino , 142290 , Russia
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