Quantitative proteome profiling of CNS-infiltrating autoreactive CD4+ cells reveals selective changes during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

S100A4 promotes experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by impacting microglial inflammation through TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerating autoimmune disease with no clinical cure currently. The calcium-binding protein S100A4 has been demonstrated to exert regulatory roles in inflammatory disorders including MS. However, the precise mechanisms by which S100A4 regulates neuroinflammation in MS remains unknown. To investigate the regulatory effect of S100A4 on microglial inflammation and its impact on neuroinflammation, the mouse-derived microglia cell line BV2 cells were infected with lentivirus to knockout S100A4 for in vitro studies. Wild-type (WT) and S100A4-/- mice were induced to develop experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, for in vivo investigation. Results indicated that the frequencies of microglia in the spinal cord and brain and the expression of S100A4 in these tissues varied kinetically along with the progression of the disease in mice with EAE. S100A4-/- mice presented ameliorated clinical scores of EAE and exhibited less severe EAE signs, including inflammatory cell infiltration in the spinal cord and brain and demyelination of the spinal cord. Moreover, these mice demonstrated overall reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines in the spinal cord and brain. Compromised systematic inflammatory responses including circulating cytokines and frequencies of immune cells in the spleen were also observed in these mice. In addition, both exogenous and endogenous S100A4 could promote the microglial inflammation, affect the polarization of microglia and enhance inflamed microglia-mediated apoptosis of neuronal cells through TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Thus, S100A4 may participate in the regulation of neuroinflammation at least partly through regulating the inflammation of microglia.

The roles of microglia and astrocytes in phagocytosis and myelination: Insights from the cuprizone model of multiple sclerosis

In human demyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), an imbalance between demyelination and remyelination can trigger progressive degenerative processes. The clearance of myelin debris (phagocytosis) from the site of demyelination by microglia is critically important to achieve adequate remyelination and to slow the progression of the disease. However, how microglia phagocytose the myelin debris, and why clearance is impaired in MS, is not fully known; likewise, the role of the microglia in remyelination remains unclear. Recent studies using cuprizone (CPZ) as an animal model of central nervous system demyelination revealed that the up‐regulation of signaling proteins in microglia facilitates effective phagocytosis of myelin debris. Moreover, during demyelination, protective mediators are released from activated microglia, resulting in the acceleration of remyelination in the CPZ model. In contrast, inadequate microglial activation or recruitment to the site of demyelination, and the production of toxic mediators, impairs remyelination resulting in progressive demyelination. In addition to the microglia‐mediated phagocytosis, astrocytes play an important role in the phagocytic process by recruiting microglia to the site of demyelination and producing regenerative mediators. The current review is an update of these emerging findings from the CPZ animal model, discussing the roles of microglia and astrocytes in phagocytosis and myelination.

Calculus-related functional protein expression in ureteral calculus-adhered polyp: A preliminary study

To explore the expressions of calculus-related functional proteins in the ureteral calculus-adhered polyp tissues and investigate the role of these proteins in the formation of adhesions between the calculus and polyp.Patients with ureteral calculi and polyps who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy for the excision of polyps between January 2019 and June 2019 were enrolled. Polyps obtained from each patient were divided into 2 groups using a matched pairs design: observation group (polyps adhered to calculus) and control group (polyps not adhered to calculus). Histopathological examination of polyps was performed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Polyp tissues were immunohistochemically stained to assess the expressions of calculus-related functional proteins, that is, annexin A1, calcium-binding protein S100A9 (S100A9), uromodulin, and osteopontin. Furthermore, quantitative analysis was performed using the H-score of tissue staining; Pearson correlation analysis was performed for proteins with high expression.Overall, 40 polyp specimens were collected from 20 patients with ureteral calculi combined with polyps (observation group, 20 specimens; control group, 20 specimens). Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed obvious epithelial cell proliferation in polyps of both groups; crystals were observed in the epithelial cells of the polyp tissue in the observation group. The expression levels of annexin A1 and S100A9 in the observation group were significantly greater than those in the control group (P < .05). However, no obvious expression of osteopontin or uromodulin was observed in the polyp tissues of both groups. There was a strong correlation between the increased expressions of annexin A1 and S100A9 in the observation group (R = 0.741, P = .022).We documented increased expressions of annexin A1 and S100A9 in the ureteral calculus-adhered polyp tissues. Annexin A1 and S100A9 may play an essential role in the adhesion of calculus and polyp and the growth of calculi.

S100A4 in the Physiology and Pathology of the Central and Peripheral Nervous System

S100A4 is a member of the large family of S100 proteins, exerting a broad range of intracellular and extracellular functions that vary upon different cellular contexts. While S100A4 has long been implicated mainly in tumorigenesis and metastatization, mounting evidence shows that S100A4 is a key player in promoting pro-inflammatory phenotypes and organ pro-fibrotic pathways in the liver, kidney, lung, heart, tendons, and synovial tissues. Regarding the nervous system, there is still limited information concerning S100A4 presence and function. It was observed that S100A4 exerts physiological roles contributing to neurogenesis, cellular motility and chemotaxis, cell differentiation, and cell-to cell communication. Furthermore, S100A4 is likely to participate to numerous pathological processes of the nervous system by affecting the functions of astrocytes, microglia, infiltrating cells and neurons and thereby modulating inflammation and immune reactions, fibrosis as well as neuronal plasticity and survival. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge concerning the localization, deregulation, and possible functions of S100A4 in the physiology of the central and peripheral nervous system. Furthermore, we highlight S100A4 as a gene involved in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders such as brain tumors, neurodegenerative diseases, and acute injuries.

CSF SERPINA3 Levels Are Elevated in Patients With Progressive MS

Objective

To identify biomarkers associated with progressive phases of MS and with neuroprotective potential.

Methods

Combined analysis of the transcriptional and proteomic profiles obtained in CNS tissue during chronic progressive phases of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) with the transcriptional profile obtained during the differentiation of murine neural stem cells into neurons. Candidate biomarkers were measured by ELISA in the CSF of 65 patients with MS (29 with relapsing-remitting MS [RRMS], 20 with secondary progressive MS, and 16 with primary progressive MS [PPMS]) and 30 noninflammatory neurologic controls (NINCs).

Results

Integrative analysis of gene and protein expression data identified 2 biomarkers, the serine protease inhibitor Serpina3n and the calcium-binding protein S100A4, which were upregulated in chronic progressive EAE and whose expression was induced during neuronal differentiation. Immunofluorescence studies revealed a primarily neuronal expression of S100A4 and Serpina3n during EAE. CSF levels of SERPINA3, the human ortholog of murine Serpina3n, and S100A4 were increased in patients with MS compared with NINCs (SERPINA3: 1,320 vs 838.6 ng/mL, p = 0.0001; S100A4: 1.6 vs 0.8 ng/mL, p = 0.02). Within the MS group, CSF SERPINA3 levels were significantly elevated in patients with progressive forms, mainly patients with PPMS compared with patients with RRMS (1,617 vs 1,129 ng/mL, p = 0.02) and NINCs (1,617 vs 838.6 ng/mL, p = 0.0001). Of interest, CSF SERPINA3 levels significantly correlated with CSF neurofilament light chain levels only in the PPMS group (r = 0.62, p = 0.01).

Conclusion

These results point to a role of SERPINA3 as a biomarker associated with the progressive forms of MS, particularly PPMS.

Suppression of the Peripheral Immune System Limits the Central Immune Response Following Cuprizone-Feeding: Relevance to Modelling Multiple Sclerosis

Cuprizone (CPZ) preferentially affects oligodendrocytes (OLG), resulting in demyelination. To investigate whether central oligodendrocytosis and gliosis triggered an adaptive immune response, the impact of combining a standard (0.2%) or low (0.1%) dose of ingested CPZ with disruption of the blood brain barrier (BBB), using pertussis toxin (PT), was assessed in mice. 0.2% CPZ(±PT) for 5 weeks produced oligodendrocytosis, demyelination and gliosis plus marked splenic atrophy (37%) and reduced levels of CD4 (44%) and CD8 (61%). Conversely, 0.1% CPZ(±PT) produced a similar oligodendrocytosis, demyelination and gliosis but a smaller reduction in splenic CD4 (11%) and CD8 (14%) levels and no splenic atrophy. Long-term feeding of 0.1% CPZ(±PT) for 12 weeks produced similar reductions in CD4 (27%) and CD8 (43%), as well as splenic atrophy (33%), as seen with 0.2% CPZ(±PT) for 5 weeks. Collectively, these results suggest that 0.1% CPZ for 5 weeks may be a more promising model to study the ‘inside-out’ theory of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, neither CD4 nor CD8 were detected in the brain in CPZ±PT groups, indicating that CPZ-mediated suppression of peripheral immune organs is a major impediment to studying the ‘inside-out’ role of the adaptive immune system in this model over long time periods. Notably, CPZ(±PT)-feeding induced changes in the brain proteome related to the suppression of immune function, cellular metabolism, synaptic function and cellular structure/organization, indicating that demyelinating conditions, such as MS, can be initiated in the absence of adaptive immune system involvement.

Interleukin-27 Gene Therapy Prevents the Development of Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis but Fails to Attenuate Established Inflammation due to the Expansion of CD11b+Gr-1+ Myeloid Cells

Interleukin-27 (IL-27) and its subunit P28 (also known as IL-30) have been shown to inhibit autoimmunity and have been suggested as potential immunotherapeutic for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS). However, the potential of IL-27 and IL-30 as immunotherapeutic, and their mechanisms of action have not been fully understood. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of adeno-associated viral vector (AAV)-delivered IL-27 (AAV-IL-27) and IL-30 (AAV-IL-30) in a murine model of MS. We found that one single administration of AAV-IL-27, but not AAV-IL-30 completely blocked the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). AAV-IL-27 administration reduced the frequencies of Th17, Treg, and GM-CSF-producing CD4+ T cells and induced T cell expression of IFN-γ, IL-10, and PD-L1. However, experiments involving IL-10-deficient mice and PD-1 blockade revealed that AAV-IL-27-induced IL-10 and PD-L1 expression were not required for the prevention of EAE development. Surprisingly, neither AAV-IL-27 nor AAV-IL-30 treatment inhibited EAE development and Th17 responses when given at disease onset. We found that mice with established EAE had significant expansion of CD11b+Gr-1+ cells, and AAV-IL-27 treatment further expanded these cells and induced their expression of Th17-promoting cytokines such as IL-6. Adoptive transfer of AAV-IL-27-expanded CD11b+Gr-1+ cells enhanced EAE development. Thus, expansion of CD11b+Gr-1+ cells provides an explanation for the resistance to IL-27 therapy in mice with established disease.

Deficiency in Calcium-Binding Protein S100A4 Impairs the Adjuvant Action of Cholera Toxin

The calcium-binding protein S100A4 has been described to promote pathological inflammation in experimental autoimmune and inflammatory disorders and in allergy and to contribute to antigen presentation and antibody response after parenteral immunization with an alum-adjuvanted antigen. In this study, we extend these findings by demonstrating that mice lacking S100A4 have a defective humoral and cellular immune response to mucosal (sublingual) immunization with a model protein antigen [ovalbumin (OVA)] given together with the strong mucosal adjuvant cholera toxin (CT), and that this impairment is due to defective adjuvant-stimulated antigen presentation by antigen-presenting cells. In comparison to wild-type (WT) mice, mice genetically lacking S100A4 had reduced humoral and cellular immune responses after immunization with OVA plus CT, including a complete lack of detectable germinal center reaction. Further, when stimulated in vitro with OVA plus CT, S100A4^−/− dendritic cells (DCs) showed impaired responses in several CT-stimulated immune regulatory molecules including the co-stimulatory molecule CD86, inflammasome-associated caspase-1 and IL-1β. Coculture of OVA-specific OT-II T cells with S100A4^−/− DCs that had been pulse incubated with OVA plus CT resulted in impaired OT-II T cell proliferation and reduced production of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines compared to similar cocultures with WT DCs. In accordance with these findings, transfection of WT DCs with S100A4-targeting small interfering RNA (siRNA) but not mock-siRNA resulted in significant reductions in the expression of caspase-1 and IL-1β as well as CD86 in response to CT. Importantly, also engraftment of WT DCs into S100A4^−/− mice effectively restored the immune response to immunization in the recipients. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that deficiency in S100A4 has a strong impact on the development of both humoral and cellular immunity after mucosal immunization using CT as adjuvant.

IL-17 induced NOTCH1 activation in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells enhances proliferation and inflammatory gene expression

NOTCH1 signalling contributes to defective remyelination by impairing differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). Here we report that IL-17 stimulation induces NOTCH1 activation in OPCs, contributing to Th17-mediated demyelinating disease. Mechanistically, IL-17R interacts with NOTCH1 via the extracellular domain, which facilitates the cleavage of NOTHC1 intracellular domain (NICD1). IL-17-induced NOTCH1 activation results in the interaction of IL-17R adaptor Act1 with NICD1, followed by the translocation of the Act1-NICD1 complex into the nucleus. Act1-NICD1 are recruited to the promoters of several NOTCH1 target genes (including STEAP4, a metalloreductase important for inflammation and cell proliferation) that are specifically induced in the spinal cord by Th17 cells. A decoy peptide disrupting the IL-17RA-NOTCH1 interaction inhibits IL-17-induced NOTCH1 activation and attenuates Th17-mediated experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE). Taken together, these findings demonstrate critical crosstalk between the IL-17 and NOTCH1 pathway, regulating Th17-induced inflammatory and proliferative genes to promote demyelinating disease.

A Scalable and Facile Process for the Preparation of N-(Pyridin-4-yl) Piperazine-1-Carboxamide Hydrochloride

A scalable and facile synthetic process for N-(pyridin-4-yl)piperazine-1-carboxamide hydrochloride, a novel Rho kinase inhibitor with an unsymmetrical urea structure currently under investigation for the treatment of central nervous system disorders, was established. After optimisation of the reaction conditions, N-(pyridin-4-yl)piperazine-1-carboxamide hydrochloride was synthesised from 4-aminopyridine and N,N′-carbonyldiimidazole through acylation, deprotection and salt formation. This new procedure affords the product in 53% overall yield with high purity and it can be easily scaled up for production.

Functional profile of S100A4-deficient T cells

The protein S100A4 is best known for its significant role in promoting motility and invasive capacity of cancer cells. Since S100A4 expression has been reported also in T cells, we analyzed its potential role in T cell motility and inflammation. Using S100a4(+/Gfp) mice, we show here that S100A4 is exclusively expressed by memory T cells of CD4(+) or CD8(+) subpopulations, predominantly of the effector memory T cell subtype. However, the protein was not required for in vitro memory T cell migration toward gradients of the inflammatory chemokine CXCL10. Moreover, T cell memory response was normal in S100A4-deficient mice and lack of S100a4 gene expression did not induce any defect in promoting the development of protective immunity or inflammatory reactions leading to autoimmunity. Taken together, our results demonstrate that S100A4 activity is dispensable for T cell motility/migration and inflammatory potential.