Quorum sensing contributes to activated IgM-secreting B cell homeostasis

Adaptive discrimination between harmful and harmless antigens in the immune system by predictive coding

The immune system discriminates between harmful and harmless antigens based on past experiences; however, the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. From the viewpoint of machine learning, the learning system predicts the observation and updates the prediction based on prediction error, a process known as "predictive coding." Here, we modeled the population dynamics of T cells by adopting the concept of predictive coding; conventional and regulatory T cells predict the antigen concentration and excessive immune response, respectively. Their prediction error signals, possibly via cytokines, induce their differentiation to memory T cells. Through numerical simulations, we found that the immune system identifies antigen risks depending on the concentration and input rapidness of the antigen. Further, our model reproduced history-dependent discrimination, as in allergy onset and subsequent therapy. Taken together, this study provided a novel framework to improve our understanding of how the immune system adaptively learns the risks of diverse antigens.

May be adenosine an immuno-quorum-sensing signal?

Quorum sensing indicates a communication process between bacteria based on a coordinate variation in gene expression aimed at coordinating a collective comportment related to the bacterial population density. Increasing pieces of evidence pointed out that a quorum-sensing system can be a regulatory program also used in the immune field to organize the density of the various immune cell populations and to calibrate their responses. In particular, such equilibrium is achieved by the ability of immune cells to perceive the density of their own populations or those of other cells in their environment, through the release of several mediators able to finely shape the cell density via coordinated changes in gene expression and protein signaling. In this regard, adenosine displays the typical characteristics of a mediator involved in the regulation of quorum sensing, thus suggesting a putative role of this nucleoside in shaping the balance between diverse immune cell populations.

Collective metastasis: coordinating the multicellular voyage

The metastatic process is arduous. Cancer cells must escape the confines of the primary tumor, make their way into and travel through the circulation, then survive and proliferate in unfavorable microenvironments. A key question is how cancer cells overcome these multiple barriers to orchestrate distant organ colonization. Accumulating evidence in human patients and animal models supports the hypothesis that clusters of tumor cells can complete the entire metastatic journey in a process referred to as collective metastasis. Here we highlight recent studies unraveling how multicellular coordination, via both physical and biochemical coupling of cells, induces cooperative properties advantageous for the completion of metastasis. We discuss conceptual challenges and unique mechanisms arising from collective dissemination that are distinct from single cell-based metastasis. Finally, we consider how the dissection of molecular transitions regulating collective metastasis could offer potential insight into cancer therapy.

Non-neutralizing Antibodies May Contribute to Suppression of SIVmac239 Viremia in Indian Rhesus Macaques

The antiviral properties of broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV are well-documented but no vaccine is currently able to elicit protective titers of these responses in primates. While current vaccine modalities can readily induce non-neutralizing antibodies against simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) and HIV, the ability of these responses to restrict lentivirus transmission and replication remains controversial. Here, we investigated the antiviral properties of non-neutralizing antibodies in a group of Indian rhesus macaques (RMs) that were vaccinated with vif, rev, tat, nef, and env, as part of a previous study conducted by our group. These animals manifested rapid and durable control of viral replication to below detection limits shortly after SIVmac239 infection. Although these animals had no serological neutralizing activity against SIVmac239 prior to infection, their pre-challenge titers of Env-binding antibodies correlated with control of viral replication. To assess the contribution of anti-Env humoral immune responses to virologic control in two of these animals, we transiently depleted their circulating antibodies via extracorporeal plasma immunoadsorption and inhibition of IgG recycling through antibody-mediated blockade of the neonatal Fc receptor. These procedures reduced Ig serum concentrations by up to 80% and temporarily induced SIVmac239 replication in these animals. Next, we transferred purified total Ig from the rapid controllers into six vaccinated RMs one day before intrarectal challenge with SIVmac239. Although recipients of the hyperimmune anti-SIV Ig fraction were not protected from infection, their peak and chronic phase viral loads were significantly lower than those in concurrent unvaccinated control animals. Together, our results suggest that non-neutralizing Abs may play a role in the suppression of SIVmac239 viremia.

Quorum Sensing by Monocyte-Derived Populations

Quorum sensing is a type of cellular communication that was first described in bacteria, consisting of gene expression regulation in response to changes in cell-population density. Bacteria synthesize and secrete diffusive molecules called autoinducers, which concentration varies accordingly with cell density and can be detected by the producing cells themselves. Once autoinducer concentration reaches a critical threshold, all bacteria within the autoinducer-rich environment react by modifying their genetic expression and adopt a coordinated behavior (e.g., biofilm formation, virulence factor expression, or swarming motility). Recent advances highlight the possibility that such type of communication is not restricted to bacteria, but can exist among other cell types, including immune cells and more specifically monocyte-derived cells (1). For such cells, quorum sensing mechanisms may not only regulate their population size and synchronize their behavior at homeostasis but also alter their activity and function in unexpected ways during immune reactions. Although the nature of immune autoinducers and cellular mechanisms remains to be fully characterized, quorum sensing mechanisms in the immune system challenge our traditional conception of immune cell interactions and likely represent an important mode of communication at homeostasis or during an immune response. In this mini-review, we briefly present the prototypic features of quorum sensing in bacteria and discuss the existing evidence for quorum sensing within the immune system. Mainly, we review quorum sensing mechanisms among monocyte-derived cells, such as the regulation of inflammation by the density of monocyte-derived cells that produce nitric oxide and discuss the relevance of such models in the context of immune-related pathologies.

Rethinking Communication in the Immune System: The Quorum Sensing Concept

Quorum sensing was first described as the communication process bacteria employ to coordinate changes in gene expression and therefore, their collective behavior in response to population density. Emerging new evidence suggests that quorum sensing can also contribute to the regulation of immune cell responses. Quorum sensing might be achieved by the ability of immune cells to perceive the density of their own populations or those of other cells in their environment; responses to alterations in cell density might then be coordinated via changes in gene expression and protein signaling. Quorum sensing mechanisms can regulate T and B cell as well as macrophage function. We posit that perturbations in quorum sensing may undermine the balance between diverse immune cell populations and predispose the host to immune abnormalities.

Quorum sensing in the immune system

Quorum sensing is the regulation of gene expression programmes in response to changes in population density. It is probably best recognized as a mechanism through which bacterial communities can synchronize behaviours, such as biofilm formation and bioluminescence. This Comment article highlights the emerging evidence suggesting that quorum sensing also contributes to the regulation of immune cell responses.

Selective IgM Deficiency: Clinical and Laboratory Features of 17 Patients and a Review of the Literature

PURPOSE

Primary selective IgM deficiency (sIgMD) is a primary immunodeficiency with unclear pathogenesis and a low number of published cases.

METHODS

We reviewed clinical and laboratory manifestations of 17 sIgMD patients. Serum IgM, IgG, and its subclasses, IgA, IgE, antibodies against tetanus toxoid, pneumococcal polysaccharides and Haemophilus influenzae type b, isohemagglutinins, and T and B lymphocyte subsets, expressions of IgM on B cells and B lymphocyte production of IgM were compared with previously reported case reports and a small series of patients, which included 81 subjects in total.

RESULTS

We found that some patients in our cohort (OC) and published cases (PC) had increased IgE levels (OC 7/15; PC 21/37), decreased IgG4 levels (OC 5/14), very low titers of isohemagglutinins (OC 8/8; PC 18/21), increased transitional B cell counts (OC 8/9), decreased marginal zone B cell counts (OC 8/9), and increased 21^low B cell counts (OC 7/9). Compared with the PC (20/20), only two of five OC patients showed very low or undetectable production of IgM after stimulation. A majority of the patients had normal antibody production to protein and polysaccharide antigens, basic lymphocyte subset counts, and expression of surface IgM molecules on B cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Low IgM levels are associated with various immunopathological disorders; however, pathogenic mechanisms leading to decreased IgM serum level in selective IgM deficiency remain unclear. Moreover, it is difficult to elucidate how strong these associations are and if these immunopathological conditions are primary or secondary.

Zebra Fish Lacking Adaptive Immunity Acquire an Antiviral Alert State Characterized by Upregulated Gene Expression of Apoptosis, Multigene Families, and Interferon-Related Genes

To investigate fish innate immunity, we have conducted organ and cell immune-related transcriptomic as well as immunohistologic analysis in mutant zebra fish (Danio rerio) lacking adaptive immunity (rag1^−/−) at different developmental stages (egg, larvae, and adult), before and after infection with spring viremia carp virus (SVCV). The results revealed that, compared to immunocompetent zebra fish (rag1^+/+), rag1^−/− acquired increased resistance to SVCV with age, correlating with elevated transcript levels of immune genes in skin/fins and lymphoid organs (head kidney and spleen). Gene sets corresponding to apoptotic functions, immune-related multigene families, and interferon-related genes were constitutively upregulated in uninfected adult rag1^−/− zebra fish. Overexpression of activated CASPASE-3 in different tissues before and after infection with SVCV further confirmed increased apoptotic function in rag1^−/− zebra fish. Concurrently, staining of different tissue samples with a pan-leukocyte antibody marker showed abundant leukocyte infiltrations in SVCV-infected rag1^−/− fish, coinciding with increased transcript expression of genes related to NK-cells and macrophages, suggesting that these genes played a key role in the enhanced immune response of rag1^−/− zebra fish to SVCV lethal infection. Overall, we present evidence that indicates that rag1^−/− zebra fish acquire an antiviral alert state while they reach adulthood in the absence of adaptive immunity. This antiviral state was characterized by (i) a more rapid response to viral infection, which resulted in increased survival, (ii) the involvement of NK-cell- and macrophage-mediated transcript responses rather than B- and/or T-cell dependent cells, and (iii) enhanced apoptosis, described here for the first time, as well as the similar modulation of multigene family/interferon-related genes previously associated to fish that survived lethal viral infections. From this and other studies, it might be concluded that some of the characteristics of mammalian trained immunity are present in lower vertebrates.

AFM study shows prominent physical changes in elasticity and pericellular layer in human acute leukemic cells due to inadequate cell-cell communication

Biomechanical properties of single cells in vitro or ex vivo and their pericellular interfaces have recently attracted a lot of attention as a potential biophysical (and possibly prognostic) marker of various diseases and cell abnormalities. At the same time, the influence of the cell environment on the biomechanical properties of cells is not well studied. Here we use atomic force microscopy to demonstrate that cell-cell communication can have a profound effect on both cell elasticity and its pericellular coat. A human pre-B p190^BCR/ABL acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line (ALL3) was used in this study. Assuming that cell-cell communication is inversely proportional to the distance between cells, we study ALL3 cells in vitro growing at different cell densities. ALL3 cells demonstrate a clear density dependent behavior. These cells grow very well if started at a relatively high cell density (HD, >2 × 10⁵ cells ml^-1) and are poised to grow at low cell density (LD, <1 × 10⁴ cells ml^-1). Here we observe ∼6× increase in the elastic (Young's) modulus of the cell body and ∼3.6× decrease in the pericellular brush length of LD cells compared to HD ALL3 cells. The difference observed in the elastic modulus is much larger than typically reported for pathologically transformed cells. Thus, cell-cell communication must be taken into account when studying biomechanics of cells, in particular, correlating cell phenotype and its biophysical properties.

Growth of Murine Splenic Tissue Is Suppressed by Lymphotoxin β-Receptor Signaling (LTβR) Originating from Splenic and Non-Splenic Tissues

Development and maintenance of secondary lymphoid organs such as lymph nodes and spleen essentially depend on lymphotoxin β-receptor (LTβR) signaling. It is unclear, however, by which molecular mechanism their size is limited. Here, we investigate whether the LTβR pathway is also growth suppressing. By using splenic tissue transplantation it is possible to analyze a potential contribution of LTβR signaling inside and outside of the implanted tissue. We show that LTβR signaling within the endogenous spleen and within non-splenic tissues both significantly suppressed the regeneration of implanted splenic tissue. The suppressive activity positively correlated with the total number of LTβR expressing cells in the animal (regenerate weights of 115 ± 8 mg in LTβR deficient recipients and of 12 ± 9 mg in wild-type recipients), affected also developed splenic tissue, and was induced but not executed via LTβR signaling. Two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis and subsequent mass spectrometry of stromal splenic tissue was applied to screen for potential factors mediating the LTβR dependent suppressive activity. Thus, LTβR dependent growth suppression is involved in regulating the size of secondary lymphoid organs, and might be therapeutically used to eradicate tertiary lymphoid tissues during autoimmune diseases.

Effect of purified fractions from cell culture supernate of high-density pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells (ALL3) on the growth of ALL3 cells at low density

The mechanisms underlying the aberrant growth and interactions between cells are not understood very well. The pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells directly obtained from an adult patient grow very poorly or do not grow at all at low density (LD), but grow better at high starting cell density (HD). We found that the LD ALL3 cells can be stimulated to grow in the presence of diffusible, soluble factors secreted by ALL3 cells themselves growing at high starting cell density. We then developed a biochemical purification procedure that allowed us to purify the factor(s) with stimulatory activity and analyzed them by nanoliquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS/MS). Using nanoLC-MS/MS we have identified several proteins which were further processed using various bioinformatics tools. This resulted in eight protein candidates which might be responsible for the growth activity on non-growing LD ALL3 cells and their involvement in the stimulatory activity are discussed.

Exosome mediated growth effect on the non-growing pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells at low starting cell density

Tumors contain heterogeneous cell populations and achieve dominance by functioning as collective systems. The mechanisms underlying the aberrant growth and interactions between cells are not very well understood. The pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells we studied were obtained directly from a patient with Ph+ ALL. A new Ph+ ALL cell line (ALL3) was established from the leukemic cells growing as ascitic cells in his pleural fluid. The patient died of his disease shortly after the cells were obtained. ALL3 cells grow well at high cell densities (HD), but not at low cell densities. ALL3 cells are very sensitive to potent tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as Dasatinib and PD166325, but less sensitive to AMN 107, Imatinib, and BMS 214662 (a farnesyl transferase inhibitor). Here, we show that the growth of the LD ALL3 cells can be stimulated to grow in the presence of diffusible, soluble factors secreted by ALL3 cells themselves growing at high density. We also show that exosomes, part of the secretome components, are also able to stimulate the growth of the non-growing LD ALL3 cells and modulate their proliferative behavior. Characterization of the exosome particles also showed that the HD ALL3 cells are able to secret them in large quantities and that they are capable of inducing the growth of the LD ALL3 cells without which they will not survive. Direct stimulation of non-growing LD ALL3 cells using purified exosomes shows that the ALL3 cells can also communicate with each other by means of exchange of exosomes independently of direct cell-cell contacts or diffusible soluble stimulatory factors secreted by HD ALL3 cells.

Evasion and Immuno-Endocrine Regulation in Parasite Infection: Two Sides of the Same Coin in Chagas Disease?

Chagas disease is a serious illness caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Nearly 30% of chronically infected people develop cardiac, digestive, or mixed alterations, suggesting a broad range of host-parasite interactions that finally impact upon chronic disease outcome. The ability of T. cruzi to persist and cause pathology seems to depend on diverse factors like T. cruzi strains, the infective load and the route of infection, presence of virulence factors, the parasite capacity to avoid protective immune response, the strength and type of host defense mechanisms and the genetic background of the host. The host-parasite interaction is subject to a constant neuro-endocrine regulation that is thought to influence the adaptive immune system, and as the infection proceeds it can lead to a broad range of outcomes, ranging from pathogen elimination to its continued persistence in the host. In this context, T. cruzi evasion strategies and host defense mechanisms can be envisioned as two sides of the same coin, influencing parasite persistence and different outcomes observed in Chagas disease. Understanding how T. cruzi evade host's innate and adaptive immune response will provide important clues to better dissect mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of Chagas disease.

Role of Trypanosoma cruzi Trans-sialidase on the Escape from Host Immune Surveillance

Chagas disease is caused by the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, affecting millions of people throughout Latin America. The parasite dampens host immune response causing modifications in diverse lymphoid compartments, including the thymus. T. cruzi trans-sialidase (TS) seems to play a fundamental role in such immunopathological events. This unusual enzyme catalyses the transference of sialic acid molecules from host glycoconjugates to acceptor molecules placed on the parasite surface. TS activity mediates several biological effects leading to the subversion of host immune system, hence favoring both parasite survival and the establishment of chronic infection. This review summarizes current findings on the roles of TS in the immune response during T. cruzi infection.

Immune Evasion Strategies of Trypanosoma cruzi

Microbes have evolved a diverse range of strategies to subvert the host immune system. The protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, provides a good example of such adaptations. This parasite targets a broad spectrum of host tissues including both peripheral and central lymphoid tissues. Rapid colonization of the host gives rise to a systemic acute response which the parasite must overcome. The parasite in fact undermines both innate and adaptive immunity. It interferes with the antigen presenting function of dendritic cells via an action on host sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin receptors. These receptors also induce suppression of CD4(+) T cells responses, and we presented evidence that the sialylation of parasite-derived mucins is required for the inhibitory effects on CD4 T cells. In this review we highlight the major mechanisms used by Trypanosoma cruzi to overcome host immunity and discuss the role of parasite colonization of the central thymic lymphoid tissue in chronic disease.

Core principles of bacterial autoinducer systems

SUMMARY

Autoinduction (AI), the response to self-produced chemical signals, is widespread in the bacterial world. This process controls vastly different target functions, such as luminescence, nutrient acquisition, and biofilm formation, in different ways and integrates additional environmental and physiological cues. This diversity raises questions about unifying principles that underlie all AI systems. Here, we suggest that such core principles exist. We argue that the general purpose of AI systems is the homeostatic control of costly cooperative behaviors, including, but not limited to, secreted public goods. First, costly behaviors require preassessment of their efficiency by cheaper AI signals, which we encapsulate in a hybrid "push-pull" model. The "push" factors cell density, diffusion, and spatial clustering determine when a behavior becomes effective. The relative importance of each factor depends on each species' individual ecological context and life history. In turn, "pull" factors, often stress cues that reduce the activation threshold, determine the cellular demand for the target behavior. Second, control is homeostatic because AI systems, either themselves or through accessory mechanisms, not only initiate but also maintain the efficiency of target behaviors. Third, AI-controlled behaviors, even seemingly noncooperative ones, are generally cooperative in nature, when interpreted in the appropriate ecological context. The escape of individual cells from biofilms, for example, may be viewed as an altruistic behavior that increases the fitness of the resident population by reducing starvation stress. The framework proposed here helps appropriately categorize AI-controlled behaviors and allows for a deeper understanding of their ecological and evolutionary functions.

High levels of circulating triiodothyronine induce plasma cell differentiation

The effects of hyperthyroidism on B-cell physiology are still poorly known. In this study, we evaluated the influence of high-circulating levels of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) on bone marrow, blood, and spleen B-cell subsets, more specifically on B-cell differentiation into plasma cells, in C57BL/6 mice receiving daily injections of T3 for 14 days. As analyzed by flow cytometry, T3-treated mice exhibited increased frequencies of pre-B and immature B-cells and decreased percentages of mature B-cells in the bone marrow, accompanied by an increased frequency of blood B-cells, splenic newly formed B-cells, and total CD19(+)B-cells. T3 administration also promoted an increase in the size and cellularity of the spleen as well as in the white pulp areas of the organ, as evidenced by histological analyses. In addition, a decreased frequency of splenic B220(+) cells correlating with an increased percentage of CD138(+) plasma cells was observed in the spleen and bone marrow of T3-treated mice. Using enzyme-linked immunospot assay, an increased number of splenic immunoglobulin-secreting B-cells from T3-treated mice was detected ex vivo. Similar results were observed in mice immunized with hen egg lysozyme and aluminum adjuvant alone or together with treatment with T3. In conclusion, we provide evidence that high-circulating levels of T3 stimulate plasma cytogenesis favoring an increase in plasma cells in the bone marrow, a long-lived plasma cell survival niche. These findings indicate that a stimulatory effect on plasma cell differentiation could occur in untreated patients with Graves' disease.

The Role of Sialic Acid-Binding Receptors (Siglecs) in the Immunomodulatory Effects of Trypanosoma cruzi Sialoglycoproteins on the Protective Immunity of the Host

Chagas disease is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is an important endemic infection in Latin America. Lately, it has also become a health concern in the United States and Europe. Most of the immunomodulatory mechanisms associated with this parasitic infection have been attributed to mucin-like molecules on the T. cruzi surface. Mucins are high molecular weight glycoproteins that are involved in regulating diverse cellular activities in both normal and pathological conditions. In Trypanosoma cruzi infection, the parasite-derived mucins are the main acceptors of sialic acid and it has been suggested that they play a role in various host-parasite interactions during the course of Chagas disease. Recently, we have presented evidence that sialylation of the mucins is required for the inhibitory effects on CD4(+) T cells. In what follows we propose that signaling via sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin receptors for these highly sialylated structures on host cells contributes to the arrest of cell cycle progression in the G1 phase and may allow the parasite to modulate the immune system of the host.

Naturally secreted immunoglobulins limit B1 and MZ B-cell numbers through a microbiota-independent mechanism

The study of AID−/−µS−/− mice reveals a microbiota-independent negative feedback control of MZ and B1 cell numbers by naturally secreted Ig.

Phosphatase regulation of immunoreceptor signaling in T cells, B cells and mast cells

Recent progress has begun to reveal the often complex and changing roles of phosphotyrosine and phosphoinositide phosphatases in regulation of immunoreceptor signaling. The resultant confusion has been further increased by discoveries of new players. Here we provide a review of recent progress in defining the roles of these enzymes in immunoreceptor-dependent mast cell, T cell and B cell activation.