Regulatory T cells and tumor immunity

Central deletion of self-reactive T cells has been the textbook paradigm for inducing self-tolerance in the periphery and the concept of a role of T cell-mediated suppression in this process has long been controversial. A decisive shift in the opinion on suppressor T cells has lately occurred with the observations of Sakaguchis group that linked a class of CD4+CD25+ T cells to the prevention of autoimmunity from neonatal thymectomy in mice. These CD4+CD25+ T cells have been named T regulatory (Treg) cells. They are believed to be selected in the thymus as an anti-self repertoire. Hence they were referred to as natural T regulatory (nTreg) cells. Presently, in addition to their role in autoimmunity, they are believed to exert regulatory function in infection, in transplantation immunity as well as in tumor immunity. In contrast to these nTreg cells, another class of CD4+ Treg cells also exercises regulatory function in the periphery. These Treg cells are also CD4+ T cells and after activation they also become phenotypically CD4+CD25+. They are, however induced in the periphery as Treg cells. Hence, they are termed as induced Treg (iTreg) cells. There are major differences in the biology of these two types of Treg cells. They differ in their requirements for activation and in their mode of action. Nonetheless, evidence indicates that both nTreg cells and iTreg cells are involved in the control of tumor immunity. The question of how to circumvent their regulatory constraints, therefore, has become a major challenge for tumor immunologists.     

基孔肯雅病毒与基孔肯雅热

基孔肯雅热(chikungunya fever)是由基孔肯雅病毒(chikungunya virus)引起的一种蚊媒传染病,感染率高,可引起持续的关节症状。近几年来,基孔肯雅热暴发次数增加,流行范围不断扩大,全球范围内每年可导致100万人感染。同时,基孔肯雅病毒中某些基因突变使其可有效通过白纹伊蚊传播,不仅对热带和亚热带地区,还对白纹伊蚊广泛存在的温带地区的民众构成了潜在威胁。     

基孔肯亚假病毒模型的建立及其在模拟检测中的应用

目的:构建含基孔肯亚病毒核酸序列的重组慢病毒载体,以之转染细胞以分泌含基孔肯亚病毒核酸序列的假病毒,利用该病毒建立基孔肯亚病毒的模拟检测方法。方法:人工合成基孔肯亚病毒部分保守性核酸序列,连入慢病毒载体,构建含基孔肯亚病毒核酸序列的重组慢病毒质粒pLenti-chik,该质粒连同辅助质粒pLP1、pLP2、pLP/VSVG共转染293FT细胞;72 h后收集上清,用特异引物进行荧光定量RT-PCR检测。结果:建立了一个仅能进行一次复制、高度安全的基孔肯亚假病毒模型;同时采用荧光定量RT-PCR建立了较灵敏的检测病毒分泌的方法。结论:假病毒可以模拟基孔肯亚病毒分泌,但较真病毒安全性更高;用荧光定量的方法可以很灵敏地检测病毒的分泌,为突发基孔肯亚病毒感染的检测做好准备。     

老年COPD疾病进展与机体调节性T 细胞的关系分析

目的:探讨老年慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者疾病进展与机体调节性T细胞(Treg)的关系。方法:选取我院收治的65例COPD患者(COPD组)以及同期在我院行体检的健康人群45例(正常对照组),将COPD患者分为急性期组41例及稳定期组24例,采用肺功能仪检测肺功能,采用酶联免疫吸附法检测血清γ-干扰素(IFN-γ)、白介素4(IL-4)、IL-17水平,采用流式细胞仪检测外周血CD4+CD25+Treg细胞比例。结果:与正常对照组比较,COPD患者的FEV1、FVC、PEF、FEV1/FVC、6MWT、血清IL-4水平、外周血CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞比例均明显下降,血清IFN-γ、IL-17及Th1/Th2均显著升高。急性期COPD患者的CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞比例较正常对照组显著升高,而正常对照组患者的CD4~+CD25~+Treg细胞比例较稳定组COPD患者显著升高,组间比较均有明显差异(P0.05)。结论:老年CODP患者体内存在免疫功能失调,调节性T细胞可能参与了老年COPD疾病的发病以及急性加重过程,导致患者出现肺功能改变。     

云南基孔肯雅病毒生物学性状的研究

本文对分离自云南的基孔肯雅病毒进行了生物学特性研究。实验证明基孔肯雅病毒对乳鼠有强而稳定的致病性,对C6/36,BHK21及Vero细胞有致病变作用,能与鹅和鸽红细胞凝集,最适pH5.75。电镜观察病毒呈圆形,有膜,外径66.8nm,内径47.7nm。交互血凝抑制及中和试验表明,云南毒株之间或与国外原株在抗原性上无明显差别,为同一血清型,并与同亚组病毒反应较弱,与其它虫媒病毒无交叉。本文还讨论了云南株与国外原株在某些生物学特性方面的异同。     

Species‐specific impact of the autophagy machinery on Chikungunya virus infection

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a recently re‐emerged arbovirus that triggers autophagy. Here, we show that CHIKV interacts with components of the autophagy machinery during its replication cycle, inducing a cytoprotective effect. The autophagy receptor p62 protects cells from death by binding ubiquitinated capsid and targeting it to autophagolysosomes. By contrast, the human autophagy receptor NDP52—but not its mouse orthologue—interacts with the non‐structural protein nsP2, thereby promoting viral replication. These results highlight the distinct roles of p62 and NDP52 in viral infection, and identify NDP52 as a cellular factor that accounts for CHIKV species specificity.     

Regulatory T cells (CD4CD25FoxP3) expansion in systemic sclerosis correlates with disease activity and severity

Background

The role and function of T regulatory (Treg) cells have not been fully investigated in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

Methods

Ten patients with SSc donated 20 ml of peripheral blood. Activity (Valentini) and severity (Medsger) scores for SSc were calculated for all patients. Healthy volunteers (controls) were matched to each patient by gender and age. CD4⁺ cells were separated using the MACS system. The numbers of Treg cells were estimated by flow cytometry after staining for CD4, CD25, and FoxP3 and calculated as patient-to-control ratio separately for each experiment. Correlations with activity and severity indices of the disease were performed. Twenty-four-hour production of TGF-β and IL-10 by activated CD4⁺ cells was measured by ELISA in culture supernatants.

Results

The numbers of Treg cells, expressed as patient-to-control ratio, correlated significantly with both activity and severity indices (r = 0.71, p = 0.034 and r = 0.67, p = 0.044, respectively). ELISA-measured production of TGF-β and IL-10 by CD4⁺ cells was similar in patients and controls.

Conclusions

Increased numbers of Treg cells are present in patients with SSc, correlating with activity and severity of the disease. This expansion of Treg cells was not accompanied, however, by heightened TGF-β or IL-10 production. Further studies to elaborate the causes and functional significance of Treg cell expansion in SSc are needed.     

RNA interference mediated inhibition of Chikungunya virus replication in mammalian cells

Chikungunya has emerged as one of the most important arboviral infection of public health significance. Recently several parts of Indian Ocean islands and India witnessed explosive, unprecedented epidemic. So far, there is no effective antiviral or licensed vaccine available against Chikungunya infection. RNA interference mediated inhibition of viral replication has emerged as a promising antiviral strategy. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) against the inhibition of Chikungunya virus replication in Vero cells. Two siRNAs against the conserved regions of nsP3 and E1 genes of Chikungunya virus were designed. The siRNA activity was assessed by detecting both the infectious virus and its genome. The results indicated a reduction of virus titer up to 99.6% in siRNA transfected cells compared to control. The viral inhibition was most significant at 24 h (99%), followed by 48 h (65%) post infection. These results were also supported by the quantitative RT-PCR assay revealing similar reduction in Chikungunya viral genomic RNA. The siRNAs used had no effect on the expression of house keeping gene indicating non-interference in cellular mechanism. The specific and marked reduction in viral replication against rapidly replicating Chikungunya virus achieved in this study offers a potential new therapeutic approach. This is the first report demonstrating the effectiveness of siRNA against in vitro replication of Chikungunya virus.     

Regulatory T cells as a potent target for controlling bone loss

Metabolic bone diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoporosis, affect hundreds and millions of people worldwide leading causes of long-term pain and disability. Effective clinical treatment for bone destruction in bone diseases is lacking because the knowledge about molecular mechanisms leading to bone destruction are incompletely understood. Recently, it has been confirmed that regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a crucial role in suppressing the immune response in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases. In vitro, Tregs directly inhibit osteoclasts and differentiation and function. In mice, the injection of Tregs into the TNF transgenic results in enhanced systemic bone density. In addition, it has been shown that increase of Tregs numbers by overexpressing the FoxP3 is effective in the prevention of local and systemic bone destruction. In vivo treatment with anti-CD28 superagonist antibody leading to a stronger increase in Tregs numbers protect against TNF-a-induced bone loss in TNF-transgenic mice. In agreement, Tregs can control ovariectomy-induced bone loss in FoxP3-transgenic mice. In this paper, we will briefly discuss the biological features of Tregs and summarize recent advances on the role of Tregs in the pathogenesis and treatment of bone loss in metabolic bone diseases.     

基孔肯雅病毒和辛德毕斯病毒可视化基因芯片与荧光基因芯片的建立

根据GenBank中收录的基孔肯雅病毒和辛德毕斯病毒E蛋白基因序列,设计及筛选针对2种病毒的寡核苷酸探针及引物,制备基孔肯雅病毒与辛德毕斯病毒可视化基因芯片与荧光基因芯片,对芯片的灵敏性、特异性进行了验证,并将可视化基因芯片、荧光基因芯片进行灵敏性比较.结果显示,制备的两种基因芯片都能检测到基孔肯雅病毒和辛德毕斯病毒特异性杂交信号.可视化基因芯片、荧光基因芯片检测两种病毒质粒的灵敏度达到9.1×103 copies/mL, 6.8×101 copies/mL和9.1×104 copies/mL, 6.8×103 copies/mL,与普通PCR比较差异显著. 荧光基因芯片灵敏度是PCR方法的10倍,可视化基因芯片是荧光基因芯片灵敏度的100倍. 模拟病毒检测过程特异性检验证明,可视化基因芯片都具有良好的特异性.本试验建立了基孔肯雅病毒与辛德毕斯病毒两种特异的可视化和荧光基因芯片检测方法,两种方法灵敏度高、特异性强,适用于基孔肯雅病毒与辛德毕斯病毒的流行病学调查和种特异性鉴定.     

天然调节T 细胞与诱导调节T 细胞的生物学特性

CD4+CD25+FOXP3+的调节T细胞(regulatory T cells,Treg)在维持机体免疫平衡方面起着重要的作用。体外扩增Treg细胞用于治疗自身免疫病、哮喘及诱导器官移植免疫耐受引起人们极大的兴趣。Treg细胞可分为2个亚群,分别为nTreg和iTreg,两者有不同的生物学特性。nTreg在特定条件下,可以分泌具有促进炎症的IL-17;iTreg在体内可丢失FOXP3,失去其免疫抑制功能。Treg细胞用于临床治疗,还有许多问题需要研究解决。     

Differential proteome analysis of Chikungunya virus-infected new-born mice tissues reveal implication of stress, inflammatory and apoptotic pathways in disease pathogenesis

Chikungunya infection is a major disease of public health concern. The recurrent outbreaks of this viral disease and its progressive evolution demands a potential strategy to understand major aspects of its pathogenesis. Unlike other alphaviruses, Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) pathogenesis is poorly understood. In every consecutive outbreak, some new symptoms associated with virulence and disease manifestations are being reported such as neurological implication, increased severity and enhanced vector competence. In order to unravel the mechanism of the disease process, proteomic analysis was performed to evaluate the host response in CHIKV-infected mice tissues. Comparative analysis of the multiple gels representing the particular tissue extract from mock and CHIKV-infected tissues revealed a drastic reprogramming of physiological conditions through 35 and 15 differentially expressed proteins belonging to different classes such as stress, inflammation, apoptosis, urea cycle, energy metabolism, etc. from liver and brain, respectively. Based on the alterations obtained in the CHIKV mouse model, most of the aspects of CHIKV infection such as disease severity, neurological complications, disease susceptibility and immunocompetence could be defined. This is the first report unravelling the complicated pathways involved in the mechanism of Chikungunya disease pathogenesis employing proteomic approach.     

Regulatory T cells interfere with glutathione metabolism in dendritic cells and T cells

Naturally occurring CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) suppress proliferation of CD4(+)CD25(-) effector T cells (Teffs) by mechanisms that are not well understood. We have previously demonstrated a novel mechanism of Treg suppression, i.e. interference with extracellular redox remodeling that occurs during activation of T cells by dendritic cells. In this study, we demonstrate that Treg-mediated redox perturbation is antigen-dependent but not antigen-specific, is CTLA-4-dependent, and requires cell-cell contact. Furthermore, we show that Tregs use multiple strategies for extracellular redox remodeling, including diminished GSH synthesis in dendritic cells via decreased expression of γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, the limiting enzyme for GSH synthesis. Tregs also consume extracellular cysteine and partition it more proficiently to the oxidation product (sulfate), whereas Teffs divert more of the cysteine pool toward protein and GSH synthesis. Tregs appear to block GSH redistribution from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in Teffs, which is abrogated by the addition of exogenous cysteine. Together, these data provide novel insights into modulation of sulfur-based redox metabolism by Tregs, leading to suppression of T cell activation and proliferation.     

调节性T细胞参与调控新生小鼠心肌再生

为探究调节性T（regulatory T,Treg）细胞在新生小鼠心肌损伤后再生中的作用,首先建立新生小鼠心肌再生模型。C57BL/6J（C57）新生1 d小鼠20只随机分成2组。实验组进行心尖切除（apex resection,AR）,假手术（Sham,SH）组只进行开胸。术后7 d取心脏组织,利用在细胞核表达的增殖标志物磷酸化组蛋白H3（phospho-histone H3,pH3）和Ki67分别与在心肌细胞胞质特异表达的α-辅肌动蛋白（alpha-actinin cytoskeletal isoform,α-actinin）,进行免疫共染检测心肌细胞增殖。结果显示,与SH组相比,AR组pH3+及Ki67+的心肌细胞明显增多。而且Masson三色染色结果显示,术后21 d被切除的心肌组织完全再生。为研究Treg细胞是否参与调控新生小鼠心肌损伤后的再生,Western印迹检测Treg细胞特异转录因子叉头/翼状螺旋转录因子3（forkhead box P3,Foxp3）蛋白表达水平。结果显示,术后7 d、14 d,AR组心和脾中Foxp3与SH组相比显著升高（P<0.05）。同时,免疫组化染Foxp3结果显示,术后7 d、14 d, AR组与SH组相比,心尖处有大量的Treg细胞富集。为更直观地检测AR后Treg细胞的数目变化,利用流式细胞仪检测术后7 d Treg细胞数目。结果显示,AR组心和脾中Treg细胞数目与SH组相比显著增多（P<0.01）。为研究Treg细胞对AR后心肌再生的影响,引入注射白喉毒素（diphtheria toxin,DT）的Foxp3DTR小鼠,可特异性敲除Treg细胞。实时定量PCR结果显示,AR+DT组与AR+PBS组相比,抑炎因子白介素IL（interleukin,IL）-10、IL-13与转化生长因子TGF（transforming growth factor,TGF）-β表达均降低（P<0.05,P<0.01,P<0.01）。而促炎因子IL-6、IL-1β和肿瘤坏死因子-α（tumor necrosis factor,TNF-α）表达均升高（P<0.01,P<0.001,P<0.01）。免疫荧光染色检测结果显示,AR+DT组与AR+PBS组相比,术后7 d pH3+及Ki67+的心肌细胞明显减少;并且Masson三色染色结果显示,术后21 d AR+DT组被切除的心肌组织不能再生。综上所述,敲除Treg细胞会加剧AR后的炎症反应,抑制心肌细胞增殖,最终导致新生小鼠心肌再生能力丢失。     

Induction and regulation of CD8+ cytolytic T cells in human tuberculosis and HIV infection

Tuberculosis and HIV continue to be the world-leading killers among infectious diseases, primarily affecting poor people in many developing countries. Despite differences in the immunopathogenesis of human infection with tuberculosis and HIV, experimental evidence from clinical studies and relevant animal models can be used to reflect on the cellular mechanisms responsible for an increased risk of active tuberculosis among HIV-infected individuals. In this review, we will discuss the molecular features and regulation of cytolytic T cells and how deficient cytolytic T cell responses contribute to the pathogenesis of TB and HIV infection as well as TB/HIV co-infection.     

可溶性PD-1 和调节性T细胞在肺炎支原体感染和哮喘的实验研究

目的:探讨可溶性PD-1(soluble PD-1,s PD-1)和调节性T细胞(Regulatory T lymphocyte,Treg)在肺炎支原体(mycoplasma pneumoniae,MP)感染与哮喘模型小鼠关系中的作用。方法:20只BALB/c小鼠随机分为4组(n=5),其中2组建立鸡卵白蛋白(ovalbumin,OVA)致敏哮喘模型,将MP菌液滴入其中1组OVA小鼠和1组对照小鼠,形成OVA致敏并MP感染组,OVA致敏组,MP感染组及正常对照组。采用酶联免疫吸附试验(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)方法分别检测各组小鼠血清、肺泡灌洗液(Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid,BALF)中s PD-1的浓度;采用流式细胞术检测脾脏组织中Treg细胞的比例。结果:1与正常对照组相比,OVA致敏并感染MP组、单纯OVA致敏组和单纯MP感染组小鼠血清s PD-1的浓度均升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),BALF中的s PD-1的浓度亦增高,但无统计学差异;2与正常对照组相比,OVA致敏并感染MP组、单纯OVA致敏组小鼠的脾脏Treg细胞占淋巴细胞的比例下降,而单纯MP感染组Treg细胞的比例升高,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:s PD-1和Treg细胞可能参与了哮喘小鼠感染MP的发病。     

Peripheral blood T cells response in human parainfluenza virus-associated lower respiratory tract infection in children

Human Parainfluenza virus (HPIV) causes lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) mostly in young children. Respiratory viral infections may decline T cells in circulation and display enhanced pathogenicity. This study is aimed to analyze T cells alterations due to HPIV in children with LRTIs. Children (N = 152) with bronchitis or pneumonia, admitted in tertiary care hospitals were included in the study. Respiratory samples (throat or nasopharyngeal swabs) were taken and HPIV genotypes (1–4) were analyzed through RT-PCR. Peripheral blood T cells, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD19+, were analyzed in confirmed HPIV positive and healthy control group children through flow cytometry. The positivity rate of HPIV was 24.34% and the most prevalent genotype was HPIV-3 (20.40%). HPIV-1 and HPIV-2 were detected in 0.66% and 02% children respectively. The T lymphocyte counts were observed significantly reduced in children infected with HPIV-3. CD4+ cell (1580 ± 97.87) counts did not change significantly but the lowest CD8+ T cell counts (518.5 ± 74.00) were recorded. Similarly, CD3+ and CD19 cell ratios were also reduced. The CD4/CD8 ratio was significantly higher (3.12 ± 0.59) in the study population as compared to the control group (2.18 ± 0.654). Changes in the count of CD8+ T cells were more pronounced in patients with bronchiolitis and pneumonia. It is concluded that CD8+ T cells show a reduced response to HPIV-3 in children with severe LRTIs suggesting a strong association of these cells with disease severity.     

CD147在调节性T细胞中作用的研究进展

CD147是一种免疫球蛋白超家族,它与肿瘤侵袭和转染,类风湿性关节炎,病毒入侵,淋巴细胞的迁移和活化,老年痴呆症,疟原虫入侵等病理过程密切先关,已成为癌症等疾病的新型药物靶标分子。作为一个单次跨膜蛋白,CD147的多功能性依赖于它的胞外结构域以及细胞膜和细胞外多种分子的相互作用。有研究发现CD147可作为细胞膜受体并且在上皮细胞,肿瘤细胞和免疫T细胞中均有表达。其可作为T细胞亲环素受体并具有趋化T细胞的功能。近几年研究发现,CD147在调节性T细胞高表达并且具有标志性意义。该文就以作为活性调节性T细胞标志的CD147的潜在作用进展综述如下。