Transient Combination Therapy Targeting the Immune Synapse Abrogates T Cell Responses and Prolongs Allograft Survival in Mice

T cells play a major role in allograft rejection, which occurs after T cell activation by the engagement of several functional molecules to form an immune synapse with alloantigen presenting cells. In this study, the immune synapse was targeted using mAbs directed to the TCR beta-chain (TCRβ) and lymphocyte function-associated antigen−1 (LFA1) to induce long-term allograft survival. Evaluation of antigen-specific T cell responses was performed by adoptively transferring CFSE labeled transgenic OT-II cells into wild-type mice and providing OVA peptide by intravenous injection. Graft survival studies were performed in mice by transplanting BALB/c ear skins onto the flanks of C57BL/6 recipients. The anti-TCRβ plus anti-LFA1 mAb combination (but not either mAb alone) abrogated antigen-specific T cell responses invitro and invivo. Transient combination therapy with these agents resulted in significantly prolonged skin allograft survival in mice (51±10 days; p<0.01) when compared to treatment with either anti-TCRβ mAb (24±5 days) or anti-LFA1 mAb (19±3 days) alone or no treatment (10±1 days). When lymphoid tissues from these mice were analyzed at different times post-transplant, only those receiving the combination of anti-TCRβ and anti-LFA1 mAbs demonstrated long-lasting reductions in total T cell numbers, cellular and humoral anti-donor responses, and expression of CD3 on the surface of T cells. These results demonstrate that transient anti-TCRβ and anti-LFA1 mAb combination therapy abrogates antigen-reactive T cell responses with long-lasting effects that significantly prolong allograft survival.     

CD160Ig Fusion Protein Targets a Novel Costimulatory Pathway and Prolongs Allograft Survival

CD160 is a cell surface molecule expressed by most NK cells and approximately 50% of CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Engagement of CD160 by MHC class-I directly triggers a costimulatory signal to TCR-induced proliferation, cytokine production and cytotoxic effector functions. The role of CD160 in alloimmunity is unknown. Using a newly generated CD160 fusion protein (CD160Ig) we examined the role of the novel costimulatory molecule CD160 in mediating CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cell driven allograft rejection. CD160Ig inhibits alloreactive CD8⁺ T cell proliferation and IFN-γ production in vitro, in particular in the absence of CD28 costimulation. Consequently CD160Ig prolongs fully mismatched cardiac allograft survival in CD4^−/−, CD28^−/− knockout and CTLA4Ig treated WT recipients, but not in WT or CD8^−/− knockout recipients. The prolonged cardiac allograft survival is associated with reduced alloreactive CD8⁺ T cell proliferation, effector/memory responses and alloreactive IFN-γ production. Thus, CD160 signaling is particularly important in CD28-independent effector/memory CD8⁺ alloreactive T cell activation in vivo and therefore may serve as a novel target for prevention of allograft rejection.     

The Immunosuppressant Protosappanin A Promotes Dendritic Cell-Mediated Expansion of Alloantigen-Specific Tregs and Prolongs Allograft Survival in Rats

Protosappanin A (PrA), an immunosuppressive ingredient of the medicinal herb Caesalpinia sappan L, prolongs heart allograft survival in rats, possibly by impairing the function of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). We examined the effects of PrA on the maturation and function of dendritic cells (DCs), a potent class of APCs, and the downstream cell–cell and intracellular signaling pathways mediating the immunosuppressive activity of PrA. PrA inhibited LPS-stimulated maturation of Wistar rat DCs in vitro as reflected by reduced expression of costimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) and reduced expression of TLR4 and NF-κB, two critical signaling components for antigen recognition. PrA also enhanced the release of IL-10 and decreased the release of IL-12 from DCs, but had no effect on the production of TGF-ß. In mixed cultures, Wistar DCs pretreated with PrA impaired the proliferation of Sprague Dawley (SD) rat T cells while promoting the expansion of SD rat CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs). Both oral PrA treatment and infusion of PrA-pretreated Wistar DCs prolonged cardiac allograft survival (Wistar donor, SD recipient) and expanded recipient CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Tregs. Donor spleen cells, but not spleen cells from a third rat strain (DA), supported the expansion of recipient CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Tregs and suppressed recipient T cell proliferation. We conclude that PrA triggers a tolerogenic state in DCs that allows for the induction of alloantigen-specific Tregs and the suppression of allograft rejection in vivo.     

A Biodegradable,Sustained-Released,Prednisolone Acetate Microfilm Drug Delivery System Effectively Prolongs Corneal Allograft Survival in the Rat Keratoplasty Model

Frequent and long-term use of topical corticosteroids after corneal transplantation is necessary to prevent graft rejection. However, it relies heavily on patient compliance, and sustained therapeutic drug levels are often not achieved with administration of topical eye drops. A biodegradable drug delivery system with a controlled and sustained drug release may circumvent these limitations. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a prednisolone acetate (PA)-loaded poly (d,l-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLC) microfilm drug delivery system on promoting the survival of allogeneic grafts after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) using a rat model. The drug release profiles of the microfilms were characterized (group 1). Subsequently, forty-eight PK were performed in four experimental groups: syngeneic control grafts (group 2), allogeneic control grafts (group 3), allogeneic grafts with subconjunctivally-implanted PA microfilm (group 4), and allogeneic grafts with PA eye drops (group 5; n = 12 in each). PA-loaded microfilm achieved a sustained and steady release at a rate of 0.006–0.009 mg/day, with a consistent aqueous drug concentration of 207–209 ng/ml. The mean survival days was >28 days in group 2, 9.9±0.8 days in group 3, 26.8±2.7 days in group 4, and 26.4±3.4 days in group 5 (P = 0.023 and P = 0.027 compared with group 3). Statistically significant decrease in CD4+, CD163+, CD 25+, and CD54+ cell infiltration was observed in group 4 and group 5 compared with group 3 (P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean survival and immunohistochemical analysis between group 4 and group 5. These results showed that sustained PA-loaded microfilm effectively prolongs corneal allograft survival. It is as effective as conventional PA eye drops, providing a promising clinically applicable alternative for patients undergoing corneal transplantation.     

Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Increase Skin Allograft Survival and Inhibit Th-17 Immune Response

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC) exhibit immunosuppressive capabilities both in vitro and in vivo. Their use for therapy in the transplant field is attractive as they could render the use of immunosuppressive drugs unnecessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ADSC therapy on prolonging skin allograft survival. Animals that were treated with a single injection of donor allogeneic ADSC one day after transplantation showed an increase in donor skin graft survival by approximately one week. This improvement was associated with preserved histological morphology, an expansion of CD4⁺ regulatory T cells (Treg) in draining lymph nodes, as well as heightened IL-10 expression and down-regulated IL-17 expression. In vitro, ADSC inhibit naïve CD4⁺ T cell proliferation and constrain Th-1 and Th-17 polarization. In summary, infusion of ADSC one day post-transplantation dramatically increases skin allograft survival by inhibiting the Th-17 pathogenic immune response and enhancing the protective Treg immune response. Finally, these data suggest that ADSC therapy will open new opportunities for promoting drug-free allograft survival in clinical transplantation.     

山萘酚通过增强Treg细胞免疫抑制功能延长移植物生存时间

目的:探讨应用山萘酚增强Treg细胞免疫抑制功能,从而抑制大鼠移植物排斥反应并改善移植物生存的作用和机制。方法:以Wister大鼠和SD大鼠分别为供、受体,建立同种异体皮肤移植排斥反应动物模型。观察受体老鼠皮肤移植物的情况,记录移植物失功时间(移植物皮片80%面积发生排斥)。RT-PCR检测移植7天后脾细胞、淋巴细胞FOXP3、CTLA-4和IL-10的mRNA水平,用HE染色组织病理学观察术后7天移植皮片的淋巴细胞浸润程度。体外实验T细胞增殖抑制试验加入山萘酚作为对照,观察Treg功能情况。结果:1.山萘酚能增强移植后同种异体移植物的生存时间(DMSO组6.3±0.3天,山萘酚组13.7±0.39天,P<0.01);2.RT-PCR显示山萘酚可增强细胞CTLA-4(对照组9.24±0.17,山萘酚组12.48±0.145,P<0.05)、FOXP3(对照组0.96±0.07,山萘酚组1.41±0.07,P<0.01)和IL-10(对照组0.95±0.12,山萘酚组1.50±0.16,P<0.05)的mRNA水平;3.体外T细胞增殖抑制实验中,山萘酚可增强Treg细胞的免疫抑制功能。结论:在大鼠皮肤移植模型中,山萘酚可延长皮肤移植物的生存时间,提高Treg细胞相关IL-10、FOXP3和CTLA-4的mRNA水平;体外实验中,能抑制效应T细胞的增殖,表明山萘酚在提高移植物生存方面存在一定的价值。     

The Priming of Potato Plants Induced by Brassinosteroids Reduces Oxidative Stress and Increases Salt Tolerance

This is the first study to show that brief pretreatment of potato plants with two brassinosteroids differing in structure causes in plants the ability to react to delayed salt stress by accumulation of compounds with antioxidant activity and by increased salt tolerance.     

Selective Metabolism of Hypothiocyanous Acid by Mammalian Thioredoxin Reductase Promotes Lung Innate Immunity and Antioxidant Defense

The endogenously produced oxidant hypothiocyanous acid (HOSCN) inhibits and kills pathogens but paradoxically is well tolerated by mammalian host tissue. Mammalian high molecular weight thioredoxin reductase (H-TrxR) is evolutionarily divergent from bacterial low molecular weight thioredoxin reductase (L-TrxR). Notably, mammalian H-TrxR contains a selenocysteine (Sec) and has wider substrate reactivity than L-TrxR. Recombinant rat cytosolic H-TrxR1, mouse mitochondrial H-TrxR2, and a purified mixture of both from rat selectively turned over HOSCN (k_cat = 357 ± 16 min⁻¹; K_m = 31.9 ± 10.3 μm) but were inactive against the related oxidant hypochlorous acid. Replacing Sec with Cys or deleting the final eight C-terminal peptides decreased affinity and turnover of HOSCN by H-TrxR. Similarly, glutathione reductase (an H-TrxR homologue lacking Sec) was less effective at HOSCN turnover. In contrast to H-TrxR and glutathione reductase, recombinant Escherichia coli L-TrxR was potently inhibited by HOSCN (IC₅₀ = 2.75 μm). Similarly, human bronchial epithelial cell (16HBE) lysates metabolized HOSCN, but E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa lysates had little or no activity. HOSCN selectively produced toxicity in bacteria, whereas hypochlorous acid was nonselectively toxic to both bacteria and 16HBE. Treatment with the H-TrxR inhibitor auranofin inhibited HOSCN metabolism in 16HBE lysates and significantly increased HOSCN-mediated cytotoxicity. These findings demonstrate both the metabolism of HOSCN by mammalian H-TrxR resulting in resistance to HOSCN in mammalian cells and the potent inhibition of bacterial L-TrxR resulting in cytotoxicity in bacteria. These data support a novel selective mechanism of host defense in mammals wherein HOSCN formation simultaneously inhibits pathogens while sparing host tissue.     

Epithelium-Intrinsic MicroRNAs Contribute to Mucosal Immune Homeostasis by Promoting M-Cell Maturation

M cells in the follicle-associated epithelium (FAE) of Peyer’s patches (PPs) serve as a main portal for external antigens and function as a sentinel in mucosal immune responses. The scarcity of these cells has hampered identification of M cell-specific molecules. Recent efforts have begun to provide insight into antigen transcytosis and differentiation of M cells; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes are not fully elucidated. Small non-coding RNAs including microRNA (miRNA) have been reported to regulate gene expression and control various biological processes such as cellular differentiation and function. To evaluate the expression of miRNAs in FAE, including M cells, we previously performed microarray analysis comparing intestinal villous epithelium (VE) and PP FAE. Here we confirmed FAE specific miRNA expression levels by quantitative PCR. To gain insight into miRNA function, we generated mice with intestinal epithelial cell-specific deletion of Dicer1 (Dicer^ΔIEC) and analyzed intestinal phenotypes, including M-cell differentiation, morphology and function. Dicer^ΔIEC mice had a marked decrease in M cells compared to control floxed Dicer mice, suggesting an essential role of miRNAs in maturation of these cells. Furthermore, transmission electron microscopic analysis revealed that depletion of miRNA caused the loss of endosomal structures in M cells. In addition, antigen uptake by M cells was impaired in Dicer^ΔIEC mice. These results suggest that miRNAs play a significant role in M cell differentiation and help secure mucosal immune homeostasis.     

外泌体在肿瘤免疫逃逸和耐受中的作用

肿瘤细胞能够通过多种机制抵御免疫防御或药物的抗肿瘤作用.近年研究发现,外泌体能够直接介导癌症的进展和远端转移灶的形成.更为重要的是,在肿瘤免疫微环境中,肿瘤来源外泌体不仅能够抑制树突状细胞(DC)、巨噬细胞、T细胞、NK细胞等免疫细胞功能,还能促进骨髓来源的抑制性细胞(MDSC)、调节性T细胞(Treg)等的免疫抑制功能,进而降低抗肿瘤免疫应答过程,帮助肿瘤细胞逃避机体免疫细胞识别.本文将概述肿瘤外泌体及其携带的关键介质分子在介导肿瘤免疫逃逸和耐受过程中扮演的角色,并对这一研究领域的最新进展作一综述.     

Infusion of Trx-1-Overexpressing hucMSC Prolongs the Survival of Acutely Irradiated NOD/SCID Mice by Decreasing Excessive Inflammatory Injury

A protective reagent for ARI should have the ability to repair injured tissue caused by radiation and prevent continuous damage from secondary risk factors. Trx-1 was explored as a candidate therapy for ARI, as it scavenges reactive oxygen species, regulates cell growth and differentiation, participates in immune reactions, and inhibits apoptosis by acting inside and/or outside cells. Trx-1 can also decrease excessive inflammation in ARI by regulating the creation of inflamed media, by inhibiting the activation of complement, and by reducing the chemotaxis, adhesion, and migration of inflammatory cells. As effectively and stably expressing exogenous genes in the long term and regulating immune inflammation and tissue repair, MSC are a good choice for Trx-1 gene therapy. In this study, Trx-1-overexpressing hucMSC-Trx-1 were obtained by adenoviral vector-mediated infection. We first measured the redox capacity of hucMSC-Trx-1 with an antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) assay, a hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content determination assay in vivo, a H₂O₂-induced oxidation hemolysis assay, and a lipid peroxidation assay in vitro. Then, we measured survival time, the protection of the hematopoietic system, and the regulation of inflammation in important organs in three treatment groups of NOD/SCID mice (treated with hucMSC-Trx-1, with hucMSC, and with saline) that were exposed to 4.5 Gy ⁶⁰Co-γ-ray radiation. The hucMSC-Trx-1 group achieved superior antioxidation results, protecting bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (Lin⁻CD117⁺: hucMSC-Trx-1 vs. hucMSC, P<0.05; hucMSC-Trx-1 vs. NS, P<0.01), promoting the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin (hucMSC-Trx-1 vs. hucMSC or NS, P<0.05), reducing inflammation and damage in important organs (Bone marrow and lung: hucMSC-Trx-1 vs. NS, P<0.01; hucMSC-Trx-1 vs. hucMSC, P<0.05. Liver and intestine: hucMSC-Trx-1 vs. NS, P<0.05; hucMSC-Trx-1 vs. hucMSC, P<0.05), and prolonging survival (hucMSC-Trx-1 vs. hucMSC or NS, P<0.01). Therefore, hucMSC-Trx-1 combines the merits of gene and cell therapy as a multifunctional radioprotector for ARI.     

Humoral Immune Responses to EGFR-Derived Peptides Predict Progression-Free and Overall Survival of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Receiving Gefitinib

Somatic mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene are associated with clinical response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as gefitinib, in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, humoral immune responses to EGFR in NSCLC patients have not been well studied. In this study, we investigated the clinical significance of immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to EGFR-derived peptides in NSCLC patients receiving gefitinib. Plasma IgG titers to each of 60 different EGFR-derived 20-mer peptides were measured by the Luminex system in 42 NSCLC patients receiving gefitinib therapy. The relationships between the peptide-specific IgG titers and presence of EGFR mutations or patient survival were evaluated statistically.IgG titers against the egfr_481–500, egfr_721–740, and egfr_741–760 peptides were significantly higher in patients with exon 21 mutation than in those without it. On the other hand, IgG titers against the egfr_841–860 and egfr_1001–1020 peptides were significantly lower and higher, respectively, in patients with deletion in exon 19. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that IgG responses to egfr_41_ 60, egfr_61_80 and egfr_481_500 were significantly prognostic for progression-free survival independent of other clinicopathological characteristics, whereas those to the egfr_41_60 and egfr_481_500 peptides were significantly prognostic for overall survival. Detection of IgG responses to EGFR-derived peptides may be a promising method for prognostication of NSCLC patients receiving gefitinib. Our results may provide new insight for better understanding of humoral responses to EGFR in NSCLC patients.     

Lyn Facilitates Glioblastoma Cell Survival under Conditions of Nutrient Deprivation by Promoting Autophagy

Members of the Src family kinases (SFK) can modulate diverse cellular processes, including division, death and survival, but their role in autophagy has been minimally explored. Here, we investigated the roles of Lyn, a SFK, in promoting the survival of human glioblastoma tumor (GBM) cells in vitro and in vivo using lentiviral vector-mediated expression of constitutively-active Lyn (CA-Lyn) or dominant-negative Lyn (DN-Lyn). Expression of either CA-Lyn or DN-Lyn had no effect on the survival of U87 GBM cells grown under nutrient-rich conditions. In contrast, under nutrient-deprived conditions (absence of supplementation with L-glutamine, which is essential for growth of GBM cells, and FBS) CA-Lyn expression enhanced survival and promoted autophagy as well as inhibiting cell death and promoting proliferation. Expression of DN-Lyn promoted cell death. In the nutrient-deprived GBM cells, CA-Lyn expression enhanced AMPK activity and reduced the levels of pS6 kinase whereas DN-Lyn enhanced the levels of pS6 kinase. Similar results were obtained in vitro using another cultured GBM cell line and primary glioma stem cells. On propagation of the transduced GBM cells in the brains of nude mice, the CA-Lyn xenografts formed larger tumors than control cells and autophagosomes were detectable in the tumor cells. The DN-Lyn xenografts formed smaller tumors and contained more apoptotic cells. Our findings suggest that on nutrient deprivation in vitro Lyn acts to enhance the survival of GBM cells by promoting autophagy and proliferation as well as inhibiting cell death, and Lyn promotes the same effects in vivo in xenograft tumors. As the levels of Lyn protein or its activity are elevated in several cancers these findings may be of broad relevance to cancer biology.     

Primed Immune Responses Triggered by Ingested Bacteria Lead to Systemic Infection Tolerance in Silkworms

In the present study, we examined whether microorganisms collaterally ingested by insects with their food activate the innate immune system to confer systemic resistance against subsequent bacterial invasion. Silkworms orally administered heat-killed Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells showed resistance against intra-hemolymph infection by P. aeruginosa. Oral administration of peptidoglycans, cell wall components of P. aeruginosa, conferred protective effects against P. aeruginosa infection, whereas oral administration of lipopolysaccharides, bacterial surface components, did not. In silkworms orally administered heat-killed P. aeruginosa cells, P. aeruginosa growth was inhibited in the hemolymph, and mRNA amounts of the antimicrobial peptides cecropin A and moricin were increased in the hemocytes and fat body. Furthermore, the amount of paralytic peptide, an insect cytokine that activates innate immune reactions, was increased in the hemolymph of silkworms orally administered heat-killed P. aeruginosa cells. These findings suggest that insects sense bacteria present in their food by peptidoglycan recognition, which activates systemic immune reactions to defend the insects against a second round of infection.     

p53 in Bronchial Club Cells Facilitates Chronic Lung Inflammation by Promoting Senescence

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Progesterone-Based Therapy Protects Against Influenza by Promoting Lung Repair and Recovery in Females

Over 100 million women use progesterone therapies worldwide. Despite having immunomodulatory and repair properties, their effects on the outcome of viral diseases outside of the reproductive tract have not been evaluated. Administration of exogenous progesterone (at concentrations that mimic the luteal phase) to progesterone-depleted adult female mice conferred protection from both lethal and sublethal influenza A virus (IAV) infection. Progesterone treatment altered the inflammatory environment of the lungs, but had no effects on viral load. Progesterone treatment promoted faster recovery by increasing TGF-β, IL-6, IL-22, numbers of regulatory Th17 cells expressing CD39, and cellular proliferation, reducing protein leakage into the airway, improving pulmonary function, and upregulating the epidermal growth factor amphiregulin (AREG) in the lungs. Administration of rAREG to progesterone-depleted females promoted pulmonary repair and improved the outcome of IAV infection. Progesterone-treatment of AREG-deficient females could not restore protection, indicating that progesterone-mediated induction of AREG caused repair in the lungs and accelerated recovery from IAV infection. Repair and production of AREG by damaged respiratory epithelial cell cultures in vitro was increased by progesterone. Our results illustrate that progesterone is a critical host factor mediating production of AREG by epithelial cells and pulmonary tissue repair following infection, which has important implications for women’s health.     

Identification and Quantification of Total Coumarins from Urtica dentata Hand and Its Roles in Promoting Immune Tolerance via TLR4-Mediated Dendritic Cell Immaturation

Urtica dentata Hand (UDH) is traditionally used in the Alpine region as a herbal medicine. Immunotherapy using total coumarins (TC) of UDH has been proposed, yet the cellular and molecular mechanisms remain incompletely characterized. Additionally, there is no method available for the quantification of the main coumarins in UDH. We describe maturation-resistant, TC-conditioned dendritic cell (DC), which expressed much lower MHC class II (I-Ak) and CD86, showed reduced capacity to stimulate effector T cell responses and upregulated PD-Ll (programmed death ligand-1). TC-DC-stimulated regulatory cells (Treg) were superior alloantigen-specific suppressor of the T effector response as compared to those stimulated by control (CTR)-DC. Furthermore, TC-conditioned DC increased the levels of Foxp3 and CTLA-4 in the CD25 T cell population. TC-DC downregulated toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) protein expression in response to LPS. This indicates that down-regulation of TLR4 in response to TC on DC is a critical signaling pathway that regulates the phenotype and function of DC. We also established a sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatography-diodearray detection-mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS) method for simultaneous identification of its main coumarins, 6,6',7,7'-tetramethoxyl-8,8'-biscoumarin (1), 7,7'-dihydroxy-6,6'-dimethoxy-8,8'-biscoumarin (2), 7,7'-dimethoxy-6,6'-biscoumarin (3), and scoparone (4). A demonstration of this mechanism and the method for identification and quantification of TC in UDH endorsed their potential as a tolerance-promoting herbal medicine to prevent or treat transplantation rejection and autoimmune diseases.     

病原菌操控宿主固有免疫细胞以求生存的机制研究进展

在急性感染和传统感染模式中,宿主利用固有免疫机制应对一系列病原体的入侵。然而,一些病原菌可以成功逃避、抑制或颠覆免疫检测、信号转导或有效杀伤。该文就病原菌如何操纵宿主细胞的防御功能,调节胞内杀伤、信号转导,破坏固有免疫系统受体间分子信号的交联作用,并最终使微生物在宿主体内适应性生长、持续感染等方面作一综述。