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Pollenus E, Prenen F, Possemiers H, Knoops S, Mitera T, Lamote J, De Visscher A, Vandermosten L, Pham TT, Matthys P, Van den Steen PE. Aspecific binding of anti-NK1.1 antibodies on myeloid cells in an experimental model for malaria-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome. Malar J 2024; 23:110. [PMID: 38637828 PMCID: PMC11025177 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-024-04944-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conventional natural killer (cNK) cells play an important role in the innate immune response by directly killing infected and malignant cells and by producing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Studies on their role in malaria and its complications have resulted in conflicting results. METHODS Using the commonly used anti-NK1.1 depletion antibodies (PK136) in an in-house optimized experimental model for malaria-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (MA-ARDS), the role of cNK cells was investigated. Moreover, flow cytometry was performed to characterize different NK cell populations. RESULTS While cNK cells were found to be dispensable in the development of MA-ARDS, the appearance of a NK1.1+ cell population was observed in the lungs upon infection despite depletion with anti-NK1.1. Detailed characterization of the unknown population revealed that this population consisted of a mixture of monocytes and macrophages that bind the anti-NK1.1 antibody in an aspecific way. This aspecific binding may occur via Fcγ receptors, such as FcγR4. In contrast, in vivo depletion using anti-NK1.1 antibodies was proved to be specific for cNK cells. CONCLUSION cNK cells are dispensable in the development of experimental MA-ARDS. Moreover, careful flow cytometric analysis, with a critical mindset in relation to potential aspecific binding despite the use of commercially available Fc blocking reagents, is critical to avoid misinterpretation of the results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie Pollenus
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Fran Prenen
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hendrik Possemiers
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofie Knoops
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tania Mitera
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jochen Lamote
- Laboratory for Molecular Cancer Biology, Department of Oncology, VIB, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amber De Visscher
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Leen Vandermosten
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thao-Thy Pham
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Currently at Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Patrick Matthys
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe E Van den Steen
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Willemsen M, Barber JS, Nieuwenhove EV, Staels F, Gerbaux M, Neumann J, Prezzemolo T, Pasciuto E, Lagou V, Boeckx N, Filtjens J, De Visscher A, Matthys P, Schrijvers R, Tousseyn T, O'Driscoll M, Bucciol G, Schlenner S, Meyts I, Humblet-Baron S, Liston A. Homozygous DBF4 mutation as a cause of severe congenital neutropenia. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 152:266-277. [PMID: 36841265 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe congenital neutropenia presents with recurrent infections early in life as a result of arrested granulopoiesis. Multiple genetic defects are known to block granulocyte differentiation; however, a genetic cause remains unknown in approximately 40% of cases. OBJECTIVE We aimed to characterize a patient with severe congenital neutropenia and syndromic features without a genetic diagnosis. METHODS Whole exome sequencing results were validated using flow cytometry, Western blotting, coimmunoprecipitation, quantitative PCR, cell cycle and proliferation analysis of lymphocytes and fibroblasts and granulocytic differentiation of primary CD34+ and HL-60 cells. RESULTS We identified a homozygous missense mutation in DBF4 in a patient with mild extra-uterine growth retardation, facial dysmorphism and severe congenital neutropenia. DBF4 is the regulatory subunit of the CDC7 kinase, together known as DBF4-dependent kinase (DDK), the complex essential for DNA replication initiation. The DBF4 variant demonstrated impaired ability to bind CDC7, resulting in decreased DDK-mediated phosphorylation, defective S-phase entry and progression and impaired differentiation of granulocytes associated with activation of the p53-p21 pathway. The introduction of wild-type DBF4 into patient CD34+ cells rescued the promyelocyte differentiation arrest. CONCLUSION Hypomorphic DBF4 mutation causes autosomal-recessive severe congenital neutropenia with syndromic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathijs Willemsen
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - John S Barber
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Erika Van Nieuwenhove
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Pediatrics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederik Staels
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Margaux Gerbaux
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Pediatric Department, Academic Children Hospital Queen Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Julika Neumann
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Teresa Prezzemolo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emanuela Pasciuto
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Vasiliki Lagou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nancy Boeckx
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jessica Filtjens
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuve, Belgium
| | - Amber De Visscher
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuve, Belgium
| | - Patrick Matthys
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Immunobiology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, KU Leuven, Leuve, Belgium
| | - Rik Schrijvers
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Tousseyn
- Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mark O'Driscoll
- Human DNA Damage Response Disorders Group, Genome Damage and Stability Centre, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Giorgia Bucciol
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory for Inborn Errors of Immunity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Primary Immunodeficiencies, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven
| | - Susan Schlenner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabelle Meyts
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory for Inborn Errors of Immunity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Pediatrics, Division of Primary Immunodeficiencies, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven.
| | - Stephanie Humblet-Baron
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Adrian Liston
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Transplantation, Laboratory of Adaptive Immunity, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain and Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium; Immunology Programme, The Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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Malengier-Devlies B, Filtjens J, Ahmadzadeh K, Boeckx B, Vandenhaute J, De Visscher A, Bernaerts E, Mitera T, Jacobs C, Vanderbeke L, Van Mol P, Van Herck Y, Hermans G, Meersseman P, Wilmer A, Gouwy M, Garg AD, Humblet-Baron S, De Smet F, Martinod K, Wauters E, Proost P, Wouters C, Leclercq G, Lambrechts D, Wauters J, Matthys P. Severe COVID-19 patients display hyper-activated NK cells and NK cell-platelet aggregates. Front Immunol 2022; 13:861251. [PMID: 36275702 PMCID: PMC9581751 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.861251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is characterised by a broad spectrum of clinical and pathological features. Natural killer (NK) cells play an important role in innate immune responses to viral infections. Here, we analysed the phenotype and activity of NK cells in the blood of COVID-19 patients using flow cytometry, single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), and a cytotoxic killing assay. In the plasma of patients, we quantified the main cytokines and chemokines. Our cohort comprises COVID-19 patients hospitalised in a low-care ward unit (WARD), patients with severe COVID-19 disease symptoms hospitalised in intensive care units (ICU), and post-COVID-19 patients, who were discharged from hospital six weeks earlier. NK cells from hospitalised COVID-19 patients displayed an activated phenotype with substantial differences between WARD and ICU patients and the timing when samples were taken post-onset of symptoms. While NK cells from COVID-19 patients at an early stage of infection showed increased expression of the cytotoxic molecules perforin and granzyme A and B, NK cells from patients at later stages of COVID-19 presented enhanced levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α which were measured ex vivo in the absence of usual in vitro stimulation. These activated NK cells were phenotyped as CD49a+CD69a+CD107a+ cells, and their emergence in patients correlated to the number of neutrophils, and plasma IL-15, a key cytokine in NK cell activation. Despite lower amounts of cytotoxic molecules in NK cells of patients with severe symptoms, majority of COVID-19 patients displayed a normal cytotoxic killing of Raji tumour target cells. In vitro stimulation of patients blood cells by IL-12+IL-18 revealed a defective IFN-γ production in NK cells of ICU patients only, indicative of an exhausted phenotype. ScRNA-seq revealed, predominantly in patients with severe COVID-19 disease symptoms, the emergence of an NK cell subset with a platelet gene signature that we identified by flow and imaging cytometry as aggregates of NK cells with CD42a+CD62P+ activated platelets. Post-COVID-19 patients show slow recovery of NK cell frequencies and phenotype. Our study points to substantial changes in NK cell phenotype during COVID-19 disease and forms a basis to explore the contribution of platelet-NK cell aggregates to antiviral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bert Malengier-Devlies
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jessica Filtjens
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kourosh Ahmadzadeh
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bram Boeckx
- Laboratory of Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, VIB-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jessica Vandenhaute
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amber De Visscher
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Eline Bernaerts
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tania Mitera
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cato Jacobs
- Laboratory for Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lore Vanderbeke
- Laboratory of Clinical Bacteriology and Mycology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pierre Van Mol
- Laboratory of Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, VIB-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Yannick Van Herck
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Greet Hermans
- Laboratory of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe Meersseman
- Laboratory for Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alexander Wilmer
- Laboratory for Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mieke Gouwy
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Abhishek D. Garg
- Laboratory for Cell Stress & Immunity (CSI), Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephanie Humblet-Baron
- Adaptive Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frederik De Smet
- Laboratory for Precision Cancer Medicine, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Department of Imaging & Pathology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kimberly Martinod
- Centre for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Els Wauters
- Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paul Proost
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Carine Wouters
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Georges Leclercq
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Diether Lambrechts
- Laboratory of Translational Genetics, Department of Human Genetics, VIB-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joost Wauters
- Laboratory for Clinical Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrick Matthys
- Laboratory of Immunobiology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Patrick Matthys,
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Malengier-Devlies B, Bernaerts E, Ahmadzadeh K, Filtjens J, Vandenhaute J, Boeckx B, Burton O, De Visscher A, Mitera T, Berghmans N, Verbeke G, Liston A, Lambrechts D, Proost P, Wouters C, Matthys P. Role for Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Neutrophilic Extramedullary Myelopoiesis in a Murine Model of Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2022; 74:1257-1270. [PMID: 35243819 DOI: 10.1002/art.42104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a systemic inflammatory disease with childhood onset. Systemic JIA is associated with neutrophilia, including immature granulocytes, potentially driven by the growth factor granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). This study was undertaken to investigate the role of G-CSF in the pathology of systemic JIA. METHODS Injection of Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) in BALB/c mice induces mild inflammation and neutrophilia in wild-type (WT) mice and a more pronounced disease, reminiscent to that of JIA patients, in interferon-γ-knockout (IFNγ-KO) mice. Extramedullary myelopoiesis was studied in CFA-immunized mice by single-cell RNA sequencing, and the effect of G-CSF receptor (G-CSFR) blockage on neutrophil development and systemic JIA pathology was evaluated. Additionally, plasma G-CSF levels were measured in patients. RESULTS Both in systemic JIA patients and in a corresponding mouse model, plasma G-CSF levels were increased. In the mouse model, we demonstrated that G-CSF is responsible for the observed neutrophilia and extramedullary myelopoiesis and the induction of immature neutrophils and myeloid-derived suppressor-like cells. Administration of a G-CSFR antagonizing antibody blocked the maturation and differentiation of neutrophils in CFA-immunized mice. In IFNγ-KO mice, treatment was associated with almost complete inhibition of arthritis due to reduced neutrophilia and osteoclast formation. Disease symptoms were ameliorated, but slight increases in interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor, and IL-17 were detected upon G-CSFR inhibition in the IFNγ-KO mice, and were associated with mild increases in weight loss, tail damage, and immature red blood cells. CONCLUSION We describe the role of G-CSF in a mouse model of systemic JIA and suggest an important role for G-CSF-induced myelopoiesis and neutrophilia in regulating the development of arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Bram Boeckx
- KU Leuven and Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnolgie-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Oliver Burton
- KU Leuven and Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnolgie-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium, and the Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Tania Mitera
- Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Geert Verbeke
- Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Adrian Liston
- KU Leuven and Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnolgie-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium, and the Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Diether Lambrechts
- KU Leuven and Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnolgie-KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paul Proost
- Katholieke Universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Carine Wouters
- KU Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, and European Reference Network for Rare Immunodeficiency, Autoinflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases at University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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