Differential Arabinan Capping of Lipoarabinomannan Modulates Innate Immune Responses and Impacts T Helper Cell Differentiation

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize pathogens by interacting with pathogen-associated molecular patterns, such as the phosphatidylinositol-based lipoglycans, lipomannan (LM) and lipoarabinomannan (LAM). Such structures are present in several pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, being important for the initiation of immune responses. It is well established that the interaction of LM and LAM with TLR2 is a process dependent on the structure of the ligands. However, the implications of structural variations on TLR2 ligands for the development of T helper (Th) cell responses or in the context of in vivo responses are less studied. Herein, we used Corynebacterium glutamicum as a source of lipoglycan intermediates for host interaction studies. In this study, we have deleted a putative glycosyltransferase, NCgl2096, from C. glutamicum and found that it encodes for a novel α(1→2)arabinofuranosyltransferase, AftE. Biochemical analysis of the lipoglycans obtained in the presence (wild type) or absence of NCgl2096 showed that AftE is involved in the biosynthesis of singular arabinans of LAM. In its absence, the resulting molecule is a hypermannosylated (hLM) form of LAM. Both LAM and hLM were recognized by dendritic cells, mainly via TLR2, and triggered the production of several cytokines. hLM was a stronger stimulus for in vitro cytokine production and, as a result, a more potent inducer of Th17 responses. In vivo data confirmed hLM as a stronger inducer of cytokine responses and suggested the involvement of pattern recognition receptors other than TLR2 as sensors for lipoglycans.     

Small Molecule-directed Immunotherapy against Recurrent Infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Tuberculosis remains the biggest infectious threat to humanity with one-third of the population infected and 1.4 million deaths and 8.7 million new cases annually. Current tuberculosis therapy is lengthy and consists of multiple antimicrobials, which causes poor compliance and high treatment dropout, resulting in the development of drug-resistant variants of tuberculosis. Therefore, alternate methods to treat tuberculosis are urgently needed. Mycobacterium tuberculosis evades host immune responses by inducing T helper (Th)2 and regulatory T (Treg) cell responses, which diminish protective Th1 responses. Here, we show that animals (Stat-6^−/−CD4-TGFβRIIDN mice) that are unable to generate both Th2 cells and Tregs are highly resistant to M. tuberculosis infection. Furthermore, simultaneous inhibition of these two subsets of Th cells by therapeutic compounds dramatically reduced bacterial burden in different organs. This treatment was associated with the generation of protective Th1 immune responses. As these therapeutic agents are not directed to the harbored organisms, they should avoid the risk of promoting the development of drug-resistant M. tuberculosis variants.     

Mycobacterium tuberculosis TlyA Protein Negatively Regulates T Helper (Th) 1 and Th17 Differentiation and Promotes Tuberculosis Pathogenesis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis, is an ancient pathogen and a major cause of death worldwide. Although various virulence factors of M. tuberculosis have been identified, its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. TlyA is a virulence factor in several bacterial infections and is evolutionarily conserved in many Gram-positive bacteria, but its function in M. tuberculosis pathogenesis has not been elucidated. Here, we report that TlyA significantly contributes to the pathogenesis of M. tuberculosis. We show that a TlyA mutant M. tuberculosis strain induces increased IL-12 and reduced IL-1β and IL-10 cytokine responses, which sharply contrasts with the immune responses induced by wild type M. tuberculosis. Furthermore, compared with wild type M. tuberculosis, TlyA-deficient M. tuberculosis bacteria are more susceptible to autophagy in macrophages. Consequently, animals infected with the TlyA mutant M. tuberculosis organisms exhibited increased host-protective immune responses, reduced bacillary load, and increased survival compared with animals infected with wild type M. tuberculosis. Thus, M. tuberculosis employs TlyA as a host evasion factor, thereby contributing to its virulence.     

Th细胞亚群在自身免疫病的发病及治疗中作用的实验研究进展

本文回顾了Ｔｈ细胞亚群的功能、交互调节、影响其分化的因素以及Ｔｈ细胞亚群在自身免疫病发病中的可能作用;概括了通过调节Ｔｈ细胞亚群来治疗自身免疫病的方法,包括：上调ＣＤ１ｄ治疗、给予相关细胞因子治疗、佐剂治疗、用抗细胞因子、细胞因子受体、ＣＤ４０配体和Ｂ７分子的单克隆抗体治疗以及ＣＴＬＡ和ＣＴＬＡＩｇ治疗。这些方法为自身免疫病的治疗提供了新的思路。     

Induction of protective immune responses against NXS2 neuroblastoma challenge in mice by immunotherapy with GD2 mimotope vaccine and IL-15 and IL-21 gene delivery

The GD2 ganglioside expressed on neuroectodermal tumor cells is weakly immunogenic in tumor-bearing patients and induces predominantly IgM antibody responses in the immunized host. Using a syngeneic mouse challenge model with GD2-expressing NXS2 neuroblastoma, we investigated novel strategies for augmenting the effector function of GD2-specific antibody responses induced by a mimotope vaccine. We demonstrated that immunization of A/J mice with DNA vaccine expressing the 47-LDA mimotope of GD2 in combination with IL-15 and IL-21 genes enhanced the induction of GD2 cross-reactive IgG2 antibody responses that exhibited cytolytic activity against NXS2 cells. The combined immunization regimen delivered 1 day after tumor challenge inhibited subcutaneous (s.c.) growth of NXS2 neuroblastoma in A/J mice. The vaccine efficacy was reduced after depletion of NK cells as well as CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes suggesting involvement of innate and adaptive immune responses in mediating the antitumor activity in vivo. CD8⁺ T cells isolated from the immunized and cured mice were cytotoxic against syngeneic neuroblastoma cells but not against allogeneic EL4 lymphoma, and exhibited antitumor activity after adoptive transfer in NXS2-challenged mice. We also demonstrated that coimmunization of NXS2-challenged mice with the IL-15 and IL-21 gene combination resulted in enhanced CD8⁺ T cell function that was partially independent of CD4⁺ T cell help in inhibiting tumor growth. This study is the first demonstration that the mimotope vaccine of a weakly immunogenic carbohydrate antigen in combination with plasmid-derived IL-15 and IL-21 cytokines induces both innate and adaptive arms of the immune system leading to the generation of effective protection against neuroblastoma challenge. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. This work was supported by the Roswell Park Alliance Foundation, funds to commemorate Dr. Goro Chihara’s research activity, and by a research grant R21 AI060375 from the National Institutes of Health.     

Hsp65与IL-2融合蛋白诱导小鼠细胞免疫应答及保护力

目的研究Hsp65与hIL-2的融合蛋白在小鼠体内诱导的免疫应答及保护力。方法在大肠杆菌中诱导表达Hsp65与hIL-2的融合蛋白,通过Ni-NTA亲合柱纯化后的蛋白经鉴定后,与佐剂DDA和MPL联合免疫小鼠,连续免疫3次,每次间隔2周,最后一次免疫结束后两周,分离5只小鼠脾淋巴细胞,测定淋巴细胞增殖指数,IFN-γ和IL-2水平,以及特异性淋巴细胞杀伤功能,其余5只免疫小鼠用于MTB毒株攻击实验。结果获得融合蛋白可分别与抗Hsp65和抗hIL-2的单抗发生特异性反应。融合蛋白免疫小鼠后,小鼠脾淋巴细胞被有效活化,诱导产生的-γIFN和IL-2的水平以及CTL杀伤功能均显著高于BCG和单纯Hsp65免疫组（P〈0.05）。融合蛋白免疫组可有效抵抗MTB毒株攻击,脾脏细菌数显著减少（4.36±0.48）,提供的保护力与BCG相当（4.30±0.53）。结论Hsp65与hIL-2的融合蛋白是一种有效的亚单位疫苗,可用于TB的预防。     

Inhibition of complement alternative pathway suppresses experimental autoimmune anterior uveitis by modulating T cell responses

The objective of the current study was to delineate the pathway of complement activation that is crucial for the induction of experimental autoimmune anterior uveitis (EAAU). We studied the development of EAAU in melanin-associated antigen (MAA)-sensitized Lewis rats treated with antibody against C4 or factor B. Control animals received isotype IgG control. Antibody against C4 had no effect on EAAU, and all of the animals developed EAAU similar to those injected with control IgG. In contrast, EAAU was completely inhibited in all MAA-sensitized Lewis rats injected with factor B antibody. Treatment with anti-factor B antibody resulted in suppression of ocular complement activation. Adoptive transfer of T lymphocytes harvested from draining lymph nodes of donor animals treated with anti-factor B did not transfer EAAU to naïve syngenic rats. Anti-factor B antibody inhibited the ability of MAA-specific CD4⁺ T cells to proliferate (in vitro) in response to MAA in a dose-dependent manner. Level of TNF-α and IFN-γ decreased in the presence of anti-factor B. Collectively, our results provide the novel finding that complement activation via the alternative pathway contributes to intraocular inflammation in EAAU, and anti-factor B-mediated inhibition of EAAU is due to diminished antigen-specific CD4⁺ T cell responses to MAA. Our findings explain the interactions between the complement system and T cells that are critical for the induction of EAAU and may lead to the development of therapy for idiopathic anterior uveitis based on selective blockade of the alternative pathway.     

Early Growth Response Genes 2 and 3 Regulate the Expression of Bcl6 and Differentiation of T Follicular Helper Cells

T follicular helper (Tfh) cells support differentiation of B cells to plasma cells and high affinity antibody production in germinal centers (GCs), and Tfh differentiation requires the function of B cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6). We have now discovered that early growth response gene 2 (EGR2) and EGR3 directly regulate the expression of Bcl6 in Tfh cells, which is required for their function in regulation of GC formation. In the absence of EGR2 and -3, the expression of BCL6 in Tfh cells is defective, leading to impaired differentiation of Tfh cells, resulting in a failure to form GCs following virus infection and defects in production of antiviral antibodies. Enforced expression of BCL6 in EGR2/3-deficient CD4 T cells partially restored Tfh differentiation and GC formation in response to virus infection. Our findings demonstrate a novel function of EGR2/3 that is important for Tfh cell development and Tfh cell-mediated B cell immune responses.     

PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂对肺鳞状细胞癌患者调节性T细胞及其亚型的影响

摘要 目的：探讨PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂对肺鳞状细胞癌（鳞癌）患者调节性T细胞（Regulatory T cell，Treg细胞）及其亚型的影响。方法：2019年1月至2020年12月来我院就诊的肺鳞癌初诊患者纳入本项研究；患者均接受Nivolumab治疗，根据治疗效果不同，将患者分为缓解组（n=20）和无效组（n=20）；流式细胞术检测外周血总Treg细胞、PD-1+Treg细胞、CD150+Treg细胞、CTLA-4+Treg细胞、LAG-3+Treg细胞的比例。结果：缓解组外周血总Treg细胞、CTLA-4+Treg细胞和LAG-3+Treg细胞的比例分别为4.052±0.231%、1.616±0.099%和0.328±0.021%，无效组的比例分别为5.532±0.395%、3.277±0.224%和0.857±0.108%，差异均具有显著的统计学意义（t=3.239，P=0.009；t=6.776，P＜0.001；t=4.807，P＜0.001）；缓解组外周血PD-1+Treg细胞和CD150+Treg细胞的比例分别为0.195±0.016%和1.530±0.113%，无效组的比例分别为0.203±0.018%和1.787±0.157%，差异均不具有统计学意义（t=0.318，P=0.757；t=1.329，P=0.214）。结论：PD-1/PD-L1抑制剂治疗无效的肺鳞癌患者外周血总Treg细胞、CTLA-4+Treg细胞和LAG-3+Treg细胞的比例均显著升高。     

结核感染T细胞斑点试验联合血清CA125、IP-10对肺结核合并糖尿病的诊断价值

摘要 目的：探讨结核感染T细胞斑点试验（T-SPOT.TB）联合血清糖类抗原125（CA125）、γ干扰素诱导蛋白10（IP-10）对肺结核合并糖尿病的诊断价值。方法：选取2021年1月～2023年1月上海中医药大学附属第七人民医院收治的480例疑似肺结核患者,根据诊断结果分为A组（肺结核合并糖尿病患者）166例、B组（单纯肺结核患者）214例、C组（非结核分枝杆菌感染和非糖尿病患者）100例。所有研究对象均进行T-SPOT.TB,并采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清CA125、IP-10水平。通过绘制受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线分析T-SPOT.TB联合血清CA125、IP-10水平对肺结核合并糖尿病的诊断价值。结果：A组T-SPOT.TB阳性率低于B组,但高于C组,B组T-SPOT.TB阳性率高于C组（P＜0.05）;A组抗原培养滤液蛋白10（CFP10）、早期分泌性抗原靶蛋白6-kD（ESAT-6）原值高于B组、C组,B组抗原CFP10、抗原ESAT-6原值高于C组（P＜0.05）。A组血清CA125、IP-10水平高于B组和C,B组血清CA125、IP-10水平高于C组（P＜0.05）。ROC曲线分析显示,T-SPOT.TB、CA125、IP-10、T-SPOT.TB+CA125、T-SPOT.TB+IP-10、三项联合诊断肺结核合并糖尿病的曲线下面积（AUC）分别为0.771、0.769、0.779、0.880、0.885、0.937;三项联合诊断肺结核合并糖尿病的AUC大于T-SPOT.TB、CA125、IP-10单独和联合诊断。结论：肺结核合并糖尿病患者T-SPOT.TB阳性率和血清CA125、IP-10水平升高,T-SPOT.TB联合血清CA125、IP-10能提升肺结核合并糖尿病的诊断价值。     

Regulatory T cells protected against abdominal aortic aneurysm by suppression of the COX‐2 expression

CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been shown to protect against the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), a pro‐inflammatory protein, can convert arachidonic acid into prostaglandins (PGs). The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of Tregs on COX‐2 expression in angiotension II (Ang II)‐induced AAA in ApoE^?/? mice. Tregs were injected via tail vein in every 2 weeks. Ang II was continuously infused by a micropump for 28 days to induce AAA. In vivo, compared with the control group, adoptive transfer of Tregs significantly reduced the incidence of AAA, maximal diameter, and the mRNA and protein expression of COX‐2 in mice. Immunofluorescence showed that Tregs treatment reduced COX‐2 expression both in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and macrophages in AAA. In vitro, the Western blot analysis showed that Tregs reduced Ang II‐induced COX‐2 expression in macrophages and SMCs. Meanwhile, ELISA showed that Tregs reduced Ang II‐induced prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) secretion. Moreover, Tregs increased SMC viability and induced transition of macrophages phenotype from M1 to M2. In conclusion, Tregs treatment dramatically decreased the expression of COX‐2 in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that Tregs could protect against AAA through inhibition of COX‐2. The study may shed light on the immune treatment of AAA.     

结核分枝杆菌融合蛋白Ag85B-Hsp16．3、Ag85B-ESAT6和分泌蛋白Hspl6．3体外对人肝癌细胞HepG-2的作用

目的：探讨结核分枝杆菌融合蛋白Ag85B-Hspl6．3、Ag85B-ESAT6及分泌蛋白Hspl6-3对人肝癌细胞HepG-2的作用。方法：将已构建的含3种目的基因的表达载体pProEXHTa-Ag85B-Hspl6．3、pProEXHTa-Ag85B-ESAT6和pProEXHTb-Hspl6．3,分别转入宿主菌EcoliDH5α中,诱导表达后分别获得Ag85B-Hspl6．3、Ag85B-ESAT6和Hspl6．3三种蛋白,采用Ni^2＋亲和层析柱进行纯化,并用透析方法进行目的蛋白的复性。复性的蛋白按照不同浓度和作用时间分别与肝癌细胞HepG-2反应,用MTT法检测细胞生长情况。结果：三种蛋白被成功纯化并复性。MTT数据统计分析显示,终浓度101xg／ml的三种蛋白对HepG-2细胞生长没有明显作用,当三种蛋白的终浓度分别为20、40、801μg／ml时均能够抑制HepG-2细胞的生长,并且抑制作用随着蛋白终浓度的增大以及作用时间的延长而增强。不同类别的蛋白抑制作用没有明显差别。结论：结核分枝杆菌的部分分泌蛋白能够抑制肝癌细胞HepG-2的生长。     

结核分枝杆菌融合蛋白Ag85B-Hsp16.3、Ag85B-ESAT6 和分泌蛋白 Hsp16.3 体外对人肝癌细胞HepG-2 的作用*

目的:探讨结核分枝杆菌融合蛋白Ag85B-Hsp16.3、Ag85B-ESAT6及分泌蛋白Hsp16.3对人肝癌细胞HepG-2的作用。方法:将已构建的含3种目的基因的表达载体pProEXHTa-Ag85B-Hsp16.3、pProEXHTa-Ag85B-ESAT6和pProEXHTb-Hsp16.3,分别转入宿主菌E.coliDH5α中,诱导表达后分别获得Ag85B-Hsp16.3、Ag85B-ESAT6和Hsp16.3三种蛋白,采用Ni2+亲和层析柱进行纯化,并用透析方法进行目的蛋白的复性。复性的蛋白按照不同浓度和作用时间分别与肝癌细胞HepG-2反应,用MTT法检测细胞生长情况。结果:三种蛋白被成功纯化并复性。MTT数据统计分析显示,终浓度10μg/ml的三种蛋白对HepG-2细胞生长没有明显作用,当三种蛋白的终浓度分别为20、40、80μg/ml时均能够抑制HepG-2细胞的生长,并且抑制作用随着蛋白终浓度的增大以及作用时间的延长而增强。不同类别的蛋白抑制作用没有明显差别。结论:结核分枝杆菌的部分分泌蛋白能够抑制肝癌细胞HepG-2的生长。     

信号肽和辅助性T细胞表位增强HBV核心抗原DNA疫苗诱导的免疫应答

为增强HBVDNA疫苗的免疫效率 ,于HBV核心抗原 (HBcAg)基因 5′末端引入人IL 2信号肽和一个通用型辅助性T淋巴细胞表位基因 ,并构建成DNA疫苗 ,转染COS7细胞后经ELISA检测出分泌型HBcAg。通过肌肉注射途径分别将这种DNA疫苗和编码天然HBcAg的DNA疫苗免疫BALB/c小鼠 ,检测小鼠的血清抗体、T细胞增殖和细胞毒性T淋巴细胞反应 ,结果表明前者诱导细胞和体液免疫应答的强度均明显超过后者 ,且更趋向于T辅助细胞 1(Th1)型免疫应答 ,故其对慢性HBV感染的治疗可能有潜在的应用价值     

侵袭性牙周炎伴错牙合畸形患者牙周-正畸联合治疗前后血清SAA、leptin的变化及与牙周指标和辅助性T细胞亚群的相关性分析

摘要 目的：探讨侵袭性牙周炎伴错牙合畸形患者牙周-正畸联合治疗前后血清淀粉样蛋白A（SAA）、瘦素（leptin）的变化及与牙周指标和辅助性T细胞（Th）亚群的相关性。方法：选择2020年6月-2022年8月解放军总医院京中医疗区黄寺门诊部口腔科收治的80例侵袭性牙周炎伴错牙合畸形患者（牙周炎组）和65例于口腔门诊检查的健康志愿者（对照组）。所有患者均接受牙周-正畸联合治疗,治疗前后分别检测血清SAA、leptin水平以及外周血中Th1、Th2、Th17细胞占比,并评估牙周指标变化。Pearson相关性分析血清SAA、leptin水平与牙周指标以及外周血中Th1、Th2、Th17细胞占比的相关性。结果：牙周炎组治疗前血清SAA、leptin水平,外周血Th1、Th17细胞占比,出血指数（SBI）、菌斑指数（PLI）、附着丧失（AL）、牙周探诊深度（PD）高于对照组（P＜0.05）,外周血Th2细胞占比低于对照组（P＜0.05）。牙周炎组治疗后血清SAA、leptin水平,外周血Th1、Th17细胞占比,PLI、SBI、AL、PD较治疗前降低（P＜0.05）,外周血Th2细胞占比较治疗前增高（P＜0.05）。牙周炎组血清SAA、leptin与PLI、SBI、AL、PD,外周血Th1、Th17细胞占比呈正相关,与外周血Th2细胞占比呈负相关（P＜0.05）。结论：侵袭性牙周炎伴错牙合畸形患者血清SAA、leptin水平增高,经牙周-正畸联合治疗后下降,高水平SAA、leptin与牙周组织破坏程度以及Th亚群紊乱有关,检测血清SAA、leptin水平可评估侵袭性牙周炎牙周组织破坏程度以及细胞免疫状态。