Modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses by tofacitinib (CP-690,550)

Inhibitors of the JAK family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases have demonstrated clinical efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory disorders; however, the precise mechanisms by which JAK inhibition improves inflammatory immune responses remain unclear. In this study, we examined the mode of action of tofacitinib (CP-690,550) on JAK/STAT signaling pathways involved in adaptive and innate immune responses. To determine the extent of inhibition of specific JAK/STAT-dependent pathways, we analyzed cytokine stimulation of mouse and human T cells in vitro. We also investigated the consequences of CP-690,550 treatment on Th cell differentiation of naive murine CD4(+) T cells. CP-690,550 inhibited IL-4-dependent Th2 cell differentiation and interestingly also interfered with Th17 cell differentiation. Expression of IL-23 receptor and the Th17 cytokines IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-22 were blocked when naive Th cells were stimulated with IL-6 and IL-23. In contrast, IL-17A production was enhanced when Th17 cells were differentiated in the presence of TGF-β. Moreover, CP-690,550 also prevented the activation of STAT1, induction of T-bet, and subsequent generation of Th1 cells. In a model of established arthritis, CP-690,550 rapidly improved disease by inhibiting the production of inflammatory mediators and suppressing STAT1-dependent genes in joint tissue. Furthermore, efficacy in this disease model correlated with the inhibition of both JAK1 and JAK3 signaling pathways. CP-690,550 also modulated innate responses to LPS in vivo through a mechanism likely involving the inhibition of STAT1 signaling. Thus, CP-690,550 may improve autoimmune diseases and prevent transplant rejection by suppressing the differentiation of pathogenic Th1 and Th17 cells as well as innate immune cell signaling.     

Physiological stress responses to confinement in diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon

Confinement of juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo salar from four different populations (all–female diploids, all–female triploids, mixed sex diploids and mixed sex triploids) either before (FW parr) or after (SW smolts) transfer to sea elevated plasma cortisol and plasma lactate from control levels irrespective of ploidy status. Both before and after confinement, plasma cortisol levels in SW smolts (6–174 ng ml^–1) were higher than those in FW parr (4–58 ng ml^–1), which possibly reflected the physiological challenge of acclimation to SW. Mixed sex populations of SW smolts had higher cortisol levels than all–female populations. The duration of confinement (1, 3 or 6 h) affected the magnitude of the plasma cortisol and lactate responses in SW smolts. Plasma cortisol levels in diploid and triploid SW smolts subjected to 2 h of confinement decreased to pre–stress levels within 6 h post–confinement. Plasma lactate levels were not significantly different from pre–stress levels 48 h after confinement. As no difference exists in primary and secondary stress responses of Atlantic salmon of differing ploidy status, it is unlikely that differences in mortality rates between diploid and triploid populations under commercial conditions can be attributed to differences in their physiological responses to periods of stress lasting up to 6 h.     

Modulation of innate immune responses by Yersinia type III secretion system translocators and effectors

The innate immune system of mammals responds to microbial infection through detection of conserved molecular determinants called ‘pathogen‐associated molecular patterns’ (PAMPs). Pathogens use virulence factors to counteract PAMP‐directed responses. The innate immune system can in turn recognize signals generated by virulence factors, allowing for a heightened response to dangerous pathogens. Many Gram‐negative bacterial pathogens encode type III secretion systems (T3SSs) that translocate effector proteins, subvert PAMP‐directed responses and are critical for infection. A plasmid‐encoded T3SS in the human‐pathogenic Yersinia species translocates seven effectors into infected host cells. Delivery of effectors by the T3SS requires plasma membrane insertion of two translocators, which are thought to form a channel called a translocon. Studies of the Yersinia T3SS have provided key advances in our understanding of how innate immune responses are generated by perturbations in plasma membrane and other signals that result from translocon insertion. Additionally, studies in this system revealed that effectors function to inhibit innateimmune responses resulting from insertion of translocons into plasma membrane. Here, we review these advances with the goal of providing insight into how a T3SS can activate and inhibit innate immune responses, allowing a virulent pathogen to bypass host defences.     

Mitochondria in innate immune responses

The innate immune system has a key role in the mammalian immune response. Recent research has demonstrated that mitochondria participate in a broad range of innate immune pathways, functioning as signalling platforms and contributing to effector responses. In addition to regulating antiviral signalling, mounting evidence suggests that mitochondria facilitate antibacterial immunity by generating reactive oxygen species and contribute to innate immune activation following cellular damage and stress. Therefore, in addition to their well-appreciated roles in cellular metabolism and programmed cell death, mitochondria appear to function as centrally positioned hubs in the innate immune system. Here, we review the emerging knowledge about the roles of mitochondria in innate immunity.     

Regulation of innate immune responses by nucleic acid analogues

The activation of innate immune responses by nucleic acids is critical to host responses against pathogens, such as viruses; however, nucleic acids can also trigger the development and/or exacerbation of pathogenic responses such as autoimmunity. We previously demonstrated that the selective activation of nucleic acid-sensing cytosolic and Toll-like receptors is contingent on the promiscuous sensing of nucleic acids by high-mobility group box proteins (HMGBs). Basides these findings, we also found that nonimmunogenic nucleotide with high-affinity HMGB binding, termed ISM ODN, functions as suppressing agent for nucleic acid-activated innate immune responses. In this review, we aim to summerize this novel feature of HMGB proteins in nucleic acid-mediated innate immune responses. In addition, we will discuss the inhibitory effect of nonimmunogenic oligodeoxynucleotides (ni-ODNs) targeting HMGB proteins.     

Acute osmotic stress affects Tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) innate immune responses

Most of the tilapia studies are focused on its osmoregulatory mechanism. Meanwhile, less information is available about its innate immune response on fish faced with hyperosmolality. In the present study, in vivo analyses were carried out to investigate the innate immune response of Oreochromis mossambicus, transferred from freshwater to 25 ppt seawater (SW). In vivo, lysozyme activities of plasma and head kidney (HK) were increased at 1h and at 24h after transfer to SW but decreased at 8h after SW transfer. Surprisingly, the alternative complement pathway in plasma increased 8h after SW transfer. The phagocytic capacity of spleen and HK immune cells increased modestly at 1h and at 4h, after SW transfer, but the respiratory burst activity of immune cells in both HK and spleen shows an increase in superoxide release at 8h after SW transfer. Our results reveal that the transfer of fish from conditions of hypoosmolarity to hyperosmolality significantly enhances plasma lysozyme, ACP activity, and both phagocytic and respiratory burst activity. Taken together, the results indicate that exposure of tilapia to hyperosmotic conditions has immunostimulatory effects on its cellular immune reactions (phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity) and humoral reactions (lysozyme activity and complement activity).     

Modulation of neonatal microbial recognition: TLR-mediated innate immune responses are specifically and differentially modulated by human milk

The mechanisms controlling innate microbial recognition in the neonatal gut are still to be fully understood. We have sought specific regulatory mechanisms operating in human breast milk relating to TLR-mediated microbial recognition. In this study, we report a specific and differential modulatory effect of early samples (days 1-5) of breast milk on ligand-induced cell stimulation via TLRs. Although a negative modulation was exerted on TLR2 and TLR3-mediated responses, those via TLR4 and TLR5 were enhanced. This effect was observed in human adult and fetal intestinal epithelial cell lines, monocytes, dendritic cells, and PBMC as well as neonatal blood. In the latter case, milk compensated for the low capacity of neonatal plasma to support responses to LPS. Cell stimulation via the IL-1R or TNFR was not modulated by milk. This, together with the differential effect on TLR activation, suggested that the primary effect of milk is exerted upstream of signaling proximal to TLR ligand recognition. The analysis of TLR4-mediated gene expression, used as a model system, showed that milk modulated TLR-related genes differently, including those coding for signal intermediates and regulators. A proteinaceous milk component of > or =80 kDa was found to be responsible for the effect on TLR4. Notably, infant milk formulations did not reproduce the modulatory activity of breast milk. Together, these findings reveal an unrecognized function of human milk, namely, its capacity to influence neonatal microbial recognition by modulating TLR-mediated responses specifically and differentially. This in turn suggests the existence of novel mechanisms regulating TLR activation.     

Modulation of host immune responses by nematode cystatins

Parasitic nematodes, living in the intestinal tract or within tissues of theirs hosts, are constantly exposed to an array of immune effector mechanisms. One strategy to cope with the immune response is the release of immunomodulatory components that block effector mechanisms or interact with the cytokine network. Among the secreted nematode immunomodulators, cysteine protease inhibitors (cystatins) are shown to be of major importance. Nematode cystatins inhibit, among others, proteases involved in antigen processing and presentation, which leads to a reduction of T cell responses. At the same time nematode cystatins modulate cytokine responses, the most prominent trait being the upregulation of IL-10, a Th2 cytokine, by macrophages. In this situation, IL-10 leads among others to downregulation of costimulatory surface molecules of macrophages. These properties contribute to induction of an anti-inflammatory environment, concomitant with a strong inhibition of cellular proliferation. This setting is believed to favour the survival of worms. An opposite activity of nematode cystatins is the upregulation of production of inducible nitric oxide by IFN-gamma activated macrophages, an intrinsic property of natural cysteine protease inhibitors. This shows that these proteins can act as proinflammatory molecules under certain circumstances. A comparison of the immunomodulatory effects of cystatins of filarial nematodes with homologous proteins of the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans revealed distinct differences. Caenorhabditis elegans cystatins induce the production of the Th1 cytokine IL-12, in contrast to filarial cystatins that upregulate IL-10. Caenorhabditis elegans cystatins hardly inhibit cellular proliferation. These data suggest that cystatins of parasitic nematodes have multiple, specific capacities for immunomodulation, acting in parallel on different immune effector mechanisms. Elucidation of the mechanisms involved might be useful in the development of immunotherapeutic reagents in the future.     

Modulation of innate immune responses during human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV-1) pathogenesis

Infection with the Human T-cell Leukemia virus type I (HTLV-1) retrovirus results in a number of diverse pathologies, including the aggressive, fatal T-cell malignancy adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and the chronic, progressive neurologic disorder termed HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Worldwide, it is estimated there are 15-20 million HTLV-1-infected individuals; although the majority of HTLV-1-infected individuals remain asymptomatic carriers (AC) during their lifetime, 2-5% of AC develops either ATL or HAM/TSP, but never both. Regardless of asymptomatic status or clinical outcome, HTLV-1 carriers are at high risk of opportunistic infection. The progression to pathological HTLV-1 disease is in part attributed to the failure of the innate and adaptive immune system to control virus spread. The innate immune response against retroviral infection requires recognition of viral pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) through pattern-recognition receptors (PRR) dependent pathways, leading to the induction of host antiviral and inflammatory responses. Recent studies have begun to characterize the interplay between HTLV-1 infection and the innate immune response and have identified distinct gene expression profiles in patients with ATL or HAM/TSP--upregulation of growth regulatory pathways in ATL and constitutive activation of antiviral and inflammatory pathways in HAM/STP. In this review, we provide an overview of the replicative lifecycle of HTLV-1 and the distinct pathologies associated with HTLV-1 infection. We also explore the innate immune mechanisms that respond to HTLV-1 infection, the strategies used by HTLV-1 to subvert these defenses and their contribution to HTLV-1-associated diseases.     

Manipulation of host innate immune responses by the malaria parasite

It has long been known that malaria infection causes host immune modulation by various mechanisms. However, the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in mediating innate immune responses to parasite-derived components during the blood stages of malaria has only recently been described. TLRs might have an important role in pathogenesis during malaria infection, as supported by genetic analyses in mice and humans. Moreover, recent findings revealed that sporozoites can partially differentiate in lymph nodes and that liver stages induce the formation of previously unknown parasite-filled vesicles (merosomes) that could function as immune escape machinery. Elucidation of the mechanisms by which the host innate immune system responds to, and/or is manipulated by, Plasmodium infection will hopefully lead to discoveries of potential targets that will ultimately prevent and/or intervene in malaria infection.     

Chitin modulates innate immune responses of keratinocytes

Background

Chitin, after cellulose the second most abundant polysaccharide in nature, is an essential component of exoskeletons of crabs, shrimps and insects and protects these organisms from harsh conditions in their environment. Unexpectedly, chitin has been found to activate innate immune cells and to elicit murine airway inflammation. The skin represents the outer barrier of the human host defense and is in frequent contact with chitin-bearing organisms, such as house-dust mites or flies. The effects of chitin on keratinocytes, however, are poorly understood.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We hypothesized that chitin stimulates keratinocytes and thereby modulates the innate immune response of the skin. Here we show that chitin is bioactive on primary and immortalized keratinocytes by triggering production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Chitin stimulation further induced the expression of the Toll-like receptor (TLR) TLR4 on keratinocytes at mRNA and protein level. Chitin-induced effects were mainly abrogated when TLR2 was blocked, suggesting that TLR2 senses chitin on keratinocytes.

Conclusions/Significance

We speculate that chitin-bearing organisms modulate the innate immune response towards pathogens by upregulating secretion of cytokines and chemokines and expression of MyD88-associated TLRs, two major components of innate immunity. The clinical relevance of this mechanism remains to be defined.     

Modulation of the immune response by emotional stress

The influence of mild, emotional stress was investigated for its effect on the immune system by subjecting rats to the one-trial-learning passive avoidance test. The reactivity of the immune system was tested by determining the proliferative response after mitogenic stimulation in vitro as well as the capacity to generate a primary antibody response in vivo after immunization with sheep red blood cells. Our results demonstrate that exposure of rats to a single electric footshock (learning trial) or habituation to the passive avoidance apparatus, induces an increase of the immune response in vitro and in vivo. Thus, emotional stimuli seem to facilitate immunological responsiveness. However, when the animal is confronted with a conflict situation, as tested by the retention of the avoidance response after a single learning trial, the initially enhanced reactivity of the immune system decreases. It is concluded that the immune system is capable of reacting specifically and immediately to distinct psychological stimuli.     

Dendritic cells in innate immune responses against HIV

Dendritic cells (DCs) were recently found to be innate immunity effectors against tumoral cells and viruses. (i) In response to most viruses, including HIV, plasmacytoid DCs are responsible for most of the type I IFN secretion, which is strongly anti-viral and induces TH1 type responses. Myeloid DCs secrete IL-12, which is also important for TH1-type and cytotoxic responses. In HIV patient blood, both DC population numbers decrease as early as the primary stage. Plasmacytoid DC numbers correlate with type I IFN secretion, which is a prognosis predictor, particularly under treatment. IL-12 secretion is also defective. Immunotherapies to replace the defective cytokines or to restore a potentially defective DC-T lymphocyte feed-back might help patients restore their immune responses under antiviral therapy. (ii) After measles and other viral infections, or incubation with dsRNA, DCs become cytotoxic and consequently exhibit natural killer function, through upregulation of type I IFN secretion which enhances TRAIL expression. In HIV infection, this mechanism was not demonstrated yet, but it might a) be responsible for the massive apoptosis of uninfected lymphocytes, and b) increase specific immunity through cross-presentation of antigens from infected cells killed by DCs. (iii) DCs direct expansion and effector functions of NK cells in the absence of adaptive-type cytokines and modulate NKT cell IFN-gamma production. Reciprocally, NK activation triggers DC maturation. HIV-1 Tat inhibits NK cell cytotoxicity directly and probably through inhibition of IL-12 secretion by DC. Therefore, understanding the functions of DCs in innate immune responses and in pathogenesis will help obtain better HIV replication control.