Immunofluorescence analysis of human eosinophils

A prominent inflammatory cell type in allergic diseases is the eosinophil, a granulated white blood cell that releases pro-inflammatory cytokines. Eosinophil-derived cytokines, including interleukin-9 (IL-9) and interleukin-13 (IL-13), can skew the immune response towards an allergic phenotype. Unfortunately, it is challenging to immunolabel and collect quantifiable images of eosinophils given their innate autofluorescence and ability to nonspecifically bind to antibodies. Hence, it is important to optimize permeabilization, blocking, and imaging conditions for eosinophils. Here, we show enhanced protocols to ensure that measured immunofluorescence represents specific immunolabelling. To test this, eosinophils were purified from human blood, adhered to glass coverslips, stimulated with or without platelet-activating factor (PAF), fixed with paraformaldehyde, and then permeabilized with Triton X-100 or saponin. Cells were then blocked with goat serum or human serum and incubated with antibodies labelling cytokines (IL-9 and IL-13) and secretory organelles (CD63 for crystalloid granules and transferrin receptor [TfnRc] for recycling endosomes). Carefully selected isotype controls were used throughout, and cells were imaged using Deltavision super-resolution microscopy. Intensities of fluorescent probes were quantified using Volocity software. Our findings show that permeabilization with saponin, blockage with human serum, and using concentrations of antibodies up to 10 μg/ml allowed us to detect marked differences in fluorescence intensities between isotypes and test antibodies. With the achievement of sufficient qualitative and quantitative measures of increased test probe intensity compared to respective isotypes, these results indicate that our protocol allows for optimal immunolabelling of eosinophils. Using this protocol, future studies may provide further insights into trafficking mechanisms within this important inflammatory cell type.

Cytokine gene polymorphisms implicated in the pathogenesis of Plasmodium falciparum infection outcome

Cytokines play a critical role in the immune mechanisms involved in fighting infections including malaria. Polymorphisms in cytokine genes may affect immune responses during an infection with Plasmodium parasites and immunization outcomes during routine administration of malaria vaccines. These polymorphisms can increase or reduce susceptibility to this deadly infection, and this may affect the physiologically needed balance between anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The purpose of this review is to present an overview of the effect of selected cytokine gene polymorphisms on immune responses against malaria.

Sensitization of colonic nociceptors by IL-13 is dependent on JAK and p38 MAPK activity

The effective management of visceral pain is a significant unmet clinical need for those affected by gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The rational design of novel analgesics requires a greater understanding of the mediators and mechanisms underpinning visceral pain. Interleukin-13 (IL-13) production by immune cells residing in the gut is elevated in IBD, and IL-13 appears to be important in the development of experimental colitis. Furthermore, receptors for IL-13 are expressed by neurons innervating the colon, though it is not known whether IL-13 plays any role in visceral nociception per se. To resolve this, we used Ca²⁺ imaging of cultured sensory neurons and ex vivo electrophysiological recording from the lumbar splanchnic nerve innervating the distal colon. Ca²⁺ imaging revealed the stimulation of small-diameter, capsaicin-sensitive sensory neurons by IL-13, indicating that IL-13 likely stimulates nociceptors. IL-13-evoked Ca²⁺ signals were attenuated by inhibition of Janus (JAK) and p38 kinases. In the lumbar splanchnic nerve, IL-13 did not elevate baseline firing, nor sensitize the response to capsaicin application, but did enhance the response to distention of the colon. In line with Ca²⁺ imaging experiments, IL-13-mediated sensitization of the afferent response to colon distention was blocked by inhibition of either JAK or p38 kinase signaling. Together, these data highlight a potential role for IL-13 in visceral nociception and implicate JAK and p38 kinases in pronociceptive signaling downstream of IL-13.

CD28 is expressed by macrophages with anti-inflammatory potential and limits their T-cell activating capacity

CD28 expression is generally considered to be T lymphocyte specific. We have previously shown CD28 mRNA expression in M-CSF-dependent anti-inflammatory monocyte-derived macrophages (M-MØ), and now demonstrate that CD28 cell surface expression is higher in M-MØ than in GM-CSF-dependent macrophages, and that macrophage CD28 expression is regulated by MAFB and activin A. In vivo, CD28 was found in tumor-associated macrophages and, to a lower extent, in pro-inflammatory synovial fluid macrophages from rheumatoid arthritis patients. Analysis of mouse macrophages confirmed Cd28 expression in bone-marrow derived M-MØ. Indeed, anti-CD28 antibodies triggered ERK1/2 phosphorylation in mouse M-MØ. At the functional level, Cd28KO M-MØ exhibited a significantly higher capacity to activate the OVA-specific proliferation of OT-II CD4+ T cells than WT M-MØ, as well as enhanced LPS-induced IL-6 production. Besides, the Cd28KO M-MØ transcriptome was significantly different from WT M-MØ regarding the expression IFN response, inflammatory response, and TGF-β signaling related gene sets. Therefore, defective CD28 expression in mouse macrophages associates to changes in gene expression profile, what might contribute to the altered functionality displayed by Cd28KO M-MØ. Thus, CD28 expression appears as a hallmark of anti-inflammatory macrophages and might be a target for immunotherapy.

Cytokine trafficking of IL-9 and IL-13 through TfnRc+ vesicles in activated human eosinophils

Eosinophils are granulocytes that are elevated in lung mucosa in approximately half of patients with allergic asthma. These highly granulated cells can synthesize and secrete many cytokines, including IL-9 and IL-13. We hypothesized that IL-9 and IL-13 are found as preformed mediators in crystalloid granules and secreted using distinct trafficking pathways. Human eosinophils were purified from peripheral venous blood, adhered to coverslips, and stimulated with platelet activating factor (PAF). Cells were immunolabeled with antibodies to IL-9 or IL-13 and colocalized with markers for secretory organelles, using CD63 for crystalloid granules and transferrin receptor (TfnRc) for vesicles. Fixed cells were imaged using super-resolution microscopy and quantified by colocalization using Pearson's correlation coefficient. IL-9 immunofluorescence increased in a time-dependent manner to PAF, whereas colocalization of IL-9 and CD63 significantly increased from 0.52 to 0.67 after 5 min PAF. Colocalization of IL-9 with TfnRc significantly increased at 60 min of stimulation with PAF (0.54 at 0 min to 0.60 at 60 min). IL-13 showed lower colocalization with CD63 (0.55) than TfnRc (0.63) in unstimulated cells. Upon PAF stimulation, IL-13 intensity transiently decreased at 5 and 60 min, whereas colocalization of IL-13 with CD63 decreased throughout stimulation to 0.43. While colocalization of IL-13 with TfnRc transiently increased to 0.66 at 5 min PAF, it returned to near baseline levels (0.64) after 15 min PAF. Our results suggest that IL-9 and IL-13 are stored in crystalloid granules as well as endosomal structures, and that IL-9 is primarily trafficked to the cell surface via TfnRc⁺ endosome-like vesicles.

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor Pyridostigmine Bromide Attenuates Gut Pathology and Bacterial Dysbiosis in a Murine Model of Ulcerative Colitis

BACKGROUND

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a Th2 inflammatory bowel disease characterized by increased IL-5 and IL-13 expression, eosinophilic/neutrophilic infiltration, decreased mucus production, impaired epithelial barrier, and bacterial dysbiosis of the colon. Acetylcholine and nicotine stimulate mucus production and suppress Th2 inflammation through nicotinic receptors in lungs but UC is rarely observed in smokers and the mechanism of the protection is unclear.

METHODS

In order to evaluate whether acetylcholine can ameliorate UC-associated pathologies, we employed a mouse model of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC-like conditions, and a group of mice were treated with Pyridostigmine bromide (PB) to increase acetylcholine availability. The effects on colonic tissue morphology, Th2 inflammatory factors, MUC2 mucin, and gut microbiota were analyzed.

RESULTS

DSS challenge damaged the murine colonic architecture, reduced the MUC2 mucin and the tight-junction protein ZO-1. The PB treatment significantly attenuated these DSS-induced responses along with the eosinophilic infiltration and the pro-Th2 inflammatory factors. Moreover, PB inhibited the DSS-induced loss of commensal Clostridia and Flavobacteria, and the gain of pathogenic Erysipelotrichia and Fusobacteria.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, these data suggest that in colons of a murine model, PB promotes MUC2 synthesis, suppresses Th2 inflammation and attenuates bacterial dysbiosis therefore, PB has a therapeutic potential in UC.

Absolute blood eosinophil count could be a potential biomarker for predicting haemorrhagic transformation after intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke

Background

Immune cells are involved in all stages of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and possess both neuroprotective and neurodamaging properties. It has been suggested that immune system activation after stroke may be associated with the development of haemorrhagic transformation (HT), which is the main complication limiting the clinical use of intravenous thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) for AIS. The purpose of our study was to analyse the association between absolute eosinophil count (AEC) at admission and the occurrence of HT after intravenous rtPA therapy for AIS.

Methods

In this retrospective study we enrolled AIS patients who were treated with rtPA within 4.5 h of symptom onset. Baseline stroke severity was evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Patients underwent head computed tomography scans at admission which were repeated 24 h after treatment with rtPA or promptly in case of clinical deterioration. HT was defined as blood at any site in the brain on follow-up head computed tomography scans. Spearman’s rank correlation test was used to analyse the correlation between AEC and NIHSS scores. The optimal AEC cut-off value for predicting HT was calculated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association between AEC included as a binary variable and the incidence of HT.

Results

The data of 201 patients was analysed (59.7% females; median age 77 years); 23 (11.4%) of them developed HT. The median of AEC was 62.5% greater in the non-HT group compared to the HT group (0.13 ×  10⁹/l and 0.08 × 10⁹/l, respectively, p = 0.026). No correlation was found between AEC and baseline NIHSS scores (r = 0.061, p = 0.393). AEC ≥ 0.11 × 10⁹/l predicted the occurrence of HT with 69.6% sensitivity and 60.7% specificity. AEC ≥ 0.11 × 10⁹/l was independently associated with a 78% reduction in the odds of developing HT (adjusted odds ratio = 0.223, 95% confidence interval = 0.069–0.723, p = 0.012).

Conclusion

Higher values of AEC were associated with lower odds of developing HT, thus, AEC at admission could be considered an independent predictive marker of HT after treatment with rtPA for AIS.

A late IL-33 response after exposure to Schistosoma haematobium antigen is associated with an up-regulation of IL-13 in human eosinophils

IL-33, a proposed alarmin, stimulates innate immune cells and Th2 cells to produce IL-13 and is rapidly upregulated upon antigen exposure in murine helminth infection. The human IL-33 response to helminth antigen was analysed in Malians infected with Schistosoma haematobium by disrupting parasite integrity via chemotherapy. Plasma IL-33 was measured pretreatment, and 24 h and 9 weeks post-treatment. At 24 h post-treatment, IL-33 levels were low. Nine week post-treatment IL-33 levels were elevated and were associated with an increase in intracellular IL-13 in eosinophils. Up-regulation of intracellular IL-13 in eosinophils was also associated with eosinophil expression of ST2L, the IL-33 receptor. IL-33 may play an important downstream role in the human response to schistosome adult worm antigen exposure.

Eosinophils and Th2 immunity: contemporary insights

Eosinophils, innate immune leukocytes elicited by Th2 cells, have long been associated with the effector arm of Th2 immune responses. However, accumulating data over the past decade reveal a much more dynamic picture of Th2 immunity, where eosinophils are present very early in response to Th2-inducing agents and function in the initiation of Th2 immunity. Here we discuss recent data showing immune functions of eosinophils distinct from their previously appreciated tissue- and helminth-destructive capacities, providing strong evidence for a new paradigm of Th2 immunity defined by a dynamic interplay between eosinophils and T cells.