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Noor AAM, Nor AKCM, Redzwan NM. The immunological understanding on germinal center B cells in psoriasis. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31266. [PMID: 38578060 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
The development of psoriasis is mainly driven by the dysregulation of T cells within the skin, marking a primary involvement of these cells in the pathogenesis. Although B cells are integral components of the immune system, their role in the initiation and progression of psoriasis is not as pivotal as that of T cells. The paradox of B cell suggests that, while it is crucial for adaptive immunity, B cells may contribute to the exacerbation of psoriasis. Numerous ideas proposed that there are potential relationships between psoriasis and B cells especially within germinal centers (GCs). Recent research projected that B cells might be triggered by autoantigens which then induced molecular mimicry to alter B cells activity within GC and generate autoantibodies and pro-inflammatory cytokines, form ectopic GC, and dysregulate the proliferation of keratinocytes. Hence, in this review, we gathered potential evidence indicating the participation of B cells in psoriasis within the context of GC, aiming to enhance our comprehension and advance treatment strategies for psoriasis thus inviting many new researchers to investigate this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aina Akmal Mohd Noor
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Abdah Karimah Che Md Nor
- Central Research Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - Norhanani Mohd Redzwan
- Department of Immunology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
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Punnanitinont A, Kasperek EM, Zhu C, Yu G, Miecznikowski JC, Kramer JM. TLR7 activation of age-associated B cells mediates disease in a mouse model of primary Sjögren's disease. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 115:497-510. [PMID: 37930711 PMCID: PMC10990110 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiad135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary Sjögren's disease (pSD) (also referred to as Sjögren's syndrome) is an autoimmune disease that primarily occurs in women. In addition to exocrine gland dysfunction, pSD patients exhibit B cell hyperactivity. B cell-intrinsic TLR7 activation is integral to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus, a disease that shares similarities with pSD. The role of TLR7-mediated B cell activation in pSD, however, remains poorly understood. We hypothesized that age-associated B cells (ABCs) were expanded in pSD and that TLR7-stimulated ABCs exhibited pathogenic features characteristic of disease. Our data revealed that ABC expansion and TLR7 expression were enhanced in a pSD mouse model in a Myd88-dependent manner. Splenocytes from pSD mice showed enhanced sensitivity to TLR7 agonism as compared with those derived from control animals. Sort-purified marginal zone B cells and ABCs from pSD mice showed enhanced inflammatory cytokine secretion and were enriched for antinuclear autoantibodies following TLR7 agonism. Finally, IgG from pSD patient sera showed elevated antinuclear autoantibodies, many of which were secreted preferentially by TLR7-stimulated murine marginal zone B cells and ABCs. These data indicate that pSD B cells are hyperresponsive to TLR7 agonism and that TLR7-activated B cells contribute to pSD through cytokine and autoantibody production. Thus, therapeutics that target TLR7 signaling cascades in B cells may have utility in pSD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achamaporn Punnanitinont
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, The University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Eileen M. Kasperek
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, The University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Chengsong Zhu
- Department of Immunology, Microarray & Immune Phenotyping Core Facility, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Guan Yu
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Health Professions, The University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Jeffrey C. Miecznikowski
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Health Professions, The University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY USA
| | - Jill M. Kramer
- Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, The University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY USA
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3
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Zhang X, Hu Q, Jiang B, Xie F, Zhang Z, Hafezi-Moghadam A, Sun D. Role of Interleukin-21 in retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury: Unveiling the impact on retinal ganglion cell apoptosis. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 128:111480. [PMID: 38194747 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111480] [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: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) serves as a significant contributor to ocular diseases, triggering a cascade of pathological processes. The interplay between neuroinflammation and the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) is a well-explored aspect of retinal I/R-induced tissue damage. Within this intricate landscape, the inflammatory cytokine Interleukin-21 (IL21) emerges as a potent mediator of neuroinflammation with known detrimental effects on neuronal integrity. However, its specific impact on RGC apoptosis in the context of retinal I/R has remains to be uncovered. This study aims to unravel the potential anti-apoptotic effects of IL21 siRNA on RGC, shedding light on the neuroprotection of retinal I/R. METHODS Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats underwent a controlled elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) to 110 mmHg for 60 min to simulate retinal I/R conditions. To explore the influence of IL21 on RGC apoptosis and its underlying molecular mechanisms, a comprehensive array of techniques such immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, TUNEL, Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), immunoblotting, and qRT-PCR were carried out. RESULTS The landscape of retinal I/R injury revealed an increase in the expression of IL21, reaching its peak at 72 h. Notably, IL21 markedly induced RGC apoptosis within the retinal I/R milieu. The introduction of IL21 siRNA showed promising outcomes, manifesting as an amelioration of neurological function deficits, a reduction in RGC loss, and an increase in the thickness of the inner retinal layer at the 72-hour reperfusion. Additionally, IL21 siRNA demonstrated its ability to hinder the release of proteins associated with apoptosis via the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. In the in vitro setting, IL21 siRNA efficiently reduced R28 cell apoptosis by suppressing the production of proteins associated with apoptosis by regulating the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS This study provides evidence for the pathogenic role of IL21 in retinal I/R. The findings underscore IL21 siRNA as a promising therapeutic target for ischemic retinal injury. Its efficacy lies in its ability to mitigate RGC apoptosis by suppressing the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. These findings not only enhance our comprehension of retinal I/R pathology but also suggests IL21 siRNA as a potential transformative factor in the development of targeted therapies for ischemic retinal injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China; The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin 150086, China; Future Medical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Qiang Hu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China; The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin 150086, China; Future Medical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Bo Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Fang Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Zhongyu Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Ali Hafezi-Moghadam
- Molecular Biomarkers Nano-Imaging Laboratory (MBNI), Brigham & Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dawei Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China; The Key Laboratory of Myocardial Ischemia, Chinese Ministry of Education, Harbin 150086, China; Future Medical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China.
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Choi J, Crotty S, Choi YS. Cytokines in Follicular Helper T Cell Biology in Physiologic and Pathologic Conditions. Immune Netw 2024; 24:e8. [PMID: 38455461 PMCID: PMC10917579 DOI: 10.4110/in.2024.24.e8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) play a crucial role in generating high-affinity antibodies (Abs) and establishing immunological memory. Cytokines, among other functional molecules produced by Tfh, are central to germinal center (GC) reactions. This review focuses on the role of cytokines, including IL-21 and IL-4, in regulating B cell responses within the GC, such as differentiation, affinity maturation, and plasma cell development. Additionally, this review explores the impact of other cytokines like CXCL13, IL-10, IL-9, and IL-2 on GC responses and their potential involvement in autoimmune diseases, allergies, and cancer. This review highlights contributions of Tfh-derived cytokines to both protective immunity and immunopathology across a spectrum of diseases. A deeper understanding of Tfh cytokine biology holds promise for insights into biomedical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyong Choi
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
- Department of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul 06591, Korea
| | - Shane Crotty
- Center for Vaccine Innovation, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Youn Soo Choi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Department of Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea
- Transplantation Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul 03080, Korea
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Shbeer AM, Ahmed Robadi I. The role of Interleukin-21 in autoimmune Diseases: Mechanisms, therapeutic Implications, and future directions. Cytokine 2024; 173:156437. [PMID: 37972478 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2023.156437] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
IL-21 is a multifunctional cytokine that regulates the functional activity of various immune cells. Initial studies have shown that IL-21 can influence the differentiation, proliferation and function of T and B cells, as well as promote the maturation and increase the cytotoxicity of CD8 + T cells and NK cells. During humoral immune responses, IL-21 has significant effects on B cell activation, differentiation and apoptosis. In addition, IL-21 promotes the differentiation of both naive and memory B cells, ultimately leading to the activation of plasma cells. The function of IL-21 in the immune system is complex, as it has the ability to either stimulate or inhibit immune responses. in addition, IL-21 facilitates the differentiation of naive and memory B cells into plasma cells. The functionality of IL-21 in the immune system is diverse, as it has the ability to stimulate or inhibit immune responses. This cytokine has been implicated in several diseases including cancer, allergies and autoimmune diseases. Research has suggested that this cytokine is involved in the development of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Several studies have suggested that inhibition of IL-21 has a therapeutic effect on autoimmune diseases. Therefore, targeting both the cytokine's receptor and IL-21 in autoimmune diseases may be an effective approach to reduce the severity of the disease or to treat it. This review will examine the biological effects of IL-21 on various immune cells and the role of the cytokine in autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah M Shbeer
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ibrahim Ahmed Robadi
- Department of pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
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Jiang Y, Chen H, Lin J, Pan J, Shen Y, Li Q. Anti-prolactin treatment alleviates lupus conditions by regulating the JAK2-STAT3 pathway. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2023; 50:936-943. [PMID: 37727880 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13818] [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: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We previously revealed the role of prolactin (PRL) in antibody production and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. In this study, we sought to determine whether inhibition of PRL could improve lupus-like disease in MRL/lpr mice. METHODS The expression levels of PRL in various cell types of lupus patients were measured by flow cytometry. The effects of anti-PRL on animal survival, renal histopathology, creatinine, proteinuria, anti-dsDNA antibody, cytokine production, splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy were assessed. The effect of anti-PRL on the Jak2-Stat3 signalling pathway was detected by western blotting. RESULTS Prolactin was upregulated in B cells, neutrophils, CD4+ T cells, and monocytes isolated from patients with lupus. Furthermore, inhibition of PRL by anti-PRL treatment around the time of onset prolonged the survival of MRL/lpr mice, significantly reduced anti-dsDNA antibody production, and alleviated symptoms of lupus nephritis, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy. In addition, anti-PRL-treated mice showed a decrease in the levels of pathogenic cytokines such as IL-21 and IL-6. Furthermore, mechanistically, anti-PRL treatment significantly reduced the levels of p-Jak2 and p-Stat3 in MRL/lpr mice. CONCLUSIONS In summary, these data suggest that PRL inhibition alleviates lupus-like disease in MRL/lpr mice by modulating the Jak2-Stat3 signalling cascade. More importantly, our results imply the potential of PRL inhibitors and may provide a novel therapeutic approach for lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Jiang
- Department of Dermatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Huyan Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinran Lin
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiewen Pan
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanyun Shen
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiao Li
- Department of Dermatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Dermatology, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
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7
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Luo R, Chang D, Zhang N, Cheng Y, Ge S, Xu G. T Follicular Helper Cells in Tertiary Lymphoid Structure Contribute to Renal Fibrosis by IL-21. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12535. [PMID: 37628716 PMCID: PMC10454845 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) represents lymphocyte clusters in non-lymphoid organs. The formation and maintenance of TLS are dependent on follicular helper T (TFH) cells. However, the role of TFH cells during renal TLS formation and the renal fibrotic process has not been comprehensively elucidated in chronic kidney disease. Here, we detected the circulating TFH cells from 57 IgAN patients and found that the frequency of TFH cells was increased in IgA nephropathy patients with renal TLS and also increased in renal tissues from the ischemic-reperfusion-injury (IRI)-induced TLS model. The inducible T-cell co-stimulator (ICOS) is one of the surface marker molecules of TFH. Remarkably, the application of an ICOS-neutralizing antibody effectively prevented the upregulation of TFH cells and expression of its canonical functional mediator IL-21, and also reduced renal TLS formation and renal fibrosis in IRI mice in vivo. In the study of this mechanism, we found that recombinant IL-21 could directly promote renal fibrosis and the expression of p65. Furthermore, BAY 11-7085, a p65 selective inhibitor, could effectively alleviate the profibrotic effect induced by IL-21 stimulation. Our results together suggested that TFH cells contribute to TLS formation and renal fibrosis by IL-21. Targeting the ICOS-signaling pathway network could reduce TFH cell infiltration and alleviate renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Shuwang Ge
- Department of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (R.L.)
| | - Gang Xu
- Department of Nephrology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; (R.L.)
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Sun L, Su Y, Jiao A, Wang X, Zhang B. T cells in health and disease. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:235. [PMID: 37332039 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01471-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
T cells are crucial for immune functions to maintain health and prevent disease. T cell development occurs in a stepwise process in the thymus and mainly generates CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Upon antigen stimulation, naïve T cells differentiate into CD4+ helper and CD8+ cytotoxic effector and memory cells, mediating direct killing, diverse immune regulatory function, and long-term protection. In response to acute and chronic infections and tumors, T cells adopt distinct differentiation trajectories and develop into a range of heterogeneous populations with various phenotype, differentiation potential, and functionality under precise and elaborate regulations of transcriptional and epigenetic programs. Abnormal T-cell immunity can initiate and promote the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of T cell development, CD4+ and CD8+ T cell classification, and differentiation in physiological settings. We further elaborate the heterogeneity, differentiation, functionality, and regulation network of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in infectious disease, chronic infection and tumor, and autoimmune disease, highlighting the exhausted CD8+ T cell differentiation trajectory, CD4+ T cell helper function, T cell contributions to immunotherapy and autoimmune pathogenesis. We also discuss the development and function of γδ T cells in tissue surveillance, infection, and tumor immunity. Finally, we summarized current T-cell-based immunotherapies in both cancer and autoimmune diseases, with an emphasis on their clinical applications. A better understanding of T cell immunity provides insight into developing novel prophylactic and therapeutic strategies in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Sun
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Yanhong Su
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Anjun Jiao
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Xin Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China
| | - Baojun Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Institute of Infection and Immunity, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710061, China.
- Xi'an Key Laboratory of Immune Related Diseases, Xi'an, Shannxi, 710061, China.
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Sun M, Wang X, Zhang N, Wang L, Wang X, Fan W, Li Q, Liu Y, Song M, Guo X. Imbalance of follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells/follicular helper T (Tfh) cells in adult patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:959-965. [PMID: 37208911 PMCID: PMC10525409 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231168142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
This study is to investigate the role of follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells/follicular helper T (Tfh) cells imbalance in adult patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Totally, 40 cases of primary ITP patients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled. Blood samples were collected from ITP patients (pre- and post-therapy) and controls. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of Tfr and Tfh cells in peripheral blood. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect the mRNA expression levels of FOXP3, BCL-6, and BLIMP-1. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to detect interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-21 levels. Spearman's correlation was used for correlation analysis. Compared with control, Tfr cell proportion, FOXP3 mRNA, and IL-10 were significantly decreased in the pre-therapy ITP group, but were significantly increased post-therapy. Tfh cell proportion, BCL-6 mRNA, and IL-21 were increased, while BLIMP-1 mRNA was decreased, in the pre-therapy ITP group than the control group. These effects were reversed in the post-therapy ITP group. Moreover, the Tfr/Tfh ratio was decreased in the pre-therapy ITP group than control group, whereas was increased in the post-therapy ITP group than the pre-therapy ITP group. Furthermore, Tfr cell proportion, FOXP3 mRNA, IL-10, and Tfr/Tfh ratio were positively correlated with the platelet count (PLT) in the ITP pre-therapy group. In addition, Tfh cell proportion, BCL-6 mRNA, and IL-21 were negatively correlated with the PLT, while BLIMP-1 mRNA was positively correlated with the PLT. Conclusively, Tfr cell proportion in peripheral blood is decreased and Tfh cell proportion is increased, leading to unbalanced Tfr/Tfh ratio in ITP patients pre-therapy. The imbalance of Tfr/Tfh is recovered post-therapy, suggesting that the Tfr and Tfh cells may be involved in ITP pathogenesis. The abnormal expression of FOXP3, BCL-6, and BLIMP-1 mRNA and the changes in IL-10 and IL-21 levels may be related to the imbalance of Tfr/Tfh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingling Sun
- Hematologic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Research Institute of Hematology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Xiujuan Wang
- Hematologic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Research Institute of Hematology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Hematologic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Research Institute of Hematology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Hematologic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Research Institute of Hematology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Xinyou Wang
- Hematologic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Research Institute of Hematology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Wenxia Fan
- Hematologic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Research Institute of Hematology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Qinzhi Li
- Hematologic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Research Institute of Hematology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Hematologic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Research Institute of Hematology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Mengting Song
- Hematologic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Research Institute of Hematology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Xinhong Guo
- Hematologic Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Research Institute of Hematology, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
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Mohan C, Zhang T, Putterman C. Pathogenic cellular and molecular mediators in lupus nephritis. Nat Rev Nephrol 2023:10.1038/s41581-023-00722-z. [PMID: 37225921 DOI: 10.1038/s41581-023-00722-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Kidney involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus - lupus nephritis (LN) - is one of the most important and common clinical manifestations of this disease and occurs in 40-60% of patients. Current treatment regimens achieve a complete kidney response in only a minority of affected individuals, and 10-15% of patients with LN develop kidney failure, with its attendant morbidity and considerable prognostic implications. Moreover, the medications most often used to treat LN - corticosteroids in combination with immunosuppressive or cytotoxic drugs - are associated with substantial side effects. Advances in proteomics, flow cytometry and RNA sequencing have led to important new insights into immune cells, molecules and mechanistic pathways that are instrumental in the pathogenesis of LN. These insights, together with a renewed focus on the study of human LN kidney tissue, suggest new therapeutic targets that are already being tested in lupus animal models and early-phase clinical trials and, as such, are hoped to eventually lead to meaningful improvements in the care of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus-associated kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Mohan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Ting Zhang
- Division of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chaim Putterman
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel.
- Division of Rheumatology and Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
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11
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Gong M, Choi SC, Park YP, Zou X, Elshikha AS, Gerriets VA, Rathmell JC, Mohamazadeh M, Morel L. Transcriptional and metabolic programs promote the expansion of follicular helper T cells in lupus-prone mice. iScience 2023; 26:106774. [PMID: 37216123 PMCID: PMC10197114 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The expansion of follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, which is tightly associated with the development of lupus, is reversed by the inhibition of either glycolysis or glutaminolysis in mice. Here we analyzed the gene expression and metabolome of Tfh cells and naive CD4+ T (Tn) cells in the B6.Sle1.Sle2.Sle3 (triple congenic, TC) mouse model of lupus and its congenic B6 control. Lupus genetic susceptibility in TC mice drives a gene expression signature starting in Tn cells and expanding in Tfh cells with enhanced signaling and effector programs. Metabolically, TC Tn and Tfh cells showed multiple defective mitochondrial functions. TC Tfh cells also showed specific anabolic programs including enhanced glutamate metabolism, malate-aspartate shuttle, and ammonia recycling, as well as altered dynamics of amino acid content and their transporters. Thus, our study has revealed specific metabolic programs that can be targeted to specifically limit the expansion of pathogenic Tfh cells in lupus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghao Gong
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Seung-Chul Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Yuk Pheel Park
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Xueyang Zou
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Ahmed S. Elshikha
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Valerie A. Gerriets
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jeffrey C. Rathmell
- Vanderbilt Center for Immunobiology, Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Mansour Mohamazadeh
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Laurence Morel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
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12
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Seth A, Yokokura Y, Choi JY, Shyer JA, Vidyarthi A, Craft J. AP-1-independent NFAT signaling maintains follicular T cell function in infection and autoimmunity. J Exp Med 2023; 220:e20211110. [PMID: 36820828 PMCID: PMC9998660 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20211110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Coordinated gene expression programs enable development and function of T cell subsets. Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells coordinate humoral immune responses by providing selective and instructive cues to germinal center B cells. Here, we show that AP-1-independent NFAT gene expression, a program associated with hyporesponsive T cell states like anergy or exhaustion, is also a distinguishing feature of Tfh cells. NFAT signaling in Tfh cells, maintained by NFAT2 autoamplification, is required for their survival. ICOS signaling upregulates Bcl6 and induces an AP-1-independent NFAT program in primary T cells. Using lupus-prone mice, we demonstrate that genetic disruption or pharmacologic inhibition of NFAT signaling specifically impacts Tfh cell maintenance and leads to amelioration of autoantibody production and renal injury. Our data provide important conceptual and therapeutic insights into the signaling mechanisms that regulate Tfh cell development and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Seth
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Yoshiyuki Yokokura
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jin-Young Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Justin A. Shyer
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Aurobind Vidyarthi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Joe Craft
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Immunobiology, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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13
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Abboud G, Choi SC, Zhang X, Park YP, Kanda N, Zeumer-Spataro L, Terrell M, Teng X, Nündel K, Shlomchik MJ, Morel L. Glucose Requirement of Antigen-Specific Autoreactive B Cells and CD4+ T Cells. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:377-388. [PMID: 36602759 PMCID: PMC9898175 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The activation of lymphocytes in patients with lupus and in mouse models of the disease is coupled with an increased cellular metabolism in which glucose plays a major role. The pharmacological inhibition of glycolysis with 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG) reversed the expansion of follicular helper CD4+ T cells and germinal center B cells in lupus-prone mice, as well as the production of autoantibodies. The response of foreign Ags was however not affected by 2DG in these mice, suggesting that B and CD4+ T cell activation by autoantigens is uniquely sensitive to glycolysis. In this study, we tested this hypothesis with monoclonal B cells and CD4+ T cells specific for lupus-relevant autoantigens. AM14 Vκ8R (AM14) transgenic B cells are activated by IgG2a/chromatin immune complexes and they can receive cognate help from chromatin-specific 13C2 CD4+ T cells. We showed that activation of AM14 B cells by their cognate Ag PL2-3 induced glycolysis, and that the inhibition of glycolysis reduced their activation and differentiation into Ab-forming cells, in the absence or presence of T cell help. The dependency of autoreactive B cells on glycolysis is in sharp contrast with the previously reported dependency of 4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl acetyl-specific B cells on fatty acid oxidation. Contrary to AM14 B cells, the activation and differentiation of 13C2 T cells into follicular helper CD4+ T cells was not altered by 2DG, which differs from polyclonal CD4+ T cells from lupus-prone mice. These results further define the role of glycolysis in the production of lupus autoantibodies and demonstrate the need to evaluate the metabolic requirements of Ag-specific B and T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georges Abboud
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Seung-Chul Choi
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Xiaojuan Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Yuk Pheel Park
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Nathalie Kanda
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Leilani Zeumer-Spataro
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Morgan Terrell
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Xiangyu Teng
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kirsten Nündel
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Mark J. Shlomchik
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Laurence Morel
- Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Laboratory Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
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14
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Zhang M, Zhang X. T cells in ocular autoimmune uveitis: Pathways and therapeutic approaches. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 114:109565. [PMID: 36535124 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune uveitis is a non-infectious intraocular condition that affects the uveal tract of the eye and threatens vision if not treated properly. Increasing evidence suggests that activated CD4+ T cells are associated with progressive and permanent destruction of photoreceptors in ocular autoimmune diseases. As such, the purpose of this review is to offer an overview of the role of CD4+ T cells in autoimmune uveitis as well as a justification for the current development and assessment of innovative autoimmune uveitis medications targeting CD4+ T cells. With an emphasis on T helper (Th)17, Th1, and Th2 cells, follicular helper CD4+ T cells, and regulatory T cells, this review presents a summary of recent research related to the pathways and signaling that encourage CD4+ T cells to develop into specialized effector cells. We also describe immunotherapeutic approaches based on CD4+ T cell subsets and their potential as therapeutic agents for autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaomin Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Retinal Functions and Diseases, Tianjin Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Ocular Disease, Eye Institute and School of Optometry, Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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15
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Szabó K, Jámbor I, Pázmándi K, Nagy N, Papp G, Tarr T. Altered Circulating Follicular T Helper Cell Subsets and Follicular T Regulatory Cells Are Indicators of a Derailed B Cell Response in Lupus, Which Could Be Modified by Targeting IL-21R. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012209. [PMID: 36293075 PMCID: PMC9602506 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by the breakdown of self-tolerance, the production of high-affinity pathogenic autoantibodies and derailed B cell responses, which indicates the importance of central players, such as follicular T helper (TFH) subsets and follicular T regulatory (TFR) cells, in the pathomechanism of the disease. In this study, we aimed to analyze the distribution of the circulating counterparts of these cells and their association with disease characteristics and B cell disproportions in SLE. We found that the increased percentage of activated circulating TFH (cTFH) and cTFR cells was more pronounced in cutaneous lupus; however, among cTFH subsets, the frequency of cTFH17 cells was decreased in patients with lupus nephritis. Furthermore, the decreased proportion of cTFH17 cells was associated with low complement C4 levels and high disease activity scores. We also investigated whether the blocking of the IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) with an anti-IL-21R monoclonal antibody inhibits the B cell response, since IL-21 primarily produced by TFH cells potentially promotes humoral immunity. We observed that anti-IL-21R inhibited plasmablast generation and immunoglobulin production. Our study demonstrated that, besides cTFR/cTFH imbalance, cTFH17 cells play a crucial role in SLE pathogenesis, and modulating cTFH-B cell interaction through the IL-21/IL-21R pathway may be a promising therapeutic strategy to suppress the pathological B cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krisztina Szabó
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
- Correspondence:
| | - Ilona Jámbor
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Kitti Pázmándi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Nikolett Nagy
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Gábor Papp
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tünde Tarr
- Division of Clinical Immunology, Institute of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, H-4032 Debrecen, Hungary
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16
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Jenkins D, Phalke S, Bell R, Lessard S, Gupta S, Youssef M, Tam K, Nocon A, Rivera-Correa J, Wright T, Sculco T, Otero M, Pernis AB, Sculco P. Adaptive immune responses in patients requiring revision after total knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Res 2022; 41:984-993. [PMID: 36121317 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Dissatisfaction occurs in nearly 20% of patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA); however, there remains only limited understanding of the biologic mechanisms that may contribute to suboptimal postoperative outcomes requiring revision surgery. Expansion of effector T and B cells, could promote an abnormal healing response via local or peripheral immune system mechanisms and contribute to inferior outcomes necessitating revision TKA. In this pilot study, we hypothesized that patients suffering from complications of arthrofibrosis or instability may exhibit differences in adaptive immune function. Patients (n = 31) undergoing revision TKA for an indication of arthrofibrosis or instability were prospectively enrolled. Whole blood and synovial fluid (SF) from the operative knee were collected at time of surgery. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and analyzed by flow cytometry. Serum and SF were assessed for immunoglobulin levels by Luminex and antiphospholipid antibodies by enzyme-linked immunoassay. No significant differences were observed in peripheral blood T/B cell populations or serum immunoglobulins levels between groups. SF analysis demonstrated significant differences between the two groups, with higher levels of immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) (p = 0.0184), IgG3 (p = 0.0084) and antiphosphatidyl serine IgG (p = 0.034) in arthrofibrosis relative to instability patients. Increased levels of both IgG subclasses and antiphospholipid antibodies in the SF suggest that intra-articular T-B cell interactions, potentially triggered by exposure to apoptotic components generated during post-op healing, could be functioning as a source of immune complexes that fuel fibrous tissue growth in arthrofibrotic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Jenkins
- HSS Research Institute, Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Swati Phalke
- HSS Research Institute, Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Richard Bell
- HSS Research Institute, Arthritis and Tissue Degeneration Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
- HSS Research Institute, David Z. Rosensweig Genomics Research Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Samantha Lessard
- HSS Research Institute, Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Sanjay Gupta
- HSS Research Institute, Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Mark Youssef
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Complex Joint Reconstruction Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Kathleen Tam
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Complex Joint Reconstruction Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Allina Nocon
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Complex Joint Reconstruction Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Juan Rivera-Correa
- HSS Research Institute, Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Timothy Wright
- Department of Biomechanics, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Thomas Sculco
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Complex Joint Reconstruction Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Miguel Otero
- HSS Research Institute, Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
- HSS Research Institute, Orthopedic Soft Tissue Research Program, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Alessandra B Pernis
- HSS Research Institute, Autoimmunity and Inflammation Program, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
- HSS Research Institute, David Z. Rosensweig Genomics Research Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Peter Sculco
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Complex Joint Reconstruction Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, New York, USA
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17
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Akama-Garren EH, Carroll MC. T Cell Help in the Autoreactive Germinal Center. Scand J Immunol 2022; 95:e13192. [PMID: 35587582 DOI: 10.1111/sji.13192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The germinal center serves as a site of B cell selection and affinity maturation, critical processes for productive adaptive immunity. In autoimmune disease tolerance is broken in the germinal center reaction, leading to production of autoreactive B cells that may propagate disease. Follicular T cells are crucial regulators of this process, providing signals necessary for B cell survival in the germinal center. Here we review the emerging roles of follicular T cells in the autoreactive germinal center. Recent advances in immunological techniques have allowed study of the gene expression profiles and repertoire of follicular T cells at unprecedented resolution. These studies provide insight into the potential role follicular T cells play in preventing or facilitating germinal center loss of tolerance. Improved understanding of the mechanisms of T cell help in autoreactive germinal centers provides novel therapeutic targets for diseases of germinal center dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot H Akama-Garren
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael C Carroll
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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18
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Akama-Garren EH, Carroll MC. Lupus Susceptibility Loci Predispose Mice to Clonal Lymphocytic Responses and Myeloid Expansion. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 208:2403-2424. [PMID: 35477687 PMCID: PMC9254690 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Lupus susceptibility results from the combined effects of numerous genetic loci, but the contribution of these loci to disease pathogenesis has been difficult to study due to the large cellular heterogeneity of the autoimmune immune response. We performed single-cell RNA, BCR, and TCR sequencing of splenocytes from mice with multiple polymorphic lupus susceptibility loci. We not only observed lymphocyte and myeloid expansion, but we also characterized changes in subset frequencies and gene expression, such as decreased CD8 and marginal zone B cells and increased Fcrl5- and Cd5l-expressing macrophages. Clonotypic analyses revealed expansion of B and CD4 clones, and TCR repertoires from lupus-prone mice were distinguishable by algorithmic specificity prediction and unsupervised machine learning classification. Myeloid differential gene expression, metabolism, and altered ligand-receptor interaction were associated with decreased Ag presentation. This dataset provides novel mechanistic insight into the pathophysiology of a spontaneous model of lupus, highlighting potential therapeutic targets for autoantibody-mediated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot H Akama-Garren
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and
- Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Michael C Carroll
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and
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19
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Scindia Y, Mehrad B, Morel L. Labile iron accumulation augments T follicular helper cell differentiation. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:159472. [PMID: 35499081 PMCID: PMC9057622 DOI: 10.1172/jci159472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are a subset of CD4+ T cells that are essential in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Notably, iron is required for activated CD4+ T lymphocytes to sustain high proliferation and metabolism. In this issue of the JCI, Gao et al. showed that CD4+ T cells from patients with SLE accumulated iron, augmenting their differentiation into Tfh cells and correlating with disease activity. Using human cells and murine models, the authors demonstrated that miR-21 was overexpressed in lupus T cells and inhibited 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase-2 (BDH2). The subsequent loss of BDH2 drove labile iron to accumulate in the cytoplasm and promoted TET enzyme activity, BCL6 gene demethylation, and Tfh cell differentiation. This work identifies a role for iron in CD4+ T cell biology and the development of pathogenic effectors in SLE. We await future investigations that could determine whether modulating iron levels could regulate Tfh cells in human health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogesh Scindia
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine and
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Borna Mehrad
- Department of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Laurence Morel
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine and
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20
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Gowthaman U, Sikder S, Lee D, Fisher C. T follicular helper cells in IgE-mediated pathologies. Curr Opin Immunol 2022; 74:133-139. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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21
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Immunogenetics of Lupus Erythematosus. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1367:213-257. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-92616-8_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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22
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Nakayamada S, Tanaka Y. Clinical relevance of T follicular helper cells in systemic lupus erythematosus. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2021; 17:1143-1150. [PMID: 34469695 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2021.1976146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION T helper cells regulate a variety of immune responses and are involved in the pathogenesis of infection, allergy and autoimmune diseases. T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, which induce B cell maturation, play an important role in the production of the extremely diverse autoantibodies found in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). AREA COVERED We provide an overview of the plasticity and diversity of Tfh cells in humans and their involvement in the pathology and pathogenesis of SLE. Our review outlines the potential of Tfh cells as a therapeutic target for SLE. EXPERT OPINION Tfh cells are involved in the pathogenesis of SLE based on their plasticity and diversity. Tfh cell differentiation and function are variably regulated by cytokines (IL-12, interferons, IL-2, etc), co-stimulatory molecules (ICOS, CD40L, OX40, etc), and intracellular signals (JAK-STAT, etc). Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying Tfh cell differentiation and function may lead to the development of new therapies for SLE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Nakayamada
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Yoshiya Tanaka
- The First Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan
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23
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A novel humanized cutaneous lupus erythematosus mouse model mediated by IL-21-induced age-associated B cells. J Autoimmun 2021; 123:102686. [PMID: 34325305 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2021.102686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a relapsing autoimmune disease, but key elements that drive disease initiation and progression remain elusive. To date, the lack of ideal murine model which resemble human cutaneous lupus makes it extremely challenging for moving mechanistic discoveries and novel therapeutics. Here, we prompt a humanized murine model to develop an inducible rapid-onset murine that performs cutaneous rather than systemic lupus, depending on the successful human immune system reconstruction from active lupus patients and UVB irradiation as for essentially pathogenic triggers. In addition, we demonstrate a newly discovered population of B cell with a unique phenotype, that of the age-associated B cell (ABC, T-bet+ CD11b+), exhibits B cell clusters in humanized cutaneous lupus. In the response of IL-21 and TLR7/9 signals, recruitment of autoreactive B cells to the position of inflammation with subsequent localized antibody production of IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3, has the potential to exacerbate ongoing inflammation and thus driving lupus-like autoimmunity in a B-cell-dominant fashion. Overall, our model provides a relevant system for exploring the pathophysiology of cutaneous lupus, a suitable model for drug development, as well as updating a potential role of IL-21 and TLR7/9 to be targeted by biologics.
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24
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Diversity of T Helper and Regulatory T Cells and Their Contribution to the Pathogenesis of Allergic Diseases. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021; 268:265-296. [PMID: 34247282 DOI: 10.1007/164_2021_486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
T helper (Th) and regulatory T (Treg) cells represent important effectors of adaptive immunity. They mediate communication between the immune system and tissue sites and thereby coordinate effective defense against environmental threats or maintain tolerance, respectively. Since the discovery of two prototypic T helper cells, Th1 and Th2, additional phenotypic and functional distinct subsets have been described ranging from Th17, Th22, Th9, and T follicular helper cells. The same holds true for regulatory T cells that represent a family with functionally distinct subsets characterized by co-expression of the transcription factors T-bet, Gata3, or RORγt. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on differentiation and function of T helper and regulatory T cell subsets and discuss their lineage stability versus plasticity towards other subsets. In addition, we highlight the direct and indirect contribution of each subset to the pathology of allergies and indicate novel therapies for specific targeting the effector functions of T helper and regulatory T cells.
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25
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Atisha-Fregoso Y, Toz B, Diamond B. Meant to B: B cells as a therapeutic target in systemic lupus erythematosus. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:149095. [PMID: 34128474 PMCID: PMC8203443 DOI: 10.1172/jci149095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
B cells have a prominent role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). They are mediators of inflammation through the production of pathogenic antibodies that augment inflammation and cause direct tissue and cell damage. Multiple therapeutic agents targeting B cells have been successfully used in mouse models of SLE; however, these preclinical studies have led to approval of only one new agent to treat patients with SLE: belimumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting B cell-activating factor (BAFF). Integrating the experience acquired from previous clinical trials with the knowledge generated by new studies about mechanisms of B cell contributions to SLE in specific groups of patients is critical to the development of new treatment strategies that will help to improve outcomes in patients with SLE. In particular, a sharper focus on B cell differentiation to plasma cells is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yemil Atisha-Fregoso
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, USA
- Elmezzi Graduate School of Molecular Medicine at Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Bahtiyar Toz
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Queens Hospital Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - Betty Diamond
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, USA
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26
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Lu J, Wu J, Xia X, Peng H, Wang S. Follicular helper T cells: potential therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:5095-5106. [PMID: 33880615 PMCID: PMC11073436 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03839-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease with joint and systemic inflammation that is accompanied by the production of autoantibodies, such as rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibodies. Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells, which are a subset of CD4+ T cells, facilitate germinal center (GC) reactions by providing signals required for high-affinity antibody production and the generation of long-lived antibody-secreting plasma cells. Uncontrolled expansion of Tfh cells is observed in various systemic autoimmune diseases. Particularly, the frequencies of circulating Tfh-like (cTfh-like) cells, their subtypes and synovial-infiltrated T helper cells correlate with disease activity in RA patients. Therefore, reducing autoantibody production and restricting excessive Tfh cell responses are ideal ways to control RA pathogenesis. The present review summarizes current knowledge of the involvement of Tfh cells in RA pathogenesis and highlights the potential of these cells as therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212002, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu University School of Medicine, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu University School of Medicine, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Xueli Xia
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu University School of Medicine, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Huiyong Peng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212002, China.
| | - Shengjun Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated People's Hospital, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212002, China.
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu University School of Medicine, Zhenjiang, China.
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27
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Hart AP, Laufer TM. A review of signaling and transcriptional control in T follicular helper cell differentiation. J Leukoc Biol 2021; 111:173-195. [PMID: 33866600 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.1ri0121-066r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are a critical component of adaptive immunity and assist in optimal Ab-mediated defense. Multiple effector functions of Tfh support germinal center B cell survival, Ab class switching, and plasma cell maturation. In the past 2 decades, the phenotype and functional characteristics of GC Tfh have been clarified allowing for robust studies of the Th subset including activation signals and environmental cues controlling Tfh differentiation and migration during an immune response. A unique, 2-step differentiation process of Tfh has been proposed but the mechanisms underlying transition between unstable Tfh precursors and functional mature Tfh remain elusive. Likewise, newly identified transcriptional regulators of Tfh development have not yet been incorporated into our understanding of how these cells might function in disease. Here, we review the signals and downstream transcription factors that shape Tfh differentiation including what is known about the epigenetic processes that maintain Tfh identity. It is proposed that further evaluation of the stepwise differentiation pattern of Tfh will yield greater insights into how these cells become dysregulated in autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Hart
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Terri M Laufer
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Corporal Michael C. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
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28
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Prolactin Increases the Frequency of Follicular T Helper Cells with Enhanced IL21 Secretion and OX40 Expression in Lupus-Prone MRL/lpr Mice. J Immunol Res 2021; 2021:6630715. [PMID: 33763492 PMCID: PMC7963914 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6630715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by high levels of IgG class autoantibodies that contribute to the pathophysiology of the disease. The formation of these autoantibodies occurs in the germinal centers, where there is cooperation between follicular T helper cells (TFH) and autoreactive B cells. Prolactin has been reported to exacerbate the clinical manifestations of lupus by increasing autoantibody concentrations. The objective of this study was to characterize the participation of prolactin in the differentiation and activation of TFH cells, by performing in vivo and in vitro tests with lupus-prone mice, using flow cytometry and real-time PCR. We found that TFH cells express the long isoform of the prolactin receptor and promoted STAT3 phosphorylation. Receptor expression was higher in MRL/lpr mice and correlative with the manifestations of the disease. Although prolactin does not intervene in the differentiation of TFH cells, it does favor their activation by increasing the percentage of TFH OX40+ and TFH IL21+ cells, as well as leading to high serum concentrations of IL21. These results support a mechanism in which prolactin participates in the emergence of lupus by inducing overactive TFH cells and perhaps promoting dysfunctional germinal centers.
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29
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Riedel JH, Turner JE, Panzer U. T helper cell trafficking in autoimmune kidney diseases. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 385:281-292. [PMID: 33598825 PMCID: PMC8523400 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03403-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
CD4+ T cells are key drivers of autoimmune diseases, including crescentic GN. Many effector mechanisms employed by T cells to mediate renal damage and repair, such as local cytokine production, depend on their presence at the site of inflammation. Therefore, the mechanisms regulating the renal CD4+ T cell infiltrate are of central importance. From a conceptual point of view, there are four distinct factors that can regulate the abundance of T cells in the kidney: (1) T cell infiltration, (2) T cell proliferation, (3) T cell death and (4) T cell retention/egress. While a substantial amount of data on the recruitment of T cells to the kidneys in crescentic GN have accumulated over the last decade, the roles of T cell proliferation and death in the kidney in crescentic GN is less well characterized. However, the findings from the data available so far do not indicate a major role of these processes. More importantly, the molecular mechanisms underlying both egress and retention of T cells from/in peripheral tissues, such as the kidney, are unknown. Here, we review the current knowledge of mechanisms and functions of T cell migration in renal autoimmune diseases with a special focus on chemokines and their receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Hendrik Riedel
- Division of Translational Immunology, III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.,III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan-Eric Turner
- III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulf Panzer
- Division of Translational Immunology, III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany. .,III. Department of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. .,Hamburg Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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30
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Chen PM, Tsokos GC. T Cell Abnormalities in the Pathogenesis of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: an Update. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2021; 23:12. [PMID: 33512577 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-020-00978-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Systemic lupus erythematosus is a complex disease with broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. In addition to abnormal B cell responsive leading to autoantibody production, various T cells also play different roles in promoting systemic autoimmunity and end organ damage. We aim to provide a review on recent developments in how abnormalities in different T cells subsets contribute to systemic lupus erythematosus pathogenesis and how they inform the consideration of new promising therapeutics. RECENT FINDINGS Distinct subsets of T cells known as T follicular helper cells enable the production of pathogenic autoantibodies. Detailed understanding of the B cell helping T cell subsets should improve the performance of clinical trials targeting the cognate T:B cell interaction. CD8+ T cells play a role in peripheral tolerance and reversal of its exhausted phenotype could potentially alleviate both systemic autoimmunity and the risk of infection. Research on the abnormal lupus T cell signaling also leads to putative therapeutic targets able to restore interleukin-2 production and suppress the production of the pathogenic IL-17 cytokine. Recently, several studies have focused on dissecting T cell populations located in the damaged organs, aiming to target the pathogenic processes specific to each organ. Numerous T cell subsets play distinct roles in SLE pathogenesis and recent research in understanding abnormal signaling pathways, cellular metabolism, and environmental cues pave the way for the development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping-Min Chen
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - George C Tsokos
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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31
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Cao Y, Dong L, He Y, Hu X, Hou Y, Dong Y, Yang Q, Bi Y, Liu G. The direct and indirect regulation of follicular T helper cell differentiation in inflammation and cancer. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:5466-5480. [PMID: 33421124 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Follicular T helper (Tfh) cells play important roles in facilitating B-cell differentiation and inducing the antibody response in humoral immunity and immune-associated inflammatory diseases, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. However, Tfh cell differentiation is mainly achieved through self-directed differentiation regulation and the indirect regulation mechanism of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). During the direct intrinsic differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells into Tfh cells, Bcl-6, as the characteristic transcription factor, plays the core role of transcriptional regulation. APCs indirectly drive Tfh cell differentiation mainly by changing cytokine secretion mechanisms. Altered metabolic signaling is also critically involved in Tfh cell differentiation. This review summarizes the recent progress in understanding the direct and indirect regulatory signals and metabolic mechanisms of Tfh cell differentiation and function in immune-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yejin Cao
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Dong
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Ying He
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Xuelian Hu
- Immunochina Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., No. 80, Xingshikou Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Yueru Hou
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Yingjie Dong
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Qiuli Yang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China
| | - Yujing Bi
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, No. 20, East Street, Fengtai District, Beijing, China
| | - Guangwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Haidian District, Beijing, China
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32
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The Many Faces of CD4 + T Cells: Immunological and Structural Characteristics. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010073. [PMID: 33374787 PMCID: PMC7796221 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As a major arm of the cellular immune response, CD4+ T cells are important in the control and clearance of infections. Primarily described as helpers, CD4+ T cells play an integral role in the development and activation of B cells and CD8+ T cells. CD4+ T cells are incredibly heterogeneous, and can be divided into six main lineages based on distinct profiles, namely T helper 1, 2, 17 and 22 (Th1, Th2, Th17, Th22), regulatory T cells (Treg) and T follicular helper cells (Tfh). Recent advances in structural biology have allowed for a detailed characterisation of the molecular mechanisms that drive CD4+ T cell recognition. In this review, we discuss the defining features of the main human CD4+ T cell lineages and their role in immunity, as well as their structural characteristics underlying their detection of pathogens.
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33
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Chen W, Yang F, Xu G, Ma J, Lin J. Follicular helper T cells and follicular regulatory T cells in the immunopathology of primary Sjögren's syndrome. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 109:437-447. [PMID: 33325085 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5mr1020-057rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disease, characterized by lymphocytic infiltration into exocrine glands, which causes dry eyes, dry mouth, and systemic damage. Although the precise etiology of pSS is not clear yet, highly activated B cells, abundant anti-SSA/Ro, and anti-SSB/La autoantibodies are the hallmarks of this disease. Follicular helper T cells (Tfh), a subset of CD4+ T cells, with cell surface receptors PD-1 and CXCR5, express ICOS, transcription factor Bcl-6, and a cytokine IL-21. These cells help in the differentiation of B cells into plasma cells and stimulate the formation of germinal center (GC). Previous studies have demonstrated abundant Tfh cells in the peripheral blood and salivary glands (SGs) of the patients with pSS, correlated with extensive lymphocytic infiltration of the SGs and high disease activity scores. Patients with pSS who are treated with abatacept (CTLA-4 Ig) show fewer circulating Tfh cells, reduced expression of ICOS, and lower disease activity scores. Recently identified follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells, a subset of regulatory T cells, control the function of Tfh cells and the GC reactions. Here, we summarize the observed alterations in Tfh and Tfr cell numbers, activation state, and circulating subset distribution in pSS. Our goal is to improve the understanding of the roles of Tfh and Tfr cells (surface marker expression, cytokine production, and transcription factors) in the pathogenesis of pSS, thus contributing to the identification of candidate therapeutic agents for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqian Chen
- Division of Rheumatology, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases Diagnosis and Treatment, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guanhua Xu
- Division of Rheumatology, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jilin Ma
- Division of Nephrology, Zhejiang Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jin Lin
- Division of Rheumatology, First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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34
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Olson WJ, Jakic B, Labi V, Schoeler K, Kind M, Klepsch V, Baier G, Hermann-Kleiter N. Orphan Nuclear Receptor NR2F6 Suppresses T Follicular Helper Cell Accumulation through Regulation of IL-21. Cell Rep 2020; 28:2878-2891.e5. [PMID: 31509749 PMCID: PMC6791812 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4 T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are specialized in helping B cells during the germinal center (GC) reaction and ultimately promote long-term humoral immunity. Here we report that loss of the nuclear orphan receptor NR2F6 causes enhanced survival and accumulation of Tfh cells, GC B cells, and plasma cells (PCs) following T cell-dependent immunization. Nr2f6-deficient CD4 T cell dysfunction is the primary cause of cell accumulation. Cytokine expression in Nr2f6-deficient Tfh cells is dysregulated, and Il21 expression is enhanced. Mechanistically, NR2F6 binds directly to the interleukin 21 (IL-21) promoter and a conserved noncoding sequence (CNS) near the Il21 gene in resting CD4+ T cells. During Tfh cell differentiation, this direct NR2F6 DNA interaction is abolished. Enhanced Tfh cell accumulation in Nr2f6-deficient mice can be reverted by blocking IL-21R signaling. Thus, NR2F6 is a critical negative regulator of IL-21 cytokine production in Tfh cells and prevents excessive Tfh cell accumulation. Loss of NR2F6 results in accumulation of Tfh, GC B, and plasma cells after immunization Increased GC populations depend on Nr2f6 loss within the CD4 compartment NR2F6 directly binds to several sites within the Il21 promoter and CNS −36 NR2F6 restrains Il21 expression in CD4 cells; IL-21R blockade reduces Tfh accumulation
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Olson
- Institute of Cell Genetics, Department for Genetics and Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Str. 1a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bojana Jakic
- Institute of Cell Genetics, Department for Genetics and Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Str. 1a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Verena Labi
- Division of Developmental Immunology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Innrain 80, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Katia Schoeler
- Division of Developmental Immunology, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Innrain 80, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Michaela Kind
- Institute of Cell Genetics, Department for Genetics and Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Str. 1a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Victoria Klepsch
- Institute of Cell Genetics, Department for Genetics and Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Str. 1a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Gottfried Baier
- Institute of Cell Genetics, Department for Genetics and Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Str. 1a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Natascha Hermann-Kleiter
- Institute of Cell Genetics, Department for Genetics and Pharmacology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter Mayr Str. 1a, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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35
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Afzali S, Salehi S, Shahi A, Amirzargar A. B cell modulation strategies in the improvement of transplantation outcomes. Mol Immunol 2020; 125:140-150. [PMID: 32682148 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2020.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Successful transplantation outcome is the final goal in most end stage and nonfunctional organs; however, despite using different therapeutic strategies, antibody-mediated rejection is still a big obstacle. B cells have a key role in transplant rejection by several functions, such as antibody production, antigen presenting, contribution in T cell activation, forming the germinal center, and tertiary lymphoid organs. Therefore, B cells modulation seems to be very crucial in transplant outcome. A double-edged sword function is considered for B cells during transplantation; On the one hand, antibody production against the transplanted organ induces antibody-mediated rejection. On the other hand, IL10 production by regulatory B (Breg) cells induces graft tolerance. Nowadays, several monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are available for B cell modulation that are routinely used in transplant recipients, among which rituximab (anti-CD20 mAb) act in eliminating B cells. However, there are some other monoclonal antibodies, such as epratuzumab and Inotuzumab ozogamicin (IO), which exert anti-CD22 activity, resulting in disruption of B cell functions and induction of tolerance in autoimmune disease or B cell malignancies; that notwithstanding, these mAbs have not yet been tried in transplantation. In this review, we focus on different methods for modulating the activity of B cells as well as induction of Breg cells, aiming to prevent the allograft rejection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Afzali
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Salehi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Shahi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aliakbar Amirzargar
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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36
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Gryzik S, Hoang Y, Lischke T, Mohr E, Venzke M, Kadner I, Poetzsch J, Groth D, Radbruch A, Hutloff A, Baumgrass R. Identification of a super-functional Tfh-like subpopulation in murine lupus by pattern perception. eLife 2020; 9:53226. [PMID: 32441253 PMCID: PMC7274784 DOI: 10.7554/elife.53226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulated cytokine expression by T cells plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. However, the identification of the corresponding pathogenic subpopulations is a challenge, since a distinction between physiological variation and a new quality in the expression of protein markers requires combinatorial evaluation. Here, we were able to identify a super-functional follicular helper T cell (Tfh)-like subpopulation in lupus-prone NZBxW mice with our binning approach "pattern recognition of immune cells (PRI)". PRI uncovered a subpopulation of IL-21+ IFN-γhigh PD-1low CD40Lhigh CXCR5- Bcl-6- T cells specifically expanded in diseased mice. In addition, these cells express high levels of TNF-α and IL-2, and provide B cell help for IgG production in an IL-21 and CD40L dependent manner. This super-functional T cell subset might be a superior driver of autoimmune processes due to a polyfunctional and high cytokine expression combined with Tfh-like properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Gryzik
- German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yen Hoang
- German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany.,University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Timo Lischke
- German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elodie Mohr
- German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Melanie Venzke
- German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Isabelle Kadner
- German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany.,University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Josephine Poetzsch
- German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany.,University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Andreas Radbruch
- German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany.,Charité, Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Hutloff
- German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ria Baumgrass
- German Rheumatism Research Center (DRFZ), A Leibniz Institute, Berlin, Germany.,University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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37
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Xue Q, Ma Y, Wang L, Shao H. T follicular helper cells are elevated in a rat model of autoimmune myocarditis. FEBS Open Bio 2020; 10:1304-1315. [PMID: 32416035 PMCID: PMC7327924 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocarditis is an inflammatory disease of the myocardium that is associated with immune dysfunction. Earlier studies have suggested that T helper 1/2 cell imbalance plays an important role in the development of myocarditis, but the role of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells in the development of autoimmune myocarditis has not previously been reported. Here, we investigated this involvement by using a rat model of experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). Inflammatory cell infiltration, myocardial structure destruction and tissue necrosis were observed in EAM myocardial tissues, and the percentages of CD4+ CXCR5+ Tfh cells and CD19+ B cells were both significantly higher in spleen and myocardial tissues of the EAM model as compared with the control group. Furthermore, the expression levels of interleukin-21, CXCL13 and myosin antibody were significantly higher in the serum of rats with EAM compared with the control group on days 14 and 35 after immunization. Fourteen or 35 days after immunization, the expression levels of interleukin-21 and CXCL13 were both significantly higher in myocardial tissues of rats with EAM as compared with the control group. Our findings suggest that Tfh cell balance is disrupted during the pathological process of autoimmune myocarditis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Xue
- Department of Cardiology, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Ma
- Department of Cardiology, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lihong Wang
- Department of Cardiology, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Shao
- Department of Cardiology, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China
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38
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Ryu H, Kim J, Kim D, Lee JE, Chung Y. Cellular and Molecular Links between Autoimmunity and Lipid Metabolism. Mol Cells 2019; 42:747-754. [PMID: 31766832 PMCID: PMC6883973 DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2019.0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Revised: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of atherosclerosis is higher among patients with several autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is well documented that innate immune cells including macrophages and dendritic cells sense lipid species such as saturated fatty acids and oxidized low-density lipoprotein and produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. However, whether a hyperlipidemic environment also impacts autoimmune T cell responses has been unclear. Among CD4+ T cells, Th17 and follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are known to play pathogenic roles in the development of hyperlipidemiaassociated autoimmune diseases. This review gives an overview of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which dysregulated lipid metabolism impacts the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, with specific emphasis on Th17 and Tfh cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heeju Ryu
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826,
Korea
| | - Jiyeon Kim
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826,
Korea
| | - Daehong Kim
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826,
Korea
| | - Jeong-Eun Lee
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826,
Korea
| | - Yeonseok Chung
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826,
Korea
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39
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Bocharnikov AV, Keegan J, Wacleche VS, Cao Y, Fonseka CY, Wang G, Muise ES, Zhang KX, Arazi A, Keras G, Li ZJ, Qu Y, Gurish MF, Petri M, Buyon JP, Putterman C, Wofsy D, James JA, Guthridge JM, Diamond B, Anolik JH, Mackey MF, Alves SE, Nigrovic PA, Costenbader KH, Brenner MB, Lederer JA, Rao DA. PD-1hiCXCR5- T peripheral helper cells promote B cell responses in lupus via MAF and IL-21. JCI Insight 2019; 4:130062. [PMID: 31536480 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.130062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 159] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by pathologic T cell-B cell interactions and autoantibody production. Defining the T cell populations that drive B cell responses in SLE may enable design of therapies that specifically target pathologic cell subsets. Here, we evaluated the phenotypes of CD4+ T cells in the circulation of 52 SLE patients drawn from multiple cohorts and identified a highly expanded PD-1hiCXCR5-CD4+ T cell population. Cytometric, transcriptomic, and functional assays demonstrated that PD-1hiCXCR5-CD4+ T cells from SLE patients are T peripheral helper (Tph) cells, a CXCR5- T cell population that stimulates B cell responses via IL-21. The frequency of Tph cells, but not T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, correlated with both clinical disease activity and the frequency of CD11c+ B cells in SLE patients. PD-1hiCD4+ T cells were found within lupus nephritis kidneys and correlated with B cell numbers in the kidney. Both IL-21 neutralization and CRISPR-mediated deletion of MAF abrogated the ability of Tph cells to induce memory B cell differentiation into plasmablasts in vitro. These findings identify Tph cells as a highly expanded T cell population in SLE and suggest a key role for Tph cells in stimulating pathologic B cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ye Cao
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy
| | - Chamith Y Fonseka
- Center for Data Sciences, and.,Division of Rheumatology and Genetics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Biomedical Informatics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute and Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Eric S Muise
- Oncology & Immunology Discovery, and.,Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Merck & Co. Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kelvin X Zhang
- Oncology & Immunology Discovery, and.,Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Merck & Co. Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Arnon Arazi
- Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute and Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Zhihan J Li
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy
| | - Yujie Qu
- Oncology & Immunology Discovery, and
| | | | - Michelle Petri
- Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jill P Buyon
- Division of Rheumatology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Chaim Putterman
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology and Division of Rheumatology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - David Wofsy
- Rheumatology Division and Russell/Engleman Research Center, UCSF, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Judith A James
- Department of Arthritis and Clinical Immunology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Joel M Guthridge
- Department of Arthritis and Clinical Immunology, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Betty Diamond
- Center for Autoimmune, Musculoskeletal and Hematopoietic Diseases, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer H Anolik
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
| | | | | | - Peter A Nigrovic
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy.,Division of Immunology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Deepak A Rao
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy
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40
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Dang WZ, Li H, Jiang B, Nandakumar KS, Liu KF, Liu LX, Yu XC, Tan HJ, Zhou C. Therapeutic effects of artesunate on lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice are dependent on T follicular helper cell differentiation and activation of JAK2-STAT3 signaling pathway. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2019; 62:152965. [PMID: 31129432 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2019.152965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-malarial drug artesunate (ART), a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisnin, has immunosuppressive effects on several autoimmune diseases, including Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and Colitis. However, molecular mechanisms of ART, especially on follicular helper T cells (Tfh), central players in SLE pathology, are far from clear. PURPOSE The object for this work is to investigate the therapeutic effect of ART on lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice and its regulatory function on Tfh cells. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS MRL/lpr mice were used to explore therapeutic effects of ART on lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice and its regulatory functions on Tfh cells. Then, experiments of renal function were accomplished using the biochemical kits. Effects of ART on histopathology of kidneys, inflammatory factors and autoantibodies were examined using H&E staining, ELISA and real-time PCR. Flow cytometry and western blot analysis were used to examine effects of ART on Tfh differentiation and Jak2-Stat3 signaling pathway. RESULTS Upon oral administration, ART significantly prolonged the survival of MRL/lpr mice, ameliorated the lupus nephritis symptoms, decreased the levels of anti-dsDNA antibodies deposited in the kidney, and the levels of pathogenic cytokines (IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-21). After ART treatment, T-cell compartment in the spleen of MRL/lpr mice was restored in terms of reduction in the number of Tfh cells and in the maintenance of the ratio of Tfr to follicular regulatory T cells (Tfh). In addition, ART has significantly inhibited the phosphorylation levels of Jak2 and Stat3 in the MRL/lpr mice. CONCLUSION ART showed therapeutic effects on lupus-prone MRL/lpr mice by inhibiting the differentiation of Tfh cells as well as altering the activation status of Jak2-Stat3 signaling cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Zhen Dang
- SMU-KI United Medical Inflammatory Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou 510515, China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Bing Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China; Department of Pharmacology of Chinese Material Medical, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Kutty Selva Nandakumar
- SMU-KI United Medical Inflammatory Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Kai-Fei Liu
- SMU-KI United Medical Inflammatory Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Li-Xin Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiao-Chen Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hui-Jing Tan
- SMU-KI United Medical Inflammatory Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Chun Zhou
- SMU-KI United Medical Inflammatory Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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Seth A, Craft J. Spatial and functional heterogeneity of follicular helper T cells in autoimmunity. Curr Opin Immunol 2019; 61:1-9. [PMID: 31374450 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2019.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Follicular helper T cells provide signals that promote B cell development, proliferation, and production of affinity matured and appropriately isotype switched antibodies. In addition to their classical locations within B cell follicles and germinal centers therein, B cell helper T cells are also found in extrafollicular spaces - either in secondary lymphoid or non-lymphoid tissues. Both follicular and extrafollicular T helper cells drive autoantibody-mediated autoimmunity. Interfering with B cell help provided by T cells can ameliorate autoimmune disease in animal models and human patients. The next frontier in Tfh cell biology will be identification of Tfh cell-specific pathogenic changes in autoimmunity and exploiting them for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhinav Seth
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Joe Craft
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, New Haven, CT, United States; Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.
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42
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T follicular helper cells and T follicular regulatory cells in rheumatic diseases. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2019; 15:475-490. [DOI: 10.1038/s41584-019-0254-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Crotty S. T Follicular Helper Cell Biology: A Decade of Discovery and Diseases. Immunity 2019; 50:1132-1148. [PMID: 31117010 PMCID: PMC6532429 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2019.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 859] [Impact Index Per Article: 171.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Helping B cells and antibody responses is a major function of CD4+ T cells. It has been 10 years since the publication of Bcl6 as the lineage-defining transcription factor for T follicular helper (Tfh) differentiation and the requirement of Tfh cells as the specialized subset of CD4+ T cells needed for germinal centers (the microanatomical sites of B cell mutation and antibody affinity maturation) and related B cell responses. A great deal has been learned about Tfh cells in the past 10 years, particularly regarding their roles in a surprising range of diseases. Advances in the understanding of Tfh cell differentiation and function are discussed, as are the understanding of Tfh cells in infectious diseases, vaccines, autoimmune diseases, allergies, atherosclerosis, organ transplants, and cancer. This includes discussion of Tfh cells in the human immune system. Based on the discoveries to date, the next decade of Tfh research surely holds many more surprises. VIDEO ABSTRACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane Crotty
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI), La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology and Immunogen Discovery (Scripps CHAVI-ID), Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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44
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Activated T-Follicular Helper 2 Cells Are Associated With Disease Activity in IgG4-Related Sclerosing Cholangitis and Pancreatitis. Clin Transl Gastroenterol 2019; 10:e00020. [PMID: 31033594 PMCID: PMC6602789 DOI: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulin G4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC) and autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) are characterized by an abundance of circulating and tissue IgG4-positive plasma cells. T-follicular helper (Tfh) cells are necessary for B-cell differentiation into plasma cells. We aimed at elucidating the presence and phenotype of Tfh cells and their relationship with disease activity in IgG4-SC/AIP.
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45
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Maul J, Alterauge D, Baumjohann D. Micro
RNA
‐mediated regulation of T follicular helper and T follicular regulatory cell identity. Immunol Rev 2019; 288:97-111. [DOI: 10.1111/imr.12735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Maul
- Institute for ImmunologyBiomedical CenterLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München Planegg‐Martinsried Germany
| | - Dominik Alterauge
- Institute for ImmunologyBiomedical CenterLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München Planegg‐Martinsried Germany
| | - Dirk Baumjohann
- Institute for ImmunologyBiomedical CenterLudwig‐Maximilians‐Universität München Planegg‐Martinsried Germany
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46
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Meng Y, Xu H, Zhang S, Zhang J, Wang L, Tang H, Wu Y. Genetic polymorphisms near IL-21 gene associated with Th17 cytokines confer risk for systemic lupus erythematosus in Chinese Han population. Lupus 2019; 28:406-413. [PMID: 30774014 DOI: 10.1177/0961203319829821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Interleukin-21 (IL-21) contributes to expansion, differentiation, and modulation of various immunocompetent cells. Deregulated production of IL-21 plays a role of cardinal significance in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We aimed to determine whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) near the IL-21 gene have significant association with SLE susceptibility and the T helper-related inflammatory cytokine profile of SLE patients. METHODS We enrolled 460 SLE patients and 460 healthy controls. Whole genome analysis was used to investigate different genes including IL-21. Loci rs11725913, rs11937669, rs7676539, rs111438679, rs115935829, rs373549, rs4487356, and rs79923870 were further genotyped using an improved multiplex ligation detection reaction technique. Susceptibility, levels of Th-related inflammatory cytokines, and some clinical indexes of SLE patients were analyzed. RESULTS rs11725913 and rs11937669 were identified for association with SLE in Chinese Han Population. The allelic frequency of rs11725913 approached significance (odds ratio (OR) (95% Confidence Interval (CI)) = 1.431 (1.122-1.825), P = 0.004). GT genotype at rs11725913 and GA genotype at rs11937669 were associated with SLE susceptibility (OR (95% CI) = 1.448 (1.074-1.952), P = 0.015; OR (95%CI) = 1.356 (1.013-1.815), P = 0.040, respectively). Dominant model analysis provided us with further validation (rs11725913: OR (95%CI) = 1.502 (1.126-2.004), P = 0.006; rs11937669: OR (95%CI) = 1.356 (1.025-1.793), P = 0.033). Cases with rs11937669 risk GA-genotype had higher serum IL-6 concentration than others ( P = 0.022). Dominant model analysis showed that patients with the wild type (AA-genotype) at rs11937669 had significantly lower soluble CD40 ligand ( P = 0.029) but higher IL-17A ( P = 0.040) compared with others. Cases carrying rs11725913 T allele had higher gamma glutamyl transpeptidase level ( P = 0.045) than those without. CONCLUSIONS We identified two new loci, rs11725913 and rs11937669, associated with SLE risk in Chinese Han population. This research provided a new insight into the significant relationship between polymorphisms upstream IL-21 and Th17 inflammatory response, which suggest that the sequence upstream of the IL-21 gene is an important region involved in the Th17-related pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanming Meng
- 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Heng Xu
- 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shouyue Zhang
- 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Junlong Zhang
- 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lu Wang
- 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Honghu Tang
- 2 Department of Rheumatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongkang Wu
- 1 Department of Laboratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Long D, Chen Y, Wu H, Zhao M, Lu Q. Clinical significance and immunobiology of IL-21 in autoimmunity. J Autoimmun 2019; 99:1-14. [PMID: 30773373 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2019.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Interleukin-21 (IL-21), an autocrine cytokine predominantly produced by follicular helper T (Tfh) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells, has been proven to play an important role in the immune system, for example, by promoting proliferation and the development of Tfh and Th17 cells, balancing helper T cell subsets, inducing B cell generation and differentiation into plasma cells, and enhancing the production of immunoglobulin. These effects are mainly mediated by activation of the JAK/STAT, MAPK and PI3K pathways. Some IL-21 target genes, such as B lymphocyte induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp-1), suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS), CXCR5 and Bcl-6, play important roles in the immune response. Therefore, IL-21 has been linked to autoimmune diseases. Indeed, IL-21 levels are increased in the peripheral blood and tissues of patients with systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), type 1 diabetes (T1D), immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and psoriasis. This increased IL-21 even positively associates with Tfh cells, plasma cells, autoantibodies and disease activity in SLE and RA. Additionally, IL-21 has been utilized as a therapeutic target in SLE, RA, T1D and psoriatic mouse models. Profoundly, clinical trials have shown safety and improvement in RA patients. However, tolerance and long-term pharmacodynamics effects with low bioavailability have been found in SLE patients. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the latest progress on IL-21 function and its signaling pathway and discuss the role of IL-21 in the pathogenesis of and therapy for autoimmune diseases, with the hope of providing potential therapeutic and diagnostic strategies for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Long
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, PR China
| | - Yongjian Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, PR China
| | - Haijing Wu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, PR China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, PR China
| | - Qianjin Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenomics, Changsha, Hunan, PR China.
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Kotov JA, Jenkins MK. Cutting Edge: T Cell-Dependent Plasmablasts Form in the Absence of Single Differentiated CD4 + T Cell Subsets. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2019; 202:401-405. [PMID: 30552165 PMCID: PMC6324993 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 11/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The T follicular helper (Tfh) cell subset of CD4+ Th cells promotes affinity maturation by B cells in germinal centers. The contribution of other Th cell subsets to B cell responses has not been fully explored in vivo. We addressed this issue by analyzing the T cell-dependent B cell response to the protein Ag PE in mice lacking specific Th cell subsets. As expected, PE-specific germinal center B cell production required Tfh cells. However, Tfh, Th1, or Th17 cell-deficient mice produced as many PE-specific, isotype-switched plasmablasts as wild-type mice. This response depended on Th cell expression of CD154 and Ag presentation by B cells. These results indicate that many Th cell subsets can promote plasmablast formation by providing CD40 signals to naive B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A Kotov
- Center for Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Marc K Jenkins
- Center for Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455
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49
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Abstract
Autoimmunity is a leading cause of chronic kidney disease and loss of native and transplanted kidneys. Conventional immunosuppressive therapies can be effective but are non-specific, noncurative, and risk serious side effects such as life-threatening infection and cancer. Novel therapies and targeted interventions are urgently needed. In this brief review we explore diverse strategies currently in development and under consideration to interrupt underlying disease mechanisms in immune-mediated renal injury. Because autoantibodies are prominent in diagnosis and pathogenesis in multiple human glomerulopathies, we highlight several promising therapies that interfere with functions of early mediators (IgG and complement) of the effector arm and with an epicenter (the germinal center) for induction of humoral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Helen Foster
- a Department of Medicine , Duke University Medical Center , Durham , NC , USA.,b Medical and Research Services , Durham VA Medical Center , Durham , NC , USA
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50
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Taubert R, Hupa-Breier KL, Jaeckel E, Manns MP. Novel therapeutic targets in autoimmune hepatitis. J Autoimmun 2018; 95:34-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2018.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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