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A20 Haploinsufficiency Aggravates Transplant Arteriosclerosis in Mouse Vascular Allografts: Implications for Clinical Transplantation. Transplantation 2017; 100:e106-e116. [PMID: 27495763 DOI: 10.1097/tp.0000000000001407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inflammation is central to the pathogenesis of transplant arteriosclerosis (TA). We questioned whether physiologic levels of anti-inflammatory A20 influence TA severity. METHODS We performed major histocompatibility complex mismatched aorta to carotid artery interposition grafts, using wild type (WT) or A20 heterozygote (HET) C57BL/6 (H-2) donors and BALB/c (H-2) recipients, and conversely BALB/c donors and WT/HET recipients. We analyzed aortic allografts by histology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, and gene profiling (quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction). We validated select in vivo A20 targets in human and mouse smooth muscle cell (SMC) cultures. RESULTS We noted significantly greater intimal hyperplasia in HET versus WT allografts, indicating aggravated TA. Inadequate upregulation of A20 in HET allografts after transplantation was associated with excessive NF-кB activation, gauged by higher levels of IkBα, p65, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, CXCL10, CCL2, TNF, and IL-6 (mostly localized to SMC). Correspondingly, cytokine-induced upregulation of TNF and IL-6 in human and mouse SMC cultures inversely correlated with A20 expression. Aggravated TA in HET versus WT allografts correlated with increased intimal SMC proliferation, and a higher number of infiltrating IFNγ and Granzyme B CD4 T cells and natural killer cells, and lower number of FoxP3 regulatory T cells. A20 haploinsufficiency in allograft recipients did not influence TA. CONCLUSIONS A20 haploinsufficiency in vascular allografts aggravates lesions of TA by exacerbating inflammation, SMC proliferation, and infiltration of pathogenic T cells. A20 single nucleotide polymorphisms associating with lower A20 expression or function in donors of vascularized allografts may inform risk and severity of TA, highlighting the clinical implications of our findings.
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Burzynski LC, Humphry M, Bennett MR, Clarke MCH. Interleukin-1α Activity in Necrotic Endothelial Cells Is Controlled by Caspase-1 Cleavage of Interleukin-1 Receptor-2: IMPLICATIONS FOR ALLOGRAFT REJECTION. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:25188-96. [PMID: 26324711 PMCID: PMC4599021 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m115.667915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a key instigator of the immune responses that drive atherosclerosis and allograft rejection. IL-1α, a powerful cytokine that activates both innate and adaptive immunity, induces vessel inflammation after release from necrotic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Similarly, IL-1α released from endothelial cells (ECs) damaged during transplant drives allograft rejection. However, IL-1α requires cleavage for full cytokine activity, and what controls cleavage in necrotic ECs is currently unknown. We find that ECs have very low levels of IL-1α activity upon necrosis. However, TNFα or IL-1 induces significant levels of active IL-1α in EC necrotic lysates without alteration in protein levels. Increased activity requires cleavage of IL-1α by calpain to the more active mature form. Immunofluorescence and proximity ligation assays show that IL-1α associates with interleukin-1 receptor-2, and this association is decreased by TNFα or IL-1 and requires caspase activity. Thus, TNFα or IL-1 treatment of ECs leads to caspase proteolytic activity that cleaves interleukin-1 receptor-2, allowing IL-1α dissociation and subsequent processing by calpain. Importantly, ECs could be primed by IL-1α from adjacent damaged VSMCs, and necrotic ECs could activate neighboring normal ECs and VSMCs, causing them to release inflammatory cytokines and up-regulate adhesion molecules, thus amplifying inflammation. These data unravel the molecular mechanisms and interplay between damaged ECs and VSMCs that lead to activation of IL-1α and, thus, initiation of adaptive responses that cause graft rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura C Burzynski
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Level 6, Box 110, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Melanie Humphry
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Level 6, Box 110, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Martin R Bennett
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Level 6, Box 110, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
| | - Murray C H Clarke
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Cambridge, Level 6, Box 110, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, United Kingdom
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Galvani S, Trayssac M, Augé N, Thiers JC, Calise D, Krell HW, Sallusto F, Kamar N, Rostaing L, Thomsen M, Nègre-Salvayre A, Salvayre R. A key role for matrix metalloproteinases and neutral sphingomyelinase-2 in transplant vasculopathy triggered by anti-HLA antibody. Circulation 2011; 124:2725-34. [PMID: 22082680 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.111.021790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Outcomes for organ transplantation are constantly improving because of advances in organ preservation, surgical techniques, immune clinical monitoring, and immunosuppressive treatment preventing acute transplant rejection. However, chronic rejection including transplant vasculopathy still limits long-term patient survival. Transplant vasculopathy is characterized by progressive neointimal hyperplasia leading to arterial stenosis and ischemic failure of the allograft. This work sought to decipher the manner in which the humoral immune response, mimicked by W6/32 anti-HLA antibody, contributes to transplant vasculopathy. METHODS AND RESULTS Studies were performed in vitro on cultured human smooth muscle cells, ex vivo on human arterial segments, and in vivo in a model consisting of human arterial segments grafted into severe combined immunodeficiency/beige mice injected weekly with anti-HLA antibodies. We report that anti-HLA antibodies are mitogenic for smooth muscle cells through a signaling mechanism implicating matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) (membrane type 1 MMP and MMP2) and neutral sphingomyelinase-2. This mitogenic signaling and subsequent DNA synthesis are blocked in smooth muscle cells silenced for MMP2 or for neutral sphingomyelinase-2 by small interfering RNAs, in smooth muscle cells transfected with a vector coding for a dominant-negative form of membrane type 1 MMP, and after treatment by pharmacological inhibitors of MMPs (Ro28-2653) or neutral sphingomyelinase-2 (GW4869). In vivo, Ro28-2653 and GW4869 reduced the intimal thickening induced by anti-HLA antibodies in human mesenteric arteries grafted into severe combined immunodeficiency/beige mice. CONCLUSIONS These data highlight a crucial role for MMP2 and neutral sphingomyelinase-2 in vasculopathy triggered by a humoral immune response and open new perspectives for preventing transplant vasculopathy with the use of MMP and neutral sphingomyelinase inhibitors, in addition to conventional immunosuppression.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The detection of acute rejection in heart transplantation remains an important feature of transplant management, especially in the early phase. Frequent surveillance with endomyocardial biopsy is necessary, even though it is an invasive procedure and carries a certain risk. Hence, noninvasive biomarkers able to predict acute rejection could be a further helpful tool in patient management. The interferon-gamma-inducible chemokine CXCL10 is required for initiation and development of graft failure caused by acute or chronic rejection. It has been reported that CXCL10 serum level is predictive of graft loss in kidney graft recipients. In the present study, we investigated whether pretransplant CXCL10 serum level may be a predictive noninvasive biomarker in heart transplant (HTx) recipients, as well. METHODS Sera from 143 patients undergoing orthotopic heart transplantation were collected before surgery and tested for CXCL10 and CCL22 and compared with serum samples from healthy subjects. RESULTS We found that basal CXCL10 serum levels in HTx recipients were significantly higher than in healthy subjects, whereas no difference was seen in CCL22 levels. Among HTx recipients, CXCL10 serum levels of rejectors were significantly higher than in nonrejectors. Our results showed that CXCL10 was a significant independent risk factor of several variables and had the highest predictive value for early acute heart rejection, with 160 pg/mL cutoff value. CONCLUSIONS In HTx recipients, measurement of pretransplant CXCL10 serum levels could be a clinically useful tool for predicting cardiac acute rejection, especially in the early posttransplant period.
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Sottili M, Cosmi L, Borgogni E, Sarchielli E, Maggi L, Francalanci M, Vannelli GB, Ronconi E, Adorini L, Annunziato F, Romagnani P, Serio M, Crescioli C. Immunomodulatory effects of BXL-01-0029, a less hypercalcemic vitamin D analogue, in human cardiomyocytes and T cells. Exp Cell Res 2009; 315:264-73. [PMID: 19014933 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2008.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2008] [Revised: 10/23/2008] [Accepted: 10/24/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Current immunosuppressive protocols have reduced rejection occurrence in heart transplantation; nevertheless, management of heart transplant recipients is accompanied by major adverse effects, due to drug doses close to toxic range. In allograft rejection, characterized by T-helper 1 (Th1) cell-mediated response, the CXCL10-CXCR3 axis plays a pivotal role in triggering a self-promoting inflammatory loop. Indeed, CXCL10 intragraft production, required for initiation and development of graft failure, supports organ infiltration by Th1 cells. Thus, targeting the CXCL10-CXCR3 axis while avoiding generalized immunosuppression, may be of therapeutic significance. Based on preclinical evidence for immunoregulatory properties of vitamin D receptor agonists, we propose that a less hypercalcemic vitamin D analogue, BXL-01-0029, might have the potential to contribute to rejection management. We investigated the effect of BXL-01-0029 on CXCL10 secretion induced by proinflammatory stimuli, both in human isolated cardiomyocytes (Hfcm) and purified CD4+ T cells. Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active agent of mycophenolate mofetil, was used for comparison. BXL-01-0029 inhibited IFNgamma and TNFalpha-induced CXCL10 secretion by Hfcm more potently than MPA, impairing cytokine synergy and pathways. BXL-01-0029 reduced also CXCL10 protein secretion and gene expression by CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, BXL-01-0029 did not exert any toxic effect onto both cell types, suggesting its possible use as a dose-reducing agent for conventional immunosuppressive drugs in clinical transplantation.
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MESH Headings
- Active Transport, Cell Nucleus/drug effects
- Blotting, Western
- Cell Nucleus/metabolism
- Cell Survival/drug effects
- Cells, Cultured
- Chemokine CXCL10/genetics
- Chemokine CXCL10/metabolism
- Cholecalciferol/analogs & derivatives
- Cholecalciferol/pharmacology
- Gene Expression/drug effects
- Humans
- Immunosuppressive Agents/pharmacology
- Interferon-gamma/metabolism
- Interferon-gamma/pharmacology
- Ionomycin/pharmacology
- Microscopy, Fluorescence
- Mycophenolic Acid/pharmacology
- Myocytes, Cardiac/cytology
- Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects
- Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism
- NF-kappa B/metabolism
- Phosphorylation/drug effects
- Receptors, Calcitriol/agonists
- Receptors, Interferon/genetics
- Receptors, Interferon/metabolism
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- STAT1 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/cytology
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate/pharmacology
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology
- Interferon gamma Receptor
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sottili
- Excellence Center for Research Transfer and High Education DENOthe, University of Florence, Italy
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Borgogni E, Sarchielli E, Sottili M, Santarlasci V, Cosmi L, Gelmini S, Lombardi A, Cantini G, Perigli G, Luconi M, Vannelli GB, Annunziato F, Adorini L, Serio M, Crescioli C. Elocalcitol inhibits inflammatory responses in human thyroid cells and T cells. Endocrinology 2008; 149:3626-34. [PMID: 18372324 DOI: 10.1210/en.2008-0078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
T-helper 1 (Th1) cell-mediated inflammatory responses predominate in the early pathogenesis of Graves' disease (GD), whereas Th2 cell-mediated immunity may play a role in later stages. The chemokine CXCL10 and its receptor CXCR3 are expressed in most thyroid glands of early GD patients. Circulating CXCL10 levels inversely correlate with disease duration; CXCL10 maximal expression also correlates with interferon (IFN)gamma levels in recent GD onset. Methimazole (MMI) reduces CXCL10 secretion by isolated thyrocytes, decreases serum CXCL10 levels, and promotes a transition from Th1 to Th2 dominance in patients in GD active phase. Vitamin D receptor agonists exhibit antiinflammatory properties and promote tolerance induction. We investigated the effects and the mechanism of action of a nonhypercalcemic vitamin D receptor agonist, elocalcitol (BXL-628), compared with MMI on CXCL10 secretion induced by proinflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, we studied the effects of both drugs on Th1, Th17, and Th2 cytokine secretion in CD4+ T cells. ELISA, cytometry, immunocytochemistry, Western blot, and quantitative real-time PCR were used for protein and gene analysis. In human thyrocytes, elocalcitol inhibited IFNgamma and TNFalpha-induced CXCL10 protein secretion more potently than MMI. Elocalcitol impaired both cytokine intracellular pathways, whereas MMI was effective only on the IFNgamma pathway. In CD4+ T cells, elocalcitol decreased Th1- and Th17-type cytokines, and promoted Th2-type cytokine secretion. Elocalcitol and MMI inhibited Th1 cytokine-mediated responses in thyrocytes and CD4+ T cells. In addition, elocalcitol promoted a shift toward a Th2 response. In conclusion, elocalcitol could represent a novel pharmacological tool in the treatment of autoimmune thyroid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Borgogni
- Department of Clinical Pathophysiology, Unit of Endocrinology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, Florence, Italy
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Crescioli C, Squecco R, Cosmi L, Sottili M, Gelmini S, Borgogni E, Sarchielli E, Scolletta S, Francini F, Annunziato F, Vannelli GB, Serio M. Immunosuppression in cardiac graft rejection: a human in vitro model to study the potential use of new immunomodulatory drugs. Exp Cell Res 2008; 314:1337-50. [PMID: 18291365 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2007.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2007] [Revised: 12/20/2007] [Accepted: 12/20/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
CXCL10-CXCR3 axis plays a pivotal role in cardiac allograft rejection, so that targeting CXCL10 without inducing generalized immunosuppression may be of therapeutic significance in allotransplantation. Since the role of resident cells in cardiac rejection is still unclear, we aimed to establish reliable human cardiomyocyte cultures to investigate Th1 cytokine-mediated response in allograft rejection. We used human fetal cardiomyocytes (Hfcm) isolated from fetal hearts, obtained after legal abortions. Hfcm expressed specific cardiac lineage markers, specific cardiac structural proteins, typical cardiac currents and generated ventricular action potentials. Thus, Hfcm represent a reliable in vitro tool for allograft rejection research, since they resemble the features of mature cells. Hfcm secreted CXCL10 in response to IFNgamma and TNFalphaalpha; this effect was magnified by cytokine combination. Cytokine synergy was associated to a significant TNFalpha-induced up-regulation of IFNgammaR. The response of Hfcm to some currently used immunosuppressive drugs compared to rosiglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist and Th1-mediated response inhibitor, was also evaluated. Only micophenolic acid and rosiglitazone halved CXCL10 secretion by Hfcm. Given the pivotal role of IFNgamma-induced chemokines in Th1-mediated allograft rejection, these preliminary results suggest that the combined effects of immunosuppressive agents and rosiglitazone could be potentially beneficial to patients receiving heart transplants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Crescioli
- Center for Research Transfer and High Education DENOthe, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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