1
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Ono M. Unraveling T-cell dynamics using fluorescent timer: Insights from the Tocky system. Biophys Physicobiol 2024; 21:e211010. [PMID: 39175859 PMCID: PMC11338677 DOI: 10.2142/biophysico.bppb-v21.s010] [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: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the temporal dynamics of T-cell transcription is crucial for insights into immune cell function and development. In this study, we show the features of the Timer-of-Cell-Kinetics-and-Activity (Tocky) system, which enables analysis of temporal dynamics of cell activities and differentiation, leveraging Fluorescent Timer protein, which spontaneously changes its emission spectrum from blue to red fluorescence in known kinetics, as reporters. The current study examines the properties of the Tocky system, highlighting the Timer-Angle approach, which is a core algorithm of Tocky analysis and converts Timer Blue and Red fluorescence into Timer Angle and Intensity by trigonometric transformation. Importantly, Tocky analyzes time-related events within individual cells by the two phases of measurements, distinguishing between (1) the temporal sequence of cellular activities and differentiation within the time domain, and (2) the transcription frequency within the frequency domain. The transition from time measurement to frequency analysis, particularly at the Persistent locus that bridges these domains, highlights that system's unique property in what is measured and analyzed by Tocky. Intriguingly, the sustained transcriptional activities observed in cells at the Persistent locus may have unique biological features as demonstrated in activated regulatory T-cells (Treg) and pathogenic T-cells, respectively, using Foxp3-Tocky and Nr4a3-Tocky models. In conclusion, the Tocky system can provide crucial data for advancing our understanding of T-cell dynamics and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Ono
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
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2
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Chen Z, Zhang Y, Kwak-Kim J, Wang W. Memory regulatory T cells in pregnancy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1209706. [PMID: 37954599 PMCID: PMC10637476 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1209706] [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: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy requires the process of maternal immune tolerance to semi-allogeneic embryos. In contrast, an overreactive maternal immune system to embryo-specific antigens is likely to result in the rejection of embryos while damaging the invading placenta, such that the likelihood of adverse pregnancy outcomes can be increased. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are capable of suppressing excessive immune responses and regulating immune homeostasis. When stimulating Tregs, specific antigens will differentiate into memory Tregs with long-term survival and rapid and powerful immune regulatory ability. Immunomodulatory effects mediated by memory Tregs at the maternal-fetal interface take on critical significance in a successful pregnancy. The impaired function of memory Tregs shows a correlation with various pregnancy complications (e.g., preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, and recurrent pregnancy losses). However, the differentiation process and characteristics of memory Tregs, especially their role in pregnancy, remain unclear. In this study, a review is presented in terms of memory Tregs differentiation and activation, the characteristics of memory Tregs and their role in pregnancy, and the correlation between memory Tregs and pregnancy complications. Furthermore, several potential therapeutic methods are investigated to restore the function of memory Tregs in accordance with immunopathologies arising from memory Tregs abnormalities and provide novel targets for diagnosing and treating pregnancy-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyang Chen
- School of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Reproduction Medical Center, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Joanne Kwak-Kim
- Reproductive Medicine and Immunology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Sciences Department, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Vernon Hills, IL, United States
- Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Wenjuan Wang
- Reproduction Medical Center, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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3
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An Z, Liu W, Li W, Wei M, An C. Application of single-cell RNA sequencing in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Chin J Cancer Res 2023; 35:331-342. [PMID: 37691894 PMCID: PMC10485914 DOI: 10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2023.04.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA sequencing has been broadly applied to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) for characterizing the heterogeneity and genomic mutations of HNSCC benefiting from the advantage of single-cell resolution. We summarized most of the current studies and aimed to explore their research methods and ideas, as well as how to transform them into clinical applications. Through single-cell RNA sequencing, we found the differences in tumor cells' expression programs and differentiation tracks. The studies of immune microenvironment allowed us to distinguish immune cell subpopulations, the extensive expression of immune checkpoints, and the complex crosstalk network between immune cells and non-immune cells. For cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), single-cell RNA sequencing had made an irreplaceable contribution to the exploration of their differentiation status, specific CAFs markers, and the interaction with tumor cells and immune cells. In addition, we demonstrated in detail how single-cell RNA sequencing explored the HNSCC epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) model and the mechanism of drug resistance, as well as its clinical value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohong An
- Department of Head & Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Wan Liu
- Department of Head & Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen Center, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Wenbin Li
- Department of Pathology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Minghui Wei
- Department of Head & Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen Center, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Changming An
- Department of Head & Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
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4
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Reinhardt J, Sharma V, Stavridou A, Lindner A, Reinhardt S, Petzold A, Lesche M, Rost F, Bonifacio E, Eugster A. Distinguishing activated T regulatory cell and T conventional cells by single cell technologies. Immunology 2022; 166:121-137. [PMID: 35196398 PMCID: PMC9426617 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Resting conventional T cells (Tconv) can be distinguished from T regulatory cells (Treg) by the canonical markers FOXP3, CD25 and CD127. However, the expression of these proteins alters after T‐cell activation leading to overlap between Tconv and Treg. The objective of this study was to distinguish resting and antigen‐responsive T effector (Tconv) and Treg using single‐cell technologies. CD4+ Treg and Tconv cells were stimulated with antigen and responsive and non‐responsive populations processed for targeted and non‐targeted single‐cell RNAseq. Machine learning was used to generate a limited set of genes that could distinguish responding and non‐responding Treg and Tconv cells and which was used for single‐cell multiplex qPCR and to design a flow cytometry panel. Targeted scRNAseq clearly distinguished the four‐cell populations. A minimal set of 27 genes was identified by machine learning algorithms to provide discrimination of the four populations at >95% accuracy. In all, 15 of the genes were validated to be differentially expressed by single‐cell multiplex qPCR. Discrimination of responding Treg from responding Tconv could be achieved by a flow cytometry strategy that included staining for CD25, CD127, FOXP3, IKZF2, ITGA4, and the novel marker TRIM which was strongly expressed in Tconv and weakly expressed in both responding and non‐responding Treg. A minimal set of genes was identified that discriminates responding and non‐responding CD4+ Treg and Tconv cells and, which have identified TRIM as a marker to distinguish Treg by flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Reinhardt
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Virag Sharma
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of Helmholtz Centre Munich at University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus of TU, Faculty of Medicine, Dresden, Germany
| | - Antigoni Stavridou
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Annett Lindner
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of Helmholtz Centre Munich at University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus of TU, Faculty of Medicine, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susanne Reinhardt
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), DRESDEN-concept Genome Center, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Petzold
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), DRESDEN-concept Genome Center, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mathias Lesche
- Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering (CMCB), DRESDEN-concept Genome Center, Dresden, Germany
| | - Fabian Rost
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Information Services and High-Performance Computing (ZIH), TU Dresden, Dresden, 01062, Germany
| | - Ezio Bonifacio
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of Helmholtz Centre Munich at University Clinic Carl Gustav Carus of TU, Faculty of Medicine, Dresden, Germany
| | - Anne Eugster
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Faculty of Medicine, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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5
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Tan BJ, Sugata K, Reda O, Matsuo M, Uchiyama K, Miyazato P, Hahaut V, Yamagishi M, Uchimaru K, Suzuki Y, Ueno T, Suzushima H, Katsuya H, Tokunaga M, Uchiyama Y, Nakamura H, Sueoka E, Utsunomiya A, Ono M, Satou Y. HTLV-1 infection promotes excessive T cell activation and transformation into adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:e150472. [PMID: 34907908 PMCID: PMC8670839 DOI: 10.1172/jci150472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) mainly infects CD4+ T cells and induces chronic, persistent infection in infected individuals, with some developing adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL). HTLV-1 alters cellular differentiation, activation, and survival; however, it is unknown whether and how these changes contribute to the malignant transformation of infected cells. In this study, we used single-cell RNA-sequencing and T cell receptor-sequencing to investigate the differentiation and HTLV-1-mediated transformation of T cells. We analyzed 87,742 PBMCs from 12 infected and 3 uninfected individuals. Using multiple independent bioinformatics methods, we demonstrated the seamless transition of naive T cells into activated T cells, whereby HTLV-1-infected cells in an activated state further transformed into ATL cells, which are characterized as clonally expanded, highly activated T cells. Notably, the greater the activation state of ATL cells, the more they acquire Treg signatures. Intriguingly, the expression of HLA class II genes in HTLV-1-infected cells was uniquely induced by the viral protein Tax and further upregulated in ATL cells. Functional assays revealed that HTLV-1-infected cells upregulated HLA class II molecules and acted as tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells to induce anergy of antigen-specific T cells. In conclusion, our study revealed the in vivo mechanisms of HTLV-1-mediated transformation and immune escape at the single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjy J.Y. Tan
- Division of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), and
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kenji Sugata
- Division of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection
| | - Omnia Reda
- Division of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), and
- Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Department of Microbiology, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Misaki Matsuo
- Division of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), and
| | | | - Paola Miyazato
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), and
| | - Vincent Hahaut
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Makoto Yamagishi
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences and
| | - Kaoru Uchimaru
- Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences and
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Laboratory of Systems Genomics, Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takamasa Ueno
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Suzushima
- Department of Hematology, Kumamoto Shinto General Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hiroo Katsuya
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), and
- Division of Hematology, Respiratory Medicine and Oncology, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Masahito Tokunaga
- Department of Hematology, Imamura General Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Uchiyama
- Division of Informative Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | | | - Eisaburo Sueoka
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Saga, Japan
| | - Atae Utsunomiya
- Department of Hematology, Imamura General Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
- Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ono
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), and
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yorifumi Satou
- Division of Genomics and Transcriptomics, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS), and
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6
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Julé AM, Hoyt KJ, Wei K, Gutierrez-Arcelus M, Taylor ML, Ng J, Lederer JA, Case SM, Chang MH, Cohen EM, Dedeoglu F, Hazen MM, Hausmann JS, Halyabar O, Janssen E, Lo J, Lo MS, Meidan E, Roberts JE, Son MBF, Sundel RP, Lee PY, Chatila T, Nigrovic PA, Henderson LA. Th1 polarization defines the synovial fluid T cell compartment in oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e149185. [PMID: 34403374 PMCID: PMC8492302 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.149185] [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: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (oligo JIA) is the most common form of chronic inflammatory arthritis in children, yet the cause of this disease remains unknown. To understand immune responses in oligo JIA, we immunophenotyped synovial fluid T cells with flow cytometry, bulk RNA-Seq, single-cell RNA-Seq (scRNA-Seq), DNA methylation studies, and Treg suppression assays. In synovial fluid, CD4+, CD8+, and γδ T cells expressed Th1-related markers, whereas Th17 cells were not enriched. Th1 skewing was prominent in CD4+ T cells, including Tregs, and was associated with severe disease. Transcriptomic studies confirmed a Th1 signature in CD4+ T cells from synovial fluid. The regulatory gene expression signature was preserved in Tregs, even those exhibiting Th1 polarization. These Th1-like Tregs maintained Treg-specific methylation patterns and suppressive function, supporting the stability of this Treg population in the joint. Although synovial fluid CD4+ T cells displayed an overall Th1 phenotype, scRNA-Seq uncovered heterogeneous effector and regulatory subpopulations, including IFN-induced Tregs, peripheral helper T cells, and cytotoxic CD4+ T cells. In conclusion, oligo JIA is characterized by Th1 polarization that encompasses Tregs but does not compromise their regulatory identity. Targeting Th1-driven inflammation and augmenting Treg function may represent important therapeutic approaches in oligo JIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie M. Julé
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kacie J. Hoyt
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kevin Wei
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maria Gutierrez-Arcelus
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maria L. Taylor
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Julie Ng
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and
| | - James A. Lederer
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Siobhan M. Case
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Margaret H. Chang
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ezra M. Cohen
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fatma Dedeoglu
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Melissa M. Hazen
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathan S. Hausmann
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Olha Halyabar
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erin Janssen
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeffrey Lo
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mindy S. Lo
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Esra Meidan
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jordan E. Roberts
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mary Beth F. Son
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert P. Sundel
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pui Y. Lee
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Talal Chatila
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter A. Nigrovic
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lauren A. Henderson
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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7
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Kalfaoglu B, Almeida-Santos J, Tye CA, Satou Y, Ono M. T-Cell Hyperactivation and Paralysis in Severe COVID-19 Infection Revealed by Single-Cell Analysis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:589380. [PMID: 33178221 PMCID: PMC7596772 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.589380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe COVID-19 patients show various immunological abnormalities including T-cell reduction and cytokine release syndrome, which can be fatal and is a major concern of the pandemic. However, it is poorly understood how T-cell dysregulation can contribute to the pathogenesis of severe COVID-19. Here we show single cell-level mechanisms for T-cell dysregulation in severe COVID-19, demonstrating new pathogenetic mechanisms of T-cell activation and differentiation underlying severe COVID-19. By in silico sorting CD4+ T-cells from a single cell RNA-seq dataset, we found that CD4+ T-cells were highly activated and showed unique differentiation pathways in the lung of severe COVID-19 patients. Notably, those T-cells in severe COVID-19 patients highly expressed immunoregulatory receptors and CD25, whilst repressing the expression of FOXP3. Furthermore, we show that CD25+ hyperactivated T-cells differentiate into multiple helper T-cell lineages, showing multifaceted effector T-cells with Th1 and Th2 characteristics. Lastly, we show that CD25-expressing hyperactivated T-cells produce the protease Furin, which facilitates the viral entry of SARS-CoV-2. Collectively, CD4+ T-cells from severe COVID-19 patients are hyperactivated and FOXP3-mediated negative feedback mechanisms are impaired in the lung, which may promote immunopathology. Therefore, our study proposes a new model of T-cell hyperactivation and paralysis that drives immunopathology in severe COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahire Kalfaoglu
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - José Almeida-Santos
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Chanidapa Adele Tye
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yorifumi Satou
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Masahiro Ono
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom.,International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
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8
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Ono M. Control of regulatory T-cell differentiation and function by T-cell receptor signalling and Foxp3 transcription factor complexes. Immunology 2020; 160:24-37. [PMID: 32022254 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Foxp3 controls the differentiation and function of regulatory T-cells (Treg). Studies in the past decades identified numerous Foxp3-interacting protein partners. However, it is still not clear how Foxp3 produces the Treg-type transcriptomic landscape through cooperating with its partners. Here I show the current understanding of how Foxp3 transcription factor complexes regulate the differentiation, maintenance and functional maturation of Treg. Importantly, T-cell receptor (TCR) signalling plays central roles in Treg differentiation and Foxp3-mediated gene regulation. Differentiating Treg will have recognized their cognate antigens and received TCR signals before initiating Foxp3 transcription, which is triggered by TCR-induced transcription factors including NFAT, AP-1 and NF-κB. Once expressed, Foxp3 seizes TCR signal-induced transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms through interacting with AML1/Runx1 and NFAT. Thus, Foxp3 modifies gene expression dynamics of TCR-induced genes, which constitute cardinal mechanisms for Treg-mediated immune suppression. Next, I discuss the following key topics, proposing new mechanistic models for Foxp3-mediated gene regulation: (i) how Foxp3 transcription is induced and maintained by the Foxp3-inducing enhanceosome and the Foxp3 autoregulatory transcription factor complex; (ii) molecular mechanisms for effector Treg differentiation (i.e. Treg maturation); (iii) how Foxp3 activates or represses its target genes through recruiting coactivators and corepressors; (iv) the 'decision-making' Foxp3-containing transcription factor complex for Th17 and Treg differentiation; and (v) the roles of post-translational modification in Foxp3 regulation. Thus, this article provides cutting-edge understanding of molecular biology of Foxp3 and Treg, integrating findings by biochemical and genomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Ono
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
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9
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Kim MH, Akbari O, Genyk Y, Kohli R, Emamaullee J. Immunologic benefit of maternal donors in pediatric living donor liver transplantation. Pediatr Transplant 2019; 23:e13560. [PMID: 31402535 DOI: 10.1111/petr.13560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Long-term follow-up has suggested that pediatric LDLT may have superior outcomes compared to deceased donor recipients. In this review, we describe the subset of LDLT recipients with maternal donors that have lower reported rates of rejection and improved allograft survival. RECENT FINDINGS Pediatric LDLT recipients, particularly those with a primary diagnosis of biliary atresia who receive grafts from their mothers, have been reported to have lower rates of acute cellular rejection post-transplant and graft failure. Maternal-fetal microchimerism and the persistence of regulatory T cells may be related to improved outcomes observed in recipients with maternal donors. Further, recent studies have shown that up to 60% of pediatric LDLT recipients can undergo intentional withdrawal of immunosuppression and achieve long-term operational tolerance. The impact of graft type on operational tolerance has not been thoroughly investigated; however, investigation of tolerant pediatric LDLT patients with maternal donors may provide key insights into the mechanisms of immune tolerance. SUMMARY While excellent outcomes can be achieved in pediatric LDLT, there is still a measurable decrease in graft and patient survival over time post-transplant. Recipients of maternal donor liver transplants are a subset of patients who may be advantaged toward improved outcomes by means of immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle H Kim
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Omid Akbari
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yuri Genyk
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Pediatric Liver Care Center, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rohit Kohli
- Pediatric Liver Care Center, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Juliet Emamaullee
- Division of Hepatobiliary and Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Pediatric Liver Care Center, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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