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Sun J, Wang T, Bian J, Shi W, Ruan Q. Immune tolerance induced in the anterior chamber ameliorates corneal transplant rejection. Clin Immunol 2023; 257:109797. [PMID: 37776968 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2023.109797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
The relevance of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in induction of tolerance against corneal allografts has been well established. However, whether Tregs can be induced in the anterior chamber and suppress local alloimmune response after corneal transplantation is largely unknown. In the current study we report that not only can alloantigen specific Tregs be generated in the anterior chamber during corneal transplantation, they also play important roles in suppressing allograft rejection. Allograft rejected mice exhibit reduced Treg induction in the anterior chamber and the ability of aqueous humor and corneal endothelial cells from allograft rejected mice to induce Tregs is compromised. Further analysis revealed that the expression of immune-tolerance-related molecules is significantly decreased. Finally, we demonstrate that increasing Treg cells specifically in the anterior chamber can effectively suppress allograft rejection and exhibits better efficacy in promoting corneal allograft survival than systemic administration of Treg cells. Our current study may provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of corneal transplant rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jijun Sun
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan 250021, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan 250021, China
| | - Jiang Bian
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Weiyun Shi
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Eye Hospital), Jinan 250021, China; Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Qingguo Ruan
- Eye Institute of Shandong First Medical University, State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Qingdao 266071, China.
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McPherson SW, Heuss ND, Abedin M, Roehrich H, Pierson MJ, Gregerson DS. Parabiosis reveals the correlation between the recruitment of circulating antigen presenting cells to the retina and the induction of spontaneous autoimmune uveoretinitis. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:295. [PMID: 36494807 PMCID: PMC9733026 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02660-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Characterizing immune cells and conditions that govern their recruitment and function in autoimmune diseases of the nervous system or in neurodegenerative processes is an area of active investigation. We sought to analyze the origin of antigen presenting cells associated with the induction of retinal autoimmunity using a system that relies on spontaneous autoimmunity, thus avoiding uncertainties associated with immunization with adjuvants at remotes sites or adoptive transfer of in vitro activated T cells. METHODS R161H mice (B10.RIII background), which spontaneously and rapidly develop severe spontaneous autoimmune uveoretinitis (SAU), were crossed to CD11cDTR/GFP mice (B6/J) allowing us to track the recruitment to and/or expansion within the retina of activated, antigen presenting cells (GFPhi cells) in R161H+/- × CD11cDTR/GFP F1 mice relative to the course of SAU. Parabiosis between R161H+/- × CD11cDTR/GFP F1 mice and B10.RIII × B6/J F1 (wild-type recipient) mice was done to explore the origin and phenotype of antigen presenting cells crucial for the induction of autoimmunity. Analysis was done by retinal imaging, flow cytometry, and histology. RESULTS Onset of SAU in R161H+/- × CD11cDTR/GFP F1 mice was delayed relative to B10.RIII-R161H+/- mice revealing a disease prophase prior to frank autoimmunity that was characterized by expansion of GFPhi cells within the retina prior to any clinical or histological evidence of autoimmunity. Parabiosis between mice carrying the R161H and CD11cDTR/GFP transgenes and transgene negative recipients showed that recruitment of circulating GFPhi cells into retinas was highly correlative with the occurrence of SAU. CONCLUSIONS Our results here contrast with our previous findings showing that retinal antigen presenting cells expanding in response to either sterile mechanical injury or neurodegeneration were derived from myeloid cells within the retina or optic nerve, thus highlighting a unique facet of retinal autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott W. McPherson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, 2001 6th Street SE, Lions Research Building, Room 482A, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Neal D. Heuss
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, 2001 6th Street SE, Lions Research Building, Room 482A, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Md. Abedin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, 2001 6th Street SE, Lions Research Building, Room 482A, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Heidi Roehrich
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, 2001 6th Street SE, Lions Research Building, Room 482A, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Mark J. Pierson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, 2001 6th Street SE, Lions Research Building, Room 482A, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
| | - Dale S. Gregerson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, 2001 6th Street SE, Lions Research Building, Room 482A, Minneapolis, MN 55455 USA
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3
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Immune Responses in the Glaucomatous Retina: Regulation and Dynamics. Cells 2021; 10:cells10081973. [PMID: 34440742 PMCID: PMC8391899 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a multifactorial disease resulting in progressive vision loss due to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction and death. Early events in the pathobiology of the disease include oxidative, metabolic, or mechanical stress that acts upon RGC, causing these to rapidly release danger signals, including extracellular ATP, resulting in micro- and macroglial activation and neuroinflammation. Danger signaling also leads to the formation of inflammasomes in the retina that enable maturation of proinflammatory cytokines such IL-1β and IL-18. Chronic neuroinflammation can have directly damaging effects on RGC, but it also creates a proinflammatory environment and compromises the immune privilege of the retina. In particular, continuous synthesis of proinflammatory mediators such as TNFα, IL-1β, and anaphylatoxins weakens the blood–retina barrier and recruits or activates T-cells. Recent data have demonstrated that adaptive immune responses strongly exacerbate RGC loss in animal models of the disease as T-cells appear to target heat shock proteins displayed on the surface of stressed RGC to cause their apoptotic death. It is possible that dysregulation of these immune responses contributes to the continued loss of RGC in some patients.
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Srinivasan J, Lancaster JN, Singarapu N, Hale LP, Ehrlich LIR, Richie ER. Age-Related Changes in Thymic Central Tolerance. Front Immunol 2021; 12:676236. [PMID: 33968086 PMCID: PMC8100025 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.676236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and hematopoietic antigen presenting cells (HAPCs) in the thymus microenvironment provide essential signals to self-reactive thymocytes that induce either negative selection or generation of regulatory T cells (Treg), both of which are required to establish and maintain central tolerance throughout life. HAPCs and TECs are comprised of multiple subsets that play distinct and overlapping roles in central tolerance. Changes that occur in the composition and function of TEC and HAPC subsets across the lifespan have potential consequences for central tolerance. In keeping with this possibility, there are age-associated changes in the cellular composition and function of T cells and Treg. This review summarizes changes in T cell and Treg function during the perinatal to adult transition and in the course of normal aging, and relates these changes to age-associated alterations in thymic HAPC and TEC subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayashree Srinivasan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | | | - Nandini Singarapu
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
| | - Laura P Hale
- Department of Pathology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Lauren I R Ehrlich
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.,Livestrong Cancer Institutes, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Ellen R Richie
- Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Smithville, TX, United States
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5
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Mölzer C, Heissigerova J, Wilson HM, Kuffova L, Forrester JV. Immune Privilege: The Microbiome and Uveitis. Front Immunol 2021; 11:608377. [PMID: 33569055 PMCID: PMC7868421 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.608377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune privilege (IP), a term introduced to explain the unpredicted acceptance of allogeneic grafts by the eye and the brain, is considered a unique property of these tissues. However, immune responses are modified by the tissue in which they occur, most of which possess IP to some degree. The eye therefore displays a spectrum of IP because it comprises several tissues. IP as originally conceived can only apply to the retina as it contains few tissue-resident bone-marrow derived myeloid cells and is immunologically shielded by a sophisticated barrier – an inner vascular and an outer epithelial barrier at the retinal pigment epithelium. The vascular barrier comprises the vascular endothelium and the glia limitans. Immune cells do not cross the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) despite two-way transport of interstitial fluid, governed by tissue oncotic pressure. The BRB, and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) mature in the neonatal period under signals from the expanding microbiome and by 18 months are fully established. However, the adult eye is susceptible to intraocular inflammation (uveitis; frequency ~200/100,000 population). Uveitis involving the retinal parenchyma (posterior uveitis, PU) breaches IP, while IP is essentially irrelevant in inflammation involving the ocular chambers, uveal tract and ocular coats (anterior/intermediate uveitis/sclerouveitis, AU). Infections cause ~50% cases of AU and PU but infection may also underlie the pathogenesis of immune-mediated “non-infectious” uveitis. Dysbiosis accompanies the commonest form, HLA-B27–associated AU, while latent infections underlie BRB breakdown in PU. This review considers the pathogenesis of uveitis in the context of IP, infection, environment, and the microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Mölzer
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Jarmila Heissigerova
- Department of Ophthalmology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Prague, Czechia
| | - Heather M Wilson
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Lucia Kuffova
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.,Eye Clinic, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - John V Forrester
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
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6
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Abstract
Autoimmune uveitis is a sight-threatening, rare disease, potentially leading to blindness. Uveitis is a synonym for intraocular inflammation, presenting as various clinical phenotypes with different underlying immune responses in patients, whereas different animal models usually represent one certain clinical and immunological type of uveitis due to genetic uniformity and the method of disease induction. T cells recognizing intraocular antigens initiate the disease, recruiting inflammatory cells (granulocytes, monocytes/macrophages) to the eyes, which cause the damage of the tissue. The treatment of uveitis so far aims at downregulation of inflammation to protect the ocular tissues from damage, and at immunosuppression to stop fueling T cell reactivity. Uveitis is usually prevented by specific mechanisms of the ocular immune privilege and the blood-eye-barriers, but once the disease is induced, mechanisms of the immune privilege as well as a variety of novel regulatory features including new Treg cell populations and suppressive cytokines are induced to downregulate the ocular inflammation and T cell responses and to avoid relapses and chronicity. Here we describe mechanisms of regulation observed in experimental animal models as well as detected in studies with peripheral lymphocytes from patients.
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Diedrichs-Möhring M, Kaufmann U, Wildner G. The immunopathogenesis of chronic and relapsing autoimmune uveitis – Lessons from experimental rat models. Prog Retin Eye Res 2018; 65:107-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Gotot J, Dhana E, Yagita H, Kaiser R, Ludwig-Portugall I, Kurts C. Antigen-specific Helios - , Neuropilin-1 - Tregs induce apoptosis of autoreactive B cells via PD-L1. Immunol Cell Biol 2018; 96:852-862. [PMID: 29617057 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) maintain self-tolerance and prevent autoimmunity by controlling autoreactive T cells. We recently demonstrated in vivo that Tregs can directly suppress auto-reactive B cells via programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) that ligated PD-1 on B cells and caused them to undergo apoptosis. Here, we asked whether this mechanism is utilized by thymus-derived natural Tregs and/or by peripheral lymphoid tissue-induced Tregs. We first demonstrated that antigen-specific PD-L1-expressing Tregs were induced in the draining lymph node of autoantigen-expressing tissue and characterized them by their lack of the transcription factor Helios and of the surface marker Neuropilin-1 (Nrp-1). Next, we established an in vitro co-culture system to study the interaction between B cells and Treg subsets under controlled conditions. We found that Nrp- Treg, but not Nrp+ Treg suppressed autoreactive B cells, whereas both were able to suppress T-helper cells. Such suppression was antigen-specific and was facilitated by PD-L1/PD-1-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, it required physical cell contact and was MHC II-restricted, providing an explanation for the antigen-specificity of peripherally-induced Tregs. These findings identify a role for peripherally induced Helios- Nrp-1- inducible Treg in controlling peripheral B-cell tolerance against tissue auto-antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Gotot
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ermanila Dhana
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hideo Yagita
- Department of Immunology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Romina Kaiser
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Germany
| | - Isis Ludwig-Portugall
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christian Kurts
- Institute of Experimental Immunology, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Bonn, Germany
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9
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Vendomèle J, Dehmani S, Khebizi Q, Galy A, Fisson S. Subretinal Injection of HY Peptides Induces Systemic Antigen-Specific Inhibition of Effector CD4 + and CD8 + T-Cell Responses. Front Immunol 2018; 9:504. [PMID: 29662488 PMCID: PMC5890180 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Injection of an antigen into the anterior chamber of the eye induces a peripheral antigen-specific immune modulation mechanism, known as anterior chamber-associated immune deviation (ACAID). Delayed-type hypersensitivity experiments argue that the subretinal space (SR) of the eye displays properties similar to ACAID. However, no investigation was performed regarding the differential impact of a subretinal antigen injection on peripheral CD4+ versus CD8+ T cells, on the potential immune deviation regarding Th profiles, and on the antigen-specificity of the inhibition. A better understanding of these mechanisms is crucial to improve safety and immunomonitoring of ongoing therapeutic approaches targeting the SR. The aim of this study is to characterize the proliferative capacities and cytokine patterns of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells after a subretinal injection of antigen in mice. Methods Ubiquitously Transcribed tetratricopeptide repeat gene Y-linked (UTY) and DEAD Box polypeptide 3 Y-linked (DBY) peptides which respectively include MHCI- and MHCII-restricted T-cell epitopes of the mouse HY male antigen, were injected into the subretinal space of C57BL/6 female mice. 2 weeks later, these mice were immunized subcutaneously with these peptides and compared to control mice. A week later, T-cell immune responses were analyzed by IFNγ ELISpot assays and cytokine measurements (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17a, IFNγ, TNFα, GM-CSF, and MCP-1) in the spleen and with proliferation assays in draining lymph nodes. Results Immune cells from mice that received HY peptides in the SR before immunization, compared with those from control immunized mice, secreted significantly smaller quantities of Th1/Tc1, Th2/Tc2, and Th17/Tc17 cytokines, and HY-specific CD4+ T cells proliferated less in response to HY peptides. Conclusion Taken together, our data clearly demonstrate that the subretinal injection of HY peptides induces a systemic HY-specific inhibition of conventional Th profiles and CD8+ T cells. We propose to call this phenomenon SRAII, for subretinal-associated immune inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Vendomèle
- Généthon, Inserm UMR_S951, Univ Evry, Université Paris Saclay, EPHE, Evry, France
| | - Safa Dehmani
- Généthon, Inserm UMR_S951, Univ Evry, Université Paris Saclay, EPHE, Evry, France
| | - Quentin Khebizi
- Généthon, Inserm UMR_S951, Univ Evry, Université Paris Saclay, EPHE, Evry, France
| | - Anne Galy
- Généthon, Inserm UMR_S951, Univ Evry, Université Paris Saclay, EPHE, Evry, France
| | - Sylvain Fisson
- Généthon, Inserm UMR_S951, Univ Evry, Université Paris Saclay, EPHE, Evry, France
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Ocular antigen does not cause disease unless presented in the context of inflammation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14226. [PMID: 29079770 PMCID: PMC5660195 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14618-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Accepted: 10/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular antigens are sequestered behind the blood-retina barrier and the ocular environment protects ocular tissues from autoimmune attack. The signals required to activate autoreactive T cells and allow them to cause disease in the eye remain in part unclear. In particular, the consequences of peripheral presentation of ocular antigens are not fully understood. We examined peripheral expression and presentation of ocular neo-self-antigen in transgenic mice expressing hen egg lysozyme (HEL) under a retina-specific promoter. High levels of HEL were expressed in the eye compared to low expression throughout the lymphoid system. Adoptively transferred naïve HEL-specific CD4+ T cells proliferated in the eye draining lymph nodes, but did not induce uveitis. By contrast, systemic infection with a murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) engineered to express HEL induced extensive proliferation of transferred naïve CD4+ T cells, and significant uveoretinitis. In this model, wild-type MCMV, lacking HEL, did not induce overt uveitis, suggesting that disease is mediated by antigen-specific peripherally activated CD4+ T cells that infiltrate the retina. Our results demonstrate that retinal antigen is presented to T cells in the periphery under physiological conditions. However, when the same antigen is presented during viral infection, antigen-specific T cells access the retina and autoimmune uveitis ensues.
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Tang PH, Pierson MJ, Heuss ND, Gregerson DS. A subpopulation of activated retinal macrophages selectively migrated to regions of cone photoreceptor stress, but had limited effect on cone death in a mouse model for type 2 Leber congenital amaurosis. Mol Cell Neurosci 2017; 85:70-81. [PMID: 28889993 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2017.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies of antigen presentation in retina using mice that expressed green fluorescent protein (GFP) from a transgenic CD11c promoter found that retinal GFPhi cells possessed antigen presentation function. Subsequent studies found that these high GFPhi cells preferentially localized to sites of retinal injury, consistent with their APC function. Interest in the roles of macrophages in degenerative CNS diseases led us to study the GFPhi cells in a retinal model of neurodegeneration. We asked if apoptotic cone photoreceptor cell death in Rpe65-/- knockout mice induced the GFPhi cells, explored their relationship to resident microglia (MG), and tested their role in cone survival. METHODS Rpe65-/- mice were bred to CD11cGFP mice on the B6/J background. CD11cGFPRpe65-/- mice were also backcrossed to CX3CR1YFP-creERROSADTA mice so that CX3CR1+ mononuclear cells could be depleted by Tamoxifen. Retinas were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, confocal microscopy, fluorescence fundoscopy and flow cytometry. RESULTS Elevated numbers of GFPhi cells were concentrated in photoreceptor cell layers of CD11cGFPRpe65-/- mice coinciding with the peak of cone death at 2 to 4weeks of age, and persisted for at least 14months. After the initial wave of cone loss, a slow progressive loss of cones was found that continued to retain GFPhi cells in the outer retina. Sustained, four-week Tamoxifen depletions of the GFPhi cells and MG in Rpe65-/- mice from day 13 to day 41, and from day 390 to day 420 promoted a small increase in cone survival. We found no evidence that the GFPhi cells were recruited from the circulation; all data pointed to a MG origin. MG and GFPhi cells were well segregated in the dystrophic retina; GFPhi cells were foremost in the photoreceptor cell layer, while MG were concentrated in the inner retina. CONCLUSIONS The expression of GFP on a subset of retinal mononuclear cells in CD11cGFP mice identified a distinct population of cells performing functions previously attributed to MG. Although GFPhi cells dominated the macrophage response to cone death in the photoreceptor cell layer, their ablation led to only an incremental increase in cone survival. The ability to identify, ablate, and isolate these cells will facilitate analysis of this activated, antigen-presenting subset of MG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter H Tang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Mark J Pierson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Neal D Heuss
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Dale S Gregerson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States.
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Wang T, Shi W, Fan T, Wan X, Chen YH, Ruan Q. c-Rel is Required for the Induction of pTregs in the Eye but Not in the Gut Mucosa. Immunol Invest 2016; 45:776-786. [PMID: 27224262 DOI: 10.3109/08820139.2016.1172639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells play an integral role in maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmune diseases. Forkhead box P3 expression marks the commitment of progenitor cells to the Treg lineage. Although the essential function of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB family transcription factor c-Rel in the regulation of natural Treg cells has been firmly established, little is known about whether c-Rel is involved in the in vivo generation of peripheral Treg cells (pTregs), which develop from mature CD4+ conventional T cells outside of the thymus. We sought to answer this question through the induction of pTregs in the eye and gut mucosa using ovalbumin-specific T cell receptor transgenic mice that do or do not express c-Rel. Our results showed that Tregs can be induced in the eye in a c-Rel-dependent manner when immune-mediated inflammation occurs. However, c-Rel is dispensable for the induction of pTregs in the gut mucosa after oral antigen administration. Thus, c-Rel may play distinct roles in regulating the development of pTregs in different organs. Abbreviations ACAID: Anterior Chamber-Associated Immune Deviation; ATF: activating transcription factor; CREB: cAMP responsive element-binding protein; DMEM: Dulbecco minimum essential medium; HBSS: Hanks Balanced Salt Solution; NFAT: Nuclear Factor of Activated T cells; PBS: Phosphate-buffered saline; PE: Phycoerythrin; WT: wild type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wang
- a Shandong Eye Institute , Qingdao , People's Republic of China
| | - Weiyun Shi
- a Shandong Eye Institute , Qingdao , People's Republic of China
| | - Tingting Fan
- b Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shenzhen , People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaochun Wan
- b Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shenzhen , People's Republic of China
| | - Youhai H Chen
- c Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine , University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine , Philadelphia , PA , USA
| | - Qingguo Ruan
- b Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Shenzhen , People's Republic of China
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Kielczewski JL, Horai R, Jittayasothorn Y, Chan CC, Caspi RR. Tertiary Lymphoid Tissue Forms in Retinas of Mice with Spontaneous Autoimmune Uveitis and Has Consequences on Visual Function. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 196:1013-25. [PMID: 26712943 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1501570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 11/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
During chronic inflammation, tertiary lymphoid tissue (TLT) can form within an inflamed organ, including the CNS. However, little is known about TLT formation in the neuroretina. In a novel spontaneous autoimmune mouse model of uveitis (R161H), we identified well-organized lymphoid aggregates in the retina and examined them for TLT characteristics. Presence of immune cells, tissue-specific markers, and gene expression patterns typically associated with germinal centers and T follicular helper cells were examined using immunohistochemistry and gene analysis of laser capture microdissected retina. Our data revealed the retinal lymphoid structures contained CD4(+) T cells and B cells in well-defined zonal areas that expressed classic germinal center markers, peanut lectin (agglutinin) and GL-7. Gene expression analysis showed upregulation of T follicular helper cell markers, most notably CXCR5 and its ligand CXCL13, and immunohistochemical analysis confirmed CXCR5 expression, typically associated with CD4(+) T follicular helper cells. Highly organized stromal cell networks, a hallmark of organized lymphoid tissue, were also present. Positive staining for phospho-Zap70 in retina-specific T cells indicated CD4(+) T cells were being activated within these lymphoid structures. CD138(+)/B220(+) plasma cells were detected, suggesting the retinal lymphoid aggregates give rise to functional germinal centers, which produce Abs. Interestingly, eyes with lymphoid aggregates exhibited lower inflammatory scores by fundus examination and a slower initial rate of loss of visual function by electroretinography, compared with eyes without these structures. Our findings suggest that the lymphoid aggregates in the retina of R161H mice represent organized TLT, which impact the course of chronic uveitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Kielczewski
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Reiko Horai
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Yingyos Jittayasothorn
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Chi-Chao Chan
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Rachel R Caspi
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
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Verhagen J, Wegner A, Wraith DC. Extra-thymically induced T regulatory cell subsets: the optimal target for antigen-specific immunotherapy. Immunology 2015; 145:171-81. [PMID: 25716063 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Antigen-specific immunotherapy aims to selectively restore tolerance to innocuous antigens in cases of autoimmune or allergic disease, without the need for general immune suppression. Although the principle of antigen-specific immunotherapy was discovered more than a century ago, its clinical application to date is limited, particularly in the control of autoimmunity. This has resulted mainly from a lack of in-depth understanding of the underlying mechanism. More recently, the differentiation of extra-thymically induced T regulatory (Treg) cell subsets has been shown to be instrumental in peripheral tolerance induction. Two main types of inducible Treg cells, interleukin-10-secreting or Foxp3(+) , have now been described, each with distinct characteristics and methods of therapeutic induction. It is crucial, therefore, to identify the suitability of either subset in the control of specific immune disorders. This review explores their natural function, the known mechanisms of therapeutic differentiation of either subset as well as their in vivo functionality and discusses new developments that may aid their use in antigen-specific immunotherapy, with a focus on autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johan Verhagen
- School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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Silver PB, Silver P, Horai R, Chen J, Jittayasothorn Y, Chan CC, Villasmil R, Kesen MR, Caspi RR. Retina-specific T regulatory cells bring about resolution and maintain remission of autoimmune uveitis. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2015; 194:3011-9. [PMID: 25716996 PMCID: PMC4459505 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1402650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) induced in mice by immunization with the retinal Ag interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP) is a model of human autoimmune uveitis. We examined whether T regulatory cells (Tregs) found in uveitic eyes are IRBP specific, functionally suppressive, and play a role in natural resolution of disease and in maintenance of remission. Progressive increase of Foxp3(+) Treg to T effector cell (Teff) ratio in uveitic eyes correlated with resolution of disease. At peak disease, up to 20% of Tregs (CD4(+)Foxp3(+)) and up to 60% of Teffs (CD4(+)Foxp3(-)) were IRBP specific, whereas in lymphoid organs retina-specific T cells were undetectable. Tregs isolated from eyes of mice with EAU efficiently suppressed IRBP-specific responses of Teffs from the same eyes. Importantly, systemic depletion of Tregs at peak disease delayed resolution of EAU, and their depletion after resolution triggered a relapse. This could be partially duplicated by depletion of Tregs locally within the eye. Thus, the T cell infiltrate in uveitic eyes of normal mice with a polyclonal T cell repertoire is highly enriched in IRBP-specific Tregs and Teffs. Unlike what has been reported for Tregs in other inflammatory sites, Tregs from uveitic eyes appear unimpaired functionally. Finally, Foxp3(+) Tregs play a role in the natural resolution of uveitis and in the maintenance of remission, which occurs at least in part through an effect that is local to the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phyllis B Silver
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Phyllis Silver
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Reiko Horai
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Jun Chen
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892; State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China; and
| | - Yingyos Jittayasothorn
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Chi-Chao Chan
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Rafael Villasmil
- Flow Cytometry Core, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Muge R Kesen
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Rachel R Caspi
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892;
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McPherson SW, Heuss ND, Pierson MJ, Gregerson DS. Retinal antigen-specific regulatory T cells protect against spontaneous and induced autoimmunity and require local dendritic cells. J Neuroinflammation 2014; 11:205. [PMID: 25498509 PMCID: PMC4268905 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-014-0205-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously reported that the peripheral regulatory T cells (pTregs) generated 'on-demand' in the retina were crucial to retinal immune privilege, and in vitro analysis of retinal dendritic cells (DC) showed they possessed antigen presenting cell (APC) activity that promoted development of the Tregs and effector T cells (Teffs). Here, we expanded these findings by examining whether locally generated, locally acting pTregs were protective against spontaneous autoimmunity and autoimmunity mediated by interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP). We also examined the APC capacity of retinal DC in vivo. METHODS Transgenic (Tg) mice expressing diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) and/or green fluorescent protein (GFP) under control of the endogenous FoxP3 promoter (GFP only in FG mice, GFP and DTR in FDG mice) or the CD11c promoter (GFP and DTR in CDG mice) were used in conjunction with Tg mice expressing beta-galactosidase (βgal) as retinal neo-self antigen and βgal-specific TCR Tg mice (BG2). Retinal T cell responses were assayed by flow cytometry and retinal autoimmune disease assessed by histological examination. RESULTS Local depletion of the Tregs enhanced actively induced experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis to the highly expressed retinal self-antigen IRBP in FDG mice and spontaneous autoimmunity in βgal-FDG-BG2 mice, but not in mice lacking autoreactive T cells or their target antigen in the retina. The presence of retinal βgal downregulated the generation of antigen-specific Teffs and pTregs within the retina in response to local βgal challenge. Retinal DC depletion prevented generation of Tregs and Teffs within retina after βgal injection. Microglia remaining after DC depletion did not make up for loss of DC-dependent antigen presentation. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that local retinal Tregs protect against spontaneous organ-specific autoimmunity and that T cell responses within the retina require the presence of local DC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott W McPherson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Rm, 310, Lion's Research Bldg,,2001 6th St, SE,, Minneapolis 55455-3007, Minnesota, USA.
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Heuss ND, Pierson MJ, Montaniel KRC, McPherson SW, Lehmann U, Hussong SA, Ferrington DA, Low WC, Gregerson DS. Retinal dendritic cell recruitment, but not function, was inhibited in MyD88 and TRIF deficient mice. J Neuroinflammation 2014; 11:143. [PMID: 25116321 PMCID: PMC4149240 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-014-0143-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune system cells are known to affect loss of neurons due to injury or disease. Recruitment of immune cells following retinal/CNS injury has been shown to affect the health and survival of neurons in several models. We detected close, physical contact between dendritic cells and retinal ganglion cells following an optic nerve crush, and sought to understand the underlying mechanisms. METHODS CD11c-DTR/GFP mice producing a chimeric protein of diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) and GFP from a transgenic CD11c promoter were used in conjunction with mice deficient in MyD88 and/or TRIF. Retinal ganglion cell injury was induced by an optic nerve crush, and the resulting interactions of the GFPhi cells and retinal ganglion cells were examined. RESULTS Recruitment of GFPhi dendritic cells to the retina was significantly compromised in MyD88 and TRIF knockout mice. GFPhi dendritic cells played a significant role in clearing fluorescent-labeled retinal ganglion cells post-injury in the CD11c-DTR/GFP mice. In the TRIF and MyD88 deficient mice, the resting level of GFPhi dendritic cells was lower, and their influx was reduced following the optic nerve crush injury. The reduction in GFPhi dendritic cell numbers led to their replacement in the uptake of fluorescent-labeled debris by GFPlo microglia/macrophages. Depletion of GFPhi dendritic cells by treatment with diphtheria toxin also led to their displacement by GFPlo microglia/macrophages, which then assumed close contact with the injured neurons. CONCLUSIONS The contribution of recruited cells to the injury response was substantial, and regulated by MyD88 and TRIF. However, the presence of these adaptor proteins was not required for interaction with neurons, or the phagocytosis of debris. The data suggested a two-niche model in which resident microglia were maintained at a constant level post-optic nerve crush, while the injury-stimulated recruitment of dendritic cells and macrophages led to their transient appearance in numbers equivalent to or greater than the resident microglia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Dale S Gregerson
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Neurosciences, University of Minnesota, Lions Research Bldg, Rm 314, 2001 6th St SE, Minneapolis 55455, MN, USA.
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Schmitt EG, Williams CB. Generation and function of induced regulatory T cells. Front Immunol 2013; 4:152. [PMID: 23801990 PMCID: PMC3685796 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 06/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential to the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. There are two major subsets of Treg cells, “natural” Treg (nTreg) cells that develop in the thymus, and “induced” Treg (iTreg) cells that arise in the periphery from CD4+ Foxp3− conventional T cells and can be generated in vitro. Previous work has established that both subsets are required for immunological tolerance. Additionally, in vitro-derived iTreg cells can reestablish tolerance in situations where Treg cells are decreased or defective. This review will focus on iTreg cells, drawing comparisons to nTreg cells when possible. We discuss the molecular mechanisms of iTreg cell induction, both in vivo and in vitro, review the Foxp3-dependent and -independent transcriptional landscape of iTreg cells, and examine the proposed suppressive mechanisms utilized by each Treg cell subset. We also compare the T cell receptor repertoire of the Treg cell subsets, discuss inflammatory conditions where iTreg cells are generated or have been used for treatment, and address the issue of iTreg cell stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica G Schmitt
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin , Milwaukee, WI , USA
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