Regulation of interleukin-5 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor expression

Biofabrication of 3D breast cancer models for dissecting the cytotoxic response of human T cells expressing engineered MAIT cell receptors

Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment with the advent of advanced cell engineering techniques aimed at targeted therapy with reduced systemic toxicity. However, understanding the underlying immune-cancer interactions require development of advanced three-dimensional (3D) models of human tissues. In this study, we fabricated 3D tumor models with increasing complexity to study the cytotoxic responses of CD8+T cells, genetically engineered to express mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cell receptors, towards MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Homotypic MDA-MB-231 and heterotypic MDA-MB-231/human dermal fibroblast tumor spheroids were primed with precursor MAIT cell ligand 5-amino-6-D-ribitylaminouracil (5-ARU). Engineered T cells effectively eliminated tumors after a 3 d culture period, demonstrating that the engineered T cell receptor recognized major histocompatibility complex class I-related (MR1) protein expressing tumor cells in the presence of 5-ARU. Tumor cell killing efficiency of engineered T cells were also assessed by encapsulating these cells in fibrin, mimicking a tumor extracellular matrix microenvironment. Expression of proinflammatory cytokines such as interferon gamma, interleukin-13, CCL-3 indicated immune cell activation in all tumor models, post immunotherapy. Further, in corroborating the cytotoxic activity, we found that granzymes A and B were also upregulated, in homotypic as well as heterotypic tumors. Finally, a 3D bioprinted tumor model was employed to study the effect of localization of T cells with respect to tumors. T cells bioprinted proximal to the tumor had reduced invasion index and increased cytokine secretion, which indicated a paracrine mode of immune-cancer interaction. Development of 3D tumor-T cell platforms may enable studying the complex immune-cancer interactions and engineering MAIT cells for cell-based cancer immunotherapies.

Legionella-Infected Macrophages Engage the Alveolar Epithelium to Metabolically Reprogram Myeloid Cells and Promote Antibacterial Inflammation

Alveolar macrophages are among the first immune cells that respond to inhaled pathogens. However, numerous pathogens block macrophage-intrinsic immune responses, making it unclear how robust antimicrobial responses are generated. The intracellular bacterium Legionella pneumophila inhibits host translation, thereby impairing cytokine production by infected macrophages. Nevertheless, Legionella-infected macrophages induce an interleukin-1 (IL-1)-dependent inflammatory cytokine response by recruited monocytes and other cells that controls infection. How IL-1 directs these cells to produce inflammatory cytokines is unknown. Here, we show that collaboration with the alveolar epithelium is critical for controlling infection. IL-1 induces the alveolar epithelium to produce granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Intriguingly, GM-CSF signaling amplifies inflammatory cytokine production in recruited monocytes by enhancing Toll-like receptor (TLR)-induced glycolysis. Our findings reveal that alveolar macrophages engage alveolar epithelial signals to metabolically reprogram monocytes for antibacterial inflammation.

RNA-Modified T Cells Mediate Effective Delivery of Immunomodulatory Cytokines to Brain Tumors

With the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), successful immunotherapeutic drug delivery to CNS malignancies remains a challenge. Immunomodulatory agents, such as cytokines, can reprogram the intratumoral microenvironment; however, systemic cytokine delivery has limited access to the CNS. To bypass the limitations of systemically administered cytokines, we investigated if RNA-modified T cells could deliver macromolecules directly to brain tumors. The abilities of T cells to cross the BBB and mediate direct cytotoxic killing of intracranial tumors make them an attractive tool as biological carriers. Using T cell mRNA electroporation, we demonstrated that activated T cells can be modified to secrete granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) protein while retaining their inherent effector functions in vitro. GM-CSF RNA-modified T cells effectively delivered GM-CSF to intracranial tumors in vivo and significantly extended overall survival in an orthotopic treatment model. Importantly, GM-CSF RNA-modified T cells demonstrated superior anti-tumor efficacy as compared to unmodified T cells alone or in combination with systemic administration of recombinant GM-CSF. Anti-tumor effects were associated with increased IFN-γ secretion locally within the tumor microenvironment and systemic antigen-specific T cell expansion. These findings demonstrate that RNA-modified T cells may serve as a versatile platform for the effective delivery of biological agents to CNS tumors.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor expression in clinical pain disorder tissues and role in neuronal sensitization

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.

Introduction:

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor (GM-CSFR) is highly expressed in peripheral macrophages and microglia, and is involved in arthritis and cancer pain in animal models. However, there is limited information on GM-CSFR expression in human central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nerves, or dorsal root ganglia (DRG), particularly in chronic pain conditions.

Objectives:

Immunohistochemistry was used to quantify GM-CSFR expression levels in human tissues, and functional sensory effects of GM-CSF were studied in cultured DRG neurons.

Results:

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor was markedly increased in microglia at lesional sites of multiple sclerosis spinal cords (P = 0.01), which co-localised with macrophage marker CD68 (P = 0.009). In human DRG, GM-CSFR was expressed in a subset of small/medium diameter cells (30%) and few large cells (10%), with no significant change in avulsion-injured DRG. In peripheral nerves, there was a marked decrease in axonal GM-CSFR after chronic painful nerve injury (P = 0.004) and in painful neuromas (P = 0.0043); CD-68–positive macrophages were increased (P = 0.017) but did not appear to express GM-CSFR. Although control synovium showed absent GM-CSFR immunostaining, this was markedly increased in macrophages of painful osteoarthritis knee synovium. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor receptor was expressed in 17 ± 1.7% of small-/medium-sized cultured adult rat DRG neurons, and in 27 ± 3.3% of TRPV1-positive neurons. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor treatment sensitized capsaicin responses in vitro, which were diminished by p38 MAPK or TrkA inhibitors.

Conclusion:

Our findings support GM-CSFR as a therapeutic target for pain and hypersensitivity in clinical CNS and peripheral inflammatory conditions. Although GM-CSFR was decreased in chronic painful injured peripheral nerves, it could mediate CNS neuroinflammatory effects, which deserves study.

Tumor-associated GM-CSF overexpression induces immunoinhibitory molecules via STAT3 in myeloid-suppressor cells infiltrating liver metastases

Assumptions that liver immune cells and immunosuppressive pathways are similar to their counterparts in other spaces have led to gaps in our understanding of intrahepatic neoplasm aggressiveness. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are potent inhibitors of antitumor immunity and pose a major obstacle to solid tumor treatment. Liver MDSCs (L-MDSCs) associated with liver metastases (LM) are particularly problematic by contributing to intrahepatic immunosuppression that promotes tumor progression. L-MDSCs have been reported to expand in response to granulocyte-macrophages colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and suppress antitumor immunity in LM. To extend these findings, we examined mechanisms of intrahepatic immunosuppression exploited by L-MDSCs. We found that the majority of L-MDSCs co-expressed GM-CSF receptor (GM-CSF-R), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), while demonstrating high levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 (STAT3) activation. GM-CSF-secreting tumor cells induced STAT3 phosphorylation in L-MDSCs in addition to expression of IDO and PD-L1. GM-CSF or GM-CSF-R blockade markedly reduced L-MDSC IDO and PD-L1 expression, implicating tumor-derived GM-CSF in supporting L-MDSC-immunoinhibitory molecule expression. Small-molecule inhibitors of Janus-activated kinase 2 (JAK2) and STAT3 also dramatically diminished IDO and PD-L1 expression in L-MDSCs. We determined that STAT3 exerts transcriptional control over L-MDSC IDO and PD-L1 expression by binding to the IDO1 and PD-L1 promoters. Our data suggest that the GM-CSF/JAK2/STAT3 axis in L-MDSCs drives immunosuppression in a model of LM and blockade of this pathway may enable rescue of intrahepatic antitumor immunity.

Nonhemopoietic cell TLR4 signaling is critical in causing early lipopolysaccharide-induced ileus

Endotoxin-mediated ileus is poorly understood. Our objective was to mechanistically investigate the role of cell-specific TLR4 expression/signaling in causing gastrointestinal dysmotility. TLR4 chimeras and CSF-1-dependent macrophage-deficient mice were subjected to i.p. ultrapure (UP)-LPS (5 mg/kg). At 6 h, gastric emptying and gastrointestinal transit assessed in vivo motility, and jejunal circular muscle contractility was measured in vitro. Muscularis infiltration of neutrophils and monocytes were counted, and intestinal muscularis inflammatory mediators were quantified by quantitative PCR. Demonstrating TLR4 dependency, UP-LPS-induced gastric stasis and ileus of TLR4(WT) mice were absent in mutant TLR4(LPS-d) mice. Unexpectedly, engraftment of TLR4-mutant bone marrow into TLR4-competent mice (bmTLR4(LPS-d)/TLR4(WT)) exhibited a significant transit delay to UP-LPS similar to bmTLR4(WT)/TLR4(WT) mice. CSF-1(-/-) mice were not protected from ileus. Contrary, UP-LPS-treated bmTLR4(WT)/TLR4(LPS-d) and bmTLR4(LPS-d)/TLR4(LPS-d) mice had normal transit. No leukocytic infiltration was detected at 6 h. Spontaneous jejunal contractions were markedly suppressed in UP-LPS-treated TLR4-competent mice, but bethanechol-stimulated contractions were not altered by UP-LPS in any group. UP-LPS-induced inflammatory mRNAs in a TLR4-dependent manner, but TLR4 mRNA itself was not significantly altered. In chimera mice, UP-LPS induction of IL-1beta and IL-10 were hemopoietic dependent, and GM-CSF was nonhemopoietic dependent, whereas IL-6 and inducible NO synthase were derived from both cell types. Hemopoietic and nonhemopoietic cells contribute to TLR4-sensitive muscularis inflammatory signaling, but nonhemopoietic TLR4 signaling plays an exclusive primary role in causing functional UP-LPS-induced gastric stasis and ileus. Direct LPS suppression of spontaneous contractility participates in mediating early TLR4-transduced dysmotility.

Current status and challenges of cytokine pharmacology

The major concern of pharmacology about cytokines has originated from plentiful data showing association between gross changes in their production and pathophysiological processes. Despite the enigmatic role of cytokines in diseases, a number of them have become a subject of cytokine and anti-cytokine immunotherapies. Production of cytokines can be influenced by many endogenous and exogenous stimuli including drugs. Cells of the immune system, such as macrophages and lymphocytes, are richly endowed with receptors for the mediators of physiological functions, such as biogenic amines, adenosine, prostanoids, steroids, etc. Drugs, agonists or antagonists of these receptors can directly or indirectly up- and down-regulate secretion of cytokines and expression of cytokine receptors. Vice versa, cytokines interfere with drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics through the interactions with cytochrome P450 and multiple drug resistance proteins. The aim of the review is to encourage more intensive studies in these fields of cytokine pharmacology. It also outlines major areas of searching promising candidates for immunotherapeutic interventions.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and T-cell responses: what we do and don't know

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is an important hematopoietic growth factor and immune modulator. GM-CSF also has profound effects on the functional activities of various circulating leukocytes. It is produced by a variety of cell types including T cells, macrophages, endothelial cells and fibroblasts upon receiving immune stimuli. Although GM-CSF is produced locally, it can act in a paracrine fashion to recruit circulating neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes to enhance their functions in host defense. Recent intensive investigations are centered on the application of GM-CSF as an immune adjuvant for its ability to increase dendritic cell (DC) maturation and function as well as macrophage activity. It is used clinically to treat neutropenia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, in AIDS patients during therapy, and in patients after bone marrow transplantation. Interestingly, the hematopoietic system of GM-CSF-deficient mice appears to be normal; the most significant changes are in some specific T cell responses. Although molecular cloning of GM-CSF was carried out using cDNA library of T cells and it is well known that the T cells produce GM-CSF after activation, there is a lack of systematic investigation of this cytokine in production by T cells and its effect on T cell function. In this article, we will focus mainly on the immunobiology of GM-CSF in T cells.

Pro-inflammatory properties for thiazolidinediones

Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are pharmacological ligands of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma that are extensively used in the treatment of type II diabetes. Recently, an anti-inflammatory potential for TZDs has been suggested, based on observations that these compounds may inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in vitro and may attenuate the inflammatory response in vivo. Here, we show that the TZDs rosiglitazone (RSG) and troglitazone (TRO) do not inhibit the inflammatory response to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in various epithelial cell types. On the contrary, both RSG and TRO significantly potentiated TNF-alpha-induced production of granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor, interleukin (IL)-6 and/or IL-8 in these cells. This increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine expression was functionally significant as supernatants from cells co-treated with TNF-alpha and TZDs displayed increased neutrophil pro-survival activity when compared with supernatants from cells treated with TNF-alpha alone. Additionally, it was shown that TZDs enhance cytokine expression at the transcriptional level, but that the pro-inflammatory effects of TZDs are independent on PPARgamma, nuclear factor kappaB or mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Our study shows that TZDs may potentiate the inflammatory response in epithelial cells, a previously unappreciated effect of these compounds.

A proinflammatory role for the cyclopentenone prostaglandins at low micromolar concentrations: oxidative stress-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation without NF-kappa B inhibition

An anti-inflammatory role and therapeutic potential for cyclopentenone PGs (cyPGs) has been suggested, based on observations that levels of cyPGs in exudates increase during the resolution phase of inflammation, and that exogenous cyPGs may attenuate the inflammatory response in vivo and in vitro mainly through inhibition of NF-kappaB, a critical activator of inflammatory gene expression. However, exogenous cyPGs inhibit NF-kappaB only at concentrations substantially higher than those of endogenous cyPGs present in inflammatory fluids, thus challenging the hypothesis that cyPGs are naturally occurring inhibitors of inflammation and suggesting that cyPGs at low concentrations might have previously unappreciated effects. In this study, using various cell types, we report that cyPGs, when used at concentrations substantially lower than required for NF-kappaB inhibition (viz, low micromolar concentrations), significantly potentiate the inflammatory response to TNF-alpha. At these concentrations, cyPGs induce production of reactive oxygen species, thereby synergizing with TNF-alpha to activate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, an activation which in turn potentiates proinflammatory cytokine expression at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Our study establishes a proinflammatory role for cyPGs at low micromolar concentrations, raises the possibility that cyPGs do not act as physiologic anti-inflammatory mediators, and questions the therapeutic potential of these compounds.

Roles of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein in transcriptional regulation of the human IL-5 gene

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of eosinophil-associated allergic disorders, such as asthma. IL-5 may also play a major role in the development of eosinophilia-associated lymphoproliferative disorders caused by human T lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). In this study, we have investigated the control mechanisms for IL-5 production and found that ectopic expression of NF-IL6 (C/EBPbeta) increases endogenous IL-5 mRNA expression. The IL-5 promoter contains four C/EBP consensus sequences. We show here that one of the C/EBP site at - 235 promoter region binds to NF-IL6 protein with high affinity and interacts with NF-IL6 and NF-IL6beta (C/EBPdelta) in Jurkat T cells. Mutations within the C/EBP sequence reduced the promoter activity in response to T cell activation by more than 50 %. In addition, we show that in vivo inducible expression of Tax protein in Jurkat T cells stably transfected with Tax further increased ionomycin plus phorbol ester stimulated IL-5 promoter activity. The effect of Tax on IL-5 promoter activity was abolished when the C/EBP site was mutated. Thus, the C/EBP site may be also involved in HTLV-I Tax-mediated up-regulation of IL-5 gene expression. Our data suggest that C/EBP proteins may regulate IL-5 gene expression in response to different stimulation signals.

Stimulus-specific inhibition of IL-5 by cAMP-elevating agents and IL-10 reveals differential mechanisms of action

Interleukin-5 (IL-5) is a Th2 cytokine, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic diseases such as asthma. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), costimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or activating antibodies to the CD3 and CD28 T-lymphocyte surface markers, produced similar patterns of IL-5 expression. However, in PMA + PHA-treated cells, 8-bromo-cAMP and PGE(2) did not affect IL-5 expression, whereas in CD3 + CD28-stimulated cells, almost total repression was observed. IL-10 failed to inhibit IL-5 mRNA from PMA + PHA-treated cells, yet reduced release by 40%. By contrast, IL-10 totally inhibited CD3 + CD28-induced IL-5 release and inhibited mRNA by 50-60%. These results highlight important biological differences in the induction of IL-5 by the nonspecific stimulus PMA + PHA and the more physiological CD3 + CD28 costimulation. Finally, the potential for downregulating Th2 responses by cAMP-elevating agents or IL-10 is demonstrated and a significant role for posttranscriptional mechanisms in the inhibition by IL-10 is suggested.

Familial eosinophilia maps to the cytokine gene cluster on human chromosomal region 5q31-q33

Familial eosinophilia (FE) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by peripheral hypereosinophilia of unidentifiable cause with or without other organ involvement. To localize the gene for FE, we performed a genomewide search in a large U.S. kindred, using 312 different polymorphic markers. Seventeen affected subjects, 28 unaffected bloodline relatives, and 8 spouses were genotyped. The initial linkage results from the genome scan provided evidence for linkage on chromosome 5q31-q33. Additional genotyping of genetic markers located in this specific region demonstrated significant evidence that the FE locus is situated between the chromosome 5q markers D5S642 and D5S816 (multipoint LOD score of 6.49). Notably, this region contains the cytokine gene cluster, which includes three genes-namely, those for interleukin (IL)-3, IL-5, and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-whose products play important roles in the development and proliferation of eosinophils. These three cytokine genes were screened for potential disease-specific mutations by resequencing of a subgroup of individuals from the present kindred. No functional sequence polymorphisms were found within the promoter, the exons, or the introns of any of these genes or within the IL-3/GM-CSF enhancer, suggesting that the primary defect in FE is not caused by a mutation in any one of these genes but, rather, is caused by another gene in the area.

Enhanced expression of GM-CSF in differentiating eosinophils of atopic and atopic asthmatic subjects

Higher numbers of eosinophil/basophil colony-forming units (Eo/B CFU) are observed in blood of atopic individuals, and can be enhanced in atopic asthmatics by allergen-inhalation challenge. It is known that mature basophils and eosinophils synthesize cytokines relevant to allergic inflammation. To investigate the potential role of growth factors in allergic disease we examined the expression of the hemopoietic cytokines, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-5, in differentiating Eo/B colony cells from normal and atopic individuals, and from atopic asthmatics before and after allergen-inhalation challenge. Peripheral blood was collected from two normal and 12 atopic individuals, and also from 25 atopic asthmatics before and 24 h after allergen challenge. Nonadherent mononuclear cells were isolated and grown in semisolid growth medium. Eo/B colonies were selected and cytospins were prepared for immunocytochemical analysis of colony cells. Eo/B colonies, especially carbol chromotrope 2R+ cells, selected at Days 10, 14, and 18 from atopic donors contained messenger RNA for GM-CSF by combined in situ reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and cytochemistry, and demonstrated time-dependent expression of GM-CSF by immunocytochemistry (P = 0.007). Atopic individuals demonstrated a higher percentage of cells expressing GM-CSF than did normal subjects under all growth conditions when examined at Day 14 (P = 0. 04). Atopic asthmatics challenged with inhaled allergen who demonstrated a dual airway response, an increase in the number of blood eosinophils (P = 0.0001), and an increase in the number of Eo/B CFU (P = 0.02) also demonstrated a significant increase in the percentage of colony cells expressing immunostainable GM-CSF (P = 0. 0009), but only a variable effect on those expressing IL-5, 24 h after allergen. These results suggest that GM-CSF expression by differentiating Eo/Bs may provide an additional stimulus in vivo to enhance Eo/B progenitor differentiation in atopic and asthmatic individuals, especially after allergen challenge. The concept of microenvironmental differentiation, where blood progenitor cells may aid in their own differentiation, is supported by these ex vivo findings.

Smooth muscle cells express granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in the undiseased and atherosclerotic human coronary artery

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), one of a family of cytokines that regulate proliferation in macrophages and other types of cells, has been implicated in the inflammatory-fibroproliferative response of atherosclerosis. However, previous studies have been restricted to cultured cells and animal models. In the present study, we investigated GM-CSF expression in undiseased and atherosclerotic human coronary arteries at both the mRNA and protein levels. Dual in situ hybridization/cell-marking experiments demonstrated that subpopulations of intimal smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells express the cytokine in the histologically normal human coronary artery and that augmented expression occurs at these sites, and in macrophage accumulations and medial SMCs, in the atherosclerotic vessel. Corresponding data were obtained by in situ hybridization and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Northern analyses of cultured cells. Cultured human coronary arterial SMCs showed constitutive expression of GM-CSF in cells that had adopted an activated synthetic phenotype. Electron microscope immunocytochemistry revealed that GM-CSF is a protein localized in the cytoplasmic matrix of SMCs of both the undiseased and atherosclerotic vessel wall; extracellular matrix was largely unlabeled, with only occasional small patches of amorphous immunopositive material. The expression of GM-CSF by subpopulations of intimal SMCs in the undiseased artery and the marked upregulation of GM-CSF apparent in atherosclerotic lesions suggest roles for the cytokine in the cellular events underlying initiation and progression of the human atherosclerotic lesion.

Interleukin-5 messenger RNA expression in peripheral blood CD4+ cells in asthma

BACKGROUND

IL-5 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma through its regulatory role on eosinophil survival, proliferation, and effector function.

OBJECTIVE

The study was designed to investigate the relationships between IL-5 messenger RNA expression in circulating CD4+ cells and serum concentrations of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), a marker of eosinophil activation, and disease activity in asthma.

METHODS

IL-5 gene expression was assessed semiquantitatively in ex vivo stimulated CD4+ cells by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and serum ECP concentration measured from venous blood samples collected from patients with acute severe asthma before the commencement of systemic steroid therapy (day 1) and on day 7 and from patients with stable asthma and healthy volunteers.

RESULTS

IL-5 gene expression was significantly higher in patients with acute asthma before steroid treatment than in those with stable disease and healthy subjects (p < 0.0001). Similar results were obtained with serum ECP levels: levels in patients with acute asthma were highest (20.30 +/- 5.31 micrograms/L), followed by levels in patients with stable asthma (2.76 +/- 0.65 micrograms/L) and levels in normal control subjects (1.37 +/- 0.06 micrograms/L; p < 0.01 for all comparisons). Significant falls in both IL-5 expression and serum ECP level were seen on day 7 (p < 0.001) and coincided with a significant improvement in peak expiratory flow (p < 0.0001). Significant correlations were observed between IL-5 expression and ECP level (rho = 0.39, p < 0.01), IL-5 expression and peak expiratory flow (rho = -0.55, p < 0.0002), and peak expiratory flow and ECP level (rho = -0.32, p < 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Our data therefore support an important regulatory role of IL-5 on eosinophil function in human asthma in vivo.