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Kanannejad Z, Soleimanian S, Ghahramani Z, Sepahi N, Mohkam M, Alyasin S, Kheshtchin N. Immune checkpoint molecules in prevention and development of asthma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1070779. [PMID: 36865540 PMCID: PMC9972681 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1070779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Allergic asthma is a respiratory disease initiated by type-2 immune responses characterized by secretion of alarmins, interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, and IL-13, eosinophilic inflammation, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Immune checkpoints (ICPs) are inhibitory or stimulatory molecules expressed on different immune cells, tumor cells, or other cell types that regulate immune system activation and maintain immune homeostasis. Compelling evidence indicates a key role for ICPs in both the progression and prevention of asthma. There is also evidence of asthma development or exacerbation in some cancer patients receiving ICP therapy. The aim of this review is to provide an updated overview of ICPs and their roles in asthma pathogenesis, and to assess their implications as therapeutic targets in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Kanannejad
- Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Saeede Soleimanian
- Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zahra Ghahramani
- Hematology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Najmeh Sepahi
- Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Milad Mohkam
- Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Soheila Alyasin
- Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Nasim Kheshtchin
- Allergy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Enhancement of the Soluble Form of OX40 and OX40L Costimulatory Molecules but Reduction of the Membrane Form in Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:1780567. [PMID: 31467932 PMCID: PMC6701347 DOI: 10.1155/2019/1780567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This study analyzed the expression of membrane OX40 and OX40L (mOX40 and mOX40L) and levels of soluble OX40 and OX40L (sOX40 and sOX40L) in T1D patients to determine their clinical significance. Peripheral blood (PB) was collected from patients with T1D and healthy control participants. Expression of mOX40 and mOX40L on immune cells was detected by flow cytometry. Levels of sOX40 and sOX40L in sera were measured by ELISA. We demonstrated for the first time enhanced sOX40 and sOX40L expression and reduced mOX40 and mOX40L levels in T1D patients which correlated with the clinical characteristics and inflammatory factors. These results suggest that OX40/OX40L signal may be promising biomarkers and associated with the pathogenesis of T1D.
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Ma SL, Zhang L. Elevated serum OX40L is a biomarker for identifying corticosteroid resistance in pediatric asthmatic patients. BMC Pulm Med 2019; 19:66. [PMID: 30890137 PMCID: PMC6423878 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-019-0819-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corticosteroids are widely used to control asthma symptoms, but steroid resistance (SR) is a common adverse reaction. Therefore, it is important to accurately predict the corticosteroid response of asthmatic patients. This study aims to evaluate the serum OX40 ligand (OX40L) in pediatric asthmatic patients, and to investigated its correlations with clinical characteristics and corticosteroid response. METHODS A total of 192 pediatric asthmatic patients with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy and 130 healthy controls were selected. Clinical data were collected, and the serum levels of immunoglobulin (IgE), interleukin-6 (IL-6), thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and OX40L were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The level of serum OX40L was compared between the steroid-sensitive asthma (SSA) and steroid-resistant asthma (SRA) groups. RESULTS The serum OX40L level in asthmatic patients (713.5 ± 165.7 pg/mL) was significantly higher than that of the healthy controls (238.6 ± 27.8 pg/mL) (P < 0.001), and significantly higher in SRA group (791.2 ± 167.9 pg/mL) than in SSA group (655.6 ± 138.8 pg/mL) (P < 0.001). The serum OX40L level showed a significant positive correlation with serum IgE, blood percentages of eosinophils and neutrophils, serum IL-6 and TSLP, and showed a negative correlation with asthma control test (ACT) score and forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1%). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was performed to obtain a cutoff value of serum OX40L as 780 pg/mL (sensitivity = 58.5%; specificity = 86.4%), which can identify SRA in asthmatic patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated serum OX40L (≥780 pg/mL), as well as lymphocytes (%), ACT score, serum IL-6 and TSLP, were independent predictors of SRA (OX40L ≥ 780 pg/mL: odds ratio = 4.188; 95% CI = 1.800-9.746; P = 0.001). The serum OX40L level was decreased after ICS treatment in asthmatic patients, and the reduction in serum OX40L was significant higher in SSA group compared with SRA group. CONCLUSION High serum OX40L can be used as a biomarker to identify asthmatic patients with corticosteroid resistance, and the change in OX40L level also reflects the response to ICS treatment. These results suggest an association of OX40L with the pathophysiology, inflammation, and clinical outcomes of asthma. New agents targeting OX40L can provide more precise and personalized therapy for asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Li Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, Pudong New District People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, No.490 South Huanchuan Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201200, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Pudong New District People's Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, No.490 South Huanchuan Road, Pudong New District, Shanghai, 201200, China.
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Vizio B, Boita M, Cristiano C, Mazibrada J, Bosco O, Novarino A, Prati A, Sciascia S, Rolla G, Ciuffreda L, Montrucchio G, Bellone G. Thymic stromal lymphopoietin in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: expression and prognostic significance. Oncotarget 2018; 9:32795-32809. [PMID: 30214685 PMCID: PMC6132354 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.25997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has emerged as an important, but contradictory, player conditioning tumor growth. In certain contexts, by driving T helper (h) 2 responses via tumor-associated OX40 Ligand (OX40L)+ dendritic cells (DCs), TSLP may play a pro-tumorigenic role. The study elucidates the importance of TSPL in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), by analyzing: i) TSLP levels in PDAC cell-line supernatants and plasma from patients with locally-advanced/metastatic PDAC, pre- and post-treatment with different chemotherapeutic protocols, in comparison with healthy donors; ii) TSLP and OX40L expression in PDAC and normal pancreatic tissues, by immunohistochemistry; iii) OX40L expression on ex vivo-generated normal DCs in the presence of tumor-derived TSLP, by flow cytometry; iv) clinical relevance in terms of diagnostic and prognostic value and influence on treatment modality and response. Some PDAC cell lines, such as BxPC-3, expressed both TSLP mRNA and protein. Normal DCs, generated ex vivo in the presence of TSLP-rich-cell supernatants, displayed increased expression of OX40L, reduced by the addition of a neutralizing anti-TSLP polyclonal antibody. OX40L+ cells were detected in pancreatic tumor inflammatory infiltrates. Abnormally elevated TSLP levels were detected in situ in tumor cells and, systemically, in locally-advanced/metastatic PDAC patients. Of the chemotherapeutic protocols applied, gemcitabine plus oxaliplatin (GEMOX) significantly increased circulating TSLP levels. Elevated plasma TSLP concentration was associated with shorter overall survival and increased risk of poor outcome. Plasma TSLP measurement successfully discriminated PDAC patients from healthy controls. These data show that TSLP secreted by pancreatic cancer cells may directly impact PDAC biology and patient outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Vizio
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Monica Boita
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medical Science, Azienda Ospedaliera Ordine Mauriziano Umberto I, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Carmen Cristiano
- Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Jasenka Mazibrada
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Duckworth Ln, Bradford BD9 6RJ, United Kingdom
| | - Ornella Bosco
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Anna Novarino
- Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Adriana Prati
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Savino Sciascia
- Center of Research of Immunopathology and Rare Diseases-Coordinating Center of the Network for Rare Diseases of Piedmont and Aosta Valley, and SCDU Nephrology and Dialysis, S. Giovanni Bosco Hospital and University of Turin, 10154 Turin, Italy
| | - Giovanni Rolla
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medical Science, Azienda Ospedaliera Ordine Mauriziano Umberto I, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | - Libero Ciuffreda
- Department of Medical Oncology, Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
| | | | - Graziella Bellone
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
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Lei W, Zeng D, Liu G, Zhu Y, Wang J, Wu H, Jiang J, Huang J. Crucial role of OX40/OX40L signaling in a murine model of asthma. Mol Med Rep 2018; 17:4213-4220. [PMID: 29344664 PMCID: PMC5802192 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to explore the roles of OX40/OX40 ligand (OX40L) signaling and OX40+ T cells in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mouse asthma model. Asthma was induced by OVA exposure and subsequent co-treatment with OX40L protein, neutralizing anti-OX40L blocking antibody, OX40+ T cells or PBS. The protein expression levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-13, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interferon (IFN)-γ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were examined using murine cytokine-specific ELISA. Eosinophil accumulation as well as proliferation and apoptosis of T cells in BALF were detected by Cell Counting kit-8 and flow cytometric assays. Expression of the apoptosis-related protein cleaved caspase-3 was examined in OX40+ T cells using western blot assay. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that OVA-treated mice that were co-treated with OX40L or OX40+ T cells exhibited higher eosinophil infiltration compared with control mice treated only with OVA, whereas neutralizing anti-OX40L blocking antibody inhibited eosinophil infiltration. ELISA assays demonstrated that the expression of IL-4, IL-6, IL-13, IL-17, TNF-α and IFN-γ in BALF in OX40L-treated and OX40+ T cell-treated mice was increased compared with expression levels in control mice. Treatment with OX40L protein effectively reduced apoptosis of T cells and the expression of cleaved caspase-3 in T cells. OX40L-treated and OX40+ T cell-treated mice exhibited increased asthma through OX40/OX40L signaling, which probably promoted inflammatory factor expression, eosinophil infiltration and T cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Lei
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Daxiong Zeng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Gaoqin Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Yehan Zhu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Jiajia Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Hongya Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Tumor Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Junhong Jiang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
| | - Jianan Huang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215006, P.R. China
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Li S, Miao Z, Tian Y, Wang H, Wang S, He T, Yang Y, Wang P, Ma M, Yang T, Chen T, Liu Z, Gao J, Chen C, Qian A. Limethason reduces airway inflammation in a murine model of ovalbumin-induced chronic asthma without causing side effects. Exp Ther Med 2018; 15:2269-2276. [PMID: 29456634 PMCID: PMC5795477 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2018.5691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Airway inflammation is the major pathological feature of asthma. Thus, the current therapeutic strategy for asthma is to control inflammation. Limethason, an anti-inflammation drug, is widely used in rheumatoid arthritis treatment. The aim of the present study was to detect the anti-inflammatory effect and side effects of limethason on airways that were sensitized with ovalbumin in a murine model of chronic asthma. In the present study, BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin. Airway hyperresponsiveness was estimated, and hematoxylin and eosin staining, Periodic acid-Schiff staining and bronchoalveolar lavage were used to detect the effect on chronic asthma. Limethason effectively reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, and inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus secretion. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis revealed that limethason suppressed levels of airway eosinophils. In the period of treatment, limethason exhibited no influence on morphology of the femoral head, bone mineral content or bone mineral density, which were detected by histological studies and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The index of liver, spleen, kidney, gastrocnemius and brown adipose tissue also demonstrated that limethason had no adverse effects on organs and tissues. The present study revealed that limethason could effectively reduce inflammation in an asthma mouse model without side effects. Therefore, limethason may have therapeutic potential for treating chronic asthma clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Li
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environmental Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, P.R. China
| | - Zhiping Miao
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environmental Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, P.R. China
| | - Ye Tian
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environmental Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, P.R. China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environmental Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, P.R. China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environmental Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, P.R. China
| | - Tianyuan He
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environmental Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, P.R. China
| | - Yue Yang
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environmental Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, P.R. China
| | - Peng Wang
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environmental Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, P.R. China
| | - Mengyao Ma
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environmental Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, P.R. China
| | - Tuanmin Yang
- Clinical Laboratory of Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710054, P.R. China
| | - Tao Chen
- Xi'an Libang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Xi'an, Shaanxi 710075, P.R. China
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- CNGC Institute of Industrial Health, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065, P.R. China
| | - Junhong Gao
- CNGC Institute of Industrial Health, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710065, P.R. China
| | - Chu Chen
- Clinical Laboratory of Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University College of Medicine, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710054, P.R. China
| | - Airong Qian
- Key Laboratory for Space Bioscience and Biotechnology, Institute of Special Environmental Biophysics, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710072, P.R. China
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Gene Expression Profile of Human Cytokines in Response to Burkholderia pseudomallei Infection. mSphere 2017; 2:mSphere00121-17. [PMID: 28435890 PMCID: PMC5397567 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00121-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Melioidosis is an underreported infectious disease, caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Understanding the disease susceptibility and pathogenesis is crucial for developing newer diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this life-threatening infection. In this study, we aimed to analyze the gene expression levels of important cytokines in melioidosis patients and establish useful correlates with disease biomarkers compared to cases of sepsis infection caused by other pathogens and healthy individuals. A Qiagen common human cytokines array profiling the gene expression of 84 important cytokines by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used. We analyzed 26 melioidosis cases, 5 healthy controls, and 10 cases of sepsis infection caused by other pathogens. Our results showed consistently upregulated expression of interleukins (IL) interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-17 alpha (IL-17A), IL-23A, and IL-24, interferons (IFN) interferon alpha 1 (IFNA1) and interferon beta 1 (IFNB1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily 4 (TNFSF4), transforming growth factor (TGF) superfamily, bone morphogenetic proteins 3 and 6 (BMP3 and BMP6), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1), and other growth factors, including macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), C-fos-induced growth factor (FIGF), and platelet-derived growth factor alpha (PDGFA) polypeptide, in melioidosis patients compared to their expression in other sepsis cases, irrespective of comorbidities, duration of fever/clinical symptoms, and antibiotic treatment. Our findings indicate a dominant Th2- and Th17-type-cytokine response, suggesting that their dysregulation at initial stages of infection may play an important role in disease pathogenesis. IL-1A, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1B), and IL-8 were significantly downregulated in septicemic melioidosis patients compared to their expression in other sepsis cases. These differentially expressed genes may serve as biomarkers for melioidosis diagnosis and targets for therapeutic intervention and may help us understand immune response mechanisms. IMPORTANCE Melioidosis is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by a soil-associated Gram-negative bacterium, B. pseudomallei. Melioidosis is endemic in Southeast Asia and northern Australia; however, the global distribution of B. pseudomallei and the disease burden of melioidosisis are still poorly understood. Melioidosis is difficult to treat, as B. pseudomallei is intrinsically resistant to many antibiotics and requires a long course of antibiotic treatment. The mortality rates remain high in areas of endemicity, with reoccurrence being common. Therefore, it is imperative to diagnose the disease at an early stage and provide vital clinical care to reduce the mortality rate. With limitations in treatment and lack of a vaccine, it is crucial to study the immune response mechanisms to this infection to get a better understanding of disease susceptibility and pathogenesis. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the gene expression levels of important cytokines to establish useful correlations for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
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Kechagia JZ, Ezra DG, Burton MJ, Bailly M. Fibroblasts profiling in scarring trachoma identifies IL-6 as a functional component of a fibroblast-macrophage pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory feedback loop. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28261. [PMID: 27321784 PMCID: PMC4913315 DOI: 10.1038/srep28261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Trachoma is a conjunctiva scarring disease, which is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Yet, the molecular mechanisms underlying progressive fibrosis in trachoma are unknown. To investigate the contribution of local resident fibroblasts to disease progression, we isolated conjunctival fibroblasts from patients with scarring trachoma and matching control individuals, and compared their gene expression profiles and functional properties in vitro. We show that scarring trachoma fibroblasts substantially differ from control counterparts, displaying pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory features matched by an altered gene expression profile. This pro-inflammatory signature was exemplified by increased IL-6 expression and secretion, and a stronger response to macrophage-mediated stimulation of contraction. We further demonstrate that scarring trachoma fibroblasts can promote Akt phosphorylation in macrophages in an IL-6 –dependent manner. Overall this work has uncovered a distinctive molecular fingerprint for scarring trachoma fibroblasts, and identified IL-6- as a potential contributor to the chronic conjunctival fibrosis, mediating reciprocal pro-fibrotic/pro-inflammatory interactions between macrophages and fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Z Kechagia
- Department of Cell Biology, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Daniel G Ezra
- Department of Cell Biology, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK.,Moorfields Eye Hospital, and UCL Partners AHSC, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | - Matthew J Burton
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, and UCL Partners AHSC, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK.,International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene &Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Maryse Bailly
- Department of Cell Biology, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
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Transcriptomic Characterization of Innate and Acquired Immune Responses in Red-Legged Partridges (Alectoris rufa): A Resource for Immunoecology and Robustness Selection. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136776. [PMID: 26331304 PMCID: PMC4557936 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Present and future challenges for wild partridge populations include the resistance against possible disease transmission after restocking with captive-reared individuals, and the need to cope with the stress prompted by new dynamic and challenging scenarios. Selection of individuals with the best immune ability may be a good strategy to improve general immunity, and hence adaptation to stress. In this study, non-infectious challenges with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and sheep red blood cells allowed the classification of red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) according to their overall immune responses (IR). Skin from the area of injection of PHA and spleen, both from animals showing extreme high and low IR, were selected to investigate the transcriptional profiles underlying the different ability to cope with pathogens and external aggressions. RNA-seq yielded 97 million raw reads from eight sequencing libraries and approximately 84% of the processed reads were mapped to the reference chicken genome. Differential expression analysis identified 1488 up- and 107 down-regulated loci in individuals with high IR versus low IR. Partridges displaying higher innate IR show an enhanced activation of host defence gene pathways complemented with a tightly controlled desensitization that facilitates the return to cellular homeostasis. These findings indicate that the immune system ability to respond to aggressions (either diseases or stress produced by environmental changes) involves extensive transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulations, and expand our understanding on the molecular mechanisms of the avian immune system, opening the possibility of improving disease resistance or robustness using genome assisted selection (GAS) approaches for increased IR in partridges by using genes such as AVN or BF2 as markers. This study provides the first transcriptome sequencing data of the Alectoris genus, a resource for molecular ecology that enables integration of genomic tools in further studies.
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