Inhibition of thrombin on endothelium enhances recruitment of regulatory T cells during IRI and when combined with adoptive Treg transfer, significantly protects against acute tissue injury and prolongs allograft survival

Biphasic calcium phosphate recruits Tregs to promote bone regeneration

The use of bone substitute materials is crucial for the healing of large bone defects. Immune response induced by bone substitute materials is essential in bone regeneration. Prior research has mainly concentrated on innate immune cells, such as macrophages. Existing research suggests that T lymphocytes, as adaptive immune cells, play an indispensable role in bone regeneration. However, the mechanisms governing T cell recruitment and specific subsets that are essential for bone regeneration remain unclear. This study demonstrates that CD4+ T cells are indispensable for ectopic osteogenesis by biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP). Subsequently, the recruitment of CD4+ T cells is closely associated with the activation of calcium channels in macrophages by BCP to release chemokines Ccl3 and Ccl17. Finally, these recruited CD4+ T cells are predominantly Tregs, which play a significant role in ectopic osteogenesis by BCP. These findings not only shed light on the immune-regenerative process after bone substitute material implantation but also establish a theoretical basis for developing bone substitute materials for promoting bone tissue regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Bone substitute material implantation is essential in the healing of large bone defects. Existing research suggests that T lymphocytes are instrumental in bone regeneration. However, the specific mechanisms governing T cell recruitment and specific subsets that are essential for bone regeneration remain unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that activation of calcium channels in macrophages by biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) causes them to release the chemokines Ccl3 and Ccl17 to recruit CD4+ T cells, predominantly Tregs, which play a crucial role in ectopic osteogenesis by BCP. Our findings provide a theoretical foundation for developing bone substitute material for bone tissue regeneration.

Systematic analysis of MASP-1 serves as a novel immune-related biomarker in sepsis and trauma followed by preliminary experimental validation

Background

Dysregulated immune response in trauma and sepsis leads to the abnormal activation of the complement and coagulation systems. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL)-associated serine protease-1 (MASP-1) activates the lectin pathway of the complement system and mediates proinflammatory and procoagulant reactions. However, the potential effects of MASP-1 in trauma and sepsis have not yet been explored.

Methods

We obtained five sepsis, two trauma, and one sepsis and trauma RNA-sequencing dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the expression pattern, biological functions, and diagnostic value of MASP-1 in trauma and sepsis. Additionally, we investigated the association between MASP-1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics of trauma and sepsis. Furthermore, we collected clinical specimens to preliminarily validate the expression level and diagnostic efficacy of MASP-1 as well as the correlation of MASP-1 with clinical features of trauma and sepsis. Subsequently, we conducted a correlation analysis among MASP-1, immune cell infiltration, and immune and molecular pathways. Finally, we mechanistically analyzed the relationship among MASP-1, specific immune cells, and pivotal molecular pathways.

Results

MASP-1 expression was significantly upregulated in the trauma/sepsis samples compared to the control samples in the GEO datasets. MASP-1 exhibited excellent diagnostic values (AUC > 0.7) in multiple datasets and at multiple time points and could efficiently distinguish trauma/sepsis samples from the control samples. Moreover, MASP-1 expression was significantly positively correlated with the severity of the disease (APACHE-II, CRP, and neutrophil levels). These results were further validated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that MASP-1 primarily promotes trauma and sepsis via the immune-related signaling pathway. MASP-1 was significantly correlated with the infiltration of specific immune cells (such as B cells, CD8 T cells, neutrophils, macrophages, and infiltrating lymphocytes) and immune and molecular pathways (such as checkpoint, HLA, IL6/JAK/STAT3 signaling, necrosis, T-cell co-inhibition, and T-cell co-stimulation). Finally, analysis of the transcription and single-cell data revealed that MASP-1 was specifically expressed in T cells, and further correlation analysis revealed a close correlation between MASP-1 expression, proportion of CD8 T cells, and IL6/JAK/STAT3 signaling scores.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that MASP-1 can serve as an immune-related biomarker for the diagnosis and disease severity of trauma and sepsis. It may activate the IL6 JAK-STAT3 signaling pathway and promote CD8 T-cell depletion to trigger traumatic sepsis.

CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells: a potential "armor" to shield "transplanted allografts" in the war against ischemia reperfusion injury

Despite the advances in therapeutic interventions, solid organ transplantation (SOT) remains the "gold standard" treatment for patients with end-stage organ failure. Recently, vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) has reemerged as a feasible treatment option for patients with complex composite tissue defects. In both SOT and VCA, ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI) is inevitable and is a predominant factor that can adversely affect transplant outcome by potentiating early graft dysfunction and/or graft rejection. Restoration of oxygenated blood supply to an organ which was previously hypoxic or ischemic for a period of time triggers cellular oxidative stress, production of both, pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, infiltration of innate immune cells and amplifies adaptive alloimmune responses in the affected allograft. Currently, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved drugs for the treatment of IRI are unavailable, therefore an efficacious therapeutic modality to prevent, reduce and/or alleviate allograft damages caused by IRI induced inflammation is warranted to achieve the best-possible transplant outcome among recipients. The tolerogenic capacity of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), have been extensively studied in the context of transplant rejection, autoimmunity, and cancer. It was not until recently that Tregs have been recognized as a potential cell therapeutic candidate to be exploited for the prevention and/or treatment of IRI, owing to their immunomodulatory potential. Tregs can mitigate cellular oxidative stress, produce anti-inflammatory cytokines, promote wound healing, and tissue repair and prevent the infiltration of pro-inflammatory immune cells in injured tissues. By using strategic approaches to increase the number of Tregs and to promote targeted delivery, the outcome of SOT and VCA can be improved. This review focuses on two sections: (a) the therapeutic potential of Tregs in preventing and mitigating IRI in the context of SOT and VCA and (b) novel strategies on how Tregs could be utilized for the prevention and/or treatment of IRI.

Reprogramming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment: exploiting angiogenesis and thrombosis to enhance immunotherapy

This review focuses on the immunosuppressive effects of tumor angiogenesis and coagulation on the tumor microenvironment (TME). We summarize previous research efforts leveraging these observations and targeting these processes to enhance immunotherapy outcomes. Clinical trials have documented improved outcomes when combining anti-angiogenic agents and immunotherapy. However, their overall survival benefit over conventional therapy remains limited and certain tumors exhibit poor response to anti-angiogenic therapy. Additionally, whilst preclinical studies have shown several components of the tumor coagulome to curb effective anti-tumor immune responses, the clinical studies reporting combinations of anticoagulants with immunotherapies have demonstrated variable treatment outcomes. By reviewing the current state of the literature on this topic, we address the key questions and future directions in the field, the answers of which are crucial for developing effective strategies to reprogram the TME in order to further the field of cancer immunotherapy.