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Bai M, Lei J, Li F, Wang X, Fu H, Yan Z, Huang X, Zhu Y. Short-chain chlorinated paraffins may induce thymic aging in mice by activating PERK-CHOP. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 357:124438. [PMID: 38942270 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Humans indirectly consume approximately 0.02 mg/kg/day of short-chained chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) through the environment; however, the thymic senescence/damage induced by SCCPs has not been assessed. In this study, 16 female mice (4-week-old) per group were orally administered 0, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg/day of SCCPs for 21 days, and the phenotypes and levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), Tβ4, αβ TCR, SA-β-Gal, GRP78, PERK/CHOP, P53/P21, and CASPASE-1 of the thymus were assessed as indicators. Another group comprising 16 mice was killed at 4-week-old and these indicators were assessed. Thereafter, the thymuses cultured in vitro were exposed to 0, 14, 140, and 1400 μg/L SCCPs, respectively, and the above indicators were measured after 7-day. Based on the results, the oral administration of ≥0.01 mg/kg/day SCCPs to mice and ≥14 μg/L of SCCPs in medium caused thymic aging features, such as a decrease in the ratio of cortex to medulla, gradual blurring of the boundary between the cortex and medulla, dose-dependent oxidative stress (decreased SOD and increased MDA), and decreased levels of Tβ4 and αβ TCRs in the thymus. The oral administration of ≥1 mg/kg/day of SCCPs also impeded the growth and development of female mice and their thymuses. Exposure to the low levels of SCCPs activated PERK-CHOP in the mouse thymus, which modulated increases in SA-β-Gal, IL-1β, P53, and CASPASE-1 in vivo and in vitro. Overall, environmental levels and human blood concentrations (14.8-1400 μg/L) of SCCPs may induce mouse thymus senescence by activating PERK-CHOP in vivo and in vitro, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingxin Bai
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical School, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Jiawei Lei
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical School, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Fan Li
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical School, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Xuning Wang
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical School, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Hu Fu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical School, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Fish Developmental Biology of Ministry of Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Zhengli Yan
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical School, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Fish Developmental Biology of Ministry of Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China
| | - Xin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical School, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China.
| | - Yongfei Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Study and Discovery of Small Targeted Molecules of Hunan Province, Department of Preventive Medicine, Medical School, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China; Key Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Fish Developmental Biology of Ministry of Education, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, 410081, China.
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Abe Y, Murase T, Mitsuma M, Shinba Y, Yamashita H, Ikematsu K. Dynamics of somatostatin 4 receptor expression during chronic-stress loading and its potential as a chronic-stress marker. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10045. [PMID: 38698013 PMCID: PMC11066077 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58621-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress has been implicated in mental illnesses and depressive behaviors. Somatostatin 4 receptor (SSTR4) has been shown to mediate anxiolytic and depression-like effects. Here, we aimed to explore the potential of SSTR4 as a diagnostic marker for chronic stress in mice. The mice were divided into single stress, chronic restraint stress, and control groups, and Sstr4 mRNA expression in the pituitary, lungs, and thymus, its protein expression in the thymus, were analyzed. Compared to controls, Sstr4 mRNA expression decreased significantly in the pituitary gland of the chronic and single-stress groups (P = 0.0181 and 0.0022, respectively) and lungs of the single-stress group (P = 0.0124), whereas it significantly increased in the thymus of the chronic-stress group (P = 0.0313). Thymic SSTR4 expression did not decrease significantly in stress groups compared to that in the control group (P = 0.0963). These results suggest that SSTR4 expression fluctuates in response to stress. Furthermore, Sstr4 mRNA expression dynamics in each organ differed based on single or chronic restraint stress-loading periods. In conclusion, this study suggests that investigating SSTR4 expression in each organ could allow for its use as a stress marker to estimate the stress-loading period and aid in diagnosing chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Abe
- Division of Forensic Pathology and Science, Department of Medical and Dental Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Takehiko Murase
- Division of Forensic Pathology and Science, Department of Medical and Dental Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan.
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, 1750-1, Miki, Kita, Kagawa, 761-0793, Japan.
| | - Masahide Mitsuma
- Division of Forensic Pathology and Science, Department of Medical and Dental Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Yoriko Shinba
- Division of Forensic Pathology and Science, Department of Medical and Dental Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Hiromi Yamashita
- Division of Forensic Dental Science, Department of Medical and Dental Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
| | - Kazuya Ikematsu
- Division of Forensic Pathology and Science, Department of Medical and Dental Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Nagasaki University, 1-12-4, Sakamoto, Nagasaki, 852-8523, Japan
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Yang ZL, Tian C, He J, Pan H, Ruan GP, Zhao J, Wang K, Pan XH, Zhu XQ. Whole-transcriptome profiling reveals potential biomarkers for the reversal of thymic epithelial cell senescence by umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:7009-7021. [PMID: 38637117 PMCID: PMC11087093 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205738] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reduced numbers and dysfunction of thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are important factors of thymic degeneration. Previous studies have found that umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) reverse the structure and function of the senescent thymus in vivo. However, the transcriptomic regulation mechanism is unclear. METHODS TECs were cultured with H2O2 for 72 hours to induce senescence. UCMSCs were cocultured with senescent TECs for 48 hours to detect SA-β-gal, P16 and Ki67. The cocultured TECs were collected for lncRNA, mRNA and miRNA sequencing to establish a competitive endogenous regulatory network (ceRNA). And RT-qPCR, immunofluorescence staining, and western blot were used to identified key genes. RESULTS Our results showed that H2O2 induced TEC aging and that UCMSCs reversed these changes. Compared with those in aged TECs, 2260 DE mRNAs, 1033 DE lncRNAs and 67 DE miRNAs were differentially expressed, and these changes were reversed by coculturing the cells with UCMSCs. Differential mRNA enrichment analysis of ceRNA regulation revealed that the PI3K-AKT pathway was a significant signaling pathway. UCMSC coculture upregulated VEGFA, which is the upstream factor of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, and the expression of the key proteins PI3K and AKT. Thus, the expression of the cell cycle suppressor P27, which is downstream of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, was downregulated, while the expression of the cell cycle regulators CDK2 and CCNE was upregulated. CONCLUSION UCMSC coculture upregulated the expression of VEGFA, activated the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, increased the expression of CDK2 and CCNE, decreased the expression of P27, and promoted the proliferation of TECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zai-Ling Yang
- The Basic Medical Laboratory of the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, The Transfer Medicine Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy Technology of Yunan, The Integrated Engineering Laboratory of Cell Biological Medicine of State and Regions, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
- The Second People’s Hospital of Guiyang, Medical Laboratory, Guiyang 550023, Guizhou, China
| | - Chuan Tian
- The Basic Medical Laboratory of the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, The Transfer Medicine Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy Technology of Yunan, The Integrated Engineering Laboratory of Cell Biological Medicine of State and Regions, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Jie He
- The Basic Medical Laboratory of the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, The Transfer Medicine Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy Technology of Yunan, The Integrated Engineering Laboratory of Cell Biological Medicine of State and Regions, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Hang Pan
- The Basic Medical Laboratory of the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, The Transfer Medicine Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy Technology of Yunan, The Integrated Engineering Laboratory of Cell Biological Medicine of State and Regions, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Guang-Ping Ruan
- The Basic Medical Laboratory of the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, The Transfer Medicine Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy Technology of Yunan, The Integrated Engineering Laboratory of Cell Biological Medicine of State and Regions, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- The Basic Medical Laboratory of the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, The Transfer Medicine Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy Technology of Yunan, The Integrated Engineering Laboratory of Cell Biological Medicine of State and Regions, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Kai Wang
- The Basic Medical Laboratory of the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, The Transfer Medicine Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy Technology of Yunan, The Integrated Engineering Laboratory of Cell Biological Medicine of State and Regions, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Xing-Hua Pan
- The Basic Medical Laboratory of the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, The Transfer Medicine Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy Technology of Yunan, The Integrated Engineering Laboratory of Cell Biological Medicine of State and Regions, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiang-Qing Zhu
- The Basic Medical Laboratory of the 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of PLA, The Transfer Medicine Key Laboratory of Cell Therapy Technology of Yunan, The Integrated Engineering Laboratory of Cell Biological Medicine of State and Regions, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
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Yang X, Chen X, Wang W, Qu S, Lai B, Zhang J, Chen J, Han C, Tian Y, Xiao Y, Gao W, Wu Y. Transcriptional profile of human thymus reveals IGFBP5 is correlated with age-related thymic involution. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1322214. [PMID: 38318192 PMCID: PMC10839013 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1322214] [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: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Thymus is the main immune organ which is responsible for the production of self-tolerant and functional T cells, but it shrinks rapidly with age after birth. Although studies have researched thymus development and involution in mouse, the critical regulators that arise with age in human thymus remain unclear. We collected public human single-cell transcriptomic sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets containing 350,678 cells from 36 samples, integrated them as a cell atlas of human thymus. Clinical samples were collected and experiments were performed for validation. We found early thymocyte-specific signaling and regulons which played roles in thymocyte migration, proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. Nevertheless, signaling patterns including number, strength and path completely changed during aging, Transcription factors (FOXC1, MXI1, KLF9, NFIL3) and their target gene, IGFBP5, were resolved and up-regulated in aging thymus and involved in promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), responding to steroid and adipogenesis process of thymic epithelial cell (TECs). Furthermore, we validated that IGFBP5 protein increased at TECs and Hassall's corpuscle in both human and mouse aging thymus and knockdown of IGFBP5 significantly increased the expression of proliferation-related genes in thymocytes. Collectively, we systematically explored cell-cell communications and regulons of early thymocytes as well as age-related differences in human thymus by using both bioinformatic and experimental verification, indicating IGFBP5 as a functional marker of thymic involution and providing new insights into the mechanisms of thymus involution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojing Yang
- College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xichan Chen
- Institute of Immunology People’s Liberation Army (PLA) & Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Siming Qu
- Organ Transplantation Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Binbin Lai
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ji Zhang
- Institute of Immunology People’s Liberation Army (PLA) & Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Jian Chen
- Institute of Immunology People’s Liberation Army (PLA) & Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Chao Han
- Institute of Immunology People’s Liberation Army (PLA) & Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Tian
- Institute of Immunology People’s Liberation Army (PLA) & Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yingbin Xiao
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Weiwu Gao
- Institute of Immunology People’s Liberation Army (PLA) & Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yuzhang Wu
- College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
- Institute of Immunology People’s Liberation Army (PLA) & Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medicine, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
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Unuma K, Wen S, Aki T, Uemura K. Ectopic myogenesis and fibrosis accompany adipogenesis during thymic involution induced by repeated cocaine administration. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 686:149201. [PMID: 37926043 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149201] [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: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
We have shown previously that daily cocaine administration for 7-14 days in rats resulted in the acceleration of thymic involution, which is, alike to age-related thymic involution, accompanied by ectopic adipogenesis. Here we show that the thymic involution caused by repeated cocaine administration is accompanied by not only adipogenesis but also ectopic myogenesis and fibrosis. In accordance with fibrosis, we observed an increase of N-cadherin, a marker of mesenchymal cells, as well as a decrease of E-cadherin, an epithelial cell marker, in the thymus in response to cocaine administration, suggesting the occurrence of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Levels of fibronectin was also increased in the thymus of cocaine group compared to control group. In addition, increases in the levels of the transcription factors for myogenic differentiation, myogenin, MYF5, and MYF6, were observed in the thymus administered cocaine for 14 days. These results indicate that the thymic involution induced by cocaine administration involves not only adipogenesis and fibrosis but also ectopic myogenesis, which is scarcely observed and rather pathological process during thymic involution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kana Unuma
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuheng Wen
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Aki
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Koichi Uemura
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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Yang J, Liu J, Liang J, Li F, Wang W, Chen H, Xie X. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in age-associated thymic involution: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 92:102115. [PMID: 37922996 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is a critical immune organ with endocrine and immune functions that plays important roles in the physiological and pathological processes of the body. However, with aging, the thymus undergoes degenerative changes leading to decreased production and output of naive T cells and the secretion of thymic hormones and related cytokines, thereby promoting the occurrence and development of various age-associated diseases. Therefore, identifying essential processes that regulate age-associated thymic involution is crucial for long-term control of thymic involution and age-associated disease progression. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well-established process involved in organ aging and functional impairment through tissue fibrosis in several organs, such as the heart and kidney. In the thymus, EMT promotes fibrosis and potentially adipogenesis, leading to thymic involution. This review focuses on the factors involved in thymic involution, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and hormones, from the perspective of EMT. Furthermore, current interventions for reversing age-associated thymic involution by targeting EMT-associated processes are summarized. Understanding the key mechanisms of thymic involution through EMT as an entry point may promote the development of new therapies and clinical agents to reverse thymic involution and age-associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Yang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Juan Liu
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Jiayu Liang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Fan Li
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Wenwen Wang
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Huan Chen
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Nucleic Acid Medicine of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
| | - Xiang Xie
- The School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China; Public Center of Experimental Technology, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
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Moses A, Bhalla P, Thompson A, Lai L, Coskun FS, Seroogy CM, de la Morena MT, Wysocki CA, van Oers NSC. Comprehensive phenotypic analysis of diverse FOXN1 variants. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 152:1273-1291.e15. [PMID: 37419334 PMCID: PMC11071152 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.06.019] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thymus hypoplasia due to stromal cell problems has been linked to mutations in several transcription factors, including Forkhead box N1 (FOXN1). FOXN1 supports T-cell development by regulating the formation and expansion of thymic epithelial cells (TECs). While autosomal recessive FOXN1 mutations result in a nude and severe combined immunodeficiency phenotype, the impact of single-allelic or compound heterozygous FOXN1 mutations is less well-defined. OBJECTIVE With more than 400 FOXN1 mutations reported, their impact on protein function and thymopoiesis remains unclear for most variants. We developed a systematic approach to delineate the functional impact of diverse FOXN1 variants. METHODS Selected FOXN1 variants were tested with transcriptional reporter assays and imaging studies. Thymopoiesis was assessed in mouse lines genocopying several human FOXN1 variants. Reaggregate thymus organ cultures were used to compare the thymopoietic potential of the FOXN1 variants. RESULTS FOXN1 variants were categorized into benign, loss- or gain-of-function, and/or dominant-negatives. Dominant negative activities mapped to frameshift variants impacting the transactivation domain. A nuclear localization signal was mapped within the DNA binding domain. Thymopoiesis analyses with mouse models and reaggregate thymus organ cultures revealed distinct consequences of particular Foxn1 variants on T-cell development. CONCLUSIONS The potential effect of a FOXN1 variant on T-cell output from the thymus may relate to its effects on transcriptional activity, nuclear localization, and/or dominant negative functions. A combination of functional assays and thymopoiesis comparisons enabled a categorization of diverse FOXN1 variants and their potential impact on T-cell output from the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Moses
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex
| | - Pratibha Bhalla
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex
| | - Austin Thompson
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex
| | - Laijun Lai
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Conn
| | - Fatma S Coskun
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex
| | - Christine M Seroogy
- the Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis
| | - Maria Teresa de la Morena
- the Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, Wash
| | - Christian A Wysocki
- Departments of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex; Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex
| | - Nicolai S C van Oers
- Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex; Departments of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex; Microbiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Tex.
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Zhu Y, Wang B, Hao Y, Zhu R. Clinical features of myasthenia gravis with neurological and systemic autoimmune diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1223322. [PMID: 37781409 PMCID: PMC10538566 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1223322] [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: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple reports on the co-existence of autoimmune diseases and myasthenia gravis (MG) have raised considerable concern. Therefore, we reviewed autoimmune diseases in MG to explore their clinical presentations and determine whether the presence of autoimmune diseases affects the disease severity and treatment strategies for MG. We reviewed all the major immune-mediated coexisting autoimmune conditions associated with MG. PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were searched for relevant studies from their inception to January 2023. There is a higher frequency of concomitant autoimmune diseases in patients with MG than in the general population with a marked risk in women. Most autoimmune comorbidities are linked to AChR-MG; however, there are few reports of MuSK-MG. Thyroid disorders, systemic lupus erythematosus, and vitiligo are the most common system autoimmune diseases associated with MG. In addition, MG can coexist with neurological autoimmune diseases, such as neuromyelitis optica (NMO), inflammatory myopathy (IM), multiple sclerosis (MS), and autoimmune encephalitis (AE), with NMO being the most common. Autoimmune diseases appear to develop more often in early-onset MG (EOMG). MS coexists more commonly with EOMG, while IM coexists with LOMG. In addition, MG complicated by autoimmune diseases tends to have mild clinical manifestations, and the coexistence of autoimmune diseases does not influence the clinical course of MG. The clinical course of neurological autoimmune diseases is typically severe. Autoimmune diseases occur most often after MG or as a combined abnormality; therefore, timely thymectomy followed by immunotherapy could be effective. In addition, thymoma-associated AChR MG is associated with an increased risk of AE and IM, whereas NMO and MS are associated with thymic hyperplasia. The co-occurrence of MG and autoimmune diseases could be attributed to similar immunological mechanisms with different targets and common genetic factor predisposition. This review provides evidence of the association between MG and several comorbid autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ruixia Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Tikhonova I, Dyukina A, Shaykhutdinova E, Safronova V. Modified Signaling of Membrane Formyl Peptide Receptors in NADPH-Oxidase Regulation in Obesity-Resistant Mice. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:306. [PMID: 36984693 PMCID: PMC10058262 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13030306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The signaling of membrane receptors is modified in obesity characterized by low-grade inflammation. The obesity-resistant state of organisms is poorly understood. We analyzed the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) initiated though membrane formyl peptide receptors (Fpr1, Fpr2) in bone-marrow granulocytes of obesity-resistant mice (ORM). A chemiluminescence assay was used to assess NADPH-oxidase-related intensity of ROS generation. ORM were chosen from animals that received high-fat diets and had metric body parameters as controls (standard diet). High spontaneous ROS production was observed in ORM cells. The EC50 for responses to bacterial or mitochondrial peptide N-formyl-MLF was higher in ORM with and without inflammation vs. the same control groups, indicating an insignificant role of high-affinity Fpr1. Increased responses to synthetic peptide WKYMVM (Fpr2 agonist) were observed in controls with acute inflammation, but they were similar in other groups. Fpr2 was possibly partially inactivated in ORM owing to the inflammatory state. Weakened Fpr1 and Fpr2 signaling via MAPKs was revealed in ORM using specific inhibitors for p38, ERK1/2, and JNK. P38 signaling via Fpr2 was lower in ORM with inflammation. Thus, a high-fat diet modified FPRs' role and suppressed MAPK signaling in NADPH-oxidase regulation in ORM. This result can be useful to understand the immunological features of obesity resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Tikhonova
- Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institutskaya St., 3, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Alsu Dyukina
- Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institutskaya St., 3, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Elvira Shaykhutdinova
- Branch of Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospect Nauki, 6, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
| | - Valentina Safronova
- Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Institutskaya St., 3, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
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Howley E, Davies EG, Kreins AY. Congenital Athymia: Unmet Needs and Practical Guidance. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2023; 19:239-254. [PMID: 36935770 PMCID: PMC10022451 DOI: 10.2147/tcrm.s379673] [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: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Inborn errors of thymic stromal cell development and function which are associated with congenital athymia result in life-threatening immunodeficiency with susceptibility to infections and autoimmunity. Athymic patients can be treated by thymus transplantation using cultured donor thymus tissue. Outcomes in patients treated at Duke University Medical Center and Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) over the past three decades have shown that sufficient T-cell immunity can be recovered to clear and prevent infections, but post-treatment autoimmune manifestations are relatively common. Whilst thymus transplantation offers the chance of long-term survival, significant challenges remain to optimise the outcomes for the patients. In this review, we will discuss unmet needs and offer practical guidance based on the experience of the European Thymus Transplantation programme at GOSH. Newborn screening (NBS) for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and routine use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms have improved early recognition of congenital athymia and increasing numbers of patients are being referred for thymus transplantation. Nevertheless, there remain delays in diagnosis, in particular when the cause is genetically undefined, and treatment accessibility needs to be improved. The majority of athymic patients have syndromic features with acute and chronic complex health issues, requiring life-long multidisciplinary and multicentre collaboration to optimise their medical and social care. Comprehensive follow up after thymus transplantation including monitoring of immunological results, management of co-morbidities and patient and family quality-of-life experience, is vital to understanding long-term outcomes for this rare cohort of patients. Alongside translational research into improving strategies for thymus replacement therapy, patient-focused clinical research will facilitate the design of strategies to improve the overall care for athymic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evey Howley
- Department of Immunology and Gene Therapy, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - E Graham Davies
- Department of Immunology and Gene Therapy, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Alexandra Y Kreins
- Department of Immunology and Gene Therapy, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research & Teaching Department, University College London, London, UK
- Correspondence: Alexandra Y Kreins, Email
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Shichkin VP, Felli MP, Screpanti I, Antica M. Editorial: Thymus function and aging: A focus on thymic epithelial cells. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1003490. [PMID: 36059545 PMCID: PMC9429806 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1003490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Valentin P. Shichkin
- OmniFarma, Kyiv, Ukraine
- *Correspondence: Valentin P. Shichkin, ; ; Maria Pia Felli, ; Isabella Screpanti, ; Mariastefania Antica,
| | - Maria Pia Felli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Valentin P. Shichkin, ; ; Maria Pia Felli, ; Isabella Screpanti, ; Mariastefania Antica,
| | - Isabella Screpanti
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Valentin P. Shichkin, ; ; Maria Pia Felli, ; Isabella Screpanti, ; Mariastefania Antica,
| | - Mariastefania Antica
- Division of Molecular Biology, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
- *Correspondence: Valentin P. Shichkin, ; ; Maria Pia Felli, ; Isabella Screpanti, ; Mariastefania Antica,
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Thymic Extracellular Matrix in the Thymopoiesis: Just a Supporting? BIOTECH 2022; 11:biotech11030027. [PMID: 35892932 PMCID: PMC9326736 DOI: 10.3390/biotech11030027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The generation of T lymphocytes (thymopoiesis) is one of the major functions of the thymus that occurs throughout life. Thymic epithelial cells actively participate in this process. However, less attention has been paid to extracellular matrix (ECM) elements of thymus and their role in thymocyte differentiation. To clarify this topic, we selected some studies that deal with thymic ECM, its modulation, and its effects on thymopoiesis in different models. We emphasize that further studies are needed in order to deepen this knowledge and to propose new alternatives for thymic ECM functions during thymopoiesis.
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