CCL3/CCR1 mediates CD14+CD16- circulating monocyte recruitment in knee osteoarthritis progression

The role of monocyte/macrophage chemokines in pathogenesis of osteoarthritis: A review

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative diseases characterised by joint pain, swelling and decreased mobility, with its main pathological features being articular synovitis, cartilage degeneration and osteophyte formation. Inflammatory cytokines and chemokines secreted by activated immunocytes can trigger various inflammatory and immune responses in articular cartilage and synovium, contributing to the genesis and development of OA. A series of monocyte/macrophage chemokines, including monocyte chemotaxis protein (MCP)-1/CCL2, MCP2/CCL8, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α/CCL3, MIP-1β/CCL4, MIP-3α/CCL20, regulated upon activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted /CCL5, CCL17 and macrophage-derived chemokine/CCL22, was proven to transmit cell signals by binding to G protein-coupled receptors on recipient cell surface, mediating and promoting inflammation in OA joints. However, the underlying mechanism of these chemokines in the pathogenesis of OA remains still elusive. Here, published literature was reviewed, and the function and mechanisms of monocyte/macrophage chemokines in OA pathogenesis were summarised. The symptoms and disease progression of OA were found to be effectively alleviated when the expression of these chemokines is inhibited. Elucidating these mechanisms could contribute to further understand how OA develops and provide potential targets for the early diagnosis of arthritis and drug treatment to delay or even halt OA progression.

Chronic Stress Exacerbates the Immunosuppressive Microenvironment and Progression of Gliomas by Reducing Secretion of CCL3

As understanding of cancer has deepened, increasing attention has been turned to the roles of psychological factors, especially chronic stress-induced depression, in the occurrence and development of tumors. However, whether and how depression affects the progression of gliomas are still unclear. In this study, we have revealed that chronic stress inhibited the recruitment of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and other immune cells, especially M1-type TAMs and CD8+ T cells, and decreased the level of proinflammatory cytokines in gliomas, leading to an immunosuppressive microenvironment and glioma progression. Mechanistically, by promoting the secretion of stress hormones, chronic stress inhibited the secretion of the chemokine CCL3 and the recruitment of M1-type TAMs in gliomas. Intratumoral administration of CCL3 reprogrammed the immune microenvironment of gliomas and abolished the progression of gliomas induced by chronic stress. Moreover, levels of CCL3 and M1-type TAMs were decreased in the tumor tissues of glioma patients with depression, and CCL3 administration enhanced the antitumor effect of anti-PD-1 therapy in orthotopic models of gliomas undergoing chronic stress. In conclusion, our study has revealed that chronic stress exacerbates the immunosuppressive microenvironment and progression of gliomas by reducing the secretion of CCL3. CCL3 alone or in combination with an anti-PD-1 may be an effective immunotherapy for the treatment of gliomas with depression. See related Spotlight by Cui and Kang, p. 514.

Interplay between lipid dysregulation and ferroptosis in chondrocytes and the targeted therapy effect of metformin on osteoarthritis

INTRODUCTION

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a devastating whole-joint disease affecting a large population worldwide; the role of lipid dysregulation in OA and mechanisms underlying targeted therapy effect of lipid-lowering metformin on OA remains poorly defined.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of lipid dysregulation on OA progression and to explore lipid dysregulation-targeting OA treatment of metformin.

METHODS

RNA-Seq data, biochemical, and histochemical assays in human and murine OA cartilage as well as primary chondrocytes were utilized to determine lipid dysregulation. Effects of metformin, a potent lipid-lowering medication, on ACSL4 expression and chondrocyte metabolism were determined. Further molecular experiments, including RT-qPCR, western blotting, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining, were performed to investigate underlying mechanisms. Mice with intra-articular injection of metformin were utilized to determine the effects on ACLT-induced OA progression.

RESULTS

ACSL4 and 4-HNE expressions were elevated in human and ACLT-induced mouse OA cartilage and IL-1β-treated chondrocytes (P < 0.05). Ferrostatin-1 largely rescued IL-1β-induced MDA, lipid peroxidation, and ferroptotic mitochondrial morphology (P < 0.05). Metformin decreased the levels of OA-related genes (P < 0.05) and increased the levels of p-AMPK and p-ACC in IL-1β-treated chondrocytes. Intra-articular injection of metformin alleviated ACLT-induced OA lesions in mice, and reverted the percentage of chondrocytes positive for MMP13, Col2a1, ACSL4 and 4-HNE in ACLT mice (P < 0.05). Ferroptotic chondrocytes promoted the recruitment and chemotaxis of RAW264.7 cells via CCL2, which was blocked by metformin in vitro (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

We establish a critical role of polyunsaturated fatty acids metabolic process in OA cartilage degradation and define metformin as a potential OA treatment. Metformin reshapes lipid availability and ameliorates chondrocyte ferroptosis sensitivity via the AMPK/ACC pathway. In the future, gene-edited animals and extensive omics technologies will be utilized to reveal detailed lipids' involvement in cartilage lesions.

Single-cell transcriptomics of the immune system in ME/CFS at baseline and following symptom provocation

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a serious and poorly understood disease. To understand immune dysregulation in ME/CFS, we use single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to examine immune cells in patient and control cohorts. Postexertional malaise (PEM), an exacerbation of symptoms following strenuous exercise, is a characteristic symptom of ME/CFS. To detect changes coincident with PEM, we applied scRNA-seq on the same cohorts following exercise. At baseline, ME/CFS patients display classical monocyte dysregulation suggestive of inappropriate differentiation and migration to tissue. We identify both diseased and more normal monocytes within patients, and the fraction of diseased cells correlates with disease severity. Comparing the transcriptome at baseline and postexercise challenge, we discover patterns indicative of improper platelet activation in patients, with minimal changes elsewhere in the immune system. Taken together, these data identify immunological defects present at baseline in patients and an additional layer of dysregulation in platelets.

Identification of novel candidate biomarkers related to immune cell infiltration in peri-implantitis

OBJECTIVE

The present study was performed to identify key biomarkers associated with immune cell infiltration in peri-implantitis through bioinformatic analyses.

METHODS

Six peri-implantitis soft tissue samples and six healthy gingiva samples were obtained from GSE106090, and were used to identify immune-associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in peri-implantitis. The candidate biomarkers associated with immune cell infiltration were examined by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

We identified 2089 upregulated and 2173 downregulated genes. Upregulated DEGs were significantly associated with immune response. Ten key candidate biomarkers were identified in the PPI network, including IL1B, TLR2, TLR4, CCL4, CXCL8, IL10, IL6, CD4, CCL3, and PTPRC. The expression level of the 10 genes increased in peri-implantitis soft tissue samples compared with healthy gingiva samples. The proportion of CD4+ T cells, iTreg, and Tfh in infiltration immune cells increased in peri-implantitis soft tissue samples and were positively correlated with the expression level of candidate biomarkers TLR4, CCL3, CXCL8, and IL1B. Immunohistochemistry showed that there were more lymphocytes in peri-implantitis soft tissue samples, with an increased expression level of TLR4, CCL3, CXCL8, and IL1B.

CONCLUSION

Identification of four novel diagnostic biomarkers was helpful for revealing the molecular mechanisms and could serve as a risk predictor for the immune microenvironment in peri-implantitis.

Phillyrin ameliorates influenza a virus-induced pulmonary inflammation by antagonizing CXCR2 and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation

Influenza is an acute viral respiratory illness with high morbidity rates worldwide. Excessive pulmonary inflammation is the main characteristic of lethal influenza A virus (IAV) infections. Therapeutic options for managing influenza are limited to vaccines and some antiviral medications. Phillyrin is one of the major bioactive components of the Chinese herbal medicine Forsythia suspensa, which has the functions of sterilization, heat clearing and detoxification. In this work, the effect and mechanism of phillyrin on H1N1 influenza (PR8)-induced pneumonia were investigated. We reported that phillyrin (15 mg/kg) treatment after viral challenge significantly improved the weight loss, ameliorated pulmonary inflammation and inhibited the accumulation of multiple cytokines and chemokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid on 7 days post infection (dpi). In vitro, phillyrin suppressed influenza viral replication (Matrixprotein and nucleoprotein messenger RNA level) and reduced influenza virus-induced cytopathic effect (CPE). Furthermore,chemokine receptor CXCR2 was confirmed to be markedly inhibited by phillyrin. Surface plasmon resonance results reveal that phillyrin exhibits binding affinity to CXCR2, having a binding affinity constant (KD) value of 1.858e-5 M, suggesting that CXCR2 is a potential therapeutic target for phillyrin. Moreover, phillyrin inhibited the mRNA and protein expression levels of Caspase1, ASC and NLRP3 in the lungs of mice with H1N1-induced pneumonia.This study reveals that phillyrin ameliorates IAV-induced pulmonary inflammation by antagonizing CXCR2 and inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation partly.

Comparative Effects of Intra-Articular versus Intravenous Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Therapy in a Rat Model of Osteoarthritis by Destabilization of Medial Meniscus

Transplanted mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) exhibit a robust anti-inflammatory and homing capacity in response to high inflammatory signals, as observed in studies focused on rheumatic diseases that target articular cartilage (AC) health. However, AC degradation in osteoarthritis (OA) does not necessarily coincide with a highly inflammatory joint profile. Often, by the time patients seek medical attention, they already have damaged AC. In this study, we examined the therapeutic potential of a single bone marrow MSC transplant (2 × 106 cells/kgbw) through two different routes: intra-articular (MSCs-IAt) and intravenous (MSCs-IVt) in a preclinical model of low-grade inflammatory OA with an established AC degeneration. OA was induced through the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) in female Wistar Kyoto rats. The animals received MSCs 9 weeks after surgery and were euthanized 4 and 12 weeks post-transplant. In vivo and ex vivo tracking of MSCs were analyzed via bioluminescence and imaging flow cytometry, respectively. Cytokine/chemokine modulation in serum and synovial fluid was measured using a multiplex panel. AC degeneration was quantified through histology, and hindlimb muscle balance was assessed with precision weighing. To our knowledge, we are the first group to show the in vivo (8 h) and ex vivo (12 h) homing of cells to the DMM-OA joint following MSCs-IVt. In the case of MSCs-IAt, the detection of cellular bioluminescence at the knee joint persisted for up to 1 week. Intriguingly, intra-articular saline injection (placebo-IAt) resulted in a worse prognosis of OA when compared to a non-invasive control (placebo-IVt) without joint injection. The systemic cytokines/chemokines profile exhibited a time-dependent variation between transplant routes, displaying a transient anti-inflammatory systemic response for both MSCs-IVt and MSCs-IAt. A single injection of MSCs, whether administered via the intra-articular or intravenous route, performed 9 weeks after DMM surgery, did not effectively inhibit AC degeneration when compared to a non-invasive control.

Mapping the chemotactic landscape in NK cells reveals subset-specific synergistic migratory responses to dual chemokine receptor ligation

BACKGROUND

Natural killer (NK) cells have a unique capability of spontaneous cytotoxicity against malignant cells and hold promise for off-the-shelf cell therapy against cancer. One of the key challenges in the field is to improve NK cell homing to solid tumors.

METHODS

To gain a deeper understanding of the cellular mechanisms regulating trafficking of NK cells into the tumor, we used high-dimensional flow cytometry, mass cytometry, and single-cell RNA-sequencing combined with functional assays, creating a comprehensive map of human NK cell migration phenotypes.

FINDINGS

We found that the chemokine receptor repertoire of peripheral blood NK cells changes in a coordinated manner becoming progressively more diversified during NK cell differentiation and correlating tightly with the migratory response of the distinct NK cell subsets. Simultaneous ligation of CXCR1/2 and CX3CR1, synergistically potentiated the migratory response of NK cells. Analysis of 9471 solid cancers from publicly available TCGA/TARGET repositories revealed dominant chemokine patterns that varied across tumor types but with no tumor group expressing ligands for more than one chemokine receptor present on mature NK cells.

INTERPRETATION

The finding that chemokine stimulation can elicit a synergistic migratory response in NK cells combined with the identified lack of naturally occurring pairs of chemokines-chemokine receptors in human cancers may explain the systematic exclusion of NK cells from the tumor microenvironment and provides a basis for engineering next-generation NK cell therapies against malignancies.

FUNDING

The Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the National Science Centre, Poland, The Norwegian Cancer Society, the Norwegian Research Council, the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, The Swedish Cancer Society, the Swedish Children's Cancer Foundation, The Swedish Research Council, The Center of Excellence: Precision Immunotherapy Alliance, Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and National Cancer Institute.

The effect of the Litcubanine A on the treatment of murine experimental periodontitis by inhibiting monocyte-macrophage chemotaxis and osteoclast differentiation

BACKGROUND

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease of periodontal tissues that is closely connected with systemic diseases. During periodontitis, the inappropriate recruitment and activation of monocytes-macrophages causes an increase in osteoclast activity and disrupts bone homeostasis. Therefore, it is a promising therapeutic strategy to treat periodontitis by regulating the functions of monocytes-macrophages. Litcubanine A (LA) is an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Litsea cubeba, which was proven to have reproducible anti-inflammatory effects, but its regulatory role on bone homeostasis in periodontitis is still not clear.

METHODS

In this study, zebrafish experiments and a mouse ligature-induced periodontitis model were performed, and histological analysis was used to investigate the effect of LA on macrophage chemotaxis under the inflammatory environment. Real-time PCR was used to detect the regulatory effect of LA (100 nM ~ 100 μM) on the chemotaxis function of macrophages induced by LPS. Apoptosis assay and flow cytometry were used to elucidate the influence of LA on macrophage apoptosis and proliferation. To further clarify the regulatory role of LA on macrophage osteoclast differentiation, real-time PCR, histological analysis, western blot, and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) were performed in vivo and in vitro to verify the impact of LA on bone homeostasis.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the chemotaxis function of macrophage was significantly attenuated by LA in vivo. LA could significantly inhibit the expression of genes encoding the chemokine receptors Ccr1 and Cxcr4, and its ligand chemokine Cxcl12 in macrophages, and suppresses the differentiation of osteoclastic precursors to osteoclasts through the MAPK signaling pathway. There were significantly lower osteoclast differentiation and bone loss in the LA group compared with the control in the ligature-induced periodontitis model.

CONCLUSION

LA is a promising candidate for the treatment of periodontitis through its reproducible functions of inhibiting monocyte-macrophage chemotaxis and osteoclast differentiation.

Arthritic Microenvironment-Dictated Fate Decisions for Stem Cells in Cartilage Repair

The microenvironment and stem cell fate guidance of post-traumatic articular cartilage regeneration is primarily the focus of cartilage tissue engineering. In articular cartilage, stem cells are characterized by overlapping lineages and uneven effectiveness. Within the first 12 weeks after trauma, the articular inflammatory microenvironment (AIME) plays a decisive role in determining the fate of stem cells and cartilage. The development of fibrocartilage and osteophyte hyperplasia is an adverse outcome of chronic inflammation, which results from an imbalance in the AIME during the cartilage tissue repair process. In this review, the sources for the different types of stem cells and their fate are summarized. The main pathophysiological events that occur within the AIME as well as their protagonists are also discussed. Additionally, regulatory strategies that may guide the fate of stem cells within the AIME are proposed. Finally, strategies that provide insight into AIME pathophysiology are discussed and the design of new materials that match the post-traumatic progress of AIME pathophysiology in a spatial and temporal manner is guided. Thus, by regulating an appropriately modified inflammatory microenvironment, efficient stem cell-mediated tissue repair may be achieved.

CC chemokines and receptors in osteoarthritis: new insights and potential targets

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative disease accompanied by the activation of innate and adaptive immune systems-associated inflammatory responses. Due to the local inflammation, the expression of various cytokines was altered in affected joints, including CC motif chemokine ligands (CCLs) and their receptors (CCRs). As essential members of chemokines, CCLs and CCRs played an important role in the pathogenesis and treatment of OA. The bindings between CCLs and CCRs on the chondrocyte membrane promoted chondrocyte apoptosis and the release of multiple matrix-degrading enzymes, which resulted in cartilage degradation. In addition, CCLs and CCRs had chemoattractant functions to attract various immune cells to osteoarthritic joints, further leading to the aggravation of local inflammation. Furthermore, in the nerve endings of joints, CCLs and CCRs, along with several cellular factors, contributed to pain hypersensitivity by releasing neurotransmitters in the spinal cord. Given this family's diverse and complex functions, targeting the functional network of CCLs and CCRs is a promising strategy for the prognosis and treatment of OA in the future.

Characterization of Chemotaxis-Associated Gene Dysregulation in Myeloid Cell Populations in the Lungs during Lipopolysaccharide-Mediated Acute Lung Injury

During endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI), immune cell recruitment resulting from chemotaxis is mediated by CXC and CC chemokines and their receptors. In this study, we investigated the role of chemokines and their receptors in the regulation of myeloid cell populations in the circulation and the lungs of C57BL/6J mice exhibiting LPS-mediated ALI using single-cell RNA sequencing. During ALI, there was an increase in the myeloid cells, M1 macrophages, monocytes, neutrophils, and other granulocytes, whereas there was a decrease in the residential alveolar macrophages and M2 macrophages. Interestingly, LPS triggered the upregulation of CCL3, CCL4, CXCL2/3, and CXCL10 genes associated with cellular migration of various subsets of macrophages, neutrophils, and granulocytes. Furthermore, there was an increase in the frequency of myeloid cells expressing CCR1, CCR3, CCR5, and CXCR2 receptors during ALI. MicroRNA sequencing studies of vehicle versus LPS groups identified several dysregulated microRNAs targeting the upregulated chemokine genes. This study suggests that chemokine ligand-receptors interactions are responsible for myeloid cell heterogenicity and cellular recruitment to the lungs during ALI. The single-cell transcriptomics allowed for an in-depth assessment and characterization of myeloid cells involved in immune cell trafficking during ALI.

Immunophenotyping of Monocyte Migration Markers and Therapeutic Effects of Selenium on IL-6 and IL-1β Cytokine Axes of Blood Mononuclear Cells in Preoperative and Postoperative Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) is characterized by underlying chronic vascular inflammation and occlusion in the coronary arteries, where these patients undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Since post-cardiotomy inflammation is a well known phenomenon after CABG, attenuation of this inflammation is required to reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality. In this study, we aimed to phenotype circulating frequencies and intensities of monocyte subsets and monocyte migration markers, respectively, and to investigate the plasma level of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines between preoperative and postoperative CAD patients and later, to intervene the inflammation with sodium selenite. We found a higher amplitude of inflammation, postoperatively, in terms of CCR1high monocytes and significantly increased pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-1RA. Further, in vitro intervention with selenium displayed mitigating effects on the IL-6/STAT-3 axis of mononuclear cells derived from postoperative CAD patients. In addition, in vitro selenium intervention significantly reduced IL-1β production as well as decreased cleaved caspase-1 (p20) activity by preoperative (when stimulated) as well as postoperative CAD mononuclear cells. Though TNF-α exhibited a positive correlation with blood troponin levels in postoperative CAD patients, there was no obvious effect of selenium on the TNF-α/NF-κB axis. In conclusion, anti-inflammatory selenium might be utilized to impede systemic inflammatory cytokine axes to circumvent aggravating atherosclerosis and further damage to the autologous bypass grafts during the post-surgical period.

Soluble and EV-Associated Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Knee Osteoarthritis Pathology and Detection

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative disease of the connective tissue of the human musculoskeletal system. Despite its widespread prevalence, there are many limitations in its diagnosis and treatment. OA diagnosis currently relies on the presence of clinical symptoms, sometimes accompanied by changes in joint X-rays or MRIs. Biomarkers help not only to diagnose early disease progression but also to understand the process of OA in many ways. In this article, we briefly summarize information on articular joints and joint tissues, the pathogenesis of OA and review the literature about biomarkers in the field of OA, specifically inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, proteins, miRNA, and metabolic biomarkers found in the blood, synovial fluid and in extracellular vesicles.

Electroacupuncture activated local sympathetic noradrenergic signaling to relieve synovitis and referred pain behaviors in knee osteoarthritis rats

Introduction

Recent research has focused on the local control of articular inflammation through neuronal stimulation to avoid the systemic side effects of conventional pharmacological therapies. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been proven to be useful for inflammation suppressing and pain reduction in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients, yet its mechanism remains unclear.

Methods

In the present study, the KOA model was established using the intra-articular injection of sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA) (1 mg/50 μL) into the knee cavity. EA was delivered at the ipsilateral ST36-GB34 acupoints. Hind paw weight-bearing and withdrawl thresholds were measured. On day 9, the histology, dep enrichment proteins, cytokines contents, immune cell population of the synovial membrane of the affected limbs were measured using HE staining, Masson staining, DIA quantitative proteomic analysis, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence staining, ELISA, and Western Blot. The ultrastructure of the saphenous nerve of the affected limb was observed using transmission electron microscopy on the 14th day after modeling.

Results

The result demonstrated that EA intervention during the midterm phase of the articular inflammation alleviated inflammatory pain behaviors and cartilage damage, but not during the early phase. Mid-term EA suppressed the levels of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in the synovium on day 9 after MIA by elevating the level of sympathetic neurotransmitters Norepinephrine (NE) in the synovium but not systemic NE or systemic adrenaline. Selective blocking of the sympathetic function (6-OHDA) and β2-adrenergic receptor (ICI 118,551) prevented the anti-inflammatory effects of EA. EA-induced increment of the NE in the synovium inhibited the CXCL1-CXCR2 dependent overexpression of IL-6 in the synovial macrophages in a β2-adrenergic receptor (AR)-mediated manner.

Discussion

These results revealed that EA activated sympathetic noradrenergic signaling to control local inflammation in KOA rats and contributed to the development of novel therapeutic neurostimulation strategies for inflammatory diseases.

Neuromodulation as a Potential Disease-Modifying Therapy for Osteoarthritis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The following review discusses the therapeutic potential of targeting the autonomic nervous system (ANS) for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment and encourages the field to consider the candidacy of bioelectronic medicine as a novel OA treatment strategy.

RECENT FINDINGS

The study of OA pathogenesis has focused on changes occurring at the joint level. As such, treatments for OA have been aimed at the local joint environment, intending to resolve local inflammation and decrease pain. However, OA pathogenesis has shown to be more than joint wear and tear. Specifically, OA-related peripheral and central sensitization can prompt neuroplastic changes in the nervous system beyond the articular joint. These neuroplastic changes may alter physiologic systems, like the neuroimmune axis. In this way, OA and related comorbidities may share roots in the form of altered neuroimmune communication and autonomic dysfunction. ANS modulation may be able to modify OA pathogenesis or reduce the impact of OA comorbidities. Moreover, blocking chronic nociceptive drive from the joint may help to prevent maladaptive nervous system plasticity in OA.

m6A regulator-mediated methylation modification patterns and immune microenvironment infiltration characterization in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease in orthopedics. RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) exerts an essential effect in a variety of biological processes in the eukaryotes. In this study, we determined the effect of m6A regulators in the OA along with performing the subtype classification. Differential analysis of OA and normal samples in the database of Gene Expression Omnibus identified 9 significantly differentially expressed m6A regulators. These regulators were monitored by a random forest algorithm so as to evaluate the risk of developing OA disease. On the basis of these 9 moderators, a nomogram was established. The results of decision curve analysis suggested that the patients could benefit from a nomogram model. The OA sample was classified as 2 m6A models through a consensus clustering algorithm in accordance with these 9 regulators. These 2 m6A patterns were then assessed with principal component analysis. We also determined the m6A scores for the 2 m6A patterns and their correlation with immune infiltration. The results indicated that type A had a higher m6A score than type B. Thus, we suggest that the m6A pattern may provide a new approach for diagnose and provide novel ideas for molecular targeted therapy of OA.

Platelet signaling at the nexus of innate immunity and rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovial tissues and progressive destruction of bone and cartilage. The inflammatory response and subsequent tissue degradation are orchestrated by complex signaling networks between immune cells and their products in the blood, vascular endothelia and the connective tissue cells residing in the joints. Platelets are recognized as immune-competent cells with an important role in chronic inflammatory diseases such as RA. Here we review the specific aspects of platelet function relevant to arthritic disease, including current knowledge of the molecular crosstalk between platelets and other innate immune cells that modulate RA pathogenesis.

Molecular basis of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant evasion from shared neutralizing antibody response

A detailed understanding of the molecular features of the neutralizing epitopes developed by viral escape mutants is important for predicting and developing vaccines or therapeutic antibodies against continuously emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Here, we report three human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) generated from COVID-19 recovered individuals during first wave of pandemic in India. These mAbs had publicly shared near germline gene usage and potently neutralized Alpha and Delta, but poorly neutralized Beta and completely failed to neutralize Omicron BA.1 SARS-CoV-2 variants. Structural analysis of these three mAbs in complex with trimeric spike protein showed that all three mAbs are involved in bivalent spike binding with two mAbs targeting class-1 and one targeting class-4 Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) epitope. Comparison of immunogenetic makeup, structure, and function of these three mAbs with our recently reported class-3 RBD binding mAb that potently neutralized all SARS-CoV-2 variants revealed precise antibody footprint, specific molecular interactions associated with the most potent multi-variant binding / neutralization efficacy. This knowledge has timely significance for understanding how a combination of certain mutations affect the binding or neutralization of an antibody and thus have implications for predicting structural features of emerging SARS-CoV-2 escape variants and to develop vaccines or therapeutic antibodies against these.

Activation of circulating monocytes by low-density lipoprotein-a risk factor for osteoarthritis?

Synovial macrophages are key mediators of OA pathology, and skewing of macrophage phenotype in favour of an M1-like phenotype is thought to underlie the chronicity of synovial inflammation in OA. Components of the metabolic syndrome (MetS), such as dyslipidaemia, can affect macrophage phenotype and function, which could explain the link between MetS and OA development. Recently published studies have provided novel insights into the different origins and heterogeneity of synovial macrophages. Considering these findings, we propose an important role for monocyte-derived macrophages in particular, as opposed to yolk-sac derived residential macrophages, in causing a pro-inflammatory phenotype shift. We will further explain how this can start even prior to synovial infiltration; in the circulation, monocytes can be trained by metabolic factors such as low-density lipoprotein to become extra responsive to chemokines and damage-associated molecular patterns. The concept of innate immune training has been widely studied and implicated in atherosclerosis pathology, but its involvement in OA remains uncharted territory. Finally, we evaluate the implications of these insights for targeted therapy directed to macrophages and metabolic factors.

Irradiated Tumor Cell-Derived Microparticles Prevent Lung Metastasis by Remodeling the Pulmonary Immune Microenvironment

PURPOSE

The majority of cancer-related deaths are attributed to metastasis rather than localized primary tumor progression. However, the factors that regulate the pre-metastatic niche (PMN) and metastasis have not yet been clearly elucidated. We investigated the antimetastatic effects of irradiated tumor cell-derived microparticles (RT-MPs) and highlighted the role of innate immune cells in PMN formation.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Mice were treated three times with isolated RT-MPs, followed by tumor cell injection via the tail vein. H&E staining was performed to assess the number of tumor nodules in the lungs, and in vivo luciferase-based noninvasive bioluminescence imaging was conducted to detected tumor burden. The mechanisms of RT-MPs mediated PMN formation was evaluated using flow cytometry, transwell assay, and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

RT-MPs inhibited tumor cell colonization in the lungs. Neutrophils phagocytosed RT-MPs and secreted CCL3 and CCL4, which induced monocytes chemotaxis and maturation into macrophages. RT-MPs promoted the transition of neutrophils and macrophages into antitumor phenotypes, hence inhibiting cancer cell colonization and proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

RT-MPs inhibited PMN formation and lung metastasis in a neutrophil- and macrophage-dependent but T cell-independent manner.

Role of chemokine systems in cancer and inflammatory diseases

Chemokines are a large family of small secreted proteins that have fundamental roles in organ development, normal physiology, and immune responses upon binding to their corresponding receptors. The primary functions of chemokines are to coordinate and recruit immune cells to and from tissues and to participate in regulating interactions between immune cells. In addition to the generally recognized antimicrobial immunity, the chemokine/chemokine receptor axis also exerts a tumorigenic function in many different cancer models and is involved in the formation of immunosuppressive and protective tumor microenvironment (TME), making them potential prognostic markers for various hematologic and solid tumors. In fact, apart from its vital role in tumors, almost all inflammatory diseases involve chemokines and their receptors in one way or another. Modulating the expression of chemokines and/or their corresponding receptors on tumor cells or immune cells provides the basis for the exploitation of new drugs for clinical evaluation in the treatment of related diseases. Here, we summarize recent advances of chemokine systems in protumor and antitumor immune responses and discuss the prevailing understanding of how the chemokine system operates in inflammatory diseases. In this review, we also emphatically highlight the complexity of the chemokine system and explore its potential to guide the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Novel Therapeutic Targeting of CCL3-CCR4 Axis Mediated Apoptotic Intesitnal Injury in Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Background

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the leading cause of neonatal gastrointestinal-related death, while the etiology and pathogenesis are poorly understood.

Methods

The levels of CCL3 in intestinal tissue from modeling mice and patients were measured and analyzed. HE staining, TUNEL, Annexin and FCM were used to assess pathological changes and apoptosis in intestinal tissue and epithelial cells. CCL3, CCR4, cytokines, tight junction protein ZO-1, apoptosis-related genes and ERK1/2-NF-κB signaling pathway were detected by ELISA, Q-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence.

Results

CCL3 levels in the intestinal tissue significantly elevated in patients with NEC and mouse models. Blockade of CCL3 significantly alleviated NEC-related intestinal tissue damage, while administration of recombinant CCL3 aggravated intestinal injury by exacerbating intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis in NEC mice. Importantly, CCR4 blockade reversed CCL3-mediated damage to intestinal tissue and intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis both in vivo and in vitro. Further mechanistic studies showed that CCL3 regulated apoptosis-related BAX/BCL-2 expression through the activation of the ERK1/2 and NF-κB pathways, which could be reversed by anti-CCR4 treatment. Furthermore, ERK1/2 inhibition reduced CCL3-mediated phosphorylation of NF-κB in IEC-6 cells, while inhibition of NF-κB had no obvious effect on ERK1/2 phosphorylation. As expected, inhibition of NF-κB regulated BAX/BCL-2 expression and alleviated CCL3-induced epithelial cell apoptosis. These results indicate that high expression of CCL3 in NEC lesions promotes intestinal epithelial apoptosis through the CCL3-CCR4-ERK1/2-NFκB-BAX/BCL2 signalling axis, thereby exacerbating NEC-related intestinal injury.

Conclusions

Our study represents an important conceptual advance that CCL3 may be one of the key culprits of intestinal tissue damage in NEC patients, and blocking either CCL3, CCR4, or NF-κB may represent a novel effective immunotherapy for NEC.

Micro-fragmented adipose tissue regulated the biological functions of osteoarthritis synoviocytes by upregulating MiR-92a-3p expression

Apart from the treatment potential of micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MF) in joint diseases, what's less clear is the mechanism of MF on Osteoarthritis (OA). Synoviocytes isolated from synovium tissues of 11 knee joint OA patients were identified and co-cultured with MF collected by Lipogems®. Cytokines and mRNA levels in synoviocytes were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell viability, apoptosis and apoptosis-related protein expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α)-activated synoviocytes were detected by cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry and western blot, respectively. The rescue experiments were conducted to verify the causal relationship of MF and miR-92a-3p. The relationship between miR-92a-3p and KLHL29 was verified by bioinformatics analysis, qRT-PCR, dual-luciferase reporter assay and western blot. OA synoviocytes were composed of synovial fibroblasts and synovial macrophages. After co-cultivation of synoviocytes and TNF-α, the levels of Interleukin (IL)-8 and hyaluronic acid (HA) appeared a few changes, and those of chemotactic cytokine ligand (CCL) 2, CCL3, CCL5 and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-9 were downregulated, while the levels of Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1, IL-10 and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) were up-regulated. Co-culture of MF and activated synoviocytes reversed the above-mentioned effects regulated by TNF-α and reduced the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors. However, miR-92a-3p inhibitor overturned the reversal. KLHL29 was the target gene of miR-92a-3p and its expression was suppressed in activated synoviocytes co-cultured with MF, which was reversed by down-regulated miR-92a-3p. Collectively, MF regulated the biological functions of OA synoviocytes by upregulating miR-92a-3p expression.

Gut permeability and osteoarthritis, towards a mechanistic understanding of the pathogenesis: a systematic review

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common condition affecting human joints. Along with mechanical and genetic factors, low-grade inflammation is increasingly supported as a causal factor in the development of OA. Gut microbiota and intestinal permeability, via the disruption of tight junction competency, are proposed to explain a gut-joint axis through the interaction with the host immune system. Since previous studies and methods have underestimated the role of the gut-joint axis in OA and have only focussed on the characterisation of microbiota phenotypes, this systematic review aims to appraise the current evidence concerning the influence of gut permeability in the pathogenesis of OA. We propose that the tight junction disruption may be due to an increase in zonulin activity as already demonstrated for many other chronic inflammatory disorders. After years of unreliable quantification, one study optimised the methodology, showing a positive validated correlation between plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS), obesity, joint inflammation, and OA severity. Chemokines show a prominent role in pain development. Our systematic review confirms preliminary evidence supporting a gut-joint axis in OA pathogenesis and progression. Being modifiable by several factors, the gut microbiota is a promising target for treatment. We propose a pathogenetic model in which dysbiosis is correlated to the bipartite graph of tight junctions and bacterially-produced products, aiming to direct future studies in the search of other bacterial products and tight junction disassembly regulators.KEY MESSAGESPrevious studies and methods have underestimated the impact of the gut-joint axis in osteoarthritis and have focussed on the characterisation of microbiota phenotypes rather than clear molecular mediators of disease.Gut dysbiosis is related to higher levels of bacterial toxins that elicit cartilage and synovium inflammatory pathways.Future research may benefit from focussing on both tight junctions and bacterially-produced products.

Basal and IL-1β enhanced chondrocyte chemotactic activity on monocytes are co-dependent on both IKKα and IKKβ NF-κB activating kinases

IKKα and IKKβ are essential kinases for activating NF-κB transcription factors that regulate cellular differentiation and inflammation. By virtue of their small size, chemokines support the crosstalk between cartilage and other joint compartments and contribute to immune cell chemotaxis in osteoarthritis (OA). Here we employed shRNA retroviruses to stably and efficiently ablate the expression of each IKK in primary OA chondrocytes to determine their individual contributions for monocyte chemotaxis in response to chondrocyte conditioned media. Both IKKα and IKKβ KDs blunted both the monocyte chemotactic potential and the protein levels of CCL2/MCP-1, the chemokine with the highest concentration and the strongest association with monocyte chemotaxis. These findings were mirrored by gene expression analysis indicating that the lowest levels of CCL2/MCP-1 and other monocyte-active chemokines were in IKKαKD cells under both basal and IL-1β stimulated conditions. We find that in their response to IL-1β stimulation IKKαKD primary OA chondrocytes have reduced levels of phosphorylated NFkappaB p65pSer536 and H3pSer10. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed co-localized p65 and H3pSer10 nuclear signals in agreement with our findings that IKKαKD effectively blunts their basal level and IL-1β dependent increases. Our results suggest that IKKα could be a novel OA disease target.

Impact of Isolation Procedures on the Development of a Preclinical Synovial Fibroblasts/Macrophages in an In Vitro Model of Osteoarthritis

Simple Summary

In vitro models able to represent osteoarthritis (OA) synovial tissue (ST) inflammation are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to characterize OA ST and to compare mechanical and enzymatic digestion procedures to find the one that better preserve the heterogeneity of the main OA synovial cell populations: fibroblasts and macrophages. We demonstrated that typical macrophage phenotypical markers, like CD68, CD80 and CD163, were higher expressed on cells isolated with mechanical than enzymatic procedure. Moreover, we found that typical cytokines of inflammatory macrophages (i.e., TNFα) and anti-inflammatory macrophages (i.e., IL10) were also higher on mechanically isolated cells. Synovial fibroblasts were well conserved in both procedures. The definition of an OA ST model in vitro that better preserve the heterogeneity of specific cell populations represents a prerequisite for defining the real effects of new cell therapies or drugs for OA treatment, and could contribute to the reduction or avoidance of animal models.

Abstract

There is a lack ofin vitromodels able to properly represent osteoarthritis (OA) synovial tissue (ST). We aimed to characterize OA ST and to investigate whether a mechanical or enzymatic digestion procedures influence synovial cell functional heterogeneity in vitro. Procedures using mechanical nondigested fragments (NDF), synovial digested fragments (SDF), and filtrated synovial digested cells (SDC) were compared. An immunophenotypic profile was performed to distinguish synovial fibroblasts (CD55, CD73, CD90, CD106), macrophages (CD14, CD68), M1-like (CD80, CD86), and M2-like (CD163, CD206) synovial macrophages. Pro-inflammatory (interleukin 6 IL6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), chemokine C-C motif ligand 3 (CCL3/MIP1α), C-X- motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10/IP10) and anti-inflammatory (interleukin 10 (IL10)), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1), C-C motif chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) cytokines were evaluated. CD68 and CD163 markers were higher in NDF and SDF compared to the SDC procedure, while CD80, CD86, and CD206 were higher only in NDF compared to the SDC procedure. Synovial fibroblast markers showed similar percentages. TNFα, CCL3/MIP1α, CXCL10/IP10, and CCL18 were higher in NDF compared to SDC, but not compared to SDF. IL10 and TGFβ1 were higher in NDF than SDC at the molecular level, while IL6 did not show differences among procedures. We demonstrated that NDF isolation procedures better preserved the heterogeneity of specific OA synovial populations (fibroblasts, macrophages), fostering their use for testing new cell therapies or drugs for OA, reducing or avoiding the use of animal models.

Anti-adipogenesis and metabolism-regulating effects of heat-inactivated Streptococcus thermophilus MN-ZLW-002

Metabolic syndrome and obesity have become serious threats to public health worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-adipogenesis and metabolism-regulating effects of heat-inactivated Streptococcus thermophilus MN-ZLW-002 (MN-ZLW-002), which can be used as a yogurt starter. In vitro study suggested that MN-ZLW-002 stimulated the RAW264.7 macrophages to produce significant amounts of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and induced intense phosphorylation of P38, p44/42 MAPK and nuclear factor κB. MN-ZLW-002-stimulated RAW264.7-conditioned medium (CM) notably suppressed the differentiation and adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. The 12-week in vivo study suggested that orally administered MN-ZLW-002 significantly reduced the weight gain of mice caused by the high-fat diet (HFD) at weeks 3-8; decreased fasting blood glucose levels at week 4 and week 8; decreased serum total triglyceride level at week 12. MN-ZLW-002 also reduced serum IL-1β and chemokine ligand 3 levels in the HFD-fed mice. These findings suggest that heat-inactivated MN-ZLW-002 can suppress adipocytes differentiation and lipid accumulation by regulating the immune response, possibly via the release of cytokines, particularly TNF-α; MN-ZLW-002 can improve metabolism-related indicators in the early stage of HFD intervention and regulate the related pro-inflammatory immune response.

Endogenous cell recruitment strategy for articular cartilage regeneration

In the absence of timely and proper treatments, injuries to articular cartilage (AC) can lead to cartilage degeneration and ultimately result in osteoarthritis. Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering techniques are emerging as promising approaches for AC regeneration and repair. Although the use of cell-seeded scaffolds prior to implantation can regenerate and repair cartilage lesions to some extent, these approaches are still restricted by limited cell sources, excessive costs, risks of disease transmission and complex manufacturing practices. Recently developed acellular scaffold approaches that rely on the recruitment of endogenous cells to the injured sites avoid these drawbacks and offer great promise for in situ AC regeneration. Multiple endogenous stem/progenitor cells (ESPCs) are found in joint-resident niches and have the capability to migrate to sites of injury to participate in AC regeneration. However, the natural recruitment of ESPCs is insufficient, and the local microenvironment is hostile after injury. Hence, an endogenous cell recruitment strategy based on the combination of chemoattractants and acellular scaffolds to effectively and specifically recruit ESPCs and improve local microenvironment may provide new insights into in situ AC regeneration. This review provides a brief overview of: (1) the status of endogenous cell recruitment strategy; (2) the subpopulations, potential migration routes (PMRs) of joint-resident ESPCs and their immunomodulatory and reparative effects; (3) chemoattractants and their potential adverse effects; (4) scaffold-based drug delivery systems (SDDSs) that are utilized for in situ AC regeneration; and (5) the challenges and future perspectives of endogenous cell recruitment strategy for AC regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Although the endogenous cell recruitment strategy for articular cartilage (AC) regeneration has been investigated for several decades, much work remains to be performed in this field. Future studies should have the following aims: (1) reporting the up-to-date progress in the endogenous cell recruitment strategies; (2) determining the subpopulations of ESPCs, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the migration of these cells and their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and reparative effects; (3) elucidating the chemoattractants that enhance ESPC recruitment and their potential adverse effects; and (4) developing advanced SDDSs for chemoattractant dispatch. Herein, we present a systematic overview of the aforementioned issues to provide a better understanding of endogenous cell recruitment strategies for AC regeneration and repair.