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Wu Z, Liang J, Zhu S, Liu N, Zhao M, Xiao F, Li G, Yu C, Jin C, Ma J, Sun T, Zhu P. Single-cell analysis of graft-infiltrating host cells identifies caspase-1 as a potential therapeutic target for heart transplant rejection. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1251028. [PMID: 37781362 PMCID: PMC10535112 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1251028] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims Understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying early allograft rejection is crucial for the development of effective immunosuppressant strategies. This study aims to investigate the cellular composition of graft-infiltrating cells during the early rejection stage at a single-cell level and identify potential therapeutic targets. Methods A heterotopic heart transplant model was established using enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-expressing mice as recipients of allogeneic or syngeneic grafts. At 3 days post-transplant, eGFP-positive cells infiltrating the grafts were sorted and subjected to single-cell RNA-seq analysis. Potential molecular targets were evaluated by assessing graft survival and functions following administration of various pharmacological inhibitors. Results A total of 27,053 cells recovered from syngrafts and allografts were classified into 20 clusters based on expression profiles and annotated with a reference dataset. Innate immune cells, including monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells, constituted the major infiltrating cell types (>90%) in the grafts. Lymphocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells represented a smaller population. Allografts exhibited significantly increased proportions of monocyte-derived cells involved in antigen processing and presentation, as well as activated lymphocytes, as compared to syngrafts. Differential expression analysis revealed upregulation of interferon activation-related genes in the innate immune cells infiltrating allografts. Pro-inflammatory polarization gene signatures were also enriched in these infiltrating cells of allografts. Gene profiling and intercellular communication analysis identified natural killer cells as the primary source of interferon-γ signaling, activating inflammatory monocytes that displayed strong signals of major histocompatibility complexes and co-stimulatory molecules. The inflammatory response was also associated with promoted T cell proliferation and activation in allografts during the early transplant stages. Notably, caspase-1 exhibited specific upregulation in inflammatory monocytes in response to interferon signaling. The regulon analysis also revealed a significant enrichment of interferon-related motifs within the transcriptional regulatory network of downstream inflammatory genes including caspase-1. Remarkably, pharmacological inhibition of caspase-1 was shown to reduce immune infiltration, prevent acute graft rejection, and improve cardiac contractile function. Conclusion The single-cell transcriptional profile highlighted the crucial role of caspase-1 in interferon-mediated inflammatory monocytes infiltrating heart transplants, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for attenuating rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Wu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Pathogenesis and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jialiang Liang
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Pathogenesis and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuoji Zhu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Pathogenesis and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Nanbo Liu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Pathogenesis and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingyi Zhao
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Pathogenesis and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fei Xiao
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Pathogenesis and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guanhua Li
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Pathogenesis and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Changjiang Yu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Pathogenesis and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chengyu Jin
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Jinshan Ma
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Tucheng Sun
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Pathogenesis and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis, Targeted Prevention and Treatment of Heart Disease, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Cardiac Pathogenesis and Prevention, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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2
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Gluconate-Lactobionate-Dextran Perfusion Solutions Attenuate Ischemic Injury and Improve Function in a Murine Cardiac Transplant Model. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101653. [PMID: 35626690 PMCID: PMC9139252 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101653] [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: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Static cold storage is the cheapest and easiest method and current gold standard to store and preserve donor organs. This study aimed to compare the preservative capacity of gluconate-lactobionate-dextran (Unisol) solutions to histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution. Murine syngeneic heterotopic heart transplantations (Balb/c-Balb/c) were carried out after 18 h of static cold storage. Cardiac grafts were either flushed and stored with Unisol-based solutions with high-(UHK) and low-potassium (ULK) ± glutathione, or HTK. Cardiac grafts were assessed for rebeating and functionality, histomorphologic alterations, and cytokine expression. Unisol-based solutions demonstrated a faster rebeating time (UHK 56 s, UHK + Glut 44 s, ULK 45 s, ULK + Glut 47 s) compared to HTK (119.5 s) along with a better contractility early after reperfusion and at the endpoint on POD 3. Ischemic injury led to a significantly increased leukocyte recruitment, with similar degrees of tissue damage and inflammatory infiltrate in all groups, yet the number of apoptotic cells tended to be lower in ULK compared to HTK. In UHK- and ULK-treated animals, a trend toward decreased expression of proinflammatory markers was seen when compared to HTK. Unisol-based solutions showed an improved preservative capacity compared with the gold standard HTK early after cardiac transplantation. Supplemented glutathione did not further improve tissue-protective properties.
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3
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Zhu Y, Dun H, Ye L, Terada Y, Shriver LP, Patti GJ, Kreisel D, Gelman AE, Wong BW. Targeting fatty acid β-oxidation impairs monocyte differentiation and prolongs heart allograft survival. JCI Insight 2022; 7:e151596. [PMID: 35239515 PMCID: PMC9057610 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.151596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Monocytes play an important role in the regulation of alloimmune responses after heart transplantation (HTx). Recent studies have highlighted the importance of immunometabolism in the differentiation and function of myeloid cells. While the importance of glucose metabolism in monocyte differentiation and function has been reported, a role for fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) has not been explored. Heterotopic HTx was performed using hearts from BALB/c donor mice implanted into C57BL/6 recipient mice and treated with etomoxir (eto), an irreversible inhibitor of carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (Cpt1), a rate-limiting step of FAO, or vehicle control. FAO inhibition prolonged HTx survival, reduced early T cell infiltration/activation, and reduced DC and macrophage infiltration to heart allografts of eto-treated recipients. ELISPOT demonstrated that splenocytes from eto-treated HTx recipients were less reactive to activated donor antigen-presenting cells. FAO inhibition reduced monocyte-to-DC and monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation in vitro and in vivo. FAO inhibition did not alter the survival of heart allografts when transplanted into Ccr2-deficient recipients, suggesting that the effects of FAO inhibition were dependent on monocyte mobilization. Finally, we confirmed the importance of FAO on monocyte differentiation in vivo using conditional deletion of Cpt1a. Our findings demonstrate that targeting FAO attenuates alloimmunity after HTx, in part through impairing monocyte differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Daniel Kreisel
- Department of Surgery
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Andrew E. Gelman
- Department of Surgery
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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4
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Bracamonte-Baran W, Gilotra NA, Won T, Rodriguez KM, Talor MV, Oh BC, Griffin J, Wittstein I, Sharma K, Skinner J, Johns RA, Russell SD, Anders RA, Zhu Q, Halushka MK, Brandacher G, Čiháková D. Endothelial Stromal PD-L1 (Programmed Death Ligand 1) Modulates CD8 + T-Cell Infiltration After Heart Transplantation. Circ Heart Fail 2021; 14:e007982. [PMID: 34555935 PMCID: PMC8550427 DOI: 10.1161/circheartfailure.120.007982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The role of checkpoint axes in transplantation has been partially addressed in animal models but not in humans. Occurrence of fulminant myocarditis with allorejection-like immunologic features in patients under anti-PD1 (programmed death cell protein 1) treatment suggests a key role of the PD1/PD-L1 (programmed death ligand 1) axis in cardiac immune homeostasis. METHODS We cross-sectionally studied 23 heart transplant patients undergoing surveillance endomyocardial biopsy. Endomyocardial tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Multivariate logistic regression analyses including demographic, clinical, and hemodynamic parameters were performed. Murine models were used to evaluate the impact of PD-L1 endothelial graft expression in allorejection. RESULTS We found that myeloid cells dominate the composition of the graft leukocyte compartment in most patients, with variable T-cell frequencies. The CD (cluster of differentiation) 4:CD8 T-cell ratios were between 0 and 1.5. The proportion of PD-L1 expressing cells in graft endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and myeloid leukocytes ranged from negligible up to 60%. We found a significant inverse logarithmic correlation between the proportion of PD-L1+HLA (human leukocyte antigen)-DR+ endothelial cells and CD8+ T cells (slope, -18.3 [95% CI, -35.3 to -1.3]; P=0.030). PD-L1 expression and leukocyte patterns were independent of demographic, clinical, and hemodynamic parameters. We confirmed the importance of endothelial PD-L1 expression in a murine allogeneic heart transplantation model, in which Tie2Crepdl1fl/fl grafts lacking PD-L1 in endothelial cells were rejected significantly faster than controls. CONCLUSIONS Loss of graft endothelial PD-L1 expression may play a role in regulating CD8+ T-cell infiltration in human heart transplantation. Murine model results suggest that loss of graft endothelial PD-L1 may facilitate alloresponses and rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Bracamonte-Baran
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – Permian Basin, Odessa, TX, 79763, USA
| | - Nisha A Gilotra
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Taejoon Won
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Katrina M Rodriguez
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Monica V Talor
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Byoung C Oh
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation (VCA) Laboratory, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Jan Griffin
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Current Address: Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY
| | - Ilan Wittstein
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kavita Sharma
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - John Skinner
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Adult Anesthesia, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Roger A Johns
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Division of Adult Anesthesia, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Stuart D Russell
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Current Address: Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Robert A Anders
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Qingfeng Zhu
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Marc K Halushka
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Gerald Brandacher
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Vascularized Composite Allotransplantation (VCA) Laboratory, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Daniela Čiháková
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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5
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Payne GA, Sharma NS, Lal CV, Song C, Guo L, Margaroli C, Viera L, Kumar S, Li J, Xing D, Bosley M, Xu X, Wells JM, George JF, Tallaj J, Leesar M, Blalock JE, Gaggar A. Prolyl endopeptidase contributes to early neutrophilic inflammation in acute myocardial transplant rejection. JCI Insight 2021; 6:139687. [PMID: 33571164 PMCID: PMC8026194 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.139687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered inflammation and tissue remodeling are cardinal features of cardiovascular disease and cardiac transplant rejection. Neutrophils have increasingly been understood to play a critical role in acute rejection and early allograft failure; however, discrete mechanisms that drive this damage remain poorly understood. Herein, we demonstrate that early acute cardiac rejection increases allograft prolyl endopeptidase (PE) in association with de novo production of the neutrophil proinflammatory matrikine proline-glycine-proline (PGP). In a heterotopic murine heart transplant model, PGP production and PE activity were associated with early neutrophil allograft invasion and allograft failure. Pharmacologic inhibition of PE with Z-Pro-prolinal reduced PGP, attenuated early neutrophil graft invasion, and reduced proinflammatory cytokine expression. Importantly, these changes helped preserve allograft rejection-free survival and function. Notably, within 2 independent patient cohorts, both PGP and PE activity were increased among patients with biopsy-proven rejection. The observed induction of PE and matrikine generation provide a link between neutrophilic inflammation and cardiovascular injury, represent a potential target to reduce allogenic immune responses, and uncover a mechanism of cardiovascular disease that has been previously unrecognized to our knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory A Payne
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine.,Vascular Biology and Hypertension Program.,Comprehensive Cardiovascular Center, and.,Program in Protease and Matrix Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Medical Service at Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Nirmal S Sharma
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.,Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Charitharth V Lal
- Program in Protease and Matrix Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics
| | - Chunyan Song
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine
| | - Lingling Guo
- Department of Surgery.,Nephrology Research & Training Center, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine
| | - Camilla Margaroli
- Program in Protease and Matrix Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, and
| | - Liliana Viera
- Program in Protease and Matrix Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, and.,Lung Health Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Siva Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA.,Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Jindong Li
- Program in Protease and Matrix Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, and
| | - Dongqi Xing
- Vascular Biology and Hypertension Program.,Program in Protease and Matrix Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, and
| | | | - Xin Xu
- Program in Protease and Matrix Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, and
| | - J Michael Wells
- Program in Protease and Matrix Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Medical Service at Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, and.,Lung Health Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - James F George
- Department of Surgery.,Nephrology Research & Training Center, Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine
| | - Jose Tallaj
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine.,Comprehensive Cardiovascular Center, and
| | - Massoud Leesar
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Medicine.,Comprehensive Cardiovascular Center, and
| | - J Edwin Blalock
- Vascular Biology and Hypertension Program.,Program in Protease and Matrix Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, and.,Lung Health Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Amit Gaggar
- Vascular Biology and Hypertension Program.,Program in Protease and Matrix Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Medical Service at Birmingham VA Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, and.,Lung Health Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.,Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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Kloc M, Uosef A, Villagran M, Zdanowski R, Kubiak JZ, Wosik J, Ghobrial RM. RhoA- and Actin-Dependent Functions of Macrophages from the Rodent Cardiac Transplantation Model Perspective -Timing Is the Essence. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10020070. [PMID: 33498417 PMCID: PMC7909416 DOI: 10.3390/biology10020070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The functions of animal and human cells depend on the actin cytoskeleton and its regulating protein called the RhoA. The actin cytoskeleton and RhoA also regulate the response of the immune cells such as macrophages to the microbial invasion and/or the presence of a non-self, such as a transplanted organ. The immune response against transplant occurs in several steps. The early step occurring within days post-transplantation is called the acute rejection and the late step, occurring months to years post-transplantation, is called the chronic rejection. In clinical transplantation, acute rejection is easily manageable by the anti-rejection drugs. However, there is no cure for chronic rejection, which is caused by the macrophages entering the transplant and promoting blockage of its blood vessels and destruction of tissue. We discuss here how the inhibition of the RhoA and actin cytoskeleton polymerization in the macrophages, either by genetic interference or pharmacologically, prevents macrophage entry into the transplanted organ and prevents chronic rejection, and also how it affects the anti-microbial function of the macrophages. We also focus on the importance of timing of the macrophage functions in chronic rejection and how the circadian rhythm may affect the anti-chronic rejection and anti-microbial therapies. Abstract The small GTPase RhoA, and its down-stream effector ROCK kinase, and the interacting Rac1 and mTORC2 pathways, are the principal regulators of the actin cytoskeleton and actin-related functions in all eukaryotic cells, including the immune cells. As such, they also regulate the phenotypes and functions of macrophages in the immune response and beyond. Here, we review the results of our and other’s studies on the role of the actin and RhoA pathway in shaping the macrophage functions in general and macrophage immune response during the development of chronic (long term) rejection of allografts in the rodent cardiac transplantation model. We focus on the importance of timing of the macrophage functions in chronic rejection and how the circadian rhythm may affect the anti-chronic rejection therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malgorzata Kloc
- The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.U.); (R.M.G.)
- Department of Surgery, The Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Genetics, The University of Texas, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Ahmed Uosef
- The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.U.); (R.M.G.)
- Department of Surgery, The Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Martha Villagran
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (M.V.); (J.W.)
- Texas Center for Superconductivity, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Robert Zdanowski
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine (WIM), 04-141 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Jacek Z. Kubiak
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (WIHE), 01-163 Warsaw, Poland;
- Cell Cycle Group, CNRS, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Development of Rennes, University of Rennes, UMR, 6290 Rennes, France
| | - Jarek Wosik
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (M.V.); (J.W.)
- Texas Center for Superconductivity, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Rafik M. Ghobrial
- The Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (A.U.); (R.M.G.)
- Department of Surgery, The Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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7
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Cui J, Yu J, Xu H, Zou Y, Zhang H, Chen S, Le S, Zhao J, Jiang L, Xia J, Wu J. Autophagy-lysosome inhibitor chloroquine prevents CTLA-4 degradation of T cells and attenuates acute rejection in murine skin and heart transplantation. Theranostics 2020; 10:8051-8060. [PMID: 32724457 PMCID: PMC7381746 DOI: 10.7150/thno.43507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The immune checkpoint cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4), induced upon T cell activation but degraded quickly, has been targeted in the clinical therapy of advanced cancers and autoimmune diseases. However, whether inhibiting CTLA-4 degradation ameliorates transplant rejection remains unknown. Methods: The CTLA-4 expression in activated murine T cells treated with the inhibitors mediating protein degradation was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). CD45.1 mice, which received TEa T cells and underwent heart transplantation, were administrated with the inhibitor. Subsequently, CTLA-4 expression of TEa T cells was analyzed. Murine skin and heart transplantation models were built, then the survival and histopathology of the allografts, and T cell subsets in the spleens of each group were compared. Results: Chloroquine (CQ) was identified as an inhibitor of CTLA-4 degradation, which augmented both surface and total CTLA-4 expression in T cells. It considerably prolonged the skin and heart allograft survival time and reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells in allografts. Besides decreasing the frequencies of the CD4+ and CD8+ effector T cells, especially IFN-γ producing T cells, CQ also increased the proportion of regulatory T cells in the spleen. The CTLA-4 blockade abrogated the benefits of CQ on the survival of heart allografts. Moreover, CQ enhanced CTLA-4 expression in activated human T cells and reduced the secretion of IFN-γ in human mixed lymphocyte reaction. Conclusion: Targeting CTLA-4 degradation provides a novel means to prevent transplant rejection and induce transplant tolerance.
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8
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Gao C, Wang X, Lu J, Li Z, Jia H, Chen M, Chang Y, Liu Y, Li P, Zhang B, Du X, Qi F. Mesenchymal stem cells transfected with sFgl2 inhibit the acute rejection of heart transplantation in mice by regulating macrophage activation. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:241. [PMID: 32552823 PMCID: PMC7301524 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01752-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become a promising candidate for cell-based immune therapy for acute rejection (AR) after heart transplantation due to possessing immunomodulatory properties. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of soluble fibronectin-like protein 2 (sFgl2) overexpressing mesenchymal stem cells (sFgl2-MSCs) in inhibiting AR of heart transplantation in mice by regulating immune tolerance through inducing M2 phenotype macrophage polarization. Methods and results The sFgl2, a novel immunomodulatory factor secreted by regulatory T cells, was transfected into MSCs to enhance their immunosuppressive functions. After being co-cultured for 72 h, the sFgl2-MSCs inhibited M1 polarization whereas promoted M2 of polarization macrophages through STAT1 and NF-κB pathways in vitro. Besides, the sFgl2-MSCs significantly enhanced the migration and phagocytosis ability of macrophages stimulated with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Further, the application potential of sFgl2-MSCs in AR treatment was demonstrated by heterotopic cardiac transplantation in mice. The tissue damage and macrophage infiltration were evaluated by H&E and immunohistochemistry staining, and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines was analyzed by ELISA. The results showed that sFgl2-MSCs injected intravenously were able to locate in the graft, promote the M2 polarization of macrophages in vivo, regulate the local and systemic immune response, significantly protect tissues from damaging, and finally prolonged the survival time of mice heart grafts. Conclusion sFgl2-MSCs ameliorate AR of heart transplantation by regulating macrophages, which provides a new idea for the development of anti-AR treatment methods after heart transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Gao
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.,Tianjin General Surgery Institute, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310003, Zhejiang province, China
| | - Jian Lu
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.,Tianjin General Surgery Institute, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Zhilin Li
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.,Tianjin General Surgery Institute, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Haowen Jia
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.,Tianjin General Surgery Institute, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Minghao Chen
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.,Tianjin General Surgery Institute, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Yuchen Chang
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.,Tianjin General Surgery Institute, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Yanhong Liu
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.,Tianjin General Surgery Institute, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Peiyuan Li
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.,Tianjin General Surgery Institute, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Baotong Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.,Tianjin General Surgery Institute, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Xuezhi Du
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
| | - Feng Qi
- Department of General Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No. 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China. .,Tianjin General Surgery Institute, Tianjin, 300052, China.
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9
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Weiss ARR, Lee O, Eggenhofer E, Geissler E, Korevaar SS, Soeder Y, Schlitt HJ, Geissler EK, Hoogduijn MJ, Dahlke MH. Differential effects of heat-inactivated, secretome-deficient MSC and metabolically active MSC in sepsis and allogenic heart transplantation. Stem Cells 2020; 38:797-807. [PMID: 32101344 DOI: 10.1002/stem.3165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used in various clinical and preclinical models for immunomodulation. However, it remains unclear how the immunomodulatory effect of MSC is communicated. MSC-induced immunomodulation is known to be mediated through both MSC-secreted cytokines and direct cell-cell interactions. Recently, it has been demonstrated that metabolically inactive, heat-inactivated MSCs (HI-MSCs) have similar anti-inflammatory capacities in LPS-induced sepsis compared with viable MSC. To further investigate the immunomodulatory effects of MSC, we introduced MSC and HI-MSC in two animal models with different immunological causes. In the first model, allogeneic hearts were transplanted from C57BL/6 mice to BALB/c recipients. MSC in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) significantly improved graft survival compared with MMF alone, whereas the application of HI-MSC had no effect on graft survival. We revealed that control MSC dose-dependently inhibited CD3+ and CD8+ T-cell proliferation in vitro, whereas HI-MSC had no effect. In the second model, sepsis was induced in mice via cecal ligation and puncture. HI-MSC treatment significantly improved the overall survival, whereas control MSCs had no effect. in vitro studies demonstrated that HI-MSCs are more effectively phagocytosed by monocytes than control MSCs and induced cell death in particular of activated CD16+ monocytes, which may explain the immune protective effect of HI-MSC in the sepsis model. The results of our study demonstrate that MSC-mediated immunomodulation in sepsis is dependent on a passive recognition of MSC by monocytes, whereas fully functional MSCs are required for inhibition of T-cell-mediated allograft rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas R R Weiss
- Department of Surgery and Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany.,Trinity Translational Medicine Institute, Department of Surgery, Trinity College Dublin, St. James' Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Olivia Lee
- Nephrology and Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.,Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elke Eggenhofer
- Department of Surgery and Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Geissler
- Department of Surgery and Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Sander S Korevaar
- Nephrology and Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yorick Soeder
- Department of Surgery and Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany.,Department of Surgery, Robert Bosch Health Campus, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Hans J Schlitt
- Department of Surgery and Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Edward K Geissler
- Department of Surgery and Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin J Hoogduijn
- Nephrology and Transplantation, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marc H Dahlke
- Department of Surgery and Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany.,Department of Surgery, Robert Bosch Health Campus, Stuttgart, Germany
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10
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C-kit-derived CD11b + cells are critical for cardiac allograft prolongation by autologous C-kit + progenitor cells. Cell Immunol 2019; 347:104023. [PMID: 31836133 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2019.104023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Autologous C-kit+ cells robustly prolong cardiac allografts. As C-kit+ cells can transdifferentiate to hematopoietic cells as well as non-hematopoietic cells, we aimed to clarify the class(es) of C-kit-derived cell(s) required for cardiac allograft prolongation. Autologous C-kit+ cells were administered post-cardiac transplantation and allografts were evaluated for C-kit+ inoculum-derived cells. Results suggested that alloimmunity was a major signal for trafficking of C-kit-derived cells to the allograft and demonstrated that C-kit+ inoculum-derived cells expressed CD11b early after transfer. Allograft survival studies with CD11b-DTR C-kit+ cells demonstrated a requirement for C-kit+-derived CD11b+ cells. Co-therapy studies demonstrated near complete abrogation of acute rejection with concomitant CTLA4-Ig therapy and no loss of prolongation in combination with Cyclosporine A. These results strongly implicate a C-kit-derived myeloid population as critical for allograft preservation and demonstrate the potential therapeutic application of autologous C-kit+ progenitor cells as calcineurin inhibitor-sparing agents and possibly as co-therapeutics for durable graft survival.
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11
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Casal D, Iria I, Ramalho JS, Alves S, Mota-Silva E, Mascarenhas-Lemos L, Pontinha C, Guadalupe-Cabral M, Ferreira-Silva J, Ferraz-Oliveira M, Vassilenko V, Goyri-O'Neill J, Pais D, Videira PA. BD-2 and BD-3 increase skin flap survival in a model of ischemia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Sci Rep 2019; 9:7854. [PMID: 31133641 PMCID: PMC6536547 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44153-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The main aim of this work was to study the usefulness of human β-defensins 2 (BD-2) and 3 (BD-3), which are part of the innate immune system, in the treatment of infected ischemic skin flaps. We investigated the effect of transducing rat ischemic skin flaps with lentiviral vectors encoding human BD-2, BD-3, or both BD-2 and BD-3, to increase flap survival in the context of a P. aeruginosa infection associated with a foreign body. The secondary endpoints assessed were: bacterial counts, and biofilm formation on the surface of the foreign body. A local ischemic environment was created by producing arterialized venous flaps in the left epigastric region of rats. Flaps were intentionally infected by placing underneath them two catheters with 105 CFU of P. aeruginosa before the surgical wounds were hermetically closed. Flap biopsies were performed 3 and 7 days post-operatively, and the specimens submitted to immunohistochemical analysis for BD-2 and BD-3, as well as to bacterial quantification. Subsequently, the catheter segments were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Flaps transduced with BD-2 and BD-3 showed expression of these defensins and presented increased flap survival. Rats transduced with BD-3 presented a net reduction in the number of P. aeruginosa on the surface of the foreign body and lesser biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Casal
- Anatomy Department, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department and Burn Unit, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José, Lisbon, Portugal.
- UCIBIO, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal.
- CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Inês Iria
- UCIBIO, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
- CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology Unit, iMed, ULisboa, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- INESC MN - Microsystems and Nanotechnologies, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José S Ramalho
- CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sara Alves
- Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Eduarda Mota-Silva
- LIBPhys, Physics Department, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologias, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - Luís Mascarenhas-Lemos
- Anatomy Department, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carlos Pontinha
- Anatomy Department, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Guadalupe-Cabral
- CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José Ferreira-Silva
- Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mário Ferraz-Oliveira
- Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Valentina Vassilenko
- LIBPhys, Physics Department, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologias, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal
| | - João Goyri-O'Neill
- Anatomy Department, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Diogo Pais
- Anatomy Department, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paula A Videira
- UCIBIO, Departamento de Ciências da Vida, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal.
- CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.
- CDG & Allies- Professional and Patient Association International Network (PPAIN), Lisbon, Caparica, Portugal.
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12
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Westhofen S, Jelinek M, Dreher L, Biermann D, Martin J, Vitzhum H, Reichenspurner H, Ehmke H, Schwoerer AP. The heterotopic heart transplantation in mice as a small animal model to study mechanical unloading - Establishment of the procedure, perioperative management and postoperative scoring. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0214513. [PMID: 30978185 PMCID: PMC6461225 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unloading of failing hearts by left ventricular assist devices induces an extensive cardiac remodeling which may lead to a reversal of the initial phenotype-or to its deterioration. The mechanisms underlying these processes are unclear. HYPOTHESIS Heterotopic heart transplantion (hHTX) is an accepted model for the study of mechanical unloading in rodents. The wide variety of genetically modified strains in mice provides an unique opportunity to examine remodeling pathways. However, the procedure is technically demanding and has not been extensively used in this area. To support investigators adopting this method, we present our experience establishing the abdominal hHTX in mice and describe refinements to the technique. METHODS In this model, the transplanted heart is vascularised but implanted in series, and therefore does not contribute to systemic circulation and results in a complete mechanical unloading of the donor heart. Training followed a systematic program using a combination of literature, video tutorials, cadaveric training, direct observation and training in live animals. RESULTS Successful transplantation was defined as a recipient surviving > 24 hours with a palpable, beating apex in the transplanted heart and was achieved after 20 transplants in live animals. A success rate of 90% was reached after 60 transplants. Operative time was shown to decrease in correlation with increasing number of procedures from 200 minutes to 45 minutes after 60 operations. Cold/warm ischemia time improved from 45/100 to 10/20 minutes. Key factors for success and trouble shootings were identified. CONCLUSION Abdominal hHTX in the mouse may enable future examination of specific pathways in unloading induced myocardial remodeling. Establishment of the technique, however, is challenging. Structured training programs utilising a variety of training methods can help to expedite the process. Postoperative management, including daily scoring increases animal wellbeing and helps to predict survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumi Westhofen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Heart Center, Hamburg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Marisa Jelinek
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Leonie Dreher
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Biermann
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Heart Center, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jack Martin
- Department of Surgery, Addenbrookes Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Helga Vitzhum
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hermann Reichenspurner
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Heart Center, Hamburg, Germany
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Heimo Ehmke
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Peter Schwoerer
- DZHK (German Centre for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Hamburg/Kiel/Lübeck, Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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13
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Xu J, Ma T, Deng G, Zhuang J, Li C, Wang S, Dai C, Zhou X, Shan Z, Qi Z. Inhibition of C-X-C motif chemokine 10 reduces graft loss mediated by memory CD8 + T cells in a rat cardiac re-transplant model. Exp Ther Med 2017; 15:1560-1567. [PMID: 29434741 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.5585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 10 (CXCL10) with its receptor (CXCR3) is a critical process in recruiting donor reactive T cells to a graft and alloantigen-specific memory T (Tm) cells exert a principal function in promoting graft dysfunction during accelerated cardiac rejection. However, whether CXCL10 chemokine exerts any effects on acute accelerated rejection mediated by CD8+ Tm cells in a re-transplant model has remained elusive. The present study established a cardiac transplant model by advanced microsurgery technology and improved organ storage. A novel rat model of cardiac re-transplantation was established at 40 days following primary heart transplant. The experiment included two parts, and when models were established, the rats were divided into two groups: Primary cardiac transplant (HTx) and re-transplantation without treatment (HRTx). In part 1, recipients from part 2, including re-transplantation without treatment (HRTx+NS) and re-transplantation treated with anti-CXCL10 antibodies (500 µg every other day by intraperitoneal injection; HRTx+CXCL10 Abs group). The graft survival time was observed and graft infiltration by inflammatory cells was assessed via histology of cardiac graft sections; in addition, the gene expression and the serum concentration of CXCL10 in each group was assessed. Indexes such as rejection-associated cytokines were assayed by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR and ELISA kits, and flow cytometry of splenocytes was used to detect Tm cells in the re-transplantation groups. The results demonstrated that level of CXCL10 was significantly increased and the graft mean survival time was shortened accompanied with aggravated lymphocyte cell infiltration in the HRTx group when compared that in the HTx group; in addition, the serum levels and mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon (IFN)-γ were increased, while transforming growth factor (TGF)-β was decreased in the HRTx group. Furthermore, neutralization of CXCL10 prolonged the graft mean survival time and delayed accelerated rejection. Compared with that in the HRTx+NS group, serum levels and graft tissue mRNA expression of IFN-γ and IL-2 were decreased in the HRTx+CXCL10 Abs group, while TGF-β mRNA was significantly increased but the serum concentration was not significantly affected. In addition, there was no difference in IL-10 between the two groups, while delayed accelerated rejection paralleled with inflammatory cell infiltration decreased and the proliferation and differentiation of CD8+ Tm cells in secondary lymphoid organs were reduced in the HRTx+CXCL10 Abs group vs. those in the HRTx+NS group. The present study demonstrated that CXCL10 had a crucial role in cardiac transplantation and re-transplantation, and that treatment with CXCL10 antibodies delays accelerated acute rejection mediated by Tm cells in a rat model of cardiac re-transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiacheng Xu
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Teng Ma
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Guorong Deng
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Jiawei Zhuang
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Cheng Li
- Organ Transplantation Institute, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, P.R. China
| | - Shaohu Wang
- Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, P.R. China
| | - Chen Dai
- Organ Transplantation Institute, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, P.R. China
| | - Xiaobiao Zhou
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Zhonggui Shan
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361003, P.R. China
| | - Zhongquan Qi
- Organ Transplantation Institute, Medical College, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361005, P.R. China
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14
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Casal D, Pais D, Iria I, Mota-Silva E, Almeida MA, Alves S, Pen C, Farinho A, Mascarenhas-Lemos L, Ferreira-Silva J, Ferraz-Oliveira M, Vassilenko V, Videira PA, Gory O'Neill J. A Model of Free Tissue Transfer: The Rat Epigastric Free Flap. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28117814 PMCID: PMC5352260 DOI: 10.3791/55281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Free tissue transfer has been increasingly used in clinical practice since the 1970s, allowing reconstruction of complex and otherwise untreatable defects resulting from tumor extirpation, trauma, infections, malformations or burns. Free flaps are particularly useful for reconstructing highly complex anatomical regions, like those of the head and neck, the hand, the foot and the perineum. Moreover, basic and translational research in the area of free tissue transfer is of great clinical potential. Notwithstanding, surgical trainees and researchers are frequently deterred from using microsurgical models of tissue transfer, due to lack of information regarding the technical aspects involved in the operative procedures. The aim of this paper is to present the steps required to transfer a fasciocutaneous epigastric free flap to the neck in the rat. This flap is based on the superficial epigastric artery and vein, which originates from and drain into the femoral artery and vein, respectively. On average the caliber of the superficial epigastric vein is 0.6 to 0.8 mm, contrasting with the 0.3 to 0.5 mm of the superficial epigastric artery. Histologically, the flap is a composite block of tissues, containing skin (epidermis and dermis), a layer of fat tissue (panniculus adiposus), a layer of striated muscle (panniculus carnosus), and a layer of loose areolar tissue. Succinctly, the epigastric flap is raised on its pedicle vessels that are then anastomosed to the external jugular vein and to the carotid artery on the ventral surface of the rat's neck. According to our experience, this model guarantees the complete survival of approximately 70 to 80% of epigastric flaps transferred to the neck region. The flap can be evaluated whenever needed by visual inspection. Hence, the authors believe this is a good experimental model for microsurgical research and training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Casal
- Anatomy Department, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa; CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa;
| | - Diogo Pais
- Anatomy Department, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
| | - Inês Iria
- UCIBIO, Life Sciences Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa; CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
| | | | - Maria-Angélica Almeida
- Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department and Burn Unit, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José
| | - Sara Alves
- Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José
| | - Cláudia Pen
- Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José
| | - Ana Farinho
- CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
| | - Luís Mascarenhas-Lemos
- Anatomy Department, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa; Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José
| | - José Ferreira-Silva
- Pathology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central - Hospital de São José
| | | | | | - Paula A Videira
- UCIBIO, Life Sciences Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa; CEDOC, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
| | - João Gory O'Neill
- Anatomy Department, NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa; Physics Department, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, LIBPhys
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