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Curini L, Alushi B, Christopher MR, Baldi S, Di Gloria L, Stefano P, Laganà A, Iannone L, Grubitzsch H, Landmesser U, Ramazzotti M, Niccolai E, Lauten A, Amedei A. The first taxonomic and functional characterization of human CAVD-associated microbiota. MICROBIAL CELL (GRAZ, AUSTRIA) 2023; 10:36-48. [PMID: 36789351 PMCID: PMC9896411 DOI: 10.15698/mic2023.02.791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common heart valve disorder, defined by a remodeling multistep process: namely, valve fibrosis with its area narrowing, impaired blood flow, and final calcification phase. Nowadays, the only treatment is the surgical valve replacement. As for other cardiovascular diseases, growing evidence suggest an active role of the immune system in the calcification process that could be modulated by the microbiota. To address this point, we aimed to investigate and characterize, for the first time, the presence of a valve microbiota and associated immune response in human CAVD. Method Calcified aortic valve (CAV) samples from twenty patients (11 from Germany and 9 from Italy) with diagnosis of severe symptomatic CAVD were used to assess the presence of infiltrating T cells, by cloning approach, and to characterize the valve microbiota, by 16S rRNA gene sequencing (NGS). Results We documented the presence of infiltrating T lymphocytes, especially the T helper subset, in CAV samples. Moreover, we found a tissue-associated microbiota in freshly collected CAV samples, which was significantly different in Italian and German patients, suggesting potential correlation with other cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusion The presence of microbiota in inflamed CAV samples represents the right trigger point to explain the valve calcification process, encouraging further studies to explore the potential link between bacteria and adaptive immune response and to define the critical role of local microbiota-immunity axis on CAVD development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavinia Curini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Brunilda Alushi
- Department of Cardiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK); Department of Interventional Cardiology, Klinik Vincentinum Augsburg, Germany
| | - Mary Roxana Christopher
- Department of Cardiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK)
| | - Simone Baldi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Leandro Di Gloria
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Anna Laganà
- Cardiac Surgery, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Luisa Iannone
- Cardiac Surgery, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Herko Grubitzsch
- Berlin Institute of Health; Department of Cardiology, German Heart Centre Berlin (DHZB)
| | - Ulf Landmesser
- Department of Cardiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin and German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK); Berlin Institute of Health
| | - Matteo Ramazzotti
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Niccolai
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Alexander Lauten
- Department of Cardiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK); Department of Interventional Cardiology, Klinik Vincentinum Augsburg, Germany
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy.
,SOD of Interdisciplinary Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), 50139 Florence, Italy.
,* Corresponding Author: Amedeo Amedei, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; E-mail:
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2
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Onnis A, Andreano E, Cassioli C, Finetti F, Della Bella C, Staufer O, Pantano E, Abbiento V, Marotta G, D’Elios MM, Rappuoli R, Baldari CT. SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein suppresses CTL-mediated killing by inhibiting immune synapse assembly. J Exp Med 2022; 220:213689. [PMID: 36378226 PMCID: PMC9671159 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20220906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
CTL-mediated killing of virally infected or malignant cells is orchestrated at the immune synapse (IS). We hypothesized that SARS-CoV-2 may target lytic IS assembly to escape elimination. We show that human CD8+ T cells upregulate the expression of ACE2, the Spike receptor, during differentiation to CTLs. CTL preincubation with the Wuhan or Omicron Spike variants inhibits IS assembly and function, as shown by defective synaptic accumulation of TCRs and tyrosine phosphoproteins as well as defective centrosome and lytic granule polarization to the IS, resulting in impaired target cell killing and cytokine production. These defects were reversed by anti-Spike antibodies interfering with ACE2 binding and reproduced by ACE2 engagement by angiotensin II or anti-ACE2 antibodies, but not by the ACE2 product Ang (1-7). IS defects were also observed ex vivo in CTLs from COVID-19 patients. These results highlight a new strategy of immune evasion by SARS-CoV-2 based on the Spike-dependent, ACE2-mediated targeting of the lytic IS to prevent elimination of infected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Onnis
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Emanuele Andreano
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Lab, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Chiara Cassioli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Della Bella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Oskar Staufer
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Elisa Pantano
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Lab, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Valentina Abbiento
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Lab, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Mario Milco D’Elios
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Rino Rappuoli
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Lab, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy,Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Cosima T. Baldari
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy,Correspondence to Cosima T. Baldari:
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Xiong XF, Zhu M, Wu HX, Fan LL, Cheng DY. Immunophenotype in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study. Respir Res 2022; 23:137. [PMID: 35643501 PMCID: PMC9145461 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-022-02058-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease, and the immune inflammatory response is thought to play an important role in pathogenesis. However, the immunophenotype of patients with COPD is unknown. Herein, we evaluated the immunophenotype of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in West China Hospital from September 2018 to October 2019. The proportion of CD4 + T lymphocyte subtypes (Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg) and levels of serum cytokines in the peripheral blood of patients with AECOPD, stable COPD (SCOPD), healthy smokers (HSs)and healthy controls (HCs) were evaluated. Results A total of 15 HCs, 19 HSs, 42 patients with SCOPD, and 55 patients with AECOPD were included. Compared to patients with SCOPD, Th1 cells, Th17 cells, Treg cell ratio, Th1/Th2 cell ratio, and the levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 were significantly increased in patients with AECOPD (P < 0.001), while the proportion of Th2 cells was significantly reduced (P < 0.01). The proportion of Th17 cells was positively correlated with COPD Assessment Test score (r = 0.266, P = 0.009), modified Medical Research Council dyspnea score (r = 0.858, P < 0.0001), and Th1 cell ratio (r = 0.403, P < 0.0001) and negatively correlated with forced vital capacity (r = − 0.367, P = 0.009) and proportion of Th2 cells (r = − 0.655, P < 0.0001). Conclusions The immunophenotype of patients with AECOPD shows abnormal activation of Th1, Th17, and Treg cells. There is a correlation between the proportion of Th17 cells and the severity of COPD; therefore, this may represent a novel index for the evaluation of COPD severity. Trial registration: China Clinical Trials Registry, ChiCTR1800018452, registered 19 September 2018, https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-022-02058-x.
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Niccolai E, Bettiol A, Baldi S, Silvestri E, Di Gloria L, Bello F, Nannini G, Ricci F, Nicastro M, Ramazzotti M, Vaglio A, Bartolucci G, Emmi G, Amedei A, Prisco D. Gut Microbiota and Associated Mucosal Immune Response in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA). Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10061227. [PMID: 35740247 PMCID: PMC9219964 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10061227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is an anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis. A genome-wide association study showed a correlation between ANCA-negative EGPA and variants of genes encoding proteins with intestinal barrier functions, suggesting that modifications of the mucosal layer and consequent gut dysbiosis might be involved in EGPA pathogenesis. Here, we characterized the gut microbiota (GM) composition and the intestinal immune response in a cohort of EGPA patients. Faeces from 29 patients and 9 unrelated healthy cohabitants were collected, and GM and derived metabolites’ composition were compared. Seven intestinal biopsies from EGPA patients with gastrointestinal manifestations were analysed to assess the T-cell distribution and its correlation with GM and EGPA clinical and laboratory features. No significant differences in GM composition, nor in the total amount of faecal metabolites, emerged between patients and controls. Nevertheless, differences in bacterial taxa abundances and compositional GM-derived metabolites profile were observed. Notably, an enrichment of potential pathobionts (Enterobacteriacee and Streptococcaceae) was found in EGPA, particularly in patients with active disease, while lower levels were found in patients on immunosuppression, compared with non-immunosuppressed ones. Significantly lower amounts of hexanoic acid were found in patients, compared to controls. The analysis of the immune response in the gut mucosa revealed a high frequency of IFN-γ/IL-17-producing T lymphocytes, and a positive correlation between EGPA disease activity and intestinal T-cell levels. Our data suggest that an enrichment in potential intestinal pathobionts might drive an imbalanced inflammatory response in EGPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Niccolai
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.N.); (A.B.); (S.B.); (E.S.); (F.B.); (G.N.); (D.P.)
| | - Alessandra Bettiol
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.N.); (A.B.); (S.B.); (E.S.); (F.B.); (G.N.); (D.P.)
| | - Simone Baldi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.N.); (A.B.); (S.B.); (E.S.); (F.B.); (G.N.); (D.P.)
| | - Elena Silvestri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.N.); (A.B.); (S.B.); (E.S.); (F.B.); (G.N.); (D.P.)
- Internal Interdisciplinary Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Leandro Di Gloria
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences “Mario Serio” University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (L.D.G.); (M.R.); (A.V.)
| | - Federica Bello
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.N.); (A.B.); (S.B.); (E.S.); (F.B.); (G.N.); (D.P.)
- Internal Interdisciplinary Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Nannini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.N.); (A.B.); (S.B.); (E.S.); (F.B.); (G.N.); (D.P.)
| | - Federica Ricci
- Core Research Laboratory, Institute for Cancer Research and Prevention (ISPRO), 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Maria Nicastro
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma and Unit of Occupational Medicine and Industrial Toxicology, University Hospital of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy;
| | - Matteo Ramazzotti
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences “Mario Serio” University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (L.D.G.); (M.R.); (A.V.)
| | - Augusto Vaglio
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences “Mario Serio” University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (L.D.G.); (M.R.); (A.V.)
- Nephrology Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Gianluca Bartolucci
- Department of Neurosciences, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health Section of Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy;
| | - Giacomo Emmi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.N.); (A.B.); (S.B.); (E.S.); (F.B.); (G.N.); (D.P.)
- Internal Interdisciplinary Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.E.); (A.A.); Tel.: +39-05-5275-8020 (G.E.); +39-05-5275-8330 (A.A.)
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.N.); (A.B.); (S.B.); (E.S.); (F.B.); (G.N.); (D.P.)
- Internal Interdisciplinary Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Correspondence: (G.E.); (A.A.); Tel.: +39-05-5275-8020 (G.E.); +39-05-5275-8330 (A.A.)
| | - Domenico Prisco
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.N.); (A.B.); (S.B.); (E.S.); (F.B.); (G.N.); (D.P.)
- Internal Interdisciplinary Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy
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Toivonen L, Schuez-Havupalo L, Karppinen S, Waris M, Hoffman KL, Camargo CA, Hasegawa K, Peltola V. Antibiotic Treatments During Infancy, Changes in Nasal Microbiota, and Asthma Development: Population-based Cohort Study. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:1546-1554. [PMID: 32170305 PMCID: PMC8096219 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early-life exposures to antibiotics may increase the risk of developing childhood asthma. However, little is known about the mechanisms linking antibiotic exposures to asthma. We hypothesized that changes in the nasal airway microbiota serve as a causal mediator in the antibiotics–asthma link. Methods In a population-based birth-cohort study in Finland, we identified longitudinal nasal microbiota profiles during age 2–24 months using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and an unsupervised machine learning approach. We performed a causal mediation analysis to estimate the natural direct effect of systemic antibiotic treatments during age 0–11 months on risks of developing physician-diagnosed asthma by age 7 years and the natural indirect (causal mediation) effect through longitudinal changes in nasal microbiota. Results In our birth cohort of 697 children, 8.0% later developed asthma. Exposure to ≥2 antibiotic treatments during age 0–11 months was associated with a 4.0% increase in the absolute risk of developing asthma (absolute increase, 95% CI, .9–7.2%; P = .006). The unsupervised clustering approach identified 6 longitudinal nasal microbiota profiles. Infants with a larger number of antibiotic treatments had a higher risk of having a profile with early Moraxella sparsity (per each antibiotic treatment, adjusted RRR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.15–1.66; P < .001). This effect of antibiotics on asthma was partly mediated by longitudinal changes in the nasal microbiota (natural indirect effect, P = .008), accounting for 16% of the total effect. Conclusions Early exposures to antibiotics were associated with increased risk of asthma; the effect was mediated, in part, by longitudinal changes in the nasal airway microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Toivonen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Linnea Schuez-Havupalo
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Sinikka Karppinen
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Matti Waris
- Virology Unit, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Kristi L Hoffman
- Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research, Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Carlos A Camargo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kohei Hasegawa
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ville Peltola
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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6
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Toivonen L, Karppinen S, Schuez-Havupalo L, Waris M, He Q, Hoffman KL, Petrosino JF, Dumas O, Camargo CA, Hasegawa K, Peltola V. Longitudinal Changes in Early Nasal Microbiota and the Risk of Childhood Asthma. Pediatrics 2020; 146:peds.2020-0421. [PMID: 32934151 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-0421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although the airway microbiota is a highly dynamic ecology, the role of longitudinal changes in airway microbiota during early childhood in asthma development is unclear. We aimed to investigate the association of longitudinal changes in early nasal microbiota with the risk of developing asthma. METHODS In this prospective, population-based birth cohort study, we followed children from birth to age 7 years. The nasal microbiota was tested by using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing at ages 2, 13, and 24 months. We applied an unsupervised machine learning approach to identify longitudinal nasal microbiota profiles during age 2 to 13 months (the primary exposure) and during age 2 to 24 months (the secondary exposure) and examined the association of these profiles with the risk of physician-diagnosed asthma at age 7 years. RESULTS Of the analytic cohort of 704 children, 57 (8%) later developed asthma. We identified 4 distinct longitudinal nasal microbiota profiles during age 2 to 13 months. In the multivariable analysis, compared with the persistent Moraxella dominance profile during age 2 to 13 months, the persistent Moraxella sparsity profile was associated with a significantly higher risk of asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 2.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-6.27). Similar associations were observed between the longitudinal changes in nasal microbiota during age 2 to 24 months and risk of asthma. CONCLUSIONS Children with an altered longitudinal pattern in the nasal microbiota during early childhood had a high risk of developing asthma. Our data guide the development of primary prevention strategies (eg, early identification of children at high risk and modification of microbiota) for childhood asthma. These observations present a new avenue for risk modification for asthma (eg, microbiota modification).
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Toivonen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts; .,Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Sinikka Karppinen
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Linnea Schuez-Havupalo
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Qiushui He
- Department of Microbiology, Virology and Immunology and Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Kristi L Hoffman
- Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research, Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Joseph F Petrosino
- Alkek Center for Metagenomics and Microbiome Research, Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Orianne Dumas
- INSERM U1168, VIMA: Aging and Chronic Diseases, Epidemiological and Public Health Approaches, Villejuif, France; and.,UMR-S 1168, Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France
| | - Carlos A Camargo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kohei Hasegawa
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ville Peltola
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Niccolai E, Ricci F, Russo E, Nannini G, Emmi G, Taddei A, Ringressi MN, Melli F, Miloeva M, Cianchi F, Bechi P, Prisco D, Amedei A. The Different Functional Distribution of "Not Effector" T Cells (Treg/Tnull) in Colorectal Cancer. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1900. [PMID: 29375559 PMCID: PMC5770731 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, ranking as high as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in industrialized countries. Consistent with immunosurveillance theory, the immune system is crucial to protect the host from developing tumors, and the major players in tumoral immunity are effector T cells. Anyway, cancer cells develop strategies of immunoevasion influencing the cancer-specific lymphocyte priming, activation, and effector function. Therefore, the T cell subsets that mature during the stages of tumor growth, differently contribute to disease progression and/or regression. In our study, we analyzed the intra-tumoral and peripheral T cell subsets’ distribution in 30 patients with CRC, in order to clarify their functional role toward cancer. We found that percentage of infiltrating effector T cells decreased in cancer tissue than in healthy mucosa and that the tumor microenvironment negatively influences the cytolytic activity of T lymphocytes reactive to cancer cells. Moreover, we found that the tumor tissue was infiltrated by a large amount of “not effector” T (neT) cells with a regulatory or an anergic profile, which are unable to kill cancer cells, may be contributing to the CRC promotion. The presence of neT cells was investigated also in the peripheral blood of CRC patients, demonstrating that the peripheral T regulatory cells can inhibit the proliferation of effector T cells, confirming their immunosuppressive properties. Finally, monitoring the changes in circulating neT cells’ frequencies after the tumor removal, we confirmed the role of cancer in the modulation of immune system, in particular, in supporting a Tregs-mediated immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Niccolai
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Federica Ricci
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Edda Russo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Nannini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giacomo Emmi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Antonio Taddei
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Filippo Melli
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Manouela Miloeva
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Cianchi
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Paolo Bechi
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Domenico Prisco
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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8
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Niccolai E, Cappello P, Taddei A, Ricci F, D'Elios MM, Benagiano M, Bechi P, Bencini L, Ringressi MN, Coratti A, Cianchi F, Bonello L, Di Celle PF, Prisco D, Novelli F, Amedei A. Peripheral ENO1-specific T cells mirror the intratumoral immune response and their presence is a potential prognostic factor for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Int J Oncol 2016; 49:393-401. [PMID: 27210467 DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2016.3524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease with an average survival of 4-6 months following diagnosis. Surgical resection is the only treatment with curative intent, but resectable PDAC patients are in the minority. Also, unlike other neoplasms, PDAC is resistant to conventional and targeted chemotherapy. Innovative treatments, such as immunotherapy, can be very important and the study of the immune response is fundamental. We previously demonstrated that PDAC patients show tumor-infiltrating T cells specific to α-enolase (ENO1), a glycolytic enzyme over-expressed by pancreatic tumor cells, which plays an important role in promoting cell migration and cancer metastasis. In the present study, we evaluate the functional anticancer proprieties of ENO1-specific T cells isolated from the peripheral blood of PDAC patients. Furthermore, comparing the T cell receptor repertoire of ENO1-specific peripheral and infiltrating tumor T cells from the same patient suggests that ENO1-specific T cells, despite having a different functional profile, can recirculate from the tumor to the periphery. Finally, of clinical relevance, the presence of peripheral ENO1-specific T cells has a prognostic value and significantly correlates with a longer survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Niccolai
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, and Department of Biomedicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Paola Cappello
- Centre for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CERMS), AOU City of Health and Science of Turin, and Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, I-10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Taddei
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, and Department of Biomedicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Federica Ricci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, and Department of Biomedicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Mario Milco D'Elios
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, and Department of Biomedicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Marisa Benagiano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, and Department of Biomedicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Paolo Bechi
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, and Department of Biomedicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Lapo Bencini
- Division of General and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Novella Ringressi
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, and Department of Biomedicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Coratti
- Division of General and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Cianchi
- Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Florence, and Department of Biomedicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Lisa Bonello
- Centre for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CERMS), AOU City of Health and Science of Turin, and Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, I-10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Paola Francia Di Celle
- General Anatomopathology and Molecular Oncogenetics - AOU City of Health and Science of Turin, I-10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Domenico Prisco
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, and Department of Biomedicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), I-50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Novelli
- Centre for Experimental Research and Medical Studies (CERMS), AOU City of Health and Science of Turin, and Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, I-10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, and Department of Biomedicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), I-50134 Florence, Italy
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9
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Amedei A, Niccolai E, Benagiano M, Della Bella C, Cianchi F, Bechi P, Taddei A, Bencini L, Farsi M, Cappello P, Prisco D, Novelli F, D'Elios MM. Ex vivo analysis of pancreatic cancer-infiltrating T lymphocytes reveals that ENO-specific Tregs accumulate in tumor tissue and inhibit Th1/Th17 effector cell functions. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2013; 62:1249-60. [PMID: 23640603 PMCID: PMC11028529 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-013-1429-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Accepted: 04/24/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer (PC) is an aggressive disease with dismal prognosis. Surgical resection is the recommended treatment for long-term survival, but patients with resectable PC are in the minority (with a 5-year survival rate of 20 %). Therefore, development of novel therapeutic strategies, such as anti-PC immunotherapy, is crucial. α-Enolase (ENO1) is an enzyme expressed on the surface of pancreatic cancer cells and is able to promote cell migration and cancer metastasis. The capacity of ENO1 to induce an immune response in PC patients renders it a true tumor-associated antigen. In this study, we characterized the effector functions of ENO1-specific T cells isolated from PC patients, and we specifically evaluated the successful role of intra-tumoral T helper 17 (Th17) cells and the inhibitory role of regulatory T (Tregs) cells in respectively promoting or reducing the cancer-specific immune response. In this ex vivo study, we have demonstrated, for the first time, that ENO1-specific Th17 cells have a specific anti-cancer effector function in PC patients, and that there are decreased levels of these cells in cancer compared to healthy mucosa. Conversely, there are elevated levels of ENO1-specific Tregs in PC patients which lead to inhibition of the antigen-specific effector T cells, thus highlighting a possible role in promoting PC progression. These results may be relevant for the design of novel immunotherapeutic strategies in pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amedeo Amedei
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy.
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10
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Su YC, Singh B, Riesbeck K. Moraxella catarrhalis: from interactions with the host immune system to vaccine development. Future Microbiol 2013; 7:1073-100. [PMID: 22953708 DOI: 10.2217/fmb.12.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Moraxella catarrhalis is a human-restricted commensal that over the last two decades has developed into an emerging respiratory tract pathogen. The bacterial species is equipped with various adhesins to facilitate its colonization. Successful evasion of the human immune system is a prerequisite for Moraxella infection. This strategy involves induction of an excessive proinflammatory response, intervention of granulocyte recruitment to the infection site, activation of selected pattern recognition receptors and cellular adhesion molecules to counteract the host bacteriolytic attack, as well as, finally, reprogramming of antigen presenting cells. Host immunomodulator molecules are also exploited by Moraxella to aid in resistance against complement killing and host bactericidal molecules. Thus, breaking the basis of Moraxella immune evasion mechanisms is fundamental for future invention of effective therapy in controlling Moraxella infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ching Su
- Medical Microbiology, Department of Laboratory Medicine Malmö, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
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11
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Anogeianaki A, Castellani M, Tripodi D, Felaco P, Toniato E, De Lutiis M, Fulcheri M, Tetè S, Galzio R, Salini V, Caraffa A, Antinolfi P, Frydas I, Sabatino G, Shaik-Dasthagirisaheb Y, Sharma JN. PGD2, IL-1-Family Members and Mast Cells. EUR J INFLAMM 2010. [DOI: 10.1177/1721727x1000800301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytokines are immunomodulatory and inflammatory compounds produced by many different cell types. The IL-1 family consists of at least eleven cytokines including IL-18 and IL-13 and are essential to the host defence against severe infections and mediate inflammation. IL-18 also enhances tumour rejection and has high capacity to augment the cytotoxicity of NK cells and T cells. IL-33 stimulates basophils and mast cells to produce cytokines and histamine independently of IgE. Mast cells play a crucial role in the development of allergy through the cross-linking of their surface receptors for IgE leading to degranulation and inflammation. Activated mast cells induce the generation of PGD2, detectable in 2–15 minutes after challenge, and LTC4. Here we review the interrelationship between PGD2, IL-1 family members and mast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - D. Tripodi
- School of Dentistry, University of Chieti, Italy
| | - P. Felaco
- Department of Human Dynamics, University of Chieti, Italy
| | - E. Toniato
- Immunology Division, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | - M.A. De Lutiis
- Department of Human Dynamics, University of Chieti, Italy
| | - M. Fulcheri
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Chieti, Italy
| | - S. Tetè
- School of Dentistry, University of Chieti, Italy
| | - R. Galzio
- Department of Health Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Italy
| | - V. Salini
- Orthopaedics Division, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | - A. Caraffa
- Orthopaedics Division, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - P. Antinolfi
- Orthopaedics Division, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - I. Frydas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - G. Sabatino
- Department of Internal Medicine and Ageing, University of Chieti, Italy
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12
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Abstract
The inflammatory response is mediated by immunological and chemotactic factors, proteins of the complement system, histamine, serotonin, arachidonic acid products and cytokines. All these compounds, including cytokines/chemokines, are major contributors to the symptoms of inflammation. Cytokines/chemokines, commonly referred to as “biological response modifiers”, are relatively new compounds for possible use in stimulation of the immune response, and display a number of overlapping abilities to stimulate cells of various lineages and differentiation stages; nonetheless, most of these compounds are potent inflammatory mediators. Mast cell mediators are either contained within secretory granules or can be synthesized de novo and can be released upon activation by either a massive degranulation, or by a selective release of specific molecules. These cells accumulate in the stroma of a variety of inflamed and transformed tissues in response to locally produced chemotactic factors for immune-cells, such as RANTES and MCP-1. Here we describe some connections between mast cells and chemokines.
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