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Ouboter LF, Lindelauf C, Jiang Q, Schreurs M, Abdelaal TR, Luk SJ, Barnhoorn MC, Hueting WE, Han-Geurts IJ, Peeters KCMJ, Holman FA, Koning F, van der Meulen-de Jong AE, Pascutti MF. Activated HLA-DR+CD38+ Effector Th1/17 Cells Distinguish Crohn's Disease-associated Perianal Fistulas from Cryptoglandular Fistulas. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2024:izae103. [PMID: 38776553 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izae103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perianal fistulas are a debilitating complication of Crohn's disease (CD). Due to unknown reasons, CD-associated fistulas are in general more difficult to treat than cryptoglandular fistulas (non-CD-associated). Understanding the immune cell landscape is a first step towards the development of more effective therapies for CD-associated fistulas. In this work, we characterized the composition and spatial localization of disease-associated immune cells in both types of perianal fistulas by high-dimensional analyses. METHODS We applied single-cell mass cytometry (scMC), spectral flow cytometry (SFC), and imaging mass cytometry (IMC) to profile the immune compartment in CD-associated perianal fistulas and cryptoglandular fistulas. An exploratory cohort (CD fistula, n = 10; non-CD fistula, n = 5) was analyzed by scMC to unravel disease-associated immune cell types. SFC was performed on a second fistula cohort (CD, n = 10; non-CD, n = 11) to comprehensively phenotype disease-associated T helper (Th) cells. IMC was used on a third cohort (CD, n = 5) to investigate the spatial distribution/interaction of relevant immune cell subsets. RESULTS Our analyses revealed that activated HLA-DR+CD38+ effector CD4+ T cells with a Th1/17 phenotype were significantly enriched in CD-associated compared with cryptoglandular fistulas. These cells, displaying features of proliferation, regulation, and differentiation, were also present in blood, and colocalized with other CD4+ T cells, CCR6+ B cells, and macrophages in the fistula tracts. CONCLUSIONS Overall, proliferating activated HLA-DR+CD38+ effector Th1/17 cells distinguish CD-associated from cryptoglandular perianal fistulas and are a promising biomarker in blood to discriminate between these 2 fistula types. Targeting HLA-DR and CD38-expressing CD4+ T cells may offer a potential new therapeutic strategy for CD-related fistulas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura F Ouboter
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ciska Lindelauf
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Qinyue Jiang
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Mette Schreurs
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Tamim R Abdelaal
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
- Bioinformatics Lab, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
- Systems and Biomedical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Sietse J Luk
- Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke C Barnhoorn
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Willem E Hueting
- Department of Surgery, Alrijne hospital, Leiderdorp, the Netherlands
| | | | - Koen C M J Peeters
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Fabian A Holman
- Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Frits Koning
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Wu CY, Yang YH, Lin YS, Shu LH, Liu HT, Lu CK, Wu YH, Wu YH. The Effect and Mechanism of Astragalus Polysaccharides on T Cells and Macrophages in Inhibiting Prostate Cancer. Biomed J 2024:100741. [PMID: 38677490 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2024.100741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact and underlying mechanisms of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on prostate cancer, particularly its role in immunomodulation, remain inadequately elucidated. METHODS This study employed the XTT assay for assessing proliferation in prostate cancer cells and macrophages. T cell proliferation was determined using the Carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester labeling assay. APS's effect on T cells and macrophages was scrutinized via flow cytometry, Western blot analysis, ELISA, quantitative PCR and cytokine membrane arrays. The effect of APS on interaction between PD-L1 and PD-1 was investigated by the PD-L1/PD-1 homogeneous assay. Additionally, the impact of conditioned medium from T cells and macrophages on PC-3 cell migration was explored through migration assays. RESULTS It was observed that APS at concentrations of 1 and 5 mg/mL enhanced the proliferation of CD8+ T cells. At a concentration of 5 mg/mL, APS activated both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, attenuated PD-L1 expression in prostate cancer cells stimulated with interferon gamma (IFN-γ) or oxaliplatin, and moderately decreased the population of PD-1+ CD4+ and PD-1+ CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, APS at this concentration impeded the interaction between PD-L1 and PD-1, inhibited the promotion of prostate cancer migration mediated by RAW 264.7 cells, THP-1 cells, CD4+ T cells, and CD8+ T cells, and initiated apoptosis in prostate cancer cells treated with conditioned medium from APS (5 mg/mL)-treated CD8+ T cells, RAW 264.7 cells, or THP-1 cells. CONCLUSION The findings indicate a potential role of 5 mg/mL APS in modulating the PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and influencing the immune response, encompassing T cells and macrophages. Consequently, further in vivo research is recommended to assess the efficacy of APS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Yuan Wu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan; School of Chinese medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, TaoYuan, Taiwan; Research Center for Chinese Herbal Medicine, College of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Yao-Hsu Yang
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan; School of Chinese medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, TaoYuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Shih Lin
- Department of Pharmacy, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Li-Hsin Shu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Te Liu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Kuang Lu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Huei Wu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, TaoYuan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Heng Wu
- Department of Electrical Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Luo X, Tang X. Single-cell RNA sequencing in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Genes Dis 2024; 11:633-644. [PMID: 37692495 PMCID: PMC10491939 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is one of the most common chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases in children, with onset before age 16 and lasting for more than 6 weeks. JIA is a highly heterogeneous condition with various consequences for health and quality of life. For some JIA patients, early detection and intervention remain challenging. As a result, further investigation of the complex and unknown mechanisms underlying JIA is required. Advances in technology now allow us to describe the biological heterogeneity and function of individual cell populations in JIA. Through this review, we hope to provide novel ideas and potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of JIA by summarizing the current findings of single-cell RNA sequencing studies and understanding how the major cell subsets drive JIA pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiwen Luo
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, China
| | - Xuemei Tang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Children’s Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Infection and Immunity, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400014, China
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4
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Lykhopiy V, Malviya V, Humblet-Baron S, Schlenner SM. "IL-2 immunotherapy for targeting regulatory T cells in autoimmunity". Genes Immun 2023; 24:248-262. [PMID: 37741949 PMCID: PMC10575774 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-023-00221-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) are indispensable for immune homoeostasis and for the prevention of autoimmune diseases. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) signalling is critical in all aspects of Treg biology. Consequences of defective IL-2 signalling are insufficient numbers or dysfunction of Treg and hence autoimmune disorders in human and mouse. The restoration and maintenance of immune homoeostasis remain central therapeutic aims in the field of autoimmunity. Historically, broadly immunosuppressive drugs with serious side-effects have been used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or prevention of organ-transplant rejection. More recently, ex vivo expanded or in vivo stimulated Treg have been shown to induce effective tolerance in clinical trials supporting the clinical benefit of targeting natural immunosuppressive mechanisms. Given the central role of exogenous IL-2 in Treg homoeostasis, a new and promising focus in drug development are IL-2-based approaches for in vivo targeted expansion of Treg or for enhancement of their suppressive activity. In this review, we summarise the role of IL-2 in Treg biology and consequences of dysfunctional IL-2 signalling pathways. We then examine evidence of efficacy of IL-2-based biological drugs targeting Treg with specific focus on therapeutic candidates in clinical trials and discuss their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lykhopiy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- argenx BV, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Vanshika Malviya
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephanie Humblet-Baron
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susan M Schlenner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Zhao ZB, Bian ZH, Lin ZM, Wu SF, Long J, Cui Y, Li Y, Li W, Sun EW, Lian ZX, He Y. Single-Cell Analysis of Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis After Anti-TNFα Treatment: Experimental Data and Review of the Literature. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2023; 65:136-147. [PMID: 36884135 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-023-08959-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Axial spondyloarthritis (Ax-SpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that predominantly affects the axial joints and is most common in young men. However, the precise immune cell subset involved in Ax-SpA remains unclear. Our study characterized the periphery immune landscape of Ax-SpA patients before and after anti-TNFα treatment using single-cell transcriptomics and proteomics sequencing and elucidated the effects of anti-TNFα treatment at the single-cell level. First, we found that peripheral granulocytes and monocytes significantly increased in Ax-SpA patients. Second, we identified a more functional subtype of regulatory T cells, which was present in synovial fluid and increased in patients after treatment. Third, we identified a cluster of inflammatory monocyte subset with stronger inflammatory and chemotactic characteristics. A potential interaction between classical monocytes and granulocytes via the CXCL8/2-CXCR1/2 signaling pathway was observed, which decreased after treatment. Together, these results defined the complex expression profiles and advanced our understanding of the immune atlas in Ax-SpA patients before and after anti-TNFα treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Bin Zhao
- Medical Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhen-Hua Bian
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou International Campus, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhang-Mei Lin
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shu-Fan Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Long
- Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Cui
- Department of Rheumatology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Rheumatology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wende Li
- Guangdong Laboratory, Animals Monitoring Institute, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Laboratory Animals, Guangzhou, China
| | - Er-Wei Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Zhe-Xiong Lian
- Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Yi He
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Mijnheer G, Servaas NH, Leong JY, Boltjes A, Spierings E, Chen P, Lai L, Petrelli A, Vastert S, de Boer RJ, Albani S, Pandit A, van Wijk F. Compartmentalization and persistence of dominant (regulatory) T cell clones indicates antigen skewing in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. eLife 2023; 12:79016. [PMID: 36688525 PMCID: PMC9995115 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune inflammation is characterized by tissue infiltration and expansion of antigen-specific T cells. Although this inflammation is often limited to specific target tissues, it remains yet to be explored whether distinct affected sites are infiltrated with the same, persistent T cell clones. Here, we performed CyTOF analysis and T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing to study immune cell composition and (hyper-)expansion of circulating and joint-derived Tregs and non-Tregs in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). We studied different joints affected at the same time, as well as over the course of relapsing-remitting disease. We found that the composition and functional characteristics of immune infiltrates are strikingly similar between joints within one patient, and observed a strong overlap between dominant T cell clones, especially Treg, of which some could also be detected in circulation and persisted over the course of relapsing-remitting disease. Moreover, these T cell clones were characterized by a high degree of sequence similarity, indicating the presence of TCR clusters responding to the same antigens. These data suggest that in localized autoimmune disease, there is autoantigen-driven expansion of both Teffector and Treg clones that are highly persistent and are (re)circulating. These dominant clones might represent interesting therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerdien Mijnheer
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Nila Hendrika Servaas
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Jing Yao Leong
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, the AcademiaSingaporeSingapore
| | - Arjan Boltjes
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Eric Spierings
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Phyllis Chen
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, the AcademiaSingaporeSingapore
| | - Liyun Lai
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, the AcademiaSingaporeSingapore
| | - Alessandra Petrelli
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Sebastiaan Vastert
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
- Pediatric Immunology & Rheumatology, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Rob J de Boer
- Theoretical Biology, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Salvatore Albani
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, the AcademiaSingaporeSingapore
| | - Aridaman Pandit
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Femke van Wijk
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
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Povoleri GAM, Fleskens V, Taams LS. Isolation and Functional Characterization of Regulatory CD4+ T Cells from the Inflamed Joints of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2559:189-203. [PMID: 36180634 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2647-4_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T cells play a critical role in maintaining immune homeostasis and in preventing and controlling unwanted immune activation. These cells are often studied in the context of human peripheral blood, but can also be isolated from other biofluids. Here we describe methods for the isolation and functional characterization of human CD4+ CD25hi CD127low regulatory T cells from the synovial fluid of patients with inflammatory arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni A M Povoleri
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology (CIBCI), Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Veerle Fleskens
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology (CIBCI), Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Leonie S Taams
- Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology (CIBCI), Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
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8
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Li CX, Liu Y, Zhang YZ, Li JC, Lai J. Astragalus polysaccharide: a review of its immunomodulatory effect. Arch Pharm Res 2022; 45:367-389. [PMID: 35713852 DOI: 10.1007/s12272-022-01393-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The Astragalus polysaccharide is an important bioactive component derived from the dry root of Astragalus membranaceus. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the research progress on the immunomodulatory effect of Astragalus polysaccharide and provide valuable reference information. We review the immunomodulatory effect of Astragalus polysaccharide on central and peripheral immune organs, including bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, and mucosal tissues. Furthermore, the immunomodulatory effect of Astragalus polysaccharide on a variety of immune cells is summarized. Studies have shown that Astragalus polysaccharide can promote the activities of macrophages, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and microglia and induce the expression of a variety of cytokines and chemokines. The immunomodulatory effect of Astragalus polysaccharide makes it promising for the treatment of many diseases, including cancer, infection, type 1 diabetes, asthma, and autoimmune disease. Among them, the anticancer effect is the most prominent. In short, Astragalus polysaccharide is a valuable immunomodulatory medicine, but further high-quality studies are warranted to corroborate its clinical efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Xiao Li
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu-Zhen Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Jing-Chun Li
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jiang Lai
- Department of Anorectal Surgery, Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, Chengdu, China.
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Rezaei Kahmini F, Shahgaldi S, Azimi M, Mansourabadi AH. Emerging therapeutic potential of regulatory T (Treg) cells for rheumatoid arthritis: New insights and challenges. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 108:108858. [PMID: 35597122 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.108858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune-related disorder characterized by chronic inflammation. Although the etiopathogenesis of RA still remains to be clarified, it is supposed that the breakdown of immune self-tolerance may contribute to the development of RA. Thus, restoring of immune tolerance at the site of inflammation is the ultimate goal of RA treatment. Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) are the main suppressive cells that maintain tolerance and inhibit immunity against auto-antigen. Of note, recent studies demonstrated the efficacy of adoptive transfer of Treg cells in the modulation of the unwanted immune response, which makes them an ideal candidate to maintain immune homeostasis and restore antigen-specific tolerance in the case of RA and other autoimmune diseases. This review intends to submit recent finding of Treg cells-based therapies in RA with a focus on strategies applied to improve the therapeutic value of Treg cells to restore immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Rezaei Kahmini
- Autoimmune Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Shahab Shahgaldi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Azimi
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Mansourabadi
- Department of Immunology, School of medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Immunogenetics Research Network (IgReN), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
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10
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Moura RA, Fonseca JE. B Cells on the Stage of Inflammation in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Leading or Supporting Actors in Disease Pathogenesis? Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:851532. [PMID: 35449805 PMCID: PMC9017649 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.851532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a term that collectively refers to a group of chronic childhood arthritides, which together constitute the most common rheumatic condition in children. The International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) criteria define seven categories of JIA: oligoarticular, polyarticular rheumatoid factor (RF) negative (RF-), polyarticular RF positive (RF+), systemic, enthesitis-related arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and undifferentiated arthritis. The ILAR classification includes persistent and extended oligoarthritis as subcategories of oligoarticular JIA, but not as distinct categories. JIA is characterized by a chronic inflammatory process affecting the synovia that begins before the age of 16 and persists at least 6 weeks. If not treated, JIA can cause significant disability and loss of quality of life. Treatment of JIA is adjusted according to the severity of the disease as combinations of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), synthetic and/ or biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Although the disease etiology is unknown, disturbances in innate and adaptive immune responses have been implicated in JIA development. B cells may have important roles in JIA pathogenesis through autoantibody production, antigen presentation, cytokine release and/ or T cell activation. The study of B cells has not been extensively explored in JIA, but evidence from the literature suggests that B cells might have indeed a relevant role in JIA pathophysiology. The detection of autoantibodies such as antinuclear antibodies (ANA), RF and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) in JIA patients supports a breakdown in B cell tolerance. Furthermore, alterations in B cell subpopulations have been documented in peripheral blood and synovial fluid from JIA patients. In fact, altered B cell homeostasis, B cell differentiation and B cell hyperactivity have been described in JIA. Of note, B cell depletion therapy with rituximab has been shown to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment in children with JIA, which further supports B cell intervention in disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita A Moura
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Eurico Fonseca
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Rheumatology Department, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte (CHULN), Lisbon Academic Medical Centre, Lisbon, Portugal
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11
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Holzer MT, Almanzar G, Woidich R, Hügle B, Haas JP, Prelog M. Mitigated suppressive function of regulatory T cells (Treg) upon Th17-inducing cytokines in oligo- and polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) patients. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J 2022; 20:26. [PMID: 35410224 PMCID: PMC8996624 DOI: 10.1186/s12969-022-00680-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The plasticity of T helper-17 (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells may be a clue to pathogenesis of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). It is still unclear, whether targeted suppression of Interleukin (IL)-17 is able to influence regulatory function of Treg to control pro-inflammatory effectors in JIA. This study aimed to assess the effect of a Th17-stimulating cytokine environment and of IL-17A-inhibition on phenotype plasticity and suppressive function of Treg derived from JIA patients. METHODS Th17 and Treg characteristics of CD4+ helper T cells were investigated in blood samples of JIA patients with oligo- and polyarticular pattern and healthy controls (HC). Isolated CD4+CD25+CD127- cells defined as Treg were cultivated with Th17-inducing cytokine environment as well as with IL-17A-inhibitors and analyzed for plasticity of phenotype by flow cytometry. Furthermore, inhibitory function of Treg on autologous effectors after cultivation with these stimuli was determined by suppression assays. RESULTS Our findings demonstrated significantly elevated proportions of Th17 and Th17-like Treg in JIA compared to HC. After incubation with Th17-inducing stimuli, increased FoxP3 expression in separated Treg in JIA and an impaired suppressive capacity in JIA and HC were found. Blockade of IL-17A resulted in adjustment of FoxP3-expression in JIA to proportions found in controls and in regular suppressive function. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate an induction of FoxP3 expressing Treg by Th17-inducing cytokines with concomitant mitigated suppressive function. In contrast, specific IL-17A blockade maintains suppressive Treg function and adjusted FoxP3-expression in JIA to levels found in controls. These findings may help to provide experimental evidence for the successful clinical use of IL-17A inhibition in JIA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Therese Holzer
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology/Special Immunology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany. .,Department of Internal Medicine III. (Nephrology and Rheumatology With Section Endocrinology), University Hospital Hamburg- Eppendorf, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Giovanni Almanzar
- grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology/Special Immunology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Robert Woidich
- grid.411760.50000 0001 1378 7891Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology/Special Immunology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Boris Hügle
- German Centre of Pediatric Rheumatology, Gehfeldstraße 24, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Johannes-Peter Haas
- German Centre of Pediatric Rheumatology, Gehfeldstraße 24, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
| | - Martina Prelog
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology/Special Immunology, University Hospital Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 2, 97080, Wuerzburg, Germany.
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12
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Arve-Butler S, Mossberg A, Schmidt T, Welinder C, Yan H, Berthold E, Król P, Kahn R. Neutrophils Lose the Capacity to Suppress T Cell Proliferation Upon Migration Towards Inflamed Joints in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Front Immunol 2022; 12:795260. [PMID: 35095871 PMCID: PMC8792960 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.795260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils are highly abundant in synovial fluid of rheumatic inflamed joints. In oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), synovial fluid neutrophils have impaired effector functions and altered phenotype. We hypothesized that these alterations might impact the immunoregulatory interplay between neutrophils and T cells. In this study we analyzed the suppressive effect of neutrophils, isolated from blood and synovial fluid of oligoarticular JIA patients, on CD4+ T cells activated by CD3/CD28 stimulation. JIA blood neutrophils suppressed T cell proliferation but synovial fluid neutrophils from several patients did not. The loss of T cell suppression was replicated in an in vitro transmigration assay, where healthy control neutrophils migrated into synovial fluid through transwell inserts with endothelial cells and synoviocytes. Non-migrated neutrophils suppressed proliferation of activated CD4+ T cells, but migrated neutrophils had no suppressive effect. Neutrophil suppression of T cells was partly dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS), demonstrated by impaired suppression in presence of catalase. Migrated neutrophils had reduced ROS production compared to non-migrated neutrophils. A proteomic analysis of transwell-migrated neutrophils identified alterations in proteins related to neutrophil ROS production and degranulation, and biological processes involving protein transport, cell-cell contact and inflammation. In conclusion, neutrophils in synovial fluid of children with JIA have impaired capacity to suppress activated T cells, which may be due to reduced oxidative burst and alterations in proteins related to cell-cell contact and inflammation. The lack of T cell suppression by neutrophils in synovial fluid may contribute to local inflammation and autoimmune reactions in the JIA joint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Arve-Butler
- Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anki Mossberg
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Tobias Schmidt
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Charlotte Welinder
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Division of Oncology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Hong Yan
- Swedish National Infrastructure for Biological Mass Spectrometry, Biological Mass Spectrometry (BioMS), Lund, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Berthold
- Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Petra Król
- Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Robin Kahn
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Pediatrics, Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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13
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Rajendeeran A, Tenbrock K. Regulatory T cell function in autoimmune disease. J Transl Autoimmun 2022; 4:100130. [PMID: 35005594 PMCID: PMC8716637 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtauto.2021.100130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are characterized by a failure of tolerance to own body components resulting in tissue damage. Regulatory T cells are gatekeepers of tolerance. This review focusses on the function and pathophysiology of regulatory T cells in the context of autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid and juvenile idiopathic arthritis as well as systemic lupus erythematosus with an overview over current and future therapeutic options to boost Treg function. Regulatory T cells are critical mediators of immune tolerance and critically depend on external IL-2. Tregs are expanded during inflammation, where the local milieu enhances resistance to suppression in T effector cells. Human Tregs are characterized by different markers, which hampers the comparability of studies in patients with autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anandi Rajendeeran
- RWTH Aachen University, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology, Pauwelsstr 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Klaus Tenbrock
- RWTH Aachen University, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology, Pauwelsstr 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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14
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Abstract
Failure of regulatory T (Treg) cells to properly control immune responses leads invariably to autoimmunity and organ damage. Decreased numbers or impaired function of Treg cells, especially in the context of inflammation, has been documented in many human autoimmune diseases. Restoration of Treg cell fitness and/or expansion of their numbers using low-dose natural IL-2, the main cytokine driving Treg cell survival and function, has demonstrated clinical efficacy in early clinical trials. Genetically modified IL-2 with an extended half-life and increased selectivity for Treg cells is now in clinical development. Administration of IL-2 combined with therapies targeting other pathways involved in the expression of autoimmune diseases should further enhance its therapeutic potential. Ongoing clinical efforts that capitalize on the early clinical success of IL-2 treatment should bring the use of this cytokine to the forefront of biological treatments for autoimmune diseases.
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15
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Rajendiran A, Klemm P, Schippers A, Scheufen A, Schwarz T, Peitz J, Brandenburg LO, Wagner N, Consolaro A, Raggi F, Bosco MC, Luedde T, Foell D, Denecke B, Horneff G, Ohl K, Tenbrock K. miR-23a contributes to T cellular redox metabolism in juvenile idiopathic oligoarthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 61:2694-2703. [PMID: 34559194 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of unknown origin. The regulation of inflammatory processes involves multiple cellular steps including mRNA transcription and translation. Different miRNAs tightly control these processes. We aimed to determine the roles of specific miRNAs within JIA pathogenesis. METHODS We performed a global miRNA expression analysis in parallel in cells from the arthritic joint and peripheral blood of oligoarticular JIA patients and healthy controls. QRT-PCR analysis was used to verify expression of miRNA in T cells. Ex vivo experiments and flow cytometric analyses were used to analyze proliferation and redox metabolism. RESULTS Global miRNA expression analysis demonstrated a different composition of miRNA expression at the site of inflammation compared with peripheral blood. Bioinformatic analysis of predicted miRNA target genes suggest a huge overrepresentation of genes involved in metabolic and oxidative stress pathways in the inflamed joint. Despite enhanced ROS levels within the local inflammatory milieu, JIA T cells are hyperproliferative and reveal an overexpression of miR-23a, which is an inhibitor of PPIF, the regulator of mitochondrial ROS escape. Mitochondrial ROS escape is diminished in JIA T cells resulting in their prolonged survival. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that miRNA dependent mitochondrial ROS shuttling might be a mechanism that contributes to T cell regulation in JIA at the site of inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anandhi Rajendiran
- Dept of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - Patricia Klemm
- Dept of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - Anastasia Schippers
- Dept of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - Anja Scheufen
- Dept of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - Tobias Schwarz
- Dept of Pediatric Rheumatology St. Josef-Stift Sendenhorst, Sendenhorst, Germany
| | - Joachim Peitz
- Asklepios Children's Hospital Sankt Augustin, Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Lars-Ove Brandenburg
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Germany.,Institute of Anatomy, Rostock University Medical Center Rostock, Germany
| | - Norbert Wagner
- Dept of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Federica Raggi
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCSS, Instituto Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Maria Carla Bosco
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, IRCSS, Instituto Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Tom Luedde
- Dept of Medicine III, RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - Dirk Foell
- Department of Pediatric Rheumatology and Immunology, University of Münster, Germany
| | - Bernd Denecke
- Interdisciplinary center for clinical research Aachen, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - Gerd Horneff
- Asklepios Children's Hospital Sankt Augustin, Sankt Augustin, Germany.,Dept. of Pediatrics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germant
| | - Kim Ohl
- Dept of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - Klaus Tenbrock
- Dept of Pediatrics, Pediatric Rheumatology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen, Germany
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16
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Julé AM, Hoyt KJ, Wei K, Gutierrez-Arcelus M, Taylor ML, Ng J, Lederer JA, Case SM, Chang MH, Cohen EM, Dedeoglu F, Hazen MM, Hausmann JS, Halyabar O, Janssen E, Lo J, Lo MS, Meidan E, Roberts JE, Son MBF, Sundel RP, Lee PY, Chatila T, Nigrovic PA, Henderson LA. Th1 polarization defines the synovial fluid T cell compartment in oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e149185. [PMID: 34403374 PMCID: PMC8492302 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.149185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligoarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (oligo JIA) is the most common form of chronic inflammatory arthritis in children, yet the cause of this disease remains unknown. To understand immune responses in oligo JIA, we immunophenotyped synovial fluid T cells with flow cytometry, bulk RNA-Seq, single-cell RNA-Seq (scRNA-Seq), DNA methylation studies, and Treg suppression assays. In synovial fluid, CD4+, CD8+, and γδ T cells expressed Th1-related markers, whereas Th17 cells were not enriched. Th1 skewing was prominent in CD4+ T cells, including Tregs, and was associated with severe disease. Transcriptomic studies confirmed a Th1 signature in CD4+ T cells from synovial fluid. The regulatory gene expression signature was preserved in Tregs, even those exhibiting Th1 polarization. These Th1-like Tregs maintained Treg-specific methylation patterns and suppressive function, supporting the stability of this Treg population in the joint. Although synovial fluid CD4+ T cells displayed an overall Th1 phenotype, scRNA-Seq uncovered heterogeneous effector and regulatory subpopulations, including IFN-induced Tregs, peripheral helper T cells, and cytotoxic CD4+ T cells. In conclusion, oligo JIA is characterized by Th1 polarization that encompasses Tregs but does not compromise their regulatory identity. Targeting Th1-driven inflammation and augmenting Treg function may represent important therapeutic approaches in oligo JIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amélie M. Julé
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kacie J. Hoyt
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kevin Wei
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maria Gutierrez-Arcelus
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maria L. Taylor
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Julie Ng
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, and
| | - James A. Lederer
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Siobhan M. Case
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Margaret H. Chang
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ezra M. Cohen
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fatma Dedeoglu
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Melissa M. Hazen
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathan S. Hausmann
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Olha Halyabar
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erin Janssen
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeffrey Lo
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mindy S. Lo
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Esra Meidan
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jordan E. Roberts
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mary Beth F. Son
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert P. Sundel
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pui Y. Lee
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Talal Chatila
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter A. Nigrovic
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lauren A. Henderson
- Division of Immunology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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17
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Glinos DA, Soskic B, Williams C, Kennedy A, Jostins L, Sansom DM, Trynka G. Genomic profiling of T-cell activation suggests increased sensitivity of memory T cells to CD28 costimulation. Genes Immun 2020; 21:390-408. [PMID: 33223527 PMCID: PMC7785515 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-020-00118-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
T-cell activation is a critical driver of immune responses. The CD28 costimulation is an essential regulator of CD4 T-cell responses, however, its relative importance in naive and memory T cells is not fully understood. Using different model systems, we observe that human memory T cells are more sensitive to CD28 costimulation than naive T cells. To deconvolute how the T-cell receptor (TCR) and CD28 orchestrate activation of human T cells, we stimulate cells using varying intensities of TCR and CD28 and profiled gene expression. We show that genes involved in cell cycle progression and division are CD28-driven in memory cells, but under TCR control in naive cells. We further demonstrate that T-helper differentiation and cytokine expression are controlled by CD28. Using chromatin accessibility profiling, we observe that AP1 transcriptional regulation is enriched when both TCR and CD28 are engaged, whereas open chromatin near CD28-sensitive genes is enriched for NF-kB motifs. Lastly, we show that CD28-sensitive genes are enriched in GWAS regions associated with immune diseases, implicating a role for CD28 in disease development. Our study provides important insights into the differential role of costimulation in naive and memory T-cell responses and disease susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dafni A Glinos
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
- New York Genome Center, New York, NY, 10013, USA
| | - Blagoje Soskic
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Cayman Williams
- UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Alan Kennedy
- UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Luke Jostins
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FY, UK
- Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7FZ, UK
- Christ Church, St. Aldates, Oxford, OX1 1DP, UK
| | - David M Sansom
- UCL Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Royal Free Hospital, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
| | - Gosia Trynka
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK.
- Open Targets, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, CB10 1SA, UK.
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18
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Ahmed A, Vyakarnam A. Emerging patterns of regulatory T cell function in tuberculosis. Clin Exp Immunol 2020; 202:273-287. [PMID: 32639588 PMCID: PMC7670141 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of mortality worldwide from a single infectious agent and has significant implications for global health. A major hurdle in the development of effective TB vaccines and therapies is the absence of defined immune‐correlates of protection. In this context, the role of regulatory T cells (Treg), which are essential for maintaining immune homeostasis, is even less understood. This review aims to address this knowledge gap by providing an overview of the emerging patterns of Treg function in TB. Increasing evidence from studies, both in animal models of infection and TB patients, points to the fact the role of Tregs in TB is dependent on disease stage. While Tregs might expand and delay the appearance of protective responses in the early stages of infection, their role in the chronic phase perhaps is to counter‐regulate excessive inflammation. New data highlight that this important homeostatic role of Tregs in the chronic phase of TB may be compromised by the expansion of activated human leucocyte antigen D‐related (HLA‐DR)+CD4+ suppression‐resistant effector T cells. This review provides a comprehensive and critical analysis of the key features of Treg cells in TB; highlights the importance of a balanced immune response as being important in TB and discusses the importance of probing not just Treg frequency but also qualitative aspects of Treg function as part of a comprehensive search for novel TB treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Ahmed
- Laboratory of Immunology of HIV-TB Co-infection, Center for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India
| | - A Vyakarnam
- Laboratory of Immunology of HIV-TB Co-infection, Center for Infectious Disease Research (CIDR), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India.,Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, Guy's Hospital, King's College London (KCL), London, UK
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19
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Liu Y, Jarjour W, Olsen N, Zheng SG. Traitor or warrior-Treg cells sneaking into the lesions of psoriatic arthritis. Clin Immunol 2020; 215:108425. [PMID: 32305454 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2020.108425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells have been recognized to maintain immune tolerance, which contributes to prevention of autoimmune diseases. However, recent evidence has demonstrated different characteristics of these cells between those that are in circulation compared to those in various local tissues. In addition, the ability of Treg cells to have plasticity in certain disease settings and in inflammatory lesions has been increasingly recognized. Herein we summarize updated knowledge of Treg biology and discuss the current understanding of tissue-resident Treg cells in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), attempting to provide new insights into precise role of Treg cells in the immune response and as a possible therapeutic intervention in patients with PsA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- Institute of Clinical Immunology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510620, China
| | - Wael Jarjour
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus 43210, USA
| | - Nancy Olsen
- Department of Medicine, The Penn State Hershey College of Medicine, Hershey 17031, USA
| | - Song Guo Zheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, Columbus 43210, USA.
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20
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Henderson LA, Hoyt KJ, Lee PY, Rao DA, Jonsson AH, Nguyen JP, Rutherford K, Julé AM, Charbonnier LM, Case S, Chang MH, Cohen EM, Dedeoglu F, Fuhlbrigge RC, Halyabar O, Hazen MM, Janssen E, Kim S, Lo J, Lo MS, Meidan E, Son MBF, Sundel RP, Stoll ML, Nusbaum C, Lederer JA, Chatila TA, Nigrovic PA. Th17 reprogramming of T cells in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis. JCI Insight 2020; 5:132508. [PMID: 32213704 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.132508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) begins with fever, rash, and high-grade systemic inflammation but commonly progresses to a persistent afebrile arthritis. The basis for this transition is unknown. To evaluate a role for lymphocyte polarization, we characterized T cells from patients with acute and chronic sJIA using flow cytometry, mass cytometry, and RNA sequencing. Acute and chronic sJIA each featured an expanded population of activated Tregs uncommon in healthy controls or in children with nonsystemic JIA. In acute sJIA, Tregs expressed IL-17A and a gene expression signature reflecting Th17 polarization. In chronic sJIA, the Th17 transcriptional signature was identified in T effector cells (Teffs), although expression of IL-17A at the protein level remained rare. Th17 polarization was abrogated in patients responding to IL-1 blockade. These findings identify evolving Th17 polarization in sJIA that begins in Tregs and progresses to Teffs, likely reflecting the impact of the cytokine milieu and consistent with a biphasic model of disease pathogenesis. The results support T cells as a potential treatment target in sJIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren A Henderson
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kacie J Hoyt
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pui Y Lee
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, and
| | - Deepak A Rao
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, and
| | - A Helena Jonsson
- Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, and
| | - Jennifer P Nguyen
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kayleigh Rutherford
- Harvard Bioinformatics Core, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amélie M Julé
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Louis-Marie Charbonnier
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Siobhan Case
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Margaret H Chang
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, and
| | - Ezra M Cohen
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fatma Dedeoglu
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert C Fuhlbrigge
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Rheumatology, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Olha Halyabar
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Melissa M Hazen
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erin Janssen
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Susan Kim
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jeffrey Lo
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mindy S Lo
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Esra Meidan
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mary Beth F Son
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert P Sundel
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matthew L Stoll
- Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Chad Nusbaum
- Broad Technology Labs, Broad Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - James A Lederer
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Talal A Chatila
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter A Nigrovic
- Division of Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation, and Immunity, Department of Medicine, and
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21
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Massalska M, Radzikowska A, Kuca-Warnawin E, Plebanczyk M, Prochorec-Sobieszek M, Skalska U, Kurowska W, Maldyk P, Kontny E, Gober HJ, Maslinski W. CD4 +FOXP3 + T Cells in Rheumatoid Arthritis Bone Marrow Are Partially Impaired. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030549. [PMID: 32111105 PMCID: PMC7140449 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
There is evolving evidence that dysregulation of immune homeostasis in the bone marrow (BM) adjacent to the inflamed joints is involved in the pathogenesis of. In this study, we are addressing the phenotype and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) residing in the BM of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). BM and peripheral blood samples were obtained from RA and OA patients undergoing hip replacement surgery. The number and phenotype of Tregs were analyzed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. The function of Tregs was investigated ex vivo, addressing their suppressive activity on effector T cells. [3H]-Thymidine incorporation assay and specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used for quantification of cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory (TNF, IFN-γ) cytokine release, respectively. Significantly lower numbers of CD4+FOXP3+ T cells were found in the BM of patients with RA compared to control patients with OA. High expression of CD127 (IL-7α receptor) and relatively low expression of CXCR4 (receptor for stromal cell-derived factor CXCL12) are characteristics of the CD4+FOXP3+ cells residing in the BM of RA patients. The BM-resident Tregs of RA patients demonstrated a limited suppressive activity on the investigated immune response. Our results indicate that the reduced number and impaired functional properties of CD4+FOXP3+ T cells present in the BM of RA patients may favor the inflammatory process, which is observed in RA BM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Massalska
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland; (A.R.); (E.K.-W.); (M.P.); (U.S.); (W.K.); (E.K.); (W.M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-670-92-60
| | - Anna Radzikowska
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland; (A.R.); (E.K.-W.); (M.P.); (U.S.); (W.K.); (E.K.); (W.M.)
| | - Ewa Kuca-Warnawin
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland; (A.R.); (E.K.-W.); (M.P.); (U.S.); (W.K.); (E.K.); (W.M.)
| | - Magdalena Plebanczyk
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland; (A.R.); (E.K.-W.); (M.P.); (U.S.); (W.K.); (E.K.); (W.M.)
| | - Monika Prochorec-Sobieszek
- Department of Pathology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland;
- Department of Diagnostic Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Urszula Skalska
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland; (A.R.); (E.K.-W.); (M.P.); (U.S.); (W.K.); (E.K.); (W.M.)
| | - Weronika Kurowska
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland; (A.R.); (E.K.-W.); (M.P.); (U.S.); (W.K.); (E.K.); (W.M.)
| | - Pawel Maldyk
- Department of Rheumoorthopaedic Surgery, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland;
- Clinical Department of Orthopedic and Traumatology of Locomotor System, Enfant-Jesus Clinical Hospital, 02-005 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Kontny
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland; (A.R.); (E.K.-W.); (M.P.); (U.S.); (W.K.); (E.K.); (W.M.)
| | - Hans-Jürgen Gober
- Department of Pharmacy, Kepler University Hospital, 4020 Linz, Austria;
- Pharmaceutical Outcomes Programme, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Wlodzimierz Maslinski
- Department of Pathophysiology and Immunology, National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology, and Rehabilitation, 02-637 Warsaw, Poland; (A.R.); (E.K.-W.); (M.P.); (U.S.); (W.K.); (E.K.); (W.M.)
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22
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Leong JY, Chen P, Yeo JG, Ally F, Chua C, Nur Hazirah S, Poh SL, Pan L, Lai L, Lee ESC, Bathi LDT, Arkachaisri T, Lovell D, Albani S. Immunome perturbation is present in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis who are in remission and will relapse upon anti-TNFα withdrawal. Ann Rheum Dis 2019; 78:1712-1721. [PMID: 31540934 PMCID: PMC6900250 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2019] [Revised: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Biologics treatment with antitumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) is efficacious in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Despite displaying clinical inactivity during treatment, many patients will flare on cessation of therapy. The inability to definitively discriminate patients who will relapse or continue to remain in remission after therapy withdrawal is currently a major unmet medical need. CD4 T cells have been implicated in active disease, yet how they contribute to disease persistence despite treatment is unknown. Methods We interrogated the circulatory reservoir of CD4+ immune subsets at the single-cell resolution with mass cytometry (cytometry by time of flight) of patients with JIA (n=20) who displayed continuous clinical inactivity for at least 6 months with anti-TNFα and were subsequently withdrawn from therapy for 8 months, and scored as relapse or remission. These patients were examined prior to therapy withdrawal for putative subsets that could discriminate relapse from remission. We verified on a separate JIA cohort (n=16) the dysregulation of these circulatory subsets 8 months into therapy withdrawal. The immunological transcriptomic signature of CD4 memory in relapse/remission patients was examined with NanoString. Results An inflammatory memory subset of CD3+CD4+CD45RA−TNFα+ T cells deficient in immune checkpoints (PD1−CD152−) was present in relapse patients prior to therapy withdrawal. Transcriptomic profiling reveals divergence between relapse and remission patients in disease-centric pathways involving (1) T-cell receptor activation, (2) apoptosis, (3) TNFα, (4) nuclear factor-kappa B and (5) mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling. Conclusions A unique discriminatory immunomic and transcriptomic signature is associated with relapse patients and may explain how relapse occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yao Leong
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore Health Service, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Phyllis Chen
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore Health Service, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Joo Guan Yeo
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore Health Service, Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Fauziah Ally
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore Health Service, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Camillus Chua
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore Health Service, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sharifah Nur Hazirah
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore Health Service, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Su Li Poh
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore Health Service, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lu Pan
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore Health Service, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Liyun Lai
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore Health Service, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Loshinidevi D/O Thana Bathi
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore Health Service, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Thaschawee Arkachaisri
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore Health Service, Singapore, Singapore.,Division of Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daniel Lovell
- Division of Rheumatology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Paediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Salvatore Albani
- Translational Immunology Institute, Singhealth/Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore Health Service, Singapore, Singapore
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23
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Mijnheer G, van Wijk F. T-Cell Compartmentalization and Functional Adaptation in Autoimmune Inflammation: Lessons From Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases. Front Immunol 2019; 10:940. [PMID: 31143175 PMCID: PMC6520654 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammatory diseases are characterized by a disturbed immune balance leading to recurring episodes of inflammation in specific target tissues, such as the joints in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. The tissue becomes infiltrated by multiple types of immune cell, including high numbers of CD4 and CD8 T-cells, which are mostly effector memory cells. Locally, these T-cells display an environment-adapted phenotype, induced by inflammation- and tissue-specific instructions. Some of the infiltrated T-cells may become tissue resident and play a role in relapses of inflammation. Adaptation to the environment may lead to functional (re)programming of cells and altered cellular interactions and responses. For example, specifically at the site of inflammation both CD4 and CD8 T-cells can become resistant to regulatory T-cell-mediated regulation. In addition, CD8 and CD4 T-cells show a unique profile with pro- and anti-inflammatory features coexisting in the same compartment. Also regulatory T-cells are neither homogeneous nor static in nature and show features of functional differentiation, and plasticity in inflammatory environments. Here we will discuss the recent insights in T-cell functional specialization, regulation, and clonal expansion in local (tissue) inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerdien Mijnheer
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Femke van Wijk
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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24
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Wehr P, Purvis H, Law S, Thomas R. Dendritic cells, T cells and their interaction in rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Immunol 2019; 196:12-27. [PMID: 30589082 PMCID: PMC6422662 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are the key professional antigen-presenting cells which bridge innate and adaptive immune responses, inducing the priming and differentiation of naive to effector CD4+ T cells, the cross-priming of CD8+ T cells and the promotion of B cell antibody responses. DCs also play a critical role in the maintenance of immune homeostasis and tolerance. DC-T cell interactions underpin the generation of an autoimmune response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here we describe the function of DCs and review evidence for DC and T cell involvement in RA pathogenesis, in particular through the presentation of self-peptide by DCs that triggers differentiation and activation of autoreactive T cells. Finally, we discuss the emerging field of targeting the DC-T cell interaction for antigen-specific immunotherapy of RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- P. Wehr
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra HospitalBrisbaneAustralia
| | - H. Purvis
- King's College London, Academic Department of Rheumatology, Centre for Inflammation Biology and Cancer Immunology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and MedicineLondonUK
| | - S.‐C. Law
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra HospitalBrisbaneAustralia
| | - R. Thomas
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Translational Research Institute, Princess Alexandra HospitalBrisbaneAustralia
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25
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Hoeppli RE, Pesenacker AM. Targeting Tregs in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Juvenile Dermatomyositis-Insights From Other Diseases. Front Immunol 2019; 10:46. [PMID: 30740105 PMCID: PMC6355674 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are believed to be dysfunctional in autoimmunity. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) result from a loss of normal immune regulation in specific tissues such as joints or muscle and skin, respectively. Here, we discuss recent findings in regard to Treg biology in oligo-/polyarticular JIA and JDM, as well as what we can learn about Treg-related disease mechanism, treatment and biomarkers in JIA/JDM from studies of other diseases. We explore the potential use of Treg immunoregulatory markers and gene signatures as biomarkers for disease course and/or treatment success. Further, we discuss how Tregs are affected by several treatment strategies already employed in the therapy of JIA and JDM and by alternative immunotherapies such as anti-cytokine or co-receptor targeting. Finally, we review recent successes in using Tregs as a treatment target with low-dose IL-2 or cellular immunotherapy. Thus, this mini review will highlight our current understanding and identify open questions in regard to Treg biology, and how recent findings may advance biomarkers and new therapies for JIA and JDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romy E Hoeppli
- Department of Surgery, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anne M Pesenacker
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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26
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Copland A, Bending D. Foxp3 Molecular Dynamics in Treg in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2273. [PMID: 30333832 PMCID: PMC6175987 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the identification of the regulatory T-cell (Treg)-associated transcription factor Foxp3, there have been intensive research efforts to understand its biology and roles in maintaining immune homeostasis. It is well established that thymic selection of a repertoire of self-reactive Foxp3+ T-cells provides an essential mechanism to minimize reactions to self-antigens in the periphery, and thus aid in the prevention of autoimmunity. It is clear from both genetic and immunological analyses of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients that T-cells have a strong role to play in both the initiation and propagation of disease. The current paradigm is to view autoimmunity as a consequence of an imbalance between inflammatory and immunoregulatory mechanisms. This view has led to the assigning of cells and inflammatory mediators to different classes based on their assumed pro- or anti-inflammatory roles. This is typically reported as ratios of effector T-cells to Treg cells. Problematically, many analyses are based on static “snapshots-in-time,” even though both mouse models and human patient studies have highlighted the dynamic nature of Foxp3+ T-cells in vivo, which can exhibit plasticity and time-dependent functional states. In this review, we discuss the role of Foxp3 dynamics in the control of T-cell responses in childhood arthritis, by reviewing evidence in humans and relevant mouse models of inflammatory disease. Whilst the cellular dynamics of Treg have been well evaluated—leading to standard data outputs such as frequency, quantity and quality (often assessed by in vitro suppressive capacity)—we discuss how recent insights into the molecular dynamics of Foxp3 transcription and its post-translational control may open up tantalizing new avenues for immunotherapies to treat autoimmune arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair Copland
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - David Bending
- Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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27
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IL-6: a cytokine at the crossroads of autoimmunity. Curr Opin Immunol 2018; 55:9-14. [PMID: 30248523 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
IL-6 is implicated in the development and progression of autoimmune diseases in part by influencing CD4 T cell lineage and regulation. Elevated IL-6 levels drive inflammation in a wide range of autoimmune diseases, some of which are also characterized by enhanced T cell responses to IL-6. Notably, the impact of IL-6 on inflammation is contextual in nature and dependent on the cell type, cytokine milieu and tissue. Targeting the IL-6/IL-6R axis in humans has been shown to successfully ameliorate a subset of autoimmune conditions. In this review, we discuss recent studies investigating how IL-6 regulates the CD4 T cell response in the context of autoimmune disease and highlight how blocking different aspects of the IL-6 pathway is advantageous in the treatment of disease.
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28
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Ahmed A, Adiga V, Nayak S, Uday Kumar JAJ, Dhar C, Sahoo PN, Sundararaj BK, Souza GD, Vyakarnam A. Circulating HLA-DR+CD4+ effector memory T cells resistant to CCR5 and PD-L1 mediated suppression compromise regulatory T cell function in tuberculosis. PLoS Pathog 2018; 14:e1007289. [PMID: 30231065 PMCID: PMC6166982 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic T cell activation is a hallmark of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). The mechanisms underpinning this important phenomenon are however, poorly elucidated, though known to rely on control of T effector cells (Teff) by regulatory T cells (Treg). Our studies show that circulating natural Treg cells in adults with PTB preserve their suppressive potential but Teff cells from such subjects are resistant to Treg-mediated suppression. We found this to be due to expansion of an activated Teff subset identified by Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DR expression. Sensitivity to suppression was restored to control levels by depletion of this subset. Comparative transcriptome analysis of Teff cells that contain HLA-DR+ cells versus the fraction depleted of this population identified putative resistance mechanisms linked to IFNG, IL17A, IL22, PD-L1 and β-chemokines CCL3L3, CCL4 expression. Antibody blocking experiments confirmed HLA-DR+ Teff cells, but not the fraction depleted of HLA-DR+ effectors, to be resistant to Treg suppression mediated via CCR5 and PD-L1 associated pathways. In the presence of HLA-DR+ Teff cells, activation of NFκB downstream of CCR5 and PD-L1 was perturbed. In addition, HLA-DR+ Teff cells expressed significantly higher levels of Th1/Th17 cytokines that may regulate Treg function through a reciprocal counter-balancing relationship. Taken together, our study provides novel insight on how activated HLA-DR+CD4+ T cells may contribute to disease associated inflammation by compromising Treg-mediated suppression in PTB. An important marker of progression to PTB following Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in humans is elevated frequencies of HLA-DR+CD4+ T cells, reflecting chronic T cell activation. However, the mechanisms by which activated HLA-DR+CD4+ T cells contribute to disease process is not known. We show that CD25- HLA-DR+CD4+ memory Teff from PTB patients are resistant to suppression mediated by Treg cells. An unbiased transcriptome analysis identified several key pathways that contribute to this resistance. Specifically, presence of HLA-DR+CD4+ T cells renders the effector population resistant to CCR5 and PD-L1 mediated suppression by Treg cells. In addition, the HLA-DR+CD4+ memory Teff cells express elevated levels of Th1/Th17 cytokines known to counter-regulate and dampen Treg suppression. These findings provide fresh insight to disease process in TB and identify HLA-DR+ Teff resistant to Treg suppression as a potential functional marker of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Ahmed
- Laboratory of Immunology of HIV-TB co-infection, Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Vasista Adiga
- Laboratory of Immunology of HIV-TB co-infection, Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Soumya Nayak
- Laboratory of Immunology of HIV-TB co-infection, Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | | | - Chirag Dhar
- Division of Infectious Diseases, St John’s Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | - Pravat Nalini Sahoo
- Laboratory of Immunology of HIV-TB co-infection, Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - Bharath K. Sundararaj
- Laboratory of Immunology of HIV-TB co-infection, Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
| | - George D. Souza
- Dept. of Pulmonary Medicine & Division of Infectious Diseases, St John’s Research Institute, Bangalore, India
| | - Annapurna Vyakarnam
- Laboratory of Immunology of HIV-TB co-infection, Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
- Department of Infectious Diseases, King’s College London, London, School of Immunology & Microbial Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, Guy's Campus, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail: ,
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29
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Ferguson ID, Griffin P, Michel JJ, Yano H, Gaffen SL, Mueller RG, Dvergsten JA, Piganelli JD, Rosenkranz ME, Kietz DA, Vallejo AN. T Cell Receptor-Independent, CD31/IL-17A-Driven Inflammatory Axis Shapes Synovitis in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1802. [PMID: 30127787 PMCID: PMC6087740 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
T cells are considered autoimmune effectors in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), but the antigenic cause of arthritis remains elusive. Since T cells comprise a significant proportion of joint-infiltrating cells, we examined whether the environment in the joint could be shaped through the inflammatory activation by T cells that is independent of conventional TCR signaling. We focused on the analysis of synovial fluid (SF) collected from children with oligoarticular and rheumatoid factor-negative polyarticular JIA. Cytokine profiling of SF showed dominance of five molecules including IL-17A. Cytometric analysis of the same SF samples showed enrichment of αβT cells that lacked both CD4 and CD8 co-receptors [herein called double negative (DN) T cells] and also lacked the CD28 costimulatory receptor. However, these synovial αβT cells expressed high levels of CD31, an adhesion molecule that is normally employed by granulocytes when they transit to sites of injury. In receptor crosslinking assays, ligation of CD31 alone on synovial CD28nullCD31+ DN αβT cells effectively and sufficiently induced phosphorylation of signaling substrates and increased intracytoplasmic stores of cytokines including IL-17A. CD31 ligation was also sufficient to induce RORγT expression and trans-activation of the IL-17A promoter. In addition to T cells, SF contained fibrocyte-like cells (FLC) expressing IL-17 receptor A (IL-17RA) and CD38, a known ligand for CD31. Stimulation of FLC with IL-17A led to CD38 upregulation, and to production of cytokines and tissue-destructive molecules. Addition of an oxidoreductase analog to the bioassays suppressed the CD31-driven IL-17A production by T cells. It also suppressed the downstream IL-17A-mediated production of effectors by FLC. The levels of suppression of FLC effector activities by the oxidoreductase analog were comparable to those seen with corticosteroid and/or biologic inhibitors to IL-6 and TNFα. Collectively, our data suggest that activation of a CD31-driven, αβTCR-independent, IL-17A-mediated T cell-FLC inflammatory circuit drives and/or perpetuates synovitis. With the notable finding that the oxidoreductase mimic suppresses the effector activities of synovial CD31+CD28null αβT cells and IL-17RA+CD38+ FLC, this small molecule could be used to probe further the intricacies of this inflammatory circuit. Such bioactivities of this small molecule also provide rationale for new translational avenue(s) to potentially modulate JIA synovitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian D Ferguson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Patricia Griffin
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Joshua J Michel
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Hiroshi Yano
- Graduate Program in Microbiology and Immunology School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Sarah L Gaffen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Robert G Mueller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jeffrey A Dvergsten
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Jon D Piganelli
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Margalit E Rosenkranz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Daniel A Kietz
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Abbe N Vallejo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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30
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Petrelli A, Mijnheer G, Hoytema van Konijnenburg DP, van der Wal MM, Giovannone B, Mocholi E, Vazirpanah N, Broen JC, Hijnen D, Oldenburg B, Coffer PJ, Vastert SJ, Prakken BJ, Spierings E, Pandit A, Mokry M, van Wijk F. PD-1+CD8+ T cells are clonally expanding effectors in human chronic inflammation. J Clin Invest 2018; 128:4669-4681. [PMID: 30198907 DOI: 10.1172/jci96107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic inflammatory diseases are characterized by recurrent inflammatory attacks in the tissues mediated by autoreactive T cells. Identity and functional programming of CD8+ T cells at the target site of inflammation still remain elusive. One key question is whether, in these antigen-rich environments, chronic stimulation leads to CD8+ T cell exhaustion comparable to what is observed in infectious disease contexts. In the synovial fluid (SF) of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients, a model of chronic inflammation, an overrepresentation of PD-1+CD8+ T cells was found. Gene expression profiling, gene set enrichment analysis, functional studies, and extracellular flux analysis identified PD-1+CD8+ T cells as metabolically active effectors, with no sign of exhaustion. Furthermore, PD-1+CD8+ T cells were enriched for a tissue-resident memory (Trm) cell transcriptional profile and demonstrated increased clonal expansion compared with the PD-1- counterpart, suggesting antigen-driven expansion of locally adapted cells. Interestingly, this subset was also found increased in target tissues in other human chronic inflammatory diseases. These data indicate that local chronic inflammation drives the induction and expansion of CD8+ T cells endowed with potential detrimental properties. Together, these findings lay the basis for investigation of PD-1-expressing CD8+ T cell targeting strategies in human chronic inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Petrelli
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Gerdien Mijnheer
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - David P Hoytema van Konijnenburg
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Maria M van der Wal
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Enric Mocholi
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Medicine
| | | | | | | | | | - Paul J Coffer
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Medicine
| | - Sebastian J Vastert
- Department of Pediatrics, Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Berent J Prakken
- Department of Pediatrics, Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Eric Spierings
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | | | - Michal Mokry
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Division of Child Health, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Femke van Wijk
- Department of Pediatrics, Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
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31
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Ihantola EL, Viisanen T, Gazali AM, Näntö-Salonen K, Juutilainen A, Moilanen L, Rintamäki R, Pihlajamäki J, Veijola R, Toppari J, Knip M, Ilonen J, Kinnunen T. Effector T Cell Resistance to Suppression and STAT3 Signaling during the Development of Human Type 1 Diabetes. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2018; 201:1144-1153. [PMID: 30006377 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1701199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 06/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Dysregulation of regulatory T cell (Treg)-mediated suppression and, in particular, resistance of CD4+ effector T cells (Teffs) to suppression have been implicated in the pathogenesis of human type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the mechanistic basis behind this resistance and the time frame during which it develops in relation to the onset of clinical T1D remain unclear. In this study, we analyzed the capacity of peripheral blood Teffs isolated both from patients with T1D and from prediabetic at-risk subjects positive for multiple diabetes-associated autoantibodies (AAb+) to be suppressed by Tregs. Because STAT3 activation through IL-6 has previously been implicated in mediating Teff resistance, we also investigated the surface expression of IL-6R as well as IL-6- and TCR-mediated phosphorylation of STAT3 in T cells from our study subjects. Teff resistance to suppression was observed both in patients with newly diagnosed and long-standing T1D but not in AAb+ subjects and was shown to be STAT3 dependent. No alterations in IL-6R expression or IL-6-mediated STAT3 activation were observed in T cells from patients with T1D or AAb+ subjects. However, faster STAT3 activation after TCR stimulation without concomitant increase in IL-6 expression was observed in T cells from patients with T1D. These experiments suggest that Teff resistance in T1D patients is STAT3 dependent but not directly linked with the capacity of Teffs to produce or respond to IL-6. In conclusion, Teff resistance to Treg-mediated suppression is likely a feature of disease progression in human T1D and can potentially be targeted by immune therapies that block STAT3 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmi-Leena Ihantola
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Tyyne Viisanen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ahmad M Gazali
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | | | - Auni Juutilainen
- Department of Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, 70210 Kuopio, Finland.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Leena Moilanen
- Department of Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Reeta Rintamäki
- Department of Medicine, Kuopio University Hospital, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jussi Pihlajamäki
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland.,Clinical Nutrition and Obesity Center, Kuopio University Hospital, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
| | - Riitta Veijola
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical Research Center, PEDEGO Research Unit, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland
| | - Jorma Toppari
- Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital, 20521 Turku, Finland.,Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Mikael Knip
- Tampere Center for Child Health Research, Tampere University Hospital, 33521 Tampere, Finland.,Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00281 Helsinki, Finland.,Research Programs Unit - Diabetes and Obesity, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.,Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jorma Ilonen
- Immunogenetics Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, 20520 Turku, Finland.,Department of Clinical Microbiology, Turku University Hospital, 20520 Turku, Finland; and
| | - Tuure Kinnunen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, 70210 Kuopio, Finland; .,Eastern Finland Laboratory Centre, 70210 Kuopio, Finland
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32
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Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) has long been considered a CD4 T-cell disease, primarily because of the findings that the strongest genetic risk for MS is the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II locus, and that T cells play a central role in directing the immune response. The importance that the T helper (Th)1 cytokine, interferon γ (IFN-γ), and the Th17 cytokine, interleukin (IL)-17, play in MS pathogenesis is indicated by recent clinical trial data by the enhanced presence of Th1/Th17 cells in central nervous system (CNS) tissue, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and blood, and by research on animal models of MS, such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Although the majority of research on MS pathogenesis has centered on the role of effector CD4 T cells, accumulating data suggests that CD8 T cells may play a significant role in the human disease. In fact, in contrast to most animal models, the primary T cell found in the CNS in patients with MS, is the CD8 T cell. As patient-derived effector T cells are also resistant to mechanisms of dominant tolerance such as that induced by interaction with regulatory T cells (Tregs), their reduced response to regulation may also contribute to the unchecked effector T-cell activity in patients with MS. These concepts will be discussed below.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda J Kaskow
- Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Clare Baecher-Allan
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
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33
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Henderson LA, Volpi S, Frugoni F, Janssen E, Kim S, Sundel RP, Dedeoglu F, Lo MS, Hazen MM, Beth Son M, Mathieu R, Zurakowski D, Yu N, Lebedeva T, Fuhlbrigge RC, Walter JE, Nee Lee Y, Nigrovic PA, Notarangelo LD. Next-Generation Sequencing Reveals Restriction and Clonotypic Expansion of Treg Cells in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2017; 68:1758-68. [PMID: 26815131 DOI: 10.1002/art.39606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Treg cell-mediated suppression of Teff cells is impaired in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA); however, the basis for this dysfunction is incompletely understood. Animal models of autoimmunity and immunodeficiency demonstrate that a diverse Treg cell repertoire is essential to maintain Treg cell function. The present study was undertaken to investigate the Treg and Teff cell repertoires in JIA. METHODS Treg cells (CD4+CD25+CD127(low) ) and Teff cells (CD4+CD25-) were isolated from peripheral blood and synovial fluid obtained from JIA patients, healthy controls, and children with Lyme arthritis. Treg cell function was measured in suppressive assays. The T cell receptor β chain (TRB) was amplified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction and next-generation sequencing was performed, with amplicons sequenced using an Illumina HiSeq platform. Data were analyzed using ImmunoSEQ, International ImMunoGeneTics system, and the Immunoglobulin Analysis Tools. RESULTS Compared to findings in controls, the JIA peripheral blood Treg cell repertoire was restricted, and clonotypic expansions were found in both blood and synovial fluid Treg cells. Skewed usage and pairing of TRB variable and joining genes, including overuse of gene segments that have been associated with other autoimmune conditions, was observed. JIA patients shared a substantial portion of synovial fluid Treg cell clonotypes that were private to JIA and not identified in Lyme arthritis. CONCLUSION We identified restriction and clonotypic expansions in the JIA Treg cell repertoire with sharing of Treg cell clonotypes across patients. These findings suggest that abnormalities in the Treg cell repertoire, possibly engendered by shared antigenic triggers, may contribute to disease pathogenesis in JIA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Erin Janssen
- Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Susan Kim
- Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | - Mindy S Lo
- Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | | | - Neng Yu
- American Red Cross Blood Services-East Division, New England HLA Services, Dedham, Massachusetts
| | - Tatiana Lebedeva
- American Red Cross Blood Services-East Division, New England HLA Services, Dedham, Massachusetts
| | - Robert C Fuhlbrigge
- Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jolan E Walter
- Boston Children's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Yu Nee Lee
- Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Peter A Nigrovic
- Boston Children's Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Luigi D Notarangelo
- Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, Massachusetts
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34
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Schlöder J, Berges C, Luessi F, Jonuleit H. Dimethyl Fumarate Therapy Significantly Improves the Responsiveness of T Cells in Multiple Sclerosis Patients for Immunoregulation by Regulatory T Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18020271. [PMID: 28134847 PMCID: PMC5343807 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18020271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2016] [Revised: 01/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease caused by an insufficient suppression of autoreactive T lymphocytes. One reason for the lack of immunological control is the reduced responsiveness of T effector cells (Teff) for the suppressive properties of regulatory T cells (Treg), a process termed Treg resistance. Here we investigated whether the disease-modifying therapy of relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) with dimethyl fumarate (DMF) influences the sensitivity of T cells in the peripheral blood of patients towards Treg-mediated suppression. We demonstrated that DMF restores responsiveness of Teff to the suppressive function of Treg in vitro, presumably by down-regulation of interleukin-6R (IL-6R) expression on T cells. Transfer of human immune cells into immunodeficient mice resulted in a lethal graft-versus-host reaction triggered by human CD4⁺ Teff. This systemic inflammation can be prevented by activated Treg after transfer of immune cells from DMF-treated MS patients, but not after injection of Treg-resistant Teff from therapy-naïve MS patients. Furthermore, after DMF therapy, proliferation and expansion of T cells and the immigration into the spleen of the animals is reduced and modulated by activated Treg. In summary, our data reveals that DMF therapy significantly improves the responsiveness of Teff in MS patients to immunoregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Schlöder
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Carsten Berges
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Felix Luessi
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Helmut Jonuleit
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
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35
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Maggi L, Cosmi L, Simonini G, Annunziato F, Cimaz R. T cell subpopulations in juvenile idiopathic arthritis and their modifications after biotherapies. Autoimmun Rev 2016; 15:1141-1144. [PMID: 27640318 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2016.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Inflammatory T cells are thought to be central to the pathogenesis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. In particular, recent evidence has underlined the importance of a balance between Th17 and Treg cells. Several mechanisms have come to light that control this reciprocal relationship. Moreover, it has been shown that in certain conditions, Th17 cells can shift toward a nonclassic Th1 phenotype. Anti-rheumatic biologic therapies may interfere with these mechanisms and re-establish immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Maggi
- Regenerative Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Cosmi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gabriele Simonini
- Department of Pediatrics, Rheumatology Unit, Anna Meyer Children's Hospital and University of Florence, Italy
| | - Francesco Annunziato
- Regenerative Medicine Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Rolando Cimaz
- Department of Pediatrics, Rheumatology Unit, Anna Meyer Children's Hospital and University of Florence, Italy.
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36
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Rossetti M, Spreafico R, Consolaro A, Leong JY, Chua C, Massa M, Saidin S, Magni-Manzoni S, Arkachaisri T, Wallace CA, Gattorno M, Martini A, Lovell DJ, Albani S. TCR repertoire sequencing identifies synovial Treg cell clonotypes in the bloodstream during active inflammation in human arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2016; 76:435-441. [PMID: 27311837 PMCID: PMC5284348 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-208992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Revised: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The imbalance between effector and regulatory T (Treg) cells is crucial in the pathogenesis of autoimmune arthritis. Immune responses are often investigated in the blood because of its accessibility, but circulating lymphocytes are not representative of those found in inflamed tissues. This disconnect hinders our understanding of the mechanisms underlying disease. Our goal was to identify Treg cells implicated in autoimmunity at the inflamed joints, and also readily detectable in the blood upon recirculation. METHODS We compared Treg cells of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis responding or not to therapy by using: (i) T cell receptor (TCR) sequencing, to identify clonotypes shared between blood and synovial fluid; (ii) FOXP3 Treg cell-specific demethylated region DNA methylation assays, to investigate their stability and (iii) flow cytometry and suppression assays to probe their tolerogenic functions. RESULTS We found a subset of synovial Treg cells that recirculated into the bloodstream of patients with juvenile idiopathic and adult rheumatoid arthritis. These inflammation-associated (ia)Treg cells, but not other blood Treg cells, expanded during active disease and proliferated in response to their cognate antigens. Despite the typical inflammatory-skewed balance of immune mechanisms in arthritis, iaTreg cells were stably committed to the regulatory lineage and fully suppressive. A fraction of iaTreg clonotypes were in common with pathogenic effector T cells. CONCLUSIONS Using an innovative antigen-agnostic approach, we uncovered a population of bona fide synovial Treg cells readily accessible from the blood and selectively expanding during active disease, paving the way to non-invasive diagnostics and better understanding of the pathogenesis of autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Rossetti
- SingHealth Translational Immunology and Inflammation Centre, SingHealth and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Translational Research Unit, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Roberto Spreafico
- SingHealth Translational Immunology and Inflammation Centre, SingHealth and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore.,Translational Research Unit, Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute, San Diego, California, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Alessandro Consolaro
- Second Pediatrics Division, University of Genoa and G Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy
| | - Jing Yao Leong
- SingHealth Translational Immunology and Inflammation Centre, SingHealth and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Camillus Chua
- SingHealth Translational Immunology and Inflammation Centre, SingHealth and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Margherita Massa
- Lab Biotecnologie, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
| | - Suzan Saidin
- SingHealth Translational Immunology and Inflammation Centre, SingHealth and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Silvia Magni-Manzoni
- Pediatric Rheumatology Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | - Thaschawee Arkachaisri
- Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and Rheumatology and Immunology Service, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Carol A Wallace
- Seattle Children's Hospital and Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Marco Gattorno
- Second Pediatrics Division, University of Genoa and G Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy
| | - Alberto Martini
- Second Pediatrics Division, University of Genoa and G Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy
| | - Daniel J Lovell
- Division of Rheumatology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Salvatore Albani
- SingHealth Translational Immunology and Inflammation Centre, SingHealth and Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
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37
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Abstract
CD8(+) T cells are key players in the body's defence against viral infections and cancer. To date, data on the role of CD8(+) T cells in autoimmune diseases have been scarce, especially when compared with the wealth of research on CD4(+) T cells. However, growing evidence suggests that CD8(+) T-cell homeostasis is impaired in human autoimmune diseases. The contribution of CD8(+) T cells to autoimmune arthritis is indicated by the close association of MHC class I polymorphisms with disease risk, as well as the correlation between CD8(+) T-cell phenotype and disease outcome. The heterogeneous phenotype, resistance to regulation and impaired regulatory function of CD8(+) T cells - especially at the target organ - might contribute to the persistence of autoimmune inflammation. Moreover, newly identified populations of tissue-resident CD8(+) T cells and their interaction with antigen-presenting cells might have a key role in disease pathology. In this Review, we assess the link between CD8(+) T cells, autoimmune arthritis and the basis of their homeostatic changes under inflammatory conditions. Improved insight into CD8(+) T cell-specific pathogenicity will be essential for a better understanding of autoimmune arthritis and the identification of new therapeutic targets.
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38
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Mercadante ER, Lorenz UM. Breaking Free of Control: How Conventional T Cells Overcome Regulatory T Cell Suppression. Front Immunol 2016; 7:193. [PMID: 27242798 PMCID: PMC4870238 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional T (Tcon) cells are crucial in shaping the immune response, whether it is protection against a pathogen, a cytotoxic attack on tumor cells, or an unwanted response to self-antigens in the context of autoimmunity. In each of these immune settings, regulatory T cells (Tregs) can potentially exert control over the Tcon cell response, resulting in either suppression or activation of the Tcon cells. Under physiological conditions, Tcon cells are able to transiently overcome Treg-imposed restraints to mount a protective response against an infectious threat, achieving clonal expansion, differentiation, and effector function. However, evidence has accumulated in recent years to suggest that Tcon cell resistance to Treg-mediated suppression centrally contributes to the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease. Tipping the balance too far in the other direction, cancerous tumors utilize Tregs to establish an overly suppressive microenvironment, preventing antitumor Tcon cell responses. Given the wide-ranging clinical importance of the Tcon/Treg interaction, this review aims to provide a better understanding of what determines whether a Tcon cell is susceptible to Treg-mediated suppression and how perturbations to this finely tuned balance play a role in pathological conditions. Here, we focus in detail on the complex array of factors that confer Tcon cells with resistance to Treg suppression, which we have divided into two categories: (1) extracellular factor-mediated signaling and (2) intracellular signaling molecules. Further, we explore the therapeutic implications of manipulating the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway, which is proposed to be the convergence point of signaling pathways that mediate Tcon resistance to suppression. Finally, we address important unresolved questions on the timing and location of acquisition of resistance, and the stability of the “Treg-resistant” phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Mercadante
- Department of Microbiology Immunology and Cancer Biology, Beirne Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA
| | - Ulrike M Lorenz
- Department of Microbiology Immunology and Cancer Biology, Beirne Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia , Charlottesville, VA , USA
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39
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Petrelli A, Wehrens EJ, Scholman RC, Prakken BJ, Vastert SJ, van Wijk F. Self-Sustained Resistance to Suppression of CD8+ Teff Cells at the Site of Autoimmune Inflammation Can Be Reversed by Tumor Necrosis Factor and Interferon-γ Blockade. Arthritis Rheumatol 2016; 68:229-36. [PMID: 26360332 DOI: 10.1002/art.39418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Resistance of Teff cells to Treg cell-mediated suppression contributes to the breakdown of peripheral tolerance in the inflamed joints of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). However, unanswered questions are whether this resistant phenotype is self-sustained and whether CD8+ and CD4+ Teff cells share the same mechanism of resistance to suppression. We undertook this study to investigate intrinsic resistance of CD8+ Teff cells to suppression and to determine how this can be targeted therapeutically. METHODS CD8+ or CD4+ Teff cells were cultured with or without antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in Treg cell-dependent and -independent suppression assays. Synovial fluid (SF)-derived Teff cells were crosscultured with peripheral blood (PB) Treg cells from JIA patients or healthy controls. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or interferon-γ (IFNγ) blocking agents were used to restore Teff cell responsiveness to suppression. RESULTS Suppression of cell proliferation and cytokine production in CD8+ Teff cells from the SF of JIA patients was severely impaired compared to that in CD8+ Teff cells from the PB of JIA patients, regardless of the presence of APCs and CD4+ Teff cells. Similar to CD4+ Teff cells, impaired suppression of CD8+ Teff cells was shown to be an intrinsic feature of this cell population. While TNF blockade restored both CD8+ and CD4+ Teff cell susceptibility to suppression, autocrine release of IFNγ selectively sustained CD8+ Teff cell resistance, which could be relieved by IFNγ blockade. CONCLUSION Unlike CD4+ Teff cells, resistance of CD8+ Teff cells to suppression at the site of autoimmune inflammation is maintained by autocrine release of IFNγ, and blockade of IFNγ restores CD8+ Teff cell responsiveness to suppression. These findings indicate a potential therapeutic value of blocking IFNγ to restore immune regulation in JIA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Femke van Wijk
- University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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40
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Walter GJ, Fleskens V, Frederiksen KS, Rajasekhar M, Menon B, Gerwien JG, Evans HG, Taams LS. Phenotypic, Functional, and Gene Expression Profiling of Peripheral CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ CD4+CD25+CD127(low) Treg Cells in Patients With Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2016; 68:103-16. [PMID: 26314565 PMCID: PMC4832388 DOI: 10.1002/art.39408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Conflicting evidence exists regarding the suppressive capacity of Treg cells in the peripheral blood (PB) of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to determine whether Treg cells are intrinsically defective in RA. METHODS Using a range of assays on PB samples from patients with chronic RA and healthy controls, CD3+CD4+CD25+CD127(low) Treg cells from the CD45RO+ or CD45RA+ T cell compartments were analyzed for phenotype, cytokine expression (ex vivo and after in vitro stimulation), suppression of Teff cell proliferation and cytokine production, suppression of monocyte-derived cytokine/chemokine production, and gene expression profiles. RESULTS No differences between RA patients and healthy controls were observed with regard to the frequency of Treg cells, ex vivo phenotype (CD4, CD25, CD127, CD39, or CD161), or proinflammatory cytokine profile (interleukin-17 [IL-17], interferon-γ [IFNγ], or tumor necrosis factor [TNF]). FoxP3 expression was slightly increased in Treg cells from RA patients. The ability of Treg cells to suppress the proliferation of T cells or the production of cytokines (IFNγ or TNF) upon coculture with autologous CD45RO+ Teff cells and monocytes was not significantly different between RA patients and healthy controls. In PB samples from some RA patients, CD45RO+ Treg cells showed an impaired ability to suppress the production of certain cytokines/chemokines (IL-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-7, CCL3, or CCL4) by autologous lipopolysaccharide-activated monocytes. However, this was not observed in all patients, and other cytokines/chemokines (TNF, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, IL-15, or CCL5) were generally suppressed. Finally, gene expression profiling of CD45RA+ or CD45RO+ Treg cells from the PB revealed no statistically significant differences between RA patients and healthy controls. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that there is no global defect in either CD45RO+ or CD45RA+ Treg cells in the PB of patients with chronic RA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Bina Menon
- Guy's and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
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41
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Basdeo SA, Moran B, Cluxton D, Canavan M, McCormick J, Connolly M, Orr C, Mills KHG, Veale DJ, Fearon U, Fletcher JM. Polyfunctional, Pathogenic CD161+ Th17 Lineage Cells Are Resistant to Regulatory T Cell-Mediated Suppression in the Context of Autoimmunity. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 195:528-40. [PMID: 26062995 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1402990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), regulatory T cells (Tregs) fail to constrain autoimmune inflammation; however, the reasons for this are unclear. We investigated T cell regulation in the RA joint. Tregs from RA synovial fluid suppressed autologous responder T cells; however, when compared with Tregs from healthy control peripheral blood, they were significantly less suppressive. Despite their reduced suppressive activity, Tregs in the RA joint were highly proliferative and expressed FOXP3, CD39, and CTLA-4, which are markers of functional Tregs. This suggested that the reduced suppression is due to resistance of RA synovial fluid responder T cells to Treg inhibition. CD161(+) Th17 lineage cells were significantly enriched in the RA joint; we therefore investigated their relative susceptibility to Treg-mediated suppression. Peripheral blood CD161(+) Th cells from healthy controls were significantly more resistant to Treg-mediated suppression, when compared with CD161(-) Th cells, and this was mediated through a STAT3-dependant mechanism. Furthermore, depletion of CD161(+) Th cells from the responder T cell population in RA synovial fluid restored Treg-mediated suppression. In addition, CD161(+) Th cells exhibited pathogenic features, including polyfunctional proinflammatory cytokine production, an ability to activate synovial fibroblasts, and to survive and persist in the inflamed and hypoxic joint. Because CD161(+) Th cells are known to be enriched at sites of autoinflammation, our finding that they are highly proinflammatory and resistant to Treg-mediated suppression suggests an important pathogenic role in RA and other autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharee A Basdeo
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Barry Moran
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Deborah Cluxton
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Mary Canavan
- Department of Rheumatology, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland; and
| | - Jennifer McCormick
- Department of Rheumatology, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland; and
| | - Mary Connolly
- Department of Rheumatology, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland; and
| | - Carl Orr
- Department of Rheumatology, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland; and
| | - Kingston H G Mills
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Douglas J Veale
- Department of Rheumatology, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland; and
| | - Ursula Fearon
- Department of Rheumatology, Dublin Academic Medical Centre, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4, Ireland; and
| | - Jean M Fletcher
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland; School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
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Bulatović Ćalasan M, Vastert SJ, Scholman RC, Verweij F, Klein M, Wulffraat NM, Prakken BJ, van Wijk F. Methotrexate treatment affects effector but not regulatory T cells in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2015; 54:1724-34. [PMID: 25877908 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kev101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The balance between Treg and effector T cells (Teff) is crucial for immune regulation in JIA. How MTX, the cornerstone treatment in JIA, influences this balance in vivo is poorly elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate quantitative and qualitative effects of MTX on Treg and Teff in JIA patients during MTX treatment. METHODS Peripheral blood samples were obtained from JIA patients at the start of MTX and 3 and 6 months thereafter. Treg numbers and phenotypes were determined by flow cytometry and suppressive function in allogeneic suppression assays. Teff proliferation upon stimulation with anti-CD3, activation status and intracellular cytokine production were determined by flow cytometry. Effector cell responsiveness to suppression was investigated in autologous suppression assays. Effector cell cytokines in supernatants of proliferation and suppression assays and in plasma were measured by cytokine multiplex assay. RESULTS MTX treatment in JIA did not affect Treg phenotype and function. Instead, MTX treatment enhanced, rather than diminished, CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell proliferation of JIA patients after 6 months of therapy, independent of clinical response. Effector cells during MTX treatment were equally responsive to Treg-mediated suppression. MTX treatment did not attenuate Teff activation status and their capacity to produce IL-13, IL-17, TNF-α and IFN-γ. Similarly to Teff proliferation, plasma IFN-γ concentrations after 6 months were increased. CONCLUSION This study provides the novel insight that MTX treatment in JIA does not attenuate Teff function but, conversely, enhances T cell proliferation and IFN-γ plasma concentrations in JIA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Bulatović Ćalasan
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Intervention, Department of Pediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sebastiaan J Vastert
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Intervention, Department of Pediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rianne C Scholman
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Intervention, Department of Pediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Frederik Verweij
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Intervention, Department of Pediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mark Klein
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Intervention, Department of Pediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nico M Wulffraat
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Intervention, Department of Pediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Berent J Prakken
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Intervention, Department of Pediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Femke van Wijk
- Center for Molecular and Cellular Intervention, Department of Pediatric Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Pesenacker AM, Broady R, Levings MK. Control of tissue-localized immune responses by human regulatory T cells. Eur J Immunol 2014; 45:333-43. [PMID: 25378065 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201344205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2014] [Revised: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Treg cells control immune responses to self and nonharmful foreign antigens. Emerging data from animal models indicate that Treg cells function in both secondary lymphoid organs and tissues, and that these different microenvironments may contain specialized subsets of Treg cells with distinct mechanisms of action. The design of therapies for the restoration of tissue-localized immune homeostasis is dependent upon understanding how local immune responses are influenced by Treg cells in health versus disease. Here we review the current state of knowledge about human Treg cells in four locations: the skin, lung, intestine, and joint. Despite the distinct biology of these tissues, there are commonalities in the biology of their resident Treg cells, including phenotypic and functional differences from circulating Treg cells, and the presence of cytokine-producing (e.g. IL-17(+)) FOXP3(+) cells. We also highlight the challenges to studying tissue Treg cells in humans, and opportunities to use new technologies for the detailed analysis of Treg cells at the single-cell level. As emerging biological therapies are increasingly targeted toward tissue-specific effects, it is critical to understand their potential impact on local immune regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M Pesenacker
- Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Child & Family Research Institute, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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44
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Increased presence of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells in inflamed muscle of patients with active juvenile dermatomyositis compared to peripheral blood. PLoS One 2014; 9:e105353. [PMID: 25157414 PMCID: PMC4144849 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease affecting the microvasculature of skin and muscle. CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are key regulators of immune homeostasis. A role for Tregs in JDM pathogenesis has not yet been established. Here, we explored Treg presence and function in peripheral blood and muscle of JDM patients. We analyzed number, phenotype and function of Tregs in blood from JDM patients by flow cytometry and in vitro suppression assays, in comparison to healthy controls and disease controls (Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy). Presence of Tregs in muscle was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Overall, Treg percentages in peripheral blood of JDM patients were similar compared to both control groups. Muscle biopsies of new onset JDM patients showed increased infiltration of numbers of T cells compared to Duchenne's muscular dystrophy. Both in JDM and Duchenne's muscular dystrophy the proportion of FOXP3+ T cells in muscles were increased compared to JDM peripheral blood. Interestingly, JDM is not a self-remitting disease, suggesting that the high proportion of Tregs in inflamed muscle do not suppress inflammation. In line with this, peripheral blood Tregs of active JDM patients were less capable of suppressing effector T cell activation in vitro, compared to Tregs of JDM in clinical remission. These data show a functional impairment of Tregs in a proportion of patients with active disease, and suggest a regulatory role for Tregs in JDM inflammation.
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Abstract
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis is an intriguing manifestation of JIA and an important contributor of long-term damage. Its pathophysiology is still poorly understood. This review summarizes current concepts. JIA is both a multifactorial and polygenetic disease. In the past 2 decades, multiple studies have indicated that the genetic contribution to both JIA and JIA-associated uveitis is modest. From an ophthalmological point of view, much of the pathophysiological data is derived from studies in experimental uveitis animal models. The pathophysiology of the arthritic manifestations of JIA has been studied extensively in humans. These studies have focused on the principal cells of the adaptive immune system, in particular different subsets of regulatory and effector T cells, as well as on antigen presenting cells or dendritic cells. With advancing technology and advancing knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of JIA-associated uveitis, new targets for therapy might evolve in the coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiaan J Vastert
- Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht , The Netherlands and
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46
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Abstract
Naturally occurring Foxp3(+)CD25(+)CD4(+) regulatory T (TREG) cells maintain immunological self-tolerance and prevent a variety of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. In animal models of rheumatic disease, autoimmune responses can be controlled by re-establishing the T-cell balance in favour of TREG cells. Here we discuss three potential strategies for the clinical use of TREG cells to treat autoimmune rheumatic disease: expansion of self-antigen-specific natural TREG cells in vivo; propagation of antigen-specific natural TREG cells ex vivo, by in vitro antigenic stimulation, and subsequent transfer back into the host; or conversion of antigen-specific conventional T cells into TREG cells in vivo or ex vivo. These strategies require depletion of the effector T cells that mediate autoimmunity before initiating TREG-cell-based therapies. Immunotherapies that target TREG cells, and the balance of TREG cells and autoreactive T cells, are therefore an important modality for the treatment of autoimmune rheumatic disease.
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Imbalance of Th17 and T-regulatory cells in peripheral blood and synovial fluid in treatment naïve children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Cent Eur J Immunol 2014; 39:71-6. [PMID: 26155103 PMCID: PMC4439971 DOI: 10.5114/ceji.2014.42128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The imbalance between Th17 and T regulatory cells (Tregs) may be a key event in development of autoimmunity. The problem is poorly explored in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) so far. In this study, peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid (SF) Tregs and Th17 cells from were assessed in untreated JIA children. Material and methods In 50 children with JIA the PB or SF percentages of Tregs and Th17 cells were assessed by flow cytometry, in comparison with PB Tregs and Th17 cells from 28 healthy controls. Additionally, in both groups the levels of proinfammatory cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL -6, IL -17, IL -21, IL -23 and tumor necrosis factor α (TN F-α) were assessed using ELI SA method. Results The proportion of JIA PB Th17 cells was significantly higher than in the controls (p = 0.01). Serum levels of IL -1β, IL -6, IL -17, IL -23 were also significantly higher in JIA (p = 0.011, p = 0.007, p = 0.008 and p = 0.023, respectively). The highest serum IL -6 levels were observed in oligoarthritis JIA (p = 0.031). Synovial fluid IL -21 concentration was distinctly higher in polyarticular JIA. Synovial fluid levels of TN F-α, IL -1β and IL -6 were significantly higher than in JIA PB (p = 0.038, p = 0.013 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was a significant correlation between IL -6 and PB Tregs (p = 0.02). Conclusions The results of this comprehensive analysis indicate a role of Th17 cell activation in the pathogenesis of JIA.
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Chistiakov DA, Savost’anov KV, Baranov AA. Genetic background of juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Autoimmunity 2014; 47:351-60. [DOI: 10.3109/08916934.2014.889119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Wehrens EJ, Vastert SJ, Mijnheer G, Meerding J, Klein M, Wulffraat NM, Prakken BJ, van Wijk F. Anti-tumor necrosis factor α targets protein kinase B/c-Akt-induced resistance of effector cells to suppression in juvenile idiopathic arthritis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 65:3279-84. [PMID: 23983021 DOI: 10.1002/art.38132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 08/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether therapeutic strategies that block interleukin-6 (IL-6) or tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) can improve the responsiveness of Teff cells to suppression in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). METHODS Synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMCs) from the inflamed joints of patients with JIA were cultured in the presence of etanercept or anti-IL-6 in vitro, and protein kinase B (PKB)/c-Akt activation and responsiveness to suppression were measured. In addition, the in vivo effects of TNFα blockade were investigated using peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from patients before and after the start of etanercept therapy. RESULTS In vitro treatment of SFMCs with anti-IL-6 led to improved Treg cell-mediated suppression of cell proliferation in some but not all patients. Blocking TNFα with etanercept, however, clearly enhanced suppression, especially that of CD8+ T cells. In the presence of etanercept, PKB/c-Akt activation of Teff cells was reduced, and cells became more susceptible to transforming growth factor β-mediated suppression, indicating that anti-TNFα directly targets resistant Teff cells. CONCLUSION This study is the first to show that anti-TNFα targets the resistance of Teff cells to suppression, resulting in improved regulation of inflammatory effector cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen J Wehrens
- Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Abstract
In recent years, there have been many new developments in the field of regulatory T cells (Treg), challenging the consensus on their behaviour, classification and role(s) in disease. The role Treg might play in autoimmune disease appears to be more complex than previously thought. Here, we discuss the current knowledge of regulatory T cells through animal and human research and illustrate the recent developments in childhood autoimmune arthritis (juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)). Furthermore, this review summarises our understanding of the fields and assesses current and future implications for Treg in the treatment of JIA.
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