1
|
Nguyen THO, Rowntree LC, Chua BY, Thwaites RS, Kedzierska K. Defining the balance between optimal immunity and immunopathology in influenza virus infection. Nat Rev Immunol 2024:10.1038/s41577-024-01029-1. [PMID: 38698083 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-024-01029-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Influenza A viruses remain a global threat to human health, with continued pandemic potential. In this Review, we discuss our current understanding of the optimal immune responses that drive recovery from influenza virus infection, highlighting the fine balance between protective immune mechanisms and detrimental immunopathology. We describe the contribution of innate and adaptive immune cells, inflammatory modulators and antibodies to influenza virus-specific immunity, inflammation and immunopathology. We highlight recent human influenza virus challenge studies that advance our understanding of susceptibility to influenza and determinants of symptomatic disease. We also describe studies of influenza virus-specific immunity in high-risk groups following infection and vaccination that inform the design of future vaccines to promote optimal antiviral immunity, particularly in vulnerable populations. Finally, we draw on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic to refocus our attention to the ever-changing, highly mutable influenza A virus, predicted to cause future global pandemics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thi H O Nguyen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Louise C Rowntree
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brendon Y Chua
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ryan S Thwaites
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Katherine Kedzierska
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Reperant L, Russell CA, Osterhaus A. Scientific highlights of the 9th ESWI Influenza Conference. ONE HEALTH OUTLOOK 2024; 6:5. [PMID: 38561784 PMCID: PMC10986029 DOI: 10.1186/s42522-024-00099-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The European Scientific Working Group on Influenza (ESWI) held the 9th ESWI Influenza Conference in Valencia from 17-20 September 2023. Here we provide a summary of twelve key presentations, covering major topics on influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) including: infection processes beyond acute respiratory disease, long COVID, vaccines against influenza and RSV, the implications of the potential extinction of influenza B virus Yamagata lineage, and the threats posed by zoonotic highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Colin A Russell
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Albert Osterhaus
- Center of Infection Medicine and Zoonosis Research and the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Oh DS, Kim E, Lu G, Normand R, Shook LL, Lyall A, Jasset O, Demidkin S, Gilbert E, Kim J, Akinwunmi B, Tantivit J, Tirard A, Arnold BY, Slowikowski K, Goldberg MB, Filbin MR, Hacohen N, Nguyen LH, Chan AT, Yu XG, Li JZ, Yonker L, Fasano A, Perlis RH, Pasternak O, Gray KJ, Choi GB, Drew DA, Sen P, Villani AC, Edlow AG, Huh JR. SARS-CoV-2 infection elucidates unique features of pregnancy-specific immunity. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.02.05.24301794. [PMID: 38370801 PMCID: PMC10871456 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.05.24301794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Pregnancy is a risk factor for increased severity of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections. The mechanisms underlying this risk have not been well-established, partly due to a limited understanding of how pregnancy shapes immune responses. To gain insight into the role of pregnancy in modulating immune responses at steady state and upon perturbation, we collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), plasma, and stool from 226 women, including 152 pregnant individuals (n = 96 with SARS-CoV-2 infection and n = 56 healthy controls) and 74 non-pregnant women (n = 55 with SARS-CoV-2 and n = 19 healthy controls). We found that SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with altered T cell responses in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women. Differences included a lower percentage of memory T cells, a distinct clonal expansion of CD4-expressing CD8 + T cells, and the enhanced expression of T cell exhaustion markers, such as programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (Tim-3), in pregnant women. We identified additional evidence of immune dysfunction in severely and critically ill pregnant women, including a lack of expected elevation in regulatory T cell (Treg) levels, diminished interferon responses, and profound suppression of monocyte function. Consistent with earlier data, we found maternal obesity was also associated with altered immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection, including enhanced production of inflammatory cytokines by T cells. Certain gut bacterial species were altered in pregnancy and upon SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant individuals compared to non-pregnant women. Shifts in cytokine and chemokine levels were also identified in the sera of pregnant individuals, most notably a robust increase of interleukin-27 (IL-27), a cytokine known to drive T cell exhaustion, in the pregnant uninfected control group compared to all non-pregnant groups. IL-27 levels were also significantly higher in uninfected pregnant controls compared to pregnant SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals. Using two different preclinical mouse models of inflammation-induced fetal demise and respiratory influenza viral infection, we found that enhanced IL-27 protects developing fetuses from maternal inflammation but renders adult female mice vulnerable to viral infection. These combined findings from human and murine studies reveal nuanced pregnancy-associated immune responses, suggesting mechanisms underlying the increased susceptibility of pregnant individuals to viral respiratory infections.
Collapse
|
4
|
Chaudhary N, Newby AN, Whitehead KA. Non-Viral RNA Delivery During Pregnancy: Opportunities and Challenges. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2306134. [PMID: 38145340 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the risk of maternal and fetal adversities increases due to physiological changes, genetic predispositions, environmental factors, and infections. Unfortunately, treatment options are severely limited because many essential interventions are unsafe, inaccessible, or lacking in sufficient scientific data to support their use. One potential solution to this challenge may lie in emerging RNA therapeutics for gene therapy, protein replacement, maternal vaccination, fetal gene editing, and other prenatal treatment applications. In this review, the current landscape of RNA platforms and non-viral RNA delivery technologies that are under active development for administration during pregnancy is explored. Advancements of pregnancy-specific RNA drugs against SARS-CoV-2, Zika, influenza, preeclampsia, and for in-utero gene editing are discussed. Finally, this study highlights bottlenecks that are impeding translation efforts of RNA therapies, including the lack of accurate cell-based and animal models of human pregnancy and concerns related to toxicity and immunogenicity during pregnancy. Overcoming these challenges will facilitate the rapid development of this new class of pregnancy-safe drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Namit Chaudhary
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Alexandra N Newby
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Kathryn A Whitehead
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Staruszkiewicz M, Pituch-Noworolska A, Skoczen S. SARS-CoV-2 and thyroid diseases. J Transl Autoimmun 2023; 7:100214. [PMID: 37927889 PMCID: PMC10622679 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2023.100214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for acute respiratory disease affected other organs leading to co-existence symptoms or complications. Thyroid gland was one of them due to expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the protein facilitating viral binding to the host cells. Moreover, thyroid gland, important for regulation of hormonal network, is extremely sensitive to any changes in homeostasis and metabolism. It was shown, that COVID-19 was associated with induction of thyroid disease or increasing existing functional disturbances or autoimmune process. Thyroid diseases are mainly based on immunological pathomechanism although the relation between immune system and thyroid function is bidirectional e.g. thyroid hormones modulate specific immune responses, including cell-mediated immunity, NK cell activity, the production of antiviral interferon (IFN) and proliferation of T- and B-lymphocytes. The effects of COVID-19 and mRNA vaccine on thyroid function and diseases are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Szymon Skoczen
- Department of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, University Children's Hospital, Krakow, Poland
- Department of Oncology and Haematology, University Children's Hospital, Krakow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|