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Wyatt-Johnson SK, Afify R, Brutkiewicz RR. The immune system in neurological diseases: What innate-like T cells have to say. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 153:913-923. [PMID: 38365015 PMCID: PMC10999338 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The immune system classically consists of 2 lines of defense, innate and adaptive, both of which interact with one another effectively to protect us against any pathogenic threats. Importantly, there is a diverse subset of cells known as innate-like T cells that act as a bridge between the innate and adaptive immune systems and are pivotal players in eliciting inflammatory immune responses. A growing body of evidence has demonstrated the regulatory impact of these innate-like T cells in central nervous system (CNS) diseases and that such immune cells can traffic into the brain in multiple pathological conditions, which can be typically attributed to the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier. However, until now, it has been poorly understood whether innate-like T cells have direct protective or causative properties, particularly in CNS diseases. Therefore, in this review, our attention is focused on discussing the critical roles of 3 unique subsets of unconventional T cells, namely, natural killer T cells, γδ T cells, and mucosal-associated invariant T cells, in the context of CNS diseases, disorders, and injuries and how the interplay of these immune cells modulates CNS pathology, in an attempt to gain a better understanding of their complex functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Season K Wyatt-Johnson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind
| | - Reham Afify
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind
| | - Randy R Brutkiewicz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind.
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Avraham R, Melamed S, Achdout H, Erez N, Israeli O, Barlev-Gross M, Pasmanik-Chor M, Paran N, Israely T, Vitner EB. Antiviral activity of glucosylceramide synthase inhibitors in alphavirus infection of the central nervous system. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad086. [PMID: 37168733 PMCID: PMC10165247 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-induced CNS diseases impose a considerable human health burden worldwide. For many viral CNS infections, neither antiviral drugs nor vaccines are available. In this study, we examined whether the synthesis of glycosphingolipids, major membrane lipid constituents, could be used to establish an antiviral therapeutic target. We found that neuroinvasive Sindbis virus altered the sphingolipid levels early after infection in vitro and increased the levels of gangliosides GA1 and GM1 in the sera of infected mice. The alteration in the sphingolipid levels appears to play a role in neuroinvasive Sindbis virus replication, as treating infected cells with UDP-glucose ceramide glucosyltransferase (UGCG) inhibitors reduced the replication rate. Moreover, the UGCG inhibitor GZ-161 increased the survival rates of Sindbis-infected mice, most likely by reducing the detrimental immune response activated by sphingolipids in the brains of Sindbis virus-infected mice. These findings suggest a role for glycosphingolipids in the host immune response against neuroinvasive Sindbis virus and suggest that UGCG inhibitors should be further examined as antiviral therapeutics for viral infections of the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Avraham
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Sharon Melamed
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Hagit Achdout
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Noam Erez
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Ofir Israeli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Israel Institute for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Moria Barlev-Gross
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Metsada Pasmanik-Chor
- Bioinformatics Unit, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Science, Tel Aviv University, 6997801 Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nir Paran
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Tomer Israely
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Israel Institute for Biological Research, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel
| | - Einat B Vitner
- Correspondence to: Einat B. Vitner Department of Infectious Diseases Israel Institute for Biological Research P.O.B 19, 7410001 Ness-Ziona, Israel E-mail:
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Cryptococcus neoformans Infection in the Central Nervous System: The Battle between Host and Pathogen. J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8101069. [PMID: 36294634 PMCID: PMC9605252 DOI: 10.3390/jof8101069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) is a pathogenic fungus with a global distribution. Humans become infected by inhaling the fungus from the environment, and the fungus initially colonizes the lungs. If the immune system fails to contain C. neoformans in the lungs, the fungus can disseminate to the blood and invade the central nervous system, resulting in fatal meningoencephalitis particularly in immunocompromised individuals including HIV/AIDS patients. Following brain invasion, C. neoformans will encounter host defenses involving resident as well as recruited immune cells in the brain. To overcome host defenses, C. neoformans possesses multiple virulence factors capable of modulating immune responses. The outcome of the interactions between the host and C. neoformans will determine the disease progression. In this review, we describe the current understanding of how C. neoformans migrates to the brain across the blood–brain barrier, and how the host immune system responds to the invading organism in the brain. We will also discuss the virulence factors that C. neoformans uses to modulate host immune responses.
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Brettschneider EES, Terabe M. The Role of NKT Cells in Glioblastoma. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071641. [PMID: 34208864 PMCID: PMC8307781 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is an aggressive and deadly cancer, but to date, immunotherapies have failed to make significant strides in improving prognoses for glioblastoma patients. One of the current challenges to developing immunological interventions for glioblastoma is our incomplete understanding of the numerous immunoregulatory mechanisms at play in the glioblastoma tumor microenvironment. We propose that Natural Killer T (NKT) cells, which are unconventional T lymphocytes that recognize lipid antigens presented by CD1d molecules, may play a key immunoregulatory role in glioblastoma. For example, evidence suggests that the activation of type I NKT cells can facilitate anti-glioblastoma immune responses. On the other hand, type II NKT cells are known to play an immunosuppressive role in other cancers, as well as to cross-regulate type I NKT cell activity, although their specific role in glioblastoma remains largely unclear. This review provides a summary of our current understanding of NKT cells in the immunoregulation of glioblastoma as well as highlights the involvement of NKT cells in other cancers and central nervous system diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E. S. Brettschneider
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Masaki Terabe
- Neuro-Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-240-760-6731
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Suvas P, Liu L, Rao P, Steinle JJ, Suvas S. Systemic alterations in leukocyte subsets and the protective role of NKT cells in the mouse model of diabetic retinopathy. Exp Eye Res 2020; 200:108203. [PMID: 32890483 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The involvement of leukocytes in the pathophysiology of DR has mostly examined the role of monocytes and neutrophils with little emphasis on other immune cell types. In this study, we determined the systemic alterations in T cell subsets, myeloid cell types, NK cells, and NKT cells in the streptozotocin (STZ) mouse model of diabetic retinopathy (DR), and the role of NKT cells on retinal leukostasis and permeability changes. C57BL/6 J mice were made diabetic with 60 mg/kg dose of STZ given for 5-days. Flow cytometry assay measured the frequency of leukocyte subsets in the peripheral blood, spleen, and bone marrow of STZ- and vehicle-treated C57BL/6 J mice. Our results showed an increased proportion of memory CD8 T cells and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) secreting CD8 T cells in the bone marrow of STZ-treated compared to control mice. Subsequently, increased production of inflammatory monocytes in the bone marrow and an enhanced frequency of CD11b + cells in the diabetic retina were seen in STZ-treated compared to control mice. The diabetic mice also exhibited a decrease in total NKT and CD4+NKT cells. A monoclonal antibody-based approach depleted NKT cells from STZ-treated mice, followed by measurements of retinal vascular permeability and leukostasis. The depletion of NKT cells in STZ-treated mice resulted in a significant increase in vascular permeability in the retinal tissue. Together, our results strongly imply the involvement of NKT cells in regulating the pathophysiology of the diabetic retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratima Suvas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Pushpa Rao
- Department of Developmental Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Jena J Steinle
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Susmit Suvas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Visual and Anatomical Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
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Raynor J, Lin A, Hummel SA, Lampe K, Jordan M, Hoebe K, Hildeman DA. The Variable Genomic NK Cell Receptor Locus Is a Key Determinant of CD4+ T Cell Responses During Viral Infection. Front Immunol 2020; 11:197. [PMID: 32153566 PMCID: PMC7044186 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence points to a key role for NK cells in controlling adaptive immune responses. In studies examining the role of CD1d on CD4+ T cell responses, we found that a line of CD1d-deficient mice on the C57BL/6J background had a homozygous 129 locus on chromosome 6 containing the entire NK cell gene cluster. Mice possessing this locus (C57BL/6.NKC129) displayed a >10-fold reduction in antigen-specific CD4+ T cell responses after intracranial infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Neither parental strain displayed defects in viral-specific CD4+ T cell responses. Interestingly, following infection, increased numbers of NK cells accumulated in the lymph nodes of C57BL/6.NKC129 mice and displayed enhanced in vivo functionality. Moreover, depletion of NK cells with anti-asialo-GM-1 antibody in C57BL/6.NKC129 mice resulted in a >20-fold increase in viral-specific CD4+ T cell responses. Mechanistically, we found that dendritic cell antigen presentation and early type I IFN production were significantly decreased in C57BL/6.NKC129 mice, but were restored in perforin-deficient C57BL/6.NKC129 mice or following NK depletion. Together, these data reveal that the variable genomic regions containing the activating/inhibitory NK cell receptors are key determinants of antigen-specific CD4+ T cell responses, controlling type I IFN production and the antigen-presenting capacity of dendritic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Raynor
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Immunology Graduate Program, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Adora Lin
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Immunology Graduate Program, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Sarah A Hummel
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Kristin Lampe
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Michael Jordan
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Kasper Hoebe
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - David A Hildeman
- Division of Immunobiology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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Abstract
Natural killer T (NKT) cells are a unique subset of T lymphocytes with the expression of T cell receptor (TCR) and NK cell lineage receptors. These cells can rapidly release large quantities of cytokines and function as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. To date, multiple reports have investigated the role of NKT cells under various pathological conditions, such as cancer, autoimmune disease, and infection. Knowledge about NKT cells in neurological diseases is increasing, albeit limited. Here, we review evidence for the involvement of NKT cells in neurological diseases, and discuss immunotherapeutic potential and future study goals. As the development and function of NKT cells become increasingly well understood, the next few years should yield many new insights into NKT cell function, and mechanistic regulation in neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Cui
- Institute of Neuroregeneration and Neurorehabilitation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qi Wan
- Institute of Neuroregeneration and Neurorehabilitation, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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Gottschalk C, Mettke E, Kurts C. The Role of Invariant Natural Killer T Cells in Dendritic Cell Licensing, Cross-Priming, and Memory CD8(+) T Cell Generation. Front Immunol 2015; 6:379. [PMID: 26284065 PMCID: PMC4517377 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 07/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
New vaccination strategies focus on achieving CD8+ T cell (CTL) immunity rather than on induction of protective antibody responses. While the requirement of CD4+ T (Th) cell help in dendritic cell (DC) activation and licensing, and in CTL memory induction has been described in several disease models, CTL responses may occur in a Th cell help-independent manner. Invariant natural killer T cells (iNKT cells) can substitute for Th cell help and license DC as well. iNKT cells produce a broad spectrum of Th1 and Th2 cytokines, thereby inducing a similar set of costimulatory molecules and cytokines in DC. This form of licensing differs from Th cell help by inducing other chemokines, while Th cell-licensed DCs produce CCR5 ligands, iNKT cell-licensed DCs produce CCL17, which attracts CCR4+ CD8+ T cells for subsequent activation. It has recently been shown that iNKT cells do not only enhance immune responses against bacterial pathogens or parasites but also play a role in viral infections. The inclusion of iNKT cell ligands in influenza virus vaccines enhanced memory CTL generation and protective immunity in a mouse model. This review will focus on the role of iNKT cells in the cross-talk with cross-priming DC and memory CD8+ T cell formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Gottschalk
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn , Bonn , Germany
| | - Elisabeth Mettke
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn , Bonn , Germany
| | - Christian Kurts
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University of Bonn , Bonn , Germany
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