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Byun S, Lee J, Choi YH, Ko H, Lee C, Park JC, Kim SW, Lee H, Sharma A, Kim KS, Rudra D, Kim JK, Im SH. Gut Microbiota Defines Functional Direction of Colonic Regulatory T Cells with Unique TCR Repertoires. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 213:886-897. [PMID: 39101764 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Intestinal microbiota and selected strains of commensal bacteria influence regulatory T (Treg) cell functionality in the colon. Nevertheless, whether and how microbiota changes the transcriptome profile and TCR specificities of colonic Tregs remain to be precisely defined. In this study, we have employed single-cell RNA sequencing and comparatively analyzed colonic Tregs from specific pathogen-free and germ-free (GF) mice. We found that microbiota shifts the activation trajectory of colonic Tregs toward a distinct phenotypic subset enriched in specific pathogen-free but not in GF mice. Moreover, microbiota induced the expansion of specific Treg clonotypes with shared transcriptional specificities. The microbiota-induced subset of colonic Tregs, identified as PD-1- CXCR3+ Tregs, displayed enhanced suppressive capabilities compared with colonic Tregs derived from GF mice, enhanced production of IL-10, and were the primary regulators of enteric inflammation in dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. These findings identify a hitherto unknown gut microbiota and immune cell interaction module that could contribute to the development of a therapeutic modality for intestinal inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seohyun Byun
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Jusung Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Ha Choi
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Haeun Ko
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Changhon Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - John Chulhoon Park
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Won Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Haena Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Amit Sharma
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwang Soon Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
| | - Dipayan Rudra
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University; Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jong Kyoung Kim
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sin-Hyeog Im
- Department of Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- ImmunoBiome Inc., Pohang, Republic of Korea
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2
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Pathak S, Hogan T, Rane S, Huang Y, Sinclair C, Barry S, Carnevalli L, Yates A, Seddon B. A linear ontogeny accounts for the development of naive, memory and tumour-infiltrating regulatory T cells in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.10.602914. [PMID: 39071363 PMCID: PMC11275882 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.10.602914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Foxp3 + Regulatory T cells (Treg) are a subset of CD4 + T cells that play critical functions in maintaining tolerance to self antigens and suppressing autoimmunity, regulating immune responses to pathogens and have a role in the pathophysiology of anti-tumoural immunity. Treg ontogeny is complex since they are generated following recognition of self antigens in the thymus during normal T cell development (thymic Treg), but are also induced from mature conventional T cells when activated by foreign antigen with appropriate additional cues (inducible Treg). How these distinct ontogenic pathways contribute to the maintenance and function of the mature Treg compartment in health and disease remains unclear. Here, we use a combination of fate mapping approaches in mice to map the ontogeny of Treg subsets throughout life and estimate rates of production, loss and self-renewal. We find that naive and effector/memory (EM) Treg subsets exhibit distinct dynamics but are both continuously replenished by de novo generation throughout life. Using an inducible Foxp3-dependent Cre fate reporter system, we show that naive Treg and not conventional T cells, are the predominant precursors of EM Treg in adults. Tonic development of new EM Treg is not influenced by foreign antigens from commensals, rather suggesting a role for self recognition. To investigate the ontogeny of Treg development in malignant disease, we used the same fate reporter systems to characterise the Treg infiltrate of three different model tumours. In all three cases, we found that Treg derived from pre-existing, EM Treg. Together, these results reveal a predominantly linear pathway of Treg development from thymic origin to EM Treg associated with pathophysiology of malignant disease, that is driven by self antigen recognition throughout.
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Sumida TS, Cheru NT, Hafler DA. The regulation and differentiation of regulatory T cells and their dysfunction in autoimmune diseases. Nat Rev Immunol 2024; 24:503-517. [PMID: 38374298 PMCID: PMC11216899 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-024-00994-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The discovery of FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells as a distinct cell lineage with a central role in regulating immune responses provided a deeper understanding of self-tolerance. The transcription factor FOXP3 serves a key role in Treg cell lineage determination and maintenance, but is not sufficient to enable the full potential of Treg cell suppression, indicating that other factors orchestrate the fine-tuning of Treg cell function. Moreover, FOXP3-independent mechanisms have recently been shown to contribute to Treg cell dysfunction. FOXP3 mutations in humans cause lethal fulminant systemic autoinflammation (IPEX syndrome). However, it remains unclear to what degree Treg cell dysfunction is contributing to the pathophysiology of common autoimmune diseases. In this Review, we discuss the origins of Treg cells in the periphery and the multilayered mechanisms by which Treg cells are induced, as well as the FOXP3-dependent and FOXP3-independent cellular programmes that maintain the suppressive function of Treg cells in humans and mice. Further, we examine evidence for Treg cell dysfunction in the context of common autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomokazu S Sumida
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Nardos T Cheru
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - David A Hafler
- Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Knoedler L, Dean J, Diatta F, Thompson N, Knoedler S, Rhys R, Sherwani K, Ettl T, Mayer S, Falkner F, Kilian K, Panayi AC, Iske J, Safi AF, Tullius SG, Haykal S, Pomahac B, Kauke-Navarro M. Immune modulation in transplant medicine: a comprehensive review of cell therapy applications and future directions. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1372862. [PMID: 38650942 PMCID: PMC11033354 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1372862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Balancing the immune response after solid organ transplantation (SOT) and vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) remains an ongoing clinical challenge. While immunosuppressants can effectively reduce acute rejection rates following transplant surgery, some patients still experience recurrent acute rejection episodes, which in turn may progress to chronic rejection. Furthermore, these immunosuppressive regimens are associated with an increased risk of malignancies and metabolic disorders. Despite significant advancements in the field, these IS related side effects persist as clinical hurdles, emphasizing the need for innovative therapeutic strategies to improve transplant survival and longevity. Cellular therapy, a novel therapeutic approach, has emerged as a potential pathway to promote immune tolerance while minimizing systemic side-effects of standard IS regiments. Various cell types, including chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), regulatory myeloid cells (RMCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs), offer unique immunomodulatory properties that may help achieve improved outcomes in transplant patients. This review aims to elucidate the role of cellular therapies, particularly MSCs, T cells, Tregs, RMCs, macrophages, and dendritic cells in SOT and VCA. We explore the immunological features of each cell type, their capacity for immune regulation, and the prospective advantages and obstacles linked to their application in transplant patients. An in-depth outline of the current state of the technology may help SOT and VCA providers refine their perioperative treatment strategies while laying the foundation for further trials that investigate cellular therapeutics in transplantation surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Knoedler
- Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jillian Dean
- School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Fortunay Diatta
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Noelle Thompson
- University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Samuel Knoedler
- Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Richmond Rhys
- Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Khalil Sherwani
- Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Berufsgenossenschaft (BG) Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Tobias Ettl
- Department of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Simon Mayer
- University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Florian Falkner
- Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Berufsgenossenschaft (BG) Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Katja Kilian
- Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Berufsgenossenschaft (BG) Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Adriana C. Panayi
- Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Berufsgenossenschaft (BG) Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Jasper Iske
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Berlin, Germany
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ali-Farid Safi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Craniologicum, Center for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan G. Tullius
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Siba Haykal
- Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Bohdan Pomahac
- Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Kauke-Navarro
- Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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5
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Alvarez F, Liu Z, Bay A, Piccirillo CA. Deciphering the developmental trajectory of tissue-resident Foxp3 + regulatory T cells. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1331846. [PMID: 38605970 PMCID: PMC11007185 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1331846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Foxp3+ TREG cells have been at the focus of intense investigation for their recognized roles in preventing autoimmunity, facilitating tissue recuperation following injury, and orchestrating a tolerance to innocuous non-self-antigens. To perform these critical tasks, TREG cells undergo deep epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional changes that allow them to adapt to conditions found in tissues both at steady-state and during inflammation. The path leading TREG cells to express these tissue-specialized phenotypes begins during thymic development, and is further driven by epigenetic and transcriptional modifications following TCR engagement and polarizing signals in the periphery. However, this process is highly regulated and requires TREG cells to adopt strategies to avoid losing their regulatory program altogether. Here, we review the origins of tissue-resident TREG cells, from their thymic and peripheral development to the transcriptional regulators involved in their tissue residency program. In addition, we discuss the distinct signalling pathways that engage the inflammatory adaptation of tissue-resident TREG cells, and how they relate to their ability to recognize tissue and pathogen-derived danger signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Alvarez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Zhiyang Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Alexandre Bay
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Ciriaco A. Piccirillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health Program, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), Montréal, QC, Canada
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Santosh Nirmala S, Kayani K, Gliwiński M, Hu Y, Iwaszkiewicz-Grześ D, Piotrowska-Mieczkowska M, Sakowska J, Tomaszewicz M, Marín Morales JM, Lakshmi K, Marek-Trzonkowska NM, Trzonkowski P, Oo YH, Fuchs A. Beyond FOXP3: a 20-year journey unravelling human regulatory T-cell heterogeneity. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1321228. [PMID: 38283365 PMCID: PMC10811018 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1321228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The initial idea of a distinct group of T-cells responsible for suppressing immune responses was first postulated half a century ago. However, it is only in the last three decades that we have identified what we now term regulatory T-cells (Tregs), and subsequently elucidated and crystallized our understanding of them. Human Tregs have emerged as essential to immune tolerance and the prevention of autoimmune diseases and are typically contemporaneously characterized by their CD3+CD4+CD25high CD127lowFOXP3+ phenotype. It is important to note that FOXP3+ Tregs exhibit substantial diversity in their origin, phenotypic characteristics, and function. Identifying reliable markers is crucial to the accurate identification, quantification, and assessment of Tregs in health and disease, as well as the enrichment and expansion of viable cells for adoptive cell therapy. In our comprehensive review, we address the contributions of various markers identified in the last two decades since the master transcriptional factor FOXP3 was identified in establishing and enriching purity, lineage stability, tissue homing and suppressive proficiency in CD4+ Tregs. Additionally, our review delves into recent breakthroughs in innovative Treg-based therapies, underscoring the significance of distinct markers in their therapeutic utilization. Understanding Treg subsets holds the key to effectively harnessing human Tregs for immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kayani Kayani
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Academic Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Renal Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mateusz Gliwiński
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Yueyuan Hu
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Justyna Sakowska
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Martyna Tomaszewicz
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Kavitha Lakshmi
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Piotr Trzonkowski
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ye Htun Oo
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Birmingham Advanced Cellular Therapy Facility, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Rare Diseases, European Reference Network - Rare Liver Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anke Fuchs
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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7
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Li J, Gong Y, Wang Y, Huang H, Du H, Cheng L, Ma C, Cai Y, Han H, Tao J, Li G, Cheng P. Classification of regulatory T cells and their role in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2024; 186:94-106. [PMID: 38000204 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2023.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) is closely related to the final infarct size in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Therefore, reducing MIRI can effectively improve the prognosis of AMI patients. At the same time, the healing process after AMI is closely related to the local inflammatory microenvironment. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can regulate various physiological and pathological immune inflammatory responses and play an important role in regulating the immune inflammatory response after AMI. However, different subtypes of Tregs have different effects on MIRI, and the same subtype of Tregs may also have different effects at different stages of MIRI. This article systematically reviews the classification and function of Tregs, as well as the role of various subtypes of Tregs in MIRI. A comprehensive understanding of the role of each subtype of Tregs can help design effective methods to control immune reactions, reduce MIRI, and provide new potential therapeutic options for AMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junlin Li
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Department of Cardiology, The Second People's Hospital of Neijiang, Neijiang 641100, China
| | - Yajun Gong
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Yiren Wang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Huihui Huang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Huan Du
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Lianying Cheng
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Cui Ma
- Department of Mathematics, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yongxiang Cai
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Hukui Han
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Jianhong Tao
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Gang Li
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China
| | - Panke Cheng
- Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610072, China; Ultrasound in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Biomechanics Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610072, China.
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8
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Ramanan D, Chowdhary K, Candéias SM, Sassone-Corsi M, Gelineau A, Mathis D, Benoist C. Homeostatic, repertoire and transcriptional relationships between colon T regulatory cell subsets. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2311566120. [PMID: 38064511 PMCID: PMC10723124 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2311566120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the colon are key to promoting peaceful coexistence with symbiotic microbes. Differentiated in either thymic or peripheral locations, and modulated by microbes and other cellular influencers, colonic Treg subsets have been identified through key transcription factors (TFs; Helios, Rorγ, Gata3, and cMaf), but their interrelationships are unclear. Applying a multimodal array of immunologic, genomic, and microbiological assays, we find more overlap than expected between populations. The key TFs (Rorγ, Helios, Gata3, and cMaf) play different roles, some essential for subset identity, others driving functional gene signatures. Functional divergence was clearest under challenge. Single-cell genomics revealed a spectrum of phenotypes between the Helios+ and Rorγ+ poles, different Treg-inducing bacteria inducing the same Treg phenotypes to varying degrees, not distinct populations. TCR repertoires in monocolonized mice revealed that Helios+ and Rorγ+ Tregs are related and cannot be uniquely equated to tTreg and pTreg. Comparison of spleen and colon repertoires revealed that 2 to 5% of clonotypes are shared between the locations. We propose that rather than the origin of their differentiation, tissue-specific cues dictate the spectrum of colonic Treg phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Serge M. Candéias
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Interdisciplinary Research Institute of Grenoble, Laboratory of Chemistry and Biology of Metals, Grenoble38054, France
| | | | | | - Diane Mathis
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
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9
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Ramanan D, Pratama A, Zhu Y, Venezia O, Sassone-Corsi M, Chowdhary K, Galván-Peña S, Sefik E, Brown C, Gélineau A, Mathis D, Benoist C. Regulatory T cells in the face of the intestinal microbiota. Nat Rev Immunol 2023; 23:749-762. [PMID: 37316560 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-023-00890-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are key players in ensuring a peaceful coexistence with microorganisms and food antigens at intestinal borders. Startling new information has appeared in recent years on their diversity, the importance of the transcription factor FOXP3, how T cell receptors influence their fate and the unexpected and varied cellular partners that influence Treg cell homeostatic setpoints. We also revisit some tenets, maintained by the echo chambers of Reviews, that rest on uncertain foundations or are a subject of debate.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alvin Pratama
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yangyang Zhu
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olivia Venezia
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Esen Sefik
- Department of Immunology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Chrysothemis Brown
- Immuno-Oncology, Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Paediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Diane Mathis
- Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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10
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Lao P, Chen J, Tang L, Zhang J, Chen Y, Fang Y, Fan X. Regulatory T cells in lung disease and transplantation. Biosci Rep 2023; 43:BSR20231331. [PMID: 37795866 PMCID: PMC10611924 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary disease can refer to the disease of the lung itself or the pulmonary manifestations of systemic diseases, which are often connected to the malfunction of the immune system. Regulatory T (Treg) cells have been shown to be important in maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing inflammatory damage, including lung diseases. Given the increasing amount of evidence linking Treg cells to various pulmonary conditions, Treg cells might serve as a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of lung diseases and potentially promote lung transplant tolerance. The most potent and well-defined Treg cells are Foxp3-expressing CD4+ Treg cells, which contribute to the prevention of autoimmune lung diseases and the promotion of lung transplant rejection. The protective mechanisms of Treg cells in lung disease and transplantation involve multiple immune suppression mechanisms. This review summarizes the development, phenotype and function of CD4+Foxp3+ Treg cells. Then, we focus on the therapeutic potential of Treg cells in preventing lung disease and limiting lung transplant rejection. Furthermore, we discussed the possibility of Treg cell utilization in clinical applications. This will provide an overview of current research advances in Treg cells and their relevant application in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peizhen Lao
- Institute of Biological and Food Engineering, Guangdong University of Education, 351 Xingang Middle Road, Guangzhou 510303, PR China
| | - Jingyi Chen
- Institute of Biological and Food Engineering, Guangdong University of Education, 351 Xingang Middle Road, Guangzhou 510303, PR China
| | - Longqian Tang
- Institute of Biological and Food Engineering, Guangdong University of Education, 351 Xingang Middle Road, Guangzhou 510303, PR China
| | - Jiwen Zhang
- Institute of Biological and Food Engineering, Guangdong University of Education, 351 Xingang Middle Road, Guangzhou 510303, PR China
| | - Yuxi Chen
- Institute of Biological and Food Engineering, Guangdong University of Education, 351 Xingang Middle Road, Guangzhou 510303, PR China
| | - Yuyin Fang
- Institute of Biological and Food Engineering, Guangdong University of Education, 351 Xingang Middle Road, Guangzhou 510303, PR China
| | - Xingliang Fan
- Institute of Biological and Food Engineering, Guangdong University of Education, 351 Xingang Middle Road, Guangzhou 510303, PR China
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11
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Tang C, Hu W. The role of Th17 and Treg cells in normal pregnancy and unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA): New insights into immune mechanisms. Placenta 2023; 142:18-26. [PMID: 37603948 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.08.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) has various causes, including chromosomal abnormalities, a prethrombotic state, and abnormal uterine anatomical factors. However, in about 50% of cases, the cause remains unknown and is referred to as unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). The fetus is protected from rejection by the maternal system, acting as an allogeneic gene, and immune tolerance serves as a crucial mechanism. The Th17/Treg cell paradigm's emergence as a new subpopulation of CD4+ T cells, interacting with one another, plays an essential role in the immune microenvironment and the body's defense system. This Th17/Treg cell model helps to explain the pathology of recurrent miscarriage that could not be accounted for by the original immune mechanism based on the Th1/Th2 model. Furthermore, the plasticity of Th17 and Treg cells holds innovative significance in autoimmunity and abortion. This paper reviews the role of Th17/Treg cellular immune response in the maintaining normal pregnancy and understanding unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cen Tang
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650000, China
| | - Wanqin Hu
- Kunming Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital, Obstetrics Department, Kunming, Yunnan, 650000, China.
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12
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Gao X, Tang Y, Kong L, Fan Y, Wang C, Wang R. Treg cell: Critical role of regulatory T-cells in depression. Pharmacol Res 2023; 195:106893. [PMID: 37611836 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Depression is a highly prevalent disorder of the central nervous system. The neuropsychiatric symptoms of clinical depression are persistent and include fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, altered sleep patterns, hyperalgesia, melancholia, anxiety, and impaired social behaviours. Mounting evidences suggest that neuroinflammation triggers dysregulated cellular immunity and increases susceptibility to psychiatric diseases. Neuroimmune responses have transformed the clinical approach to depression because of their roles in its pathophysiology and their therapeutic potential. In particular, activated regulatory T (Treg) cells play an increasingly evident role in the inflammatory immune response. In this review, we summarized the available data and discussed in depth the fundamental roles of Tregs in the pathogenesis of depression, as well as the clinical therapeutic potential of Tregs. We aimed to provide recent information regarding the potential of Tregs as immune-modulating biologics for the treatment and prevention of long-term neuropsychiatric symptoms of depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Gao
- Department of Geriatrics, Qingdao Mental Health Center, 26600 Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yuru Tang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, 26600 Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Lingli Kong
- Department of Geriatrics, Qingdao Mental Health Center, 26600 Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yong Fan
- Department of Geriatrics, Qingdao Mental Health Center, 26600 Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Chunxia Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, Qingdao Mental Health Center, 26600 Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Pain Management, Qingdao Hospital, University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Qingdao Municipal Hospital), 26600 Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
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13
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Jovisic M, Mambetsariev N, Singer BD, Morales-Nebreda L. Differential roles of regulatory T cells in acute respiratory infections. J Clin Invest 2023; 133:e170505. [PMID: 37463441 PMCID: PMC10348770 DOI: 10.1172/jci170505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute respiratory infections trigger an inflammatory immune response with the goal of pathogen clearance; however, overexuberant inflammation causes tissue damage and impairs pulmonary function. CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) interact with cells of both the innate and the adaptive immune system to limit acute pulmonary inflammation and promote its resolution. Tregs also provide tissue protection and coordinate lung tissue repair, facilitating a return to homeostatic pulmonary function. Here, we review Treg-mediated modulation of the host response to respiratory pathogens, focusing on mechanisms underlying how Tregs promote resolution of inflammation and repair of acute lung injury. We also discuss potential strategies to harness and optimize Tregs as a cellular therapy for patients with severe acute respiratory infection and discuss open questions in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Jovisic
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine
- Simpson Querrey Lung Institute for Translational Science
| | | | - Benjamin D. Singer
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine
- Simpson Querrey Lung Institute for Translational Science
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, and
- Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Luisa Morales-Nebreda
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine
- Simpson Querrey Lung Institute for Translational Science
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14
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Valentini N, Requejo Cier CJ, Lamarche C. Regulatory T-cell dysfunction and its implication for cell therapy. Clin Exp Immunol 2023; 213:40-49. [PMID: 37158407 PMCID: PMC10324551 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxad051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subtype of CD4+ T cells that can mediate immune tolerance by a multitude of immunomodulatory mechanisms. Treg-based adoptive immunotherapy is currently being tested in multiple phases I and II clinical trials in transplantation and autoimmune diseases. We have learned from the work done on conventional T cells that distinct mechanistic states can define their dysfunctions, such as exhaustion, senescence, and anergy. All three can negatively impact the therapeutic effectiveness of T-cell-based therapies. However, whether Tregs are susceptible to such dysfunctional states is not well studied, and results are sometimes found to be controversial. In addition, Treg instability and loss of FOXP3 expression is another Treg-specific dysfunction that can decreasein their suppressive potential. A better understanding of Treg biology and pathological states will be needed to compare and interpret the results of the different clinical and preclinical trials. We will review herein Tregs' mechanisms of action, describe different T-cell dysfunction subtypes and how and if they apply to Tregs (exhaustion, senescence, anergy, and instability), and finally how this knowledge should be taken into consideration when designing and interpreting Treg adoptive immunotherapy trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Valentini
- Medicine Department, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology Department, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Christopher J Requejo Cier
- Medicine Department, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology Department, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Caroline Lamarche
- Medicine Department, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Medicine Department, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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15
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Huang QQ, Hang Y, Doyle R, Mao Q, Fang D, Pope RM. Mechanisms regulating the loss of Tregs in HUPO mice that develop spontaneous inflammatory arthritis. iScience 2023; 26:106734. [PMID: 37216119 PMCID: PMC10193230 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
T regulatory cells (Tregs) are a potential therapeutic target in many autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of Tregs in chronic inflammatory conditions such as RA are poorly understood. We employed our mouse model of RA in which, the following deletion of Flice-like inhibitory protein in CD11c+ cells, CD11c-FLIP-KO (HUPO) mice develop spontaneous, progressive, erosive arthritis, with reduced Tregs, and the adoptive transfer of Tregs ameliorates the arthritis. HUPO thymic Treg development was normal, but peripheral of Treg Foxp3 was diminished mediated by reduction of dendritic cells and interleukin-2 (IL-2). During chronic inflammatory arthritis Tregs fail to maintain Foxp3, leading to non-apoptotic cell death and conversion to CD4+CD25+Foxp3- cells. Treatment with IL-2 increased Tregs and ameliorated the arthritis. In summary, reduced dendritic cells and IL-2 in the milieu of chronic inflammation, contribute to Treg instability, promoting HUPO arthritis progression, and suggesting a therapeutic approach in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Quan Huang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60091, USA
| | - Yiwei Hang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60091, USA
| | - Renee Doyle
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60091, USA
| | - Qinwen Mao
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Deyu Fang
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology-Immunology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60091, USA
| | - Richard M. Pope
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60091, USA
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16
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Ramanan D, Chowdhary K, Candéias SM, Sassone-Corsi M, Mathis D, Benoist C. Homeostatic, repertoire and transcriptional relationships between colon T regulatory cell subsets. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.17.541199. [PMID: 37292878 PMCID: PMC10245751 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.17.541199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Foxp3 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the colon are key to promoting peaceful co-existence with symbiotic microbes. Differentiated in either thymic or peripheral locations, and modulated by microbes and other cellular influencers, colonic Treg subsets have been identified through key transcription factors (TF; Helios, Rorg, Gata3, cMaf), but their inter-relationships are unclear. Applying a multimodal array of immunologic, genomic, and microbiological assays, we find more overlap than expected between populations. The key TFs play different roles, some essential for subset identity, others driving functional gene signatures. Functional divergence was clearest under challenge. Single-cell genomics revealed a spectrum of phenotypes between the Helios+ and Rorγ+ poles, different Treg-inducing bacteria inducing the same Treg phenotypes to varying degrees, not distinct populations. TCR clonotypes in monocolonized mice revealed that Helios+ and Rorγ+ Tregs are related, and cannot be uniquely equated to tTreg and pTreg. We propose that rather than the origin of their differentiation, tissue-specific cues dictate the spectrum of colonic Treg phenotypes.
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17
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Steiner R, Pilat N. The potential for Treg-enhancing therapies in transplantation. Clin Exp Immunol 2023; 211:122-137. [PMID: 36562079 PMCID: PMC10019131 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxac118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of regulatory T cells (Tregs) as crucial regulators of immune tolerance against self-antigens, these cells have become a promising tool for the induction of donor-specific tolerance in transplantation medicine. The therapeutic potential of increasing in vivoTreg numbers for a favorable Treg to Teff cell ratio has already been demonstrated in several sophisticated pre-clinical models and clinical pilot trials. In addition to improving cell quantity, enhancing Treg function utilizing engineering techniques led to encouraging results in models of autoimmunity and transplantation. Here we aim to discuss the most promising approaches for Treg-enhancing therapies, starting with adoptive transfer approaches and ex vivoexpansion cultures (polyclonal vs. antigen specific), followed by selective in vivostimulation methods. Furthermore, we address next generation concepts for Treg function enhancement (CARs, TRUCKs, BARs) as well as the advantages and caveats inherit to each approach. Finally, this review will discuss the clinical experience with Treg therapy in ongoing and already published clinical trials; however, data on long-term results and efficacy are still very limited and many questions that might complicate clinical translation remain open. Here, we discuss the hurdles for clinical translation and elaborate on current Treg-based therapeutic options as well as their potencies for improving long-term graft survival in transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romy Steiner
- Department of General Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nina Pilat
- Correspondence: Nina Pilat, PhD, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Center for Biomedical Research, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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18
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Li Z, Liang X, Chen X, Chen Y, Wang F, Wang S, Liao Y, Li L. The role of thymus- and extrathymus-derived regulatory T cells in maternal-fetal tolerance. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1109352. [PMID: 36817424 PMCID: PMC9932773 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1109352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells could be divided into thymus-derived Treg (tTreg) cells and peripherally derived Treg (pTreg) cells, and in vitro induced Treg (iTreg) cells. To date, the functions of tTreg versus pTreg and their relative contributions to maternal-fetal immune tolerance remain insufficiently defined due to a lack of a specific marker to distinguish tTreg cells from pTreg cells. In this study, we investigated the role of thymus- and extrathymus-derived Treg cells in pregnancy tolerance using transgenic ACT-mOVA, Foxp3DTR and Foxp3GFP mice, and Treg cell adoptive transfer, etc. We found that the frequencies of Treg cells in the thymus, spleen and lymph nodes (LNs) in either syngeneically- or allogeneically-mated pregnant mice were not different from non-pregnant mice. However, percentages of blood Treg cells in pregnant mice increased at mid-gestation, and percentages of decidua Treg cells in pregnant mice increased as the pregnancy progressed compared with non-pregnant mice, and were significantly higher in allogeneic mice than those in syngeneic group. Compared with syngeneic mice, levels of CCR2 and CCR6 on blood and decidua Treg cells and CCL12 in the decidua significantly increased in allogeneic mice. A surrogate fetal antigen mOVA that was recognized by naïve T cells from OT-IIFoxp3GFP mice induced the generation of pTreg cells in vivo. Transfusion of thymus and spleen Treg cells significantly decreased diphtheria toxin (DT)-increased embryo resorption rates (ERRs) and IFN-γ levels in the blood and decidua. iTreg cells also decreased ERRs and IFN-γ levels in the blood and decidua to an extent lower than thymus and spleen Treg cells. In conclusion, increased blood and decidua Treg cells in pregnancy and increased ERRs in DT-treated Foxp3DTR mice suggest an important immunosuppressive role of Treg cells in pregnancy. Elevated decidua Treg cells in pregnancy could be derived from the recruitment of tTreg cells to the decidua, or from the transformation of naïve T cells in the decidua to pTreg cells. While the immune-suppression effects of thymus and spleen Treg cells are comparable, iTreg cells might play a weaker role in maternal-fetal tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yuying Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Department of Obstetrics, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuoshi Wang
- Department of Obstetrics, Shenzhen People’s Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Liping Li
- *Correspondence: Liping Li, ; Yihong Liao,
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19
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Abstract
Inflammation is a biological process that dynamically alters the surrounding microenvironment, including participating immune cells. As a well-protected organ surrounded by specialized barriers and with immune privilege properties, the central nervous system (CNS) tightly regulates immune responses. Yet in neuroinflammatory conditions, pathogenic immunity can disrupt CNS structure and function. T cells in particular play a key role in promoting and restricting neuroinflammatory responses, while the inflamed CNS microenvironment can influence and reshape T cell function and identity. Still, the contraction of aberrant T cell responses within the CNS is not well understood. Using autoimmunity as a model, here we address the contribution of CD4 T helper (Th) cell subsets in promoting neuropathology and disease. To address the mechanisms antagonizing neuroinflammation, we focus on the control of the immune response by regulatory T cells (Tregs) and describe the counteracting processes that preserve their identity under inflammatory challenges. Finally, given the influence of the local microenvironment on immune regulation, we address how CNS-intrinsic signals reshape T cell function to mitigate abnormal immune T cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nail Benallegue
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, Center for Research in Transplantation and Translational Immunology, UMR 1064, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Hania Kebir
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Jorge I. Alvarez
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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20
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Decreased GZMB, NRP1, ITPR1, and SERPINB9 Transcripts Lead to Reduced Regulatory T Cells Suppressive Capacity in Generalized Vitiligo Patients. J Immunol Res 2022; 2022:3426717. [PMID: 36157881 PMCID: PMC9500245 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3426717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Generalized vitiligo (GV) is an autoimmune skin disease characterized by bilateral white patches over the entire body. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintain peripheral tolerance; however, they are found to be reduced in numbers and function in vitiligo patients. The exact mechanism for reduced Treg suppressive capacity is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to assess transcript levels of Tregs-associated immunosuppressive genes (GZMB, NRP1, PDCD1, FASLG, and TNFRS18), regulatory molecules of Tregs suppressive function (SERPINB9, ITPR1, and UBASH3A), and Treg-associated transcription factors (GATA2, GATA3, RUNX1, STAT3, and STAT5) in 52 GV patients and 48 controls by real-time PCR (qPCR). We found significantly reduced GZMB, NRP1, SERPINB9, and ITPR1 transcripts in GV Tregs compared to controls (p = 0.03, p = 0.023, p = 0.0045, and p < 0.0001, respectively). There were 0.44-, 0.45-, 0.32-, and 0.54-fold decrease in GZMB, NRP1, SERPINB9, and ITPR1 transcripts in GV Tregs. Additionally, disease activity and severity-based analyses revealed significantly decreased GZMB (p = 0.019 and 0.034), SERPINB9 (p = 0.031 and p = 0.035), and ITPR1 (p = 0.0003 and p = 0.034) transcripts in active vitiligo and severe GV patients' Tregs. Interestingly, we found a positive correlation for ITPR1 with GZMB (r = 0.45, p = 0.0009) and SERPINB9 (r = 0.52, p = 0.001) transcripts in GV Tregs. Moreover, we found positive correlation for percentage Treg mediated suppression of CD4+ and CD8+T cells with ITPR1 (r = 0.54; r = 0.49), GZMB (r = 0.61; r = 0.58), NRP1 (r = 0.55; r = 0.52), and SERPINB9 (r = 0.56; r = 0.48) in GV Tregs. Further, calcium treatment of Tregs resulted into significantly increased ITPR1, SERPINB9, and GZMB transcripts in GV Tregs (p = 0.023, p = 0.0345, p = 0.02). Overall, our results for the first time revealed the crucial role of GZMB, NRP1, SERPINB9, and ITPR1 transcripts in decreased Treg suppressive capacity leading to GV pathogenesis, progression, and severity. In addition, our study highlighted that ITPR1 might be linked with decreased GZMB and NRP1 expression in GV Tregs. Moreover, our study for the first time suggest that increased SERPINB9 transcripts may lead to endogenous granzyme B-mediated Tregs apoptosis, and calcium treatment of Tregs may improve the Treg suppressive capacity. These findings may further aid in development of Treg-based therapeutics for GV.
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21
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DNA Methylation in Regulatory T Cell Differentiation and Function: Challenges and Opportunities. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091282. [PMID: 36139121 PMCID: PMC9496199 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As a bona fide epigenetic marker, DNA methylation has been linked to the differentiation and function of regulatory T (Treg) cells, a subset of CD4 T cells that play an essential role in maintaining immune homeostasis and suppressing autoimmunity and antitumor immune response. DNA methylation undergoes dynamic regulation involving maintenance of preexisting patterns, passive and active demethylation, and de novo methylation. Scattered evidence suggests that these processes control different stages of Treg cell lifespan ranging from lineage induction to cell fate maintenance, suppression of effector T cells and innate immune cells, and transdifferentiation. Despite significant progress, it remains to be fully explored how differential DNA methylation regulates Treg cell fate and immunological function. Here, we review recent progress and discuss the questions and challenges for further understanding the immunological roles and mechanisms of dynamic DNA methylation in controlling Treg cell differentiation and function. We also explore the opportunities that these processes offer to manipulate Treg cell suppressive function for therapeutic purposes by targeting DNA methylation.
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22
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Riet T, Chmielewski M. Regulatory CAR-T cells in autoimmune diseases: Progress and current challenges. Front Immunol 2022; 13:934343. [PMID: 36032080 PMCID: PMC9399761 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.934343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CAR (Chimeric Antigen Receptor) T-cell therapy has revolutionized the field of oncology in recent years. This innovative shift in cancer treatment also provides the opportunity to improve therapies for many patients suffering from various autoimmune diseases. Recent studies have confirmed the therapeutic suppressive potential of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to modulate immune response in autoimmune diseases. However, the polyclonal character of regulatory T cells and their unknown TCR specificity impaired their therapeutic potency in clinical implementation. Genetical engineering of these immune modulating cells to express antigen-specific receptors and using them therapeutically is a logical step on the way to overcome present limitations of the Treg strategy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Encouraging preclinical studies successfully demonstrated immune modulating properties of CAR Tregs in various mouse models. Still, there are many concerns about targeted Treg therapies relating to CAR target selectivity, suppressive functions, phenotype stability and safety aspects. Here, we summarize recent developments in CAR design, Treg biology and future strategies and perspectives in CAR Treg immunotherapy aiming at clinical translation.
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23
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van der Veeken J, Campbell C, Pritykin Y, Schizas M, Verter J, Hu W, Wang ZM, Matheis F, Mucida D, Charbonnier LM, Chatila TA, Rudensky AY. Genetic tracing reveals transcription factor Foxp3-dependent and Foxp3-independent functionality of peripherally induced Treg cells. Immunity 2022; 55:1173-1184.e7. [PMID: 35700740 PMCID: PMC9885886 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2022.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells expressing the transcription factor Foxp3 are an essential suppressive T cell lineage of dual origin: Foxp3 induction in thymocytes and mature CD4+ T cells gives rise to thymic (tTreg) and peripheral (pTreg) Treg cells, respectively. While tTreg cells suppress autoimmunity, pTreg cells enforce tolerance to food and commensal microbiota. However, the role of Foxp3 in pTreg cells and the mechanisms supporting their differentiation remain poorly understood. Here, we used genetic tracing to identify microbiota-induced pTreg cells and found that many of their distinguishing features were Foxp3 independent. Lineage-committed, microbiota-dependent pTreg-like cells persisted in the colon in the absence of Foxp3. While Foxp3 was critical for the suppression of a Th17 cell program, colitis, and mastocytosis, pTreg cells suppressed colonic effector T cell expansion in a Foxp3-independent manner. Thus, Foxp3 and the tolerogenic signals that precede and promote its expression independently confer distinct facets of pTreg functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joris van der Veeken
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA; Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP), Vienna Biocenter (VBC), Vienna, Austria.
| | - Clarissa Campbell
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA,CeMM, Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yuri Pritykin
- Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics and Computer Science Department, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Michail Schizas
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jacob Verter
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wei Hu
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zhong-Min Wang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA,Gerstner Sloan Kettering Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fanny Matheis
- Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Mucida
- Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Louis-Marie Charbonnier
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Talal A Chatila
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexander Y Rudensky
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, and Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
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24
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Cervantes O, Talavera IC, Every E, Coler B, Li M, Li A, Li H, Adams Waldorf K. Role of hormones in the pregnancy and sex-specific outcomes to infections with respiratory viruses. Immunol Rev 2022; 308:123-148. [PMID: 35373371 PMCID: PMC9189035 DOI: 10.1111/imr.13078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Pregnant women infected with pathogenic respiratory viruses, such as influenza A viruses (IAV) and coronaviruses, are at higher risk for mortality, hospitalization, preterm birth, and stillbirth. Several factors are likely to contribute to the susceptibility of pregnant individuals to severe lung disease including changes in pulmonary physiology, immune defenses, and effector functions of some immune cells. Pregnancy is also a physiologic state characterized by higher levels of multiple hormones that may impact the effector functions of immune cells, such as progesterone, estrogen, human chorionic gonadotropin, prolactin, and relaxin. Each of these hormones acts to support a tolerogenic immune state of pregnancy, which helps prevent fetal rejection, but may also contribute to an impaired antiviral response. In this review, we address the unique role of adaptive and innate immune cells in the control of pathogenic respiratory viruses and how pregnancy and specific hormones can impact their effector actions. We highlight viruses with sex-specific differences in infection outcomes and why pregnancy hormones may contribute to fetal protection but aid the virus at the expense of the mother's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orlando Cervantes
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Irene Cruz Talavera
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Emma Every
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Spokane, Washington, United States of America
| | - Brahm Coler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, United States of America
| | - Miranda Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York City, New York, United States of America
| | - Amanda Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Case Western Reserve, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Hanning Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Kristina Adams Waldorf
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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25
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Orozco G, Gupta M, Gedaly R, Marti F. Untangling the Knots of Regulatory T Cell Therapy in Solid Organ Transplantation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:883855. [PMID: 35720387 PMCID: PMC9198594 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.883855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous preclinical studies have provided solid evidence supporting adoptive transfer of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to induce organ tolerance. As a result, there are 7 currently active Treg cell-based clinical trials in solid organ transplantation worldwide, all of which are early phase I or phase I/II trials. Although the results of these trials are optimistic and support both safety and feasibility, many experimental and clinical unanswered questions are slowing the progression of this new therapeutic alternative. In this review, we bring to the forefront the major challenges that Treg cell transplant investigators are currently facing, including the phenotypic and functional diversity of Treg cells, lineage stability, non-standardized ex vivo Treg cell manufacturing process, adequacy of administration route, inability of monitoring and tracking infused cells, and lack of biomarkers or validated surrogate endpoints of efficacy in clinical trials. With this plethora of interrogation marks, we are at a challenging and exciting crossroad where properly addressing these questions will determine the successful implementation of Treg cell-based immunotherapy in clinical transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Orozco
- Department of Surgery - Transplant Division, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Meera Gupta
- Department of Surgery - Transplant Division, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Alliance Research Initiative [Treg cells to Induce Liver Tolerance (TILT) Alliance], University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Roberto Gedaly
- Department of Surgery - Transplant Division, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Alliance Research Initiative [Treg cells to Induce Liver Tolerance (TILT) Alliance], University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States.,Lucille Parker Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
| | - Francesc Marti
- Department of Surgery - Transplant Division, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, United States.,Alliance Research Initiative [Treg cells to Induce Liver Tolerance (TILT) Alliance], University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States.,Lucille Parker Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, Lexington, KY, United States
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26
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Chen W, Huang W, Xue Y, Chen Y, Qian W, Ma J, August A, Wang J, Zheng SG, Lin J. Neuropilin-1 Identifies a New Subpopulation of TGF-β-Induced Foxp3 + Regulatory T Cells With Potent Suppressive Function and Enhanced Stability During Inflammation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:900139. [PMID: 35603221 PMCID: PMC9114772 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.900139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in preventing autoimmunity and inflammation. There are naturally-derived in the thymus (tTreg), generated extrathymically in the periphery (pTreg), and induced in vitro culture (iTreg) with different characteristics of suppressiveness, stability, and plasticity. There is an abundance of published data on neuropilin-1 (Nrp-1) as a tTreg marker, but little data exist on iTreg. The fidelity of Nrp-1 as a tTreg marker and its role in iTreg remains to be explored. This study found that Nrp-1 was expressed by a subset of Foxp3+CD4+T cells in the central and peripheral lymphoid organs in intact mice, as well as in iTreg. Nrp-1+iTreg and Nrp-1-iTreg were adoptively transferred into a T cell-mediated colitis model to determine their ability to suppress inflammation. Differences in gene expression between Nrp-1+ and Nrp-1-iTreg were analyzed by RNA sequencing. We demonstrated that the Nrp-1+ subset of the iTreg exhibited enhanced suppressive function and stability compared to the Nrp-1- counterpart both in vivo and in vitro, partly depending on IL-10. We found that Nrp-1 is not an exclusive marker of tTreg, however, it is a biomarker identifying a new subset of iTreg with enhanced suppressive function, implicating a potential for Nrp-1+iTreg cell therapy for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqian Chen
- Division of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University Hershey College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Weishan Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.,Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, LA, United States
| | - Youqiu Xue
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University Hershey College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States.,Department of Clinical Immunology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ye Chen
- Department of Clinical Immunology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenbin Qian
- Division of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jilin Ma
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University Hershey College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Avery August
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, LA, United States
| | - Julie Wang
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University Hershey College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States.,Department of Clinical Immunology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Song Guo Zheng
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University Hershey College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States.,Department of Clinical Immunology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jin Lin
- Division of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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27
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The Regulatory-T-Cell Memory Phenotype: What We Know. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101687. [PMID: 35626725 PMCID: PMC9139615 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In immunology, the discovery of regulatory T (Treg) cells was a major breakthrough. Treg cells play a key role in pregnancy maintenance, in the prevention of autoimmune responses, and in the control of all immune responses, including responses to self cells, cancer, infection, and a transplant. It is currently unclear whether Treg cells are capable of long-term memory of an encounter with an antigen. Although the term “immunological memory” usually means an enhanced ability to protect the body from reinfection, the memory of the suppressive activity of Treg cells helps to avoid the state of generalized immunosuppression that may result from the second activation of the immune system. In this review, we would like to discuss the concept of regulatory memory and in which tissues memory Treg cells can perform their functions.
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28
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Krzyzanowska AK, Haynes Ii RAH, Kovalovsky D, Lin HC, Osorio L, Edelblum KL, Corcoran LM, Rabson AB, Denzin LK, Sant'Angelo DB. Zbtb20 identifies and controls a thymus-derived population of regulatory T cells that play a role in intestinal homeostasis. Sci Immunol 2022; 7:eabf3717. [PMID: 35522722 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abf3717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The expression of BTB-ZF transcription factors such as ThPOK in CD4+ T cells, Bcl6 in T follicular helper cells, and PLZF in natural killer T cells defines the fundamental nature and characteristics of these cells. Screening for lineage-defining BTB-ZF genes led to the discovery of a subset of T cells that expressed Zbtb20. About half of Zbtb20+ T cells expressed FoxP3, the lineage-defining transcription factor for regulatory T cells (Tregs). Zbtb20+ Tregs were phenotypically and genetically distinct from the larger conventional Treg population. Zbtb20+ Tregs constitutively expressed mRNA for interleukin-10 and produced high levels of the cytokine upon primary activation. Zbtb20+ Tregs were enriched in the intestine and specifically expanded when inflammation was induced by the use of dextran sodium sulfate. Conditional deletion of Zbtb20 in T cells resulted in a loss of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. Consequently, knockout (KO) mice were acutely sensitive to colitis and often died because of the disease. Adoptive transfer of Zbtb20+ Tregs protected the Zbtb20 conditional KO mice from severe colitis and death, whereas non-Zbtb20 Tregs did not. Zbtb20 was detected in CD24hi double-positive and CD62Llo CD4 single-positive thymocytes, suggesting that expression of the transcription factor and the phenotype of these cells were induced during thymic development. However, Zbtb20 expression was not induced in "conventional" Tregs by activation in vitro or in vivo. Thus, Zbtb20 expression identified and controlled the function of a distinct subset of Tregs that are involved in intestinal homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata K Krzyzanowska
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.,Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Rashade A H Haynes Ii
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Damian Kovalovsky
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hsin-Ching Lin
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Louis Osorio
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Karen L Edelblum
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Lynn M Corcoran
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research Immunology Division, Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Arnold B Rabson
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.,Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Lisa K Denzin
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.,Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Derek B Sant'Angelo
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.,Rutgers Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.,Department of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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29
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John P, Pulanco MC, Galbo PM, Wei Y, Ohaegbulam KC, Zheng D, Zang X. The immune checkpoint B7x expands tumor-infiltrating Tregs and promotes resistance to anti-CTLA-4 therapy. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2506. [PMID: 35523809 PMCID: PMC9076640 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30143-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune checkpoint molecules play critical roles in regulating the anti-tumor immune response, and tumor cells often exploit these pathways to inhibit and evade the immune system. The B7-family immune checkpoint B7x is widely expressed in a broad variety of cancer types, and is generally associated with advanced disease progression and poorer clinical outcomes, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we show that transduction and stable expression of B7x in multiple syngeneic tumor models leads to the expansion of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs). Mechanistically, B7x does not cause increased proliferation of Tregs in tumors, but instead promotes the conversion of conventional CD4+ T cells into Tregs. Further, we find that B7x induces global transcriptomic changes in Tregs, driving these cells to adopt an activated and suppressive phenotype. B7x increases the expression of the Treg-specific transcription factor Foxp3 in CD4+ T cells by modulating the Akt/Foxo pathway. B7x-mediated regulation of Tregs reduces the efficacy of anti-CTLA-4 treatment, a therapeutic that partially relies on Treg-depletion. However, combination treatment of anti-B7x and anti-CTLA-4 leads to synergistic therapeutic efficacy and overcomes the B7x-mediated resistance to anti-CTLA-4. Altogether, B7x mediates an immunosuppressive Treg-promoting pathway within tumors and is a promising candidate for combination immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter John
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Marc C Pulanco
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Phillip M Galbo
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Yao Wei
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Kim C Ohaegbulam
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Deyou Zheng
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Xingxing Zang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States.
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States.
- Department of Urology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States.
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30
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Han Z, Ma K, Tao H, Liu H, Zhang J, Sai X, Li Y, Chi M, Nian Q, Song L, Liu C. A Deep Insight Into Regulatory T Cell Metabolism in Renal Disease: Facts and Perspectives. Front Immunol 2022; 13:826732. [PMID: 35251009 PMCID: PMC8892604 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.826732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Kidney disease encompasses a complex set of diseases that can aggravate or start systemic pathophysiological processes through their complex metabolic mechanisms and effects on body homoeostasis. The prevalence of kidney disease has increased dramatically over the last two decades. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells that express the transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (Foxp3) are critical for maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmune disease and tissue damage caused by excessive or unnecessary immune activation, including autoimmune kidney diseases. Recent studies have highlighted the critical role of metabolic reprogramming in controlling the plasticity, stability, and function of Treg cells. They are also likely to play a vital role in limiting kidney transplant rejection and potentially promoting transplant tolerance. Metabolic pathways, such as mitochondrial function, glycolysis, lipid synthesis, glutaminolysis, and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation, are involved in the development of renal diseases by modulating the function and proliferation of Treg cells. Targeting metabolic pathways to alter Treg cells can offer a promising method for renal disease therapy. In this review, we provide a new perspective on the role of Treg cell metabolism in renal diseases by presenting the renal microenvironment、relevant metabolites of Treg cell metabolism, and the role of Treg cell metabolism in various kidney diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongyu Han
- Department of Nephrology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Renal Disease Clinical Research Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China.,Reproductive & Women-Children Hospital, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Kuai Ma
- Department of Nephrology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hongxia Tao
- Reproductive & Women-Children Hospital, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongli Liu
- Reproductive & Women-Children Hospital, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiong Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Renal Disease Clinical Research Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiyalatu Sai
- Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia University for the Nationalities, Tongliao, China
| | - Yunlong Li
- Reproductive & Women-Children Hospital, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingxuan Chi
- Department of Nephrology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Renal Disease Clinical Research Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Qing Nian
- Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China.,Department of Blood Transfusion Sicuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Linjiang Song
- Reproductive & Women-Children Hospital, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Chi Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Sichuan Renal Disease Clinical Research Center, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, China
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31
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Qu G, Chen J, Li Y, Yuan Y, Liang R, Li B. Current status and perspectives of regulatory T cell-based therapy. J Genet Genomics 2022; 49:599-611. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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32
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Salminen A. Clinical perspectives on the age-related increase of immunosuppressive activity. J Mol Med (Berl) 2022; 100:697-712. [PMID: 35384505 PMCID: PMC8985067 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-022-02193-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The aging process is associated with a remodeling of the immune system involving chronic low-grade inflammation and a gradual decline in the function of the immune system. These processes are also called inflammaging and immunosenescence. The age-related immune remodeling is associated with many clinical changes, e.g., risk for cancers and chronic infections increases, whereas the efficiency of vaccination and immunotherapy declines with aging. On the other hand, there is convincing evidence that chronic inflammatory states promote the premature aging process. The inflammation associated with aging or chronic inflammatory conditions stimulates a counteracting immunosuppression which protects tissues from excessive inflammatory injuries but promotes immunosenescence. Immunosuppression is a driving force in tumors and chronic infections and it also induces the tolerance to vaccination and immunotherapies. Immunosuppressive cells, e.g., myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), regulatory T cells (Treg), and type M2 macrophages, have a crucial role in tumorigenesis and chronic infections as well as in the tolerance to vaccination and immunotherapies. Interestingly, there is substantial evidence that inflammaging is also associated with an increased immunosuppressive activity, e.g., upregulation of immunosuppressive cells and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Given that both the aging and chronic inflammatory states involve the activation of immunosuppression and immunosenescence, this might explain why aging is a risk factor for tumorigenesis and chronic inflammatory states and conversely, chronic inflammatory insults promote the premature aging process in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antero Salminen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211, Kuopio, Finland.
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33
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Masuda K, Kornberg A, Miller J, Lin S, Suek N, Botella T, Secener KA, Bacarella AM, Cheng L, Ingham M, Rosario V, Al-Mazrou AM, Lee-Kong SA, Kiran RP, Stoeckius M, Smibert P, Del Portillo A, Oberstein PE, Sims PA, Yan KS, Han A. Multiplexed single-cell analysis reveals prognostic and nonprognostic T cell types in human colorectal cancer. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e154646. [PMID: 35192548 PMCID: PMC9057629 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.154646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC) correlate with T cell infiltrates, but the specific contributions of heterogenous T cell types remain unclear. To investigate the diverse function of T cells in CRC, we profiled 37,931 T cells from tumors and adjacent normal colon of 16 patients with CRC with respect to transcriptome, TCR sequence, and cell surface markers. Our analysis identified phenotypically and functionally distinguishable effector T cell types. We employed single-cell gene signatures from these T cell subsets to query the TCGA database to assess their prognostic significance. We found 2 distinct cytotoxic T cell types. GZMK+KLRG1+ cytotoxic T cells were enriched in CRC patients with good outcomes. GNLY+CD103+ cytotoxic T cells with a dysfunctional phenotype were not associated with good outcomes, despite coexpression of CD39 and CD103, markers that denote tumor reactivity. We found 2 distinct Treg subtypes associated with opposite outcomes. While total Tregs were associated with good outcomes, CD38+ Tregs were associated with bad outcomes independently of stage and possessed a highly suppressive phenotype, suggesting that they inhibit antitumor immunity in CRC. These findings highlight the potential utility of these subpopulations in predicting outcomes and support the potential for novel therapies directed at CD38+ Tregs or CD8+CD103+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adam Kornberg
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology
| | - Jonathan Miller
- Department of Pediatrics
- Columbia Center for Human Development
| | - Sijie Lin
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology
| | - Nathan Suek
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology
| | | | | | | | | | - Matthew Ingham
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
| | - Vilma Rosario
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
- Department of Surgery, Division of Colorectal Surgery, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ahmed M. Al-Mazrou
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
- Department of Surgery, Division of Colorectal Surgery, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Steven A. Lee-Kong
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
- Department of Surgery, Division of Colorectal Surgery, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ravi P. Kiran
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
- Department of Surgery, Division of Colorectal Surgery, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | | | | | | | - Paul E. Oberstein
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Oncology
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
| | - Peter A. Sims
- Departments of Systems Biology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics
| | - Kelley S. Yan
- Columbia Center for Human Development
- Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive & Liver Diseases, and
- Department of Genetics & Development, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Arnold Han
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology
- Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, and
- Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive & Liver Diseases, and
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34
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Dohnke S, Moehser S, Surnov A, Kurth T, Jessberger R, Kretschmer K, Garbe AI. Role of Dynamic Actin Cytoskeleton Remodeling in Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cell Development and Function: Implications for Osteoclastogenesis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:836646. [PMID: 35359955 PMCID: PMC8963504 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.836646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In T cells, processes such as migration and immunological synapse formation are accompanied by the dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, which has been suggested to be mediated by regulators of RhoGTPases and by F-actin bundlers. SWAP-70 controls F-actin dynamics in various immune cells, but its role in T cell development and function has remained incompletely understood. CD4+ regulatory T (Treg) cells expressing the transcription factor Foxp3 employ diverse mechanisms to suppress innate and adaptive immunity, which is critical for maintaining immune homeostasis and self-tolerance. Here, we propose Swap-70 as a novel member of the Foxp3-dependent canonical Treg cell signature. We show that Swap-70-/- mice have increased numbers of Foxp3+ Treg cells with an effector/memory-like phenotype that exhibit impaired suppressor function in vitro, but maintain overall immune homeostasis in vivo. Upon formation of an immunological synapse with antigen presenting cells in vitro, cytosolic SWAP-70 protein is selectively recruited to the interface in Treg cells. In this context, Swap-70-/- Treg cells fail to downregulate CD80/CD86 on osteoclast precursor cells by trans-endocytosis and to efficiently suppress osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast function. These data provide first evidence for a crucial role of SWAP-70 in Treg cell biology and further highlight the important non-immune function of Foxp3+ Treg cells in bone homeostasis mediated through direct SWAP-70-dependent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Dohnke
- Osteoimmunology, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stephanie Moehser
- Osteoimmunology, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Alexey Surnov
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Kurth
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, Technology Platform, Electron Microscopy and Histology Facility, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rolf Jessberger
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Karsten Kretschmer
- Molecular and Cellular Immunology/Immune Regulation, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Annette I. Garbe
- Osteoimmunology, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- *Correspondence: Annette I. Garbe,
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35
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Saito S. Reconsideration of the Role of Regulatory T Cells during Pregnancy: Differential Characteristics of Regulatory T Cells between the Maternal-Fetal Interface and Peripheral Sites and between Early and Late Pregnancy. Med Princ Pract 2022; 31:403-414. [PMID: 36195068 PMCID: PMC9801372 DOI: 10.1159/000527336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells play an important role in implantation of the embryo and maintenance of pregnancy after allogeneic mating. Implantation failure, miscarriage, and preeclampsia are associated with decreased numbers of Treg cells or with dysfunctional Treg cells. Treg cells are classified into naturally occurring Treg (nTreg) cells or thymus-derived Treg (tTreg) cells that differentiate in the thymus and induce tolerance to self-antigens, while induced Treg (iTreg) or peripheral Treg (pTreg) cells differentiate in the periphery and induce transient tolerance to foreign antigens. Memory nTreg or iTreg cells were recently reported to accumulate in the uterus during early pregnancy and contribute to the establishment of pregnancy. Miscarriage is characterized by the downregulation of the total numbers of Treg cells rather than a downregulation of the numbers of paternal/fetal antigen-specific Treg cells. In addition to the volume of paternal/fetal antigen-specific CD8+ T cells, the number of paternal/fetal antigen-specific Treg cells, which protect the fetus/placenta against maternal immune cell attack, increases after the second trimester of pregnancy. Clonal Treg cells which are surrogate markers of paternal/fetal antigen-specific Treg cells in humans may be involved in the development of preeclampsia during the mid- to late pregnancy stage, as evidenced by their downregulation in the decidua of preeclamptic cases. This review summarizes recent findings on Treg cells and discusses the roles, in the maintenance of pregnancy, of different types of Treg cells such as paternal/fetal antigen-specific Treg, pregnancy-associated memory Treg, nTreg (or tTreg), and iTreg (or pTreg cells).
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36
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Weinberg SE, Singer BD. Toward a Paradigm to Distinguish Distinct Functions of FOXP3 + Regulatory T Cells. Immunohorizons 2021; 5:944-952. [PMID: 34893512 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2100046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXP3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are a unique subset of CD4+ T cells that classically function as master regulators of immune homeostasis. Besides this canonical suppressive role, which is required to maintain self-tolerance, a growing body of literature has identified Treg cells as critical orchestrators of tissue protection during acute stress and as effector cells that drive repair following tissue injury. Despite substantial interest in these distinct roles, the field has struggled to disentangle Treg cell suppressive functions from those that promote tissue defense and repair. In this article, we will examine the literature in the context of specific physiologic settings, contrasting the suppressive function of Treg cells with their emerging roles in promoting tissue homeostasis and tissue repair. Further, we will discuss a new paradigm differentiating tissue defense from tissue repair-a paradigm needed to translate Treg cell-based therapies to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel E Weinberg
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL.,Department of Pathology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Benjamin D Singer
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL; .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL; and.,Simpson Querrey Institute for Epigenetics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL
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37
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Tao Z, Jiang Y, Xia S. Regulation of thymic T regulatory cell differentiation by TECs in health and disease. Scand J Immunol 2021; 94:e13094. [PMID: 34780092 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13094] [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: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The thymus produces self-limiting and self-tolerant T cells through the interaction between thymocytes and thymus epithelial cells (TECs), thereby generating central immune tolerance. The TECs are composed of cortical and medullary thymic epithelial cells, which regulate the positive and negative selection of T cells, respectively. During the process of negative selection, thymocytes with self-reactive ability are deleted or differentiated into regulatory T cells (Tregs). Tregs are a subset of suppressor T cells that are important for maintaining immune homeostasis. The differentiation and development of Tregs depend on the development of TECs and other underlying molecular mechanisms. Tregs regulated by thymic epithelial cells are closely related to human health and are significant in autoimmune diseases, thymoma and pregnancy. In this review, we summarize the current molecular and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms by which TECs affect the development and function of thymic Tregs. We also review the pathophysiological models of thymic epithelial cells regulating thymic Tregs in human diseases and specific physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zehua Tao
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Yalan Jiang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Sheng Xia
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
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38
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Grover P, Goel PN, Greene MI. Regulatory T Cells: Regulation of Identity and Function. Front Immunol 2021; 12:750542. [PMID: 34675933 PMCID: PMC8524049 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.750542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
T regulatory cells suppress a variety of immune responses to self-antigens and play a role in peripheral tolerance maintenance by limiting autoimmune disorders, and other pathological immune responses such as limiting immune reactivity to oncoprotein encoded antigens. Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) expression is required for Treg stability and affects functional activity. Mutations in the master regulator FOXP3 and related components have been linked to autoimmune diseases in humans, such as IPEX, and a scurfy-like phenotype in mice. Several lines of evidence indicate that Treg use a variety of immunosuppressive mechanisms to limit an immune response by targeting effector cells, including secretion of immunoregulatory cytokines, granzyme/perforin-mediated cell cytolysis, metabolic perturbation, directing the maturation and function of antigen-presenting cells (APC) and secretion of extracellular vesicles for the development of immunological tolerance. In this review, several regulatory mechanisms have been highlighted and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payal Grover
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Peeyush N Goel
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mark I Greene
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Kos K, de Visser KE. The Multifaceted Role of Regulatory T Cells in Breast Cancer. ANNUAL REVIEW OF CANCER BIOLOGY-SERIES 2021; 5:291-310. [PMID: 34632244 PMCID: PMC7611782 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-cancerbio-042920-104912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The microenvironment of breast cancer hosts a dynamic cross talk between diverse players of the immune system. While cytotoxic immune cells are equipped to control tumor growth and metastasis, tumor-corrupted immunosuppressive immune cells strive to impair effective immunity and promote tumor progression. Of these, regulatory T cells (Tregs), the gatekeepers of immune homeostasis, emerge as multifaceted players involved in breast cancer. Intriguingly, clinical observations suggest that blood and intratumoral Tregs can have strong prognostic value, dictated by breast cancer subtype. Accordingly, emerging preclinical evidence shows that Tregs occupy a central role in breast cancer initiation and progression and provide critical support to metastasis formation. Here, Tregs are not only important for immune escape but also promote tumor progression independent of their immune regulatory capacity. Combining insights into Treg biology with advances made across the rapidly growing field of immuno-oncology is expected to set the stage for the design of more effective immunotherapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Kos
- Division of Tumor Biology and Immunology, Oncode Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karin E de Visser
- Division of Tumor Biology and Immunology, Oncode Institute, Netherlands Cancer Institute, 1066 CX Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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40
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Pham MN, Khoryati L, Jamison BL, Hayes E, Sullivan JM, Campbell DJ, Gavin MA. In Vivo Expansion of Antigen-Specific Regulatory T Cells through Staggered Fc.IL-2 Mutein Dosing and Antigen-Specific Immunotherapy. Immunohorizons 2021; 5:782-791. [PMID: 34583939 PMCID: PMC11034776 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.2100051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In mice, Ag administration in the absence of adjuvant typically elicits tolerogenic immune responses through the deletion or inactivation of conventional CD4 T cells and the formation or expansion of regulatory CD4 T cells (Treg). Although these "Ag-specific immunotherapy" (ASI) approaches are currently under clinical development to treat autoinflammatory conditions, efficacy and safety may be variable and unpredictable because of the diverse activation states of immune cells in subjects with autoimmune and allergic diseases. To reliably induce Ag-specific tolerance in patients, novel methods to control T cell responses during ASI are needed, and strategies that permanently increase Treg frequencies among Ag-specific CD4 T cells may provide long-lasting immunosuppression between treatments. In this study, we present an approach to durably increase the frequency of Ag-specific Treg in mice by administering ASI when Treg numbers are transiently increased with individual doses of a half-life-extended Treg-selective IL-2 mutein. Repeated weekly cycles of IL-2 mutein doses (day 0) followed by ASI (day 3) resulted in a 3- to 5-fold enrichment in Treg among Ag-responsive CD4 T cells. Expanded Ag-specific Treg persisted for more than 3 wk following treatment cessation, as well as through an inflammatory T cell response to an Ag-expressing virus. Combining Treg enrichment with ASI has the potential to durably treat autoimmune disease or allergy by increasing the Treg/conventional CD4 T cell ratio among autoantigen- or allergen-specific T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh N Pham
- Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA; and
| | | | | | - Erika Hayes
- Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA; and
| | | | | | - Marc A Gavin
- Benaroya Research Institute, Seattle, WA; and
- Omeros Corp., Seattle, WA
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41
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Sjaastad LE, Owen DL, Tracy SI, Farrar MA. Phenotypic and Functional Diversity in Regulatory T Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:715901. [PMID: 34631704 PMCID: PMC8495164 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.715901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept that a subset of T cells exists that specifically suppresses immune responses was originally proposed over 50 years ago. It then took the next 30 years to solidify the concept of regulatory T cells (Tregs) into the paradigm we understand today - namely a subset of CD4+ FOXP3+ T-cells that are critical for controlling immune responses to self and commensal or environmental antigens that also play key roles in promoting tissue homeostasis and repair. Expression of the transcription factor FOXP3 is a defining feature of Tregs, while the cytokine IL2 is necessary for robust Treg development and function. While our initial conception of Tregs was as a monomorphic lineage required to suppress all types of immune responses, recent work has demonstrated extensive phenotypic and functional diversity within the Treg population. In this review we address the ontogeny, phenotype, and function of the large number of distinct effector Treg subsets that have been defined over the last 15 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa E. Sjaastad
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Center for Immunology, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - David L. Owen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Center for Immunology, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Sean I. Tracy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Center for Immunology, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
- Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Michael A. Farrar
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Center for Immunology, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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42
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Jacobse J, Li J, Rings EHHM, Samsom JN, Goettel JA. Intestinal Regulatory T Cells as Specialized Tissue-Restricted Immune Cells in Intestinal Immune Homeostasis and Disease. Front Immunol 2021; 12:716499. [PMID: 34421921 PMCID: PMC8371910 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.716499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are a specialized population of CD4+ T cells that restrict immune activation and are essential to prevent systemic autoimmunity. In the intestine, the major function of Treg cells is to regulate inflammation as shown by a wide array of mechanistic studies in mice. While Treg cells originating from the thymus can home to the intestine, the majority of Treg cells residing in the intestine are induced from FOXP3neg conventional CD4+ T cells to elicit tolerogenic responses to microbiota and food antigens. This process largely takes place in the gut draining lymph nodes via interaction with antigen-presenting cells that convert circulating naïve T cells into Treg cells. Notably, dysregulation of Treg cells leads to a number of chronic inflammatory disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease. Thus, understanding intestinal Treg cell biology in settings of inflammation and homeostasis has the potential to improve therapeutic options for patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Here, the induction, maintenance, trafficking, and function of intestinal Treg cells is reviewed in the context of intestinal inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease. In this review we propose intestinal Treg cells do not compose fixed Treg cell subsets, but rather (like T helper cells), are plastic and can adopt different programs depending on microenvironmental cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Jacobse
- Department of Pediatrics, Willem-Alexander Children’s Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Edmond H. H. M. Rings
- Department of Pediatrics, Willem-Alexander Children’s Hospital, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Sophia Children’s Hospital, Erasmus University, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Janneke N. Samsom
- Laboratory of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jeremy A. Goettel
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Program in Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Center for Mucosal Inflammation and Cancer, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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43
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Saxena V, Lakhan R, Iyyathurai J, Bromberg JS. Mechanisms of exTreg induction. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:1956-1967. [PMID: 33975379 PMCID: PMC8338747 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202049123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Tregs play an important role in the maintenance of the immune system by regulating immune responses and resolving inflammation. Tregs exert their function by suppressing other immune cells and mediating peripheral self-tolerance. Under homeostatic conditions, Tregs are stable T-cell populations. However, under inflammatory environments, Tregs are converted to CD4+ CD25low Foxp3low cells. These cells are termed "exTreg" or "exFoxp3" cells. The molecular mechanism of Treg transition to exTregs remains incompletely understood. Uncertainties might be explained by a lack of consensus of biological markers to define Treg subsets in general and exTregs in particular. In this review, we summarize known markers of Tregs and factors responsible for exTreg generation including cytokines, signaling pathways, transcription factors, and epigenetic mechanisms. We also identify studies demonstrating the presence of exTregs in various diseases and sources of exTregs. Understanding the biology of Treg transition to exTregs will help in designing Treg-based therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Saxena
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Ram Lakhan
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jegan Iyyathurai
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Jonathan S. Bromberg
- Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Center for Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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44
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Negi S, Saini S, Tandel N, Sahu K, Mishra RP, Tyagi RK. Translating Treg Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Humanized Mice. Cells 2021; 10:1847. [PMID: 34440615 PMCID: PMC8393385 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in humans, afflicted in genetically predisposed individuals due to dysregulated immune response directed against constituents of gut flora. The defective immune responses mounted against the regulatory mechanisms amplify and maintain the IBD-induced mucosal inflammation. Therefore, restoring the balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory immunepathways in the gut may contribute to halting the IBD-associated tissue-damaging immune response. Phenotypic and functional characterization of various immune-suppressive T cells (regulatory T cells; Tregs) over the last decade has been used to optimize the procedures for in vitro expansion of these cells for developing therapeutic interventional strategies. In this paper, we review the mechanisms of action and functional importance of Tregs during the pathogenesis of IBD and modulating the disease induced inflammation as well as role of mouse models including humanized mice repopulated with the human immune system (HIS) to study the IBD. "Humanized" mouse models provide new tools to analyze human Treg ontogeny, immunobiology, and therapy and the role of Tregs in developing interventional strategies against IBD. Overall, humanized mouse models replicate the human conditions and prove a viable tool to study molecular functions of human Tregs to harness their therapeutic potential.
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MESH Headings
- Adoptive Transfer
- Animals
- Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics
- Colitis, Ulcerative/immunology
- Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism
- Colitis, Ulcerative/therapy
- Crohn Disease/genetics
- Crohn Disease/immunology
- Crohn Disease/metabolism
- Crohn Disease/therapy
- Disease Models, Animal
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
- Humans
- Mice, Transgenic
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/transplantation
- Transplantation, Heterologous
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmita Negi
- Biomedical Parasitology and Nano-Immunology Lab, Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh 160036, India; (S.N.); (S.S.); (K.S.)
- BERPDC Department, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh 160036, India
| | - Sheetal Saini
- Biomedical Parasitology and Nano-Immunology Lab, Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh 160036, India; (S.N.); (S.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Nikunj Tandel
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat 382481, India;
| | - Kiran Sahu
- Biomedical Parasitology and Nano-Immunology Lab, Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh 160036, India; (S.N.); (S.S.); (K.S.)
| | - Ravi P.N. Mishra
- BERPDC Department, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh 160036, India
| | - Rajeev K. Tyagi
- Biomedical Parasitology and Nano-Immunology Lab, Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh 160036, India; (S.N.); (S.S.); (K.S.)
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45
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Dong Y, Yang C, Pan F. Post-Translational Regulations of Foxp3 in Treg Cells and Their Therapeutic Applications. Front Immunol 2021; 12:626172. [PMID: 33912156 PMCID: PMC8071870 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.626172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are indispensable for immune homeostasis due to their roles in peripheral tolerance. As the master transcription factor of Treg cells, Forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) strongly regulates Treg function and plasticity. Because of this, considerable research efforts have been directed at elucidating the mechanisms controlling Foxp3 and its co-regulators. Such work is not only advancing our understanding on Treg cell biology, but also uncovering novel targets for clinical manipulation in autoimmune diseases, organ transplantation, and tumor therapies. Recently, many studies have explored the post-translational regulation of Foxp3, which have shown that acetylation, phosphorylation, glycosylation, methylation, and ubiquitination are important for determining Foxp3 function and plasticity. Additionally, some of these targets have been implicated to have great therapeutic values. In this review, we will discuss emerging evidence of post-translational regulations on Foxp3 in Treg cells and their exciting therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Dong
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Cuiping Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Pan
- Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shenzhen, China
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46
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Kuczma MP, Szurek EA, Cebula A, Ngo VL, Pietrzak M, Kraj P, Denning TL, Ignatowicz L. Self and microbiota-derived epitopes induce CD4 + T cell anergy and conversion into CD4 +Foxp3 + regulatory cells. Mucosal Immunol 2021; 14:443-454. [PMID: 33139845 PMCID: PMC7946630 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-020-00349-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The physiological role of T cell anergy induction as a key mechanism supporting self-tolerance remains undefined, and natural antigens that induce anergy are largely unknown. In this report, we used TCR sequencing to show that the recruitment of CD4+CD44+Foxp3-CD73+FR4+ anergic (Tan) cells expands the CD4+Foxp3+ (Tregs) repertoire. Next, we report that blockade in peripherally-induced Tregs (pTregs) formation due to mutation in CNS1 region of Foxp3 or chronic exposure to a selecting self-peptide result in an accumulation of Tan cells. Finally, we show that microbial antigens from Akkermansia muciniphila commensal bacteria can induce anergy and drive conversion of naive CD4+CD44-Foxp3- T (Tn) cells to the Treg lineage. Overall, data presented here suggest that Tan induction helps the Treg repertoire to become optimally balanced to provide tolerance toward ubiquitous and microbiome-derived epitopes, improving host ability to avert systemic autoimmunity and intestinal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal P Kuczma
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Edyta A Szurek
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Anna Cebula
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Vu L Ngo
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Maciej Pietrzak
- Mathematical Biosciences Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Piotr Kraj
- Department of Biological Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Timothy L Denning
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Leszek Ignatowicz
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Lower Functional and Proportional Characteristics of Cord Blood Treg of Male Newborns Compared with Female Newborns. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9020170. [PMID: 33572097 PMCID: PMC7915235 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9020170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the early events involved in the induction of immune tolerance to harmless environmental antigens and microbiota compounds could reveal potential targets for allergic disease therapy or prevention. Regulatory T cells (Treg), particularly induced Treg (iTreg), are crucial for the induction and maintenance of tolerance against environmental antigens including allergens. A decrease in the number and/or function of Treg or iTreg could represent an early predictor of allergy development. We analyzed proportional and functional properties of Treg in the cord blood of children of allergic mothers (neonates at high risk of allergy development) and healthy mothers (neonates with relatively low risk of allergy development). We observed a higher number of induced Treg in the cord blood of females compared to males, suggesting an impaired capacity of male immunity to set up tolerance to allergens, which could contribute to the higher incidence of allergy observed in male infants. The decreased proportion of iTreg in cord blood compared with maternal peripheral blood documents the general immaturity of the neonatal immune system. We observed a positive correlation in the demethylation of the Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR) and the proportion of Treg in cord blood. Our data suggest that immaturity of the neonatal immune system is more severe in males, predisposing them to increased risk of allergy development.
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48
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Almeida-Santos J, Bergman ML, Cabral IA, Demengeot J. Interruption of Thymic Activity in Adult Mice Improves Responses to Tumor Immunotherapy. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 206:978-986. [PMID: 33472908 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The thymus produces precursors of both conventional T cells (Tconv; also known as effector T cells) and regulatory T cells (Treg) whose interactions prevent autoimmunity while allowing efficient protective immune responses. Tumors express a composite of self-antigens and tumor-specific Ags and engage both Tconv and Treg. Along the aging process, the thymus involutes, and tumor prevalence increases, a correlation proposed previously to result from effector cell decline. In this work, we directly tested whether interruption of thymic activity in adult mice affects Foxp3-expressing Treg composition and function and alters tumor immune surveillance. Young adult mice, on two different genetic backgrounds, were surgically thymectomized (TxT) and analyzed or challenged 2 mo later. Cellular analysis revealed a 10-fold decrease in both Tconv and Treg numbers and a bias for activated cells. The persisting Treg displayed reduced stability of Foxp3 expression and, as a population, showed a compromised return to homeostasis upon induced perturbations. We next tested the growth of three tumor models from different tissue origins and/or presenting distinct degrees of spontaneous immunogenicity. In none of these conditions, adult TxT facilitated tumor growth. Rather, TxT enhanced the efficacy of antitumor immunotherapies targeting Treg and/or the immune checkpoint CTLA4, as evidenced by the increased frequency of responder mice and decreased intratumoral Treg to CD8+IFN-γ+ cell ratio. Together, our findings point to a scenario in which abrogation of thymic activities affects preferentially the regulatory over the ridding arm of the immune activities elicited by tumors and argues that higher prevalence of tumors with age cannot be solely attributed to thymic output decline.
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49
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Bayati F, Mohammadi M, Valadi M, Jamshidi S, Foma AM, Sharif-Paghaleh E. The Therapeutic Potential of Regulatory T Cells: Challenges and Opportunities. Front Immunol 2021; 11:585819. [PMID: 33519807 PMCID: PMC7844143 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.585819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an immunosuppressive subgroup of CD4+ T cells which are identified by the expression of forkhead box protein P3 (Foxp3). The modulation capacity of these immune cells holds an important role in both transplantation and the development of autoimmune diseases. These cells are the main mediators of self-tolerance and are essential for avoiding excessive immune reactions. Tregs play a key role in the induction of peripheral tolerance that can prevent autoimmunity, by protecting self-reactive lymphocytes from the immune reaction. In contrast to autoimmune responses, tumor cells exploit Tregs in order to prevent immune cell recognition and anti-tumor immune response during the carcinogenesis process. Recently, numerous studies have focused on unraveling the biological functions and principles of Tregs and their primary suppressive mechanisms. Due to the promising and outstanding results, Tregs have been widely investigated as an alternative tool in preventing graft rejection and treating autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, targeting Tregs for the purpose of improving cancer immunotherapy is being intensively evaluated as a desirable and effective method. The purpose of this review is to point out the characteristic function and therapeutic potential of Tregs in regulatory immune mechanisms in transplantation tolerance, autoimmune diseases, cancer therapy, and also to discuss that how the manipulation of these mechanisms may increase the therapeutic options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Bayati
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research & Development Department, Aryogen Pharmed, Karaj, Iran
| | - Mahsa Mohammadi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Valadi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeid Jamshidi
- Research & Development Department, Aryogen Pharmed, Karaj, Iran
| | - Arron Munggela Foma
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Sharif-Paghaleh
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Imaging Chemistry and Biology, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
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50
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Dadey RE, Workman CJ, Vignali DAA. Regulatory T Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1273:105-134. [PMID: 33119878 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-49270-0_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are an immunosuppressive subpopulation of CD4+ T cells that are endowed with potent suppressive activity and function to limit immune activation and maintain homeostasis. These cells are identified by the hallmark transcription factor FOXP3 and the high-affinity interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor chain CD25. Tregs can be recruited to and persist within the tumor microenvironment (TME), acting as a potent barrier to effective antitumor immunity. This chapter will discuss [i] the history and hallmarks of Tregs; [ii] the recruitment, development, and persistence of Tregs within the TME; [iii] Treg function within TME; asnd [iv] the therapeutic targeting of Tregs in the clinic. This chapter will conclude with a discussion of likely trends and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekah E Dadey
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Graduate Program of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Creg J Workman
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Dario A A Vignali
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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