1
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Zhu J, Huang Z, Lin Y, Zhu W, Zeng B, Tang D. Intestinal-pulmonary axis: a 'Force For Good' against respiratory viral infections. Front Immunol 2025; 16:1534241. [PMID: 40170840 PMCID: PMC11959011 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1534241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2025] [Indexed: 04/03/2025] Open
Abstract
Respiratory viral infections are a major global public health concern, and current antiviral therapies still have limitations. In recent years, research has revealed significant similarities between the immune systems of the gut and lungs, which interact through the complex physiological network known as the "gut-lung axis." As one of the largest immune organs, the gut, along with the lungs, forms an inter-organ immune network, with strong parallels in innate immune mechanisms, such as the activation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Furthermore, the gut microbiota influences antiviral immune responses in the lungs through mechanisms such as systemic transport of gut microbiota-derived metabolites, immune cell migration, and cytokine regulation. Studies have shown that gut dysbiosis can exacerbate the severity of respiratory infections and may impact the efficacy of antiviral therapies. This review discusses the synergistic role of the gut-lung axis in antiviral immunity against respiratory viruses and explores potential strategies for modulating the gut microbiota to mitigate respiratory viral infections. Future research should focus on the immune mechanisms of the gut-lung axis to drive the development of novel clinical treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianing Zhu
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Zihang Huang
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Ying Lin
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Wenxu Zhu
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Binbin Zeng
- Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Dong Tang
- Department of General Surgery, Institute of General Surgery Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
- Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Yangzhou, China
- The Yangzhou Clinical Medical College of Xuzhou Medical University, Yangzhou, China
- The Yangzhou School of Clinical Medicine of Dalian Medical University, Yangzhou, China
- The Yangzhou School of Clinical Medicine of Nanjing Medical University, Yangzhou, China
- Northern Jiangsu People’s Hospital, Clinical Teaching Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Yangzhou, China
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2
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Owen AR, Farias A, Levins AM, Wang Z, Higham SL, Mack M, Tregoning JS, Johansson C. Exposure to bacterial PAMPs before RSV infection exacerbates innate inflammation and disease via IL-1α and TNF-α. Mucosal Immunol 2024; 17:1184-1198. [PMID: 39127259 PMCID: PMC11631774 DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2024.08.002] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause severe lower respiratory tract infections. Understanding why some individuals get more serious disease may help with diagnosis and treatment. One possible risk factor underlying severe disease is bacterial exposure before RSV infection. Bacterial exposure has been associated with increased respiratory viral-induced disease severity but the mechanism remains unknown. Respiratory bacterial infections or exposure to their pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) trigger innate immune inflammation, characterised by neutrophil and inflammatory monocyte recruitment and the production of inflammatory cytokines. We hypothesise that these changes to the lung environment alter the immune response and disease severity during subsequent RSV infection. To test this, we intranasally exposed mice to LPS, LTA or Acinetobacter baumannii (an airway bacterial pathogen) before RSV infection and observed an early induction of disease, measured by weight loss, at days 1-3 after infection. Neutrophils or inflammatory monocytes were not responsible for driving this exacerbated weight loss. Instead, exacerbated disease was associated with increased IL-1α and TNF-α, which orchestrated the recruitment of innate immune cells into the lung. This study shows that exposure to bacterial PAMPs prior to RSV infection increases the expression of IL-1α and TNF-α, which dysregulate the immune response resulting in exacerbated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber R Owen
- Respiratory Infections, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Farias
- Respiratory Infections, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Anne-Marie Levins
- Respiratory Infections, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Ziyin Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie L Higham
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias Mack
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - John S Tregoning
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Cecilia Johansson
- Respiratory Infections, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, United Kingdom.
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3
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Zhang RR, Yang XY, Yang YL, Guo TK, Huang JS, Yang YS, Shi CW, Yang GL, Huang HB, Wang JZ, Jiang YL, Cao X, Wang N, Zeng Y, Yang WT, Wang CF. TLR3/TRIF and MAVS Signaling Is Essential in Regulating Mucosal T Cell Responses during Rotavirus Infection. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2024; 213:1008-1022. [PMID: 39194407 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2300867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The functions of the natural dsRNA sensors TLR3 (TRIF) and RIG-I (MAVS) are crucial during viral challenge and have not been accurately clarified in adaptive immune responses to rotavirus (RV) infection. In this study, we found that RV infection caused severe pathological damage to the small intestine of TLR3-/- and TRIF-/- mice. Our data found that dendritic cells from TLR3-/- and TRIF-/- mice had impaired Ag presentation to the RV and attenuated initiation of T cells upon viral infection. These attenuated functions resulted in impaired CD4+ T and CD8+ T function in mice lacking TLR3-TRIF signaling postinfection. Additionally, attenuated proliferative capacity of T cells from TLR3-/- and TRIF-/- mice was observed. Subsequently, we observed a significant reduction in the absolute number of memory T cells in the spleen and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) of TRIF-/- recipient mice following RV infection in a bone marrow chimeric model. Furthermore, there was reduced migration of type 2 classical dendritic cells from the intestine to MLNs after RV infection in TLR3-/- and TRIF-/- mice. Notably, RV infection resulted in attenuated killing of spleen and MLN tissues in TRIF-/- and MAVS-/- mice. Finally, we demonstrated that RV infection promoted apoptosis of CD8+ T cells in TRIF-/- and TLR3-/-MAVS-/- mice. Taken together, our findings highlight an important mechanism of TLR3 signaling through TRIF in mucosal T cell responses to RV and lay the foundation for the development of a novel vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong-Rong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Xue-Yao Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Yong-Lei Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Tian-Kui Guo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Jing-Shu Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Ying-Shi Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Chun-Wei Shi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Gui-Lian Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Hai-Bin Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Jian-Zhong Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Yan-Long Jiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Xin Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Nan Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Yan Zeng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Wen-Tao Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Chun-Feng Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Microecology and Healthy Breeding, Engineering Research Center of Microecological Vaccines (Drugs) for Major Animal Diseases, Ministry of Education, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
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4
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Zhang Y, Wang Q, Mackay CR, Ng LG, Kwok I. Neutrophil subsets and their differential roles in viral respiratory diseases. J Leukoc Biol 2022; 111:1159-1173. [PMID: 35040189 PMCID: PMC9015493 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.1mr1221-345r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils play significant roles in immune homeostasis and as neutralizers of microbial infections. Recent evidence further suggests heterogeneity of neutrophil developmental and activation states that exert specialized effector functions during inflammatory disease conditions. Neutrophils can play multiple roles during viral infections, secreting inflammatory mediators and cytokines that contribute significantly to host defense and pathogenicity. However, their roles in viral immunity are not well understood. In this review, we present an overview of neutrophil heterogeneity and its impact on the course and severity of viral respiratory infectious diseases. We focus on the evidence demonstrating the crucial roles neutrophils play in the immune response toward respiratory infections, using influenza as a model. We further extend the understanding of neutrophil function with the studies pertaining to COVID-19 disease and its neutrophil-associated pathologies. Finally, we discuss the relevance of these results for future therapeutic options through targeting and regulating neutrophil-specific responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuning Zhang
- Department of ResearchNational Skin CentreSingaporeSingapore
| | - Quanbo Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong Analysis and Test CenterQilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)JinanChina
| | - Charles R Mackay
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shandong Analysis and Test CenterQilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences)JinanChina
- Department of Microbiology, Infection and Immunity ProgramBiomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Lai Guan Ng
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN)A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research)BiopolisSingapore
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental HematologyInstitute of Hematology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical CollegeTianjinChina
- School of Biological SciencesNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyImmunology Translational Research Program, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Immunology Program, Life Sciences Institute, National University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- National Cancer Centre SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Immanuel Kwok
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN)A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research)BiopolisSingapore
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5
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Varese A, Nakawesi J, Farias A, Kirsebom FCM, Paulsen M, Nuriev R, Johansson C. Type I interferons and MAVS signaling are necessary for tissue resident memory CD8+ T cell responses to RSV infection. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010272. [PMID: 35108347 PMCID: PMC8843175 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia in young children and the elderly. Lack of vaccines and recurrence of RSV infection indicate the difficulty in eliciting protective memory immune responses. Tissue resident memory T cells (TRM) can confer protection from pathogen re-infection and, in human experimental RSV infection, the presence of lung CD8+ TRM cells correlates with a better outcome. However, the requirements for generating and maintaining lung TRM cells during RSV infection are not fully understood. Here, we use mouse models to assess the impact of innate immune response determinants in the generation and subsequent expansion of the TRM cell pool during RSV infection. We show that CD8+ TRM cells expand independently from systemic CD8+ T cells after RSV re-infection. Re-infected MAVS and MyD88/TRIF deficient mice, lacking key components involved in innate immune recognition of RSV and induction of type I interferons (IFN-α/β), display impaired expansion of CD8+ TRM cells and reduction in antigen specific production of granzyme B and IFN-γ. IFN-α treatment of MAVS deficient mice during primary RSV infection restored TRM cell expansion upon re-challenge but failed to recover TRM cell functionality. Our data reveal how innate immunity, including the axis controlling type I IFN induction, instructs and regulates CD8+ TRM cell responses to RSV infection, suggesting possible mechanisms for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augusto Varese
- Respiratory Infections Section, St Mary’s campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joy Nakawesi
- Respiratory Infections Section, St Mary’s campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ana Farias
- Respiratory Infections Section, St Mary’s campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Freja C. M. Kirsebom
- Respiratory Infections Section, St Mary’s campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle Paulsen
- Respiratory Infections Section, St Mary’s campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rinat Nuriev
- Respiratory Infections Section, St Mary’s campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cecilia Johansson
- Respiratory Infections Section, St Mary’s campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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6
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Johansson C, Kirsebom FCM. Neutrophils in respiratory viral infections. Mucosal Immunol 2021; 14:815-827. [PMID: 33758367 PMCID: PMC7985581 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-021-00397-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Viral respiratory infections are a common cause of severe disease, especially in infants, people who are immunocompromised, and in the elderly. Neutrophils, an important innate immune cell, infiltrate the lungs rapidly after an inflammatory insult. The most well-characterized effector mechanisms by which neutrophils contribute to host defense are largely extracellular and the involvement of neutrophils in protection from numerous bacterial and fungal infections is well established. However, the role of neutrophils in responses to viruses, which replicate intracellularly, has been less studied. It remains unclear whether and, by which underlying immunological mechanisms, neutrophils contribute to viral control or confer protection against an intracellular pathogen. Furthermore, neutrophils need to be tightly regulated to avoid bystander damage to host tissues. This is especially relevant in the lung where damage to delicate alveolar structures can compromise gas exchange with life-threatening consequences. It is inherently less clear how neutrophils can contribute to host immunity to viruses without causing immunopathology and/or exacerbating disease severity. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current understanding of how neutrophils in the lung direct immune responses to viruses, control viral replication and spread, and cause pathology during respiratory viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Johansson
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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7
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Makris S, Johansson C. R848 or influenza virus can induce potent innate immune responses in the lungs of neonatal mice. Mucosal Immunol 2021; 14:267-276. [PMID: 32576926 PMCID: PMC7116567 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-020-0314-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Innate immune responses are important to protect the neonatal lung, which becomes exposed to commensal and pathogenic microorganisms immediately after birth, at a time when both the lung and the adaptive immune system are still developing. How immune cells in the neonatal lung respond to innate immune stimuli, including toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists, or viruses, is currently unclear. To address this, adult and neonatal mice were intranasally administered with various innate immune stimuli, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or influenza virus and cytokine and chemokine levels were quantified. The neonatal lungs responded weakly to RSV and most stimuli but more strongly than adult mice to R848 and influenza virus, both of which activate TLR7 and the inflammasome. Notably, neonatal lungs also contained higher levels of cAMP, a secondary messenger produced following adenosine receptor signaling, than adult lungs and increased responsiveness to R848 was observed in adult mice when adenosine was coadministered. Our data suggest that the neonatal lung may respond preferentially to stimuli that coactivate TLR7 and the inflammasome and that these responses may be amplified by extracellular adenosine. Improved understanding of regulation of immune responses in the neonatal lung can inform the development of vaccine adjuvants for the young.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridon Makris
- Correspondence: Cecilia Johansson (), Tel.: +44 207 594 2531
| | - Cecilia Johansson
- Section of Respiratory Infections, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, UK
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8
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Engin AB, Engin ED, Engin A. The effect of environmental pollution on immune evasion checkpoints of SARS-CoV-2. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 81:103520. [PMID: 33132153 PMCID: PMC7580701 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Many diverse strategies allow and facilitate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to evade antiviral innate immune mechanisms. Although the type I interferon (IFN) system has a critical role in restricting the dissemination of viral infection, suppression of IFN receptor signals by SARS-CoV-2 constitutes a checkpoint that plays an important role in the immune escape of the virus. Environmental pollution not only facilitates SARS-CoV-2 infection but also increases infection-associated fatality risk, which arises due to Systemic Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor (AhR) Activation Syndrome. The intracellular accumulation of endogenous kynurenic acid due to overexpression of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) by AhR activation induces AhR-interleukin-6 (IL-6)-signal transducers and activators of the transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway. The AhR-IDO1-Kynurenine pathway is an important checkpoint, which leads to fatal consequences in SARS-CoV-2 infection and immune evasion in the context of Treg/Th17 imbalance and cytokine storm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Basak Engin
- Gazi University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Toxicology, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Evren Doruk Engin
- Ankara University, Biotechnology Institute, Gumusdere Campus, Kecioren, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Atilla Engin
- Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of General Surgery, Ankara, Turkey
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9
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Paulsen M, Varese A, Pinpathomrat N, Kirsebom FCM, Paulsen M, Johansson C. MAVS Deficiency Is Associated With a Reduced T Cell Response Upon Secondary RSV Infection in Mice. Front Immunol 2020; 11:572747. [PMID: 33123150 PMCID: PMC7573121 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.572747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Infections with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) occurs repeatedly throughout life because sustained, protective memory responses fail to develop. Why this occurs is not known. During RSV infection the recognition of the virus via the cytosolic RIG-I like receptors and signaling via the adaptor protein MAVS is crucial for mounting an innate immune response. However, if this signaling pathway is important for T cell responses during primary infection and during re-infection is not fully elucidated. We describe a second peak of pro-inflammatory mediators during the primary immune response to RSV that coincides with the arrival of T cells into the lung. This second peak of cytokines/chemokines is regulated differently than the early peak and is largely independent of signaling via MAVS. This was concurrent with Mavs−/− mice mounting a strong T cell response to primary RSV infection, with robust IFN-γ; and Granzyme B production. However, after RSV re-infection, Mavs−/− mice showed fewer CD4+ and CD8+ short term memory T cells and their capacity to produce IFN-γ; and Granzyme B, was decreased. In sum, cytosolic recognition of RSV is important not only for initiating innate anti-viral responses but also for generating or maintaining efficient, short term T cell memory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Paulsen
- Respiratory Infections Section, St Mary's Campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Augusto Varese
- Respiratory Infections Section, St Mary's Campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nawamin Pinpathomrat
- Respiratory Infections Section, St Mary's Campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Freja C M Kirsebom
- Respiratory Infections Section, St Mary's Campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Malte Paulsen
- Respiratory Infections Section, St Mary's Campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cecilia Johansson
- Respiratory Infections Section, St Mary's Campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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10
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Kazimirskii AN, Salmasi JM, Poryadin GV. Antiviral system of innate immunity: COVID-19 pathogenesis and treatment. BULLETIN OF RUSSIAN STATE MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.24075/brsmu.2020.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Antiviral system of innate immunity includes two main components: the mitochondrial antiviral sensor — the mitochondrial outer membrane protein and peripheral blood neutrophils capable of forming neutrophilic extracellular traps. Depending on the activation pathway of the mitochondrial antiviral sensor (MAVS), two possible variants of cells death, apoptosis or cellular degeneration with necrotic changes, develop during cell infection with an RNA-containing virus. The development of virus-induced apoptosis of infected cells causes the formation of neutrophilic extracellular traps, the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, ROS generation, tissue damage, hemocoagulation and the development of an acute inflammatory process with the development of COVID-19 pneumonia. Violation of the prion-like reaction of MAVS in response to viral infection of the cell triggers an alternative pathway for activating autophagy. Cells under conditions of prolonged activation of autophagy experience necrotic changes and are eliminated from the organism by monocytes/macrophages that secrete anti-inflammatory cytokines. This type of reaction of the antiviral system of innate immunity corresponds to the asymptomatic course of the disease. From the most significant aspects of the pathogenesis of the coronavirus infection COVID-19 given, recommendations for the prophylactic treatment of this dangerous disease follow. The proposed treatment can significantly decrease the severity of COVID-19 disease and reduce mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- AN Kazimirskii
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University. Moscow, Russia
| | - JM Salmasi
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University. Moscow, Russia
| | - GV Poryadin
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University. Moscow, Russia
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11
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Kirsebom F, Michalaki C, Agueda-Oyarzabal M, Johansson C. Neutrophils do not impact viral load or the peak of disease severity during RSV infection. Sci Rep 2020; 10:1110. [PMID: 31980667 PMCID: PMC6981203 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-57969-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung and airway neutrophils are a hallmark of severe disease in infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced lower respiratory tract infections. Despite their abundance in the lungs during RSV infection of both mice and man, the role of neutrophils in viral control and in immune pathology is not clear. Here, antibody mediated neutrophil depletion was used to investigate the degree to which neutrophils impact the lung immune environment, the control of viral replication and the peak severity of disease after RSV infection of mice. Neutrophil depletion did not substantially affect the levels of inflammatory mediators such as type I interferons, IL-6, TNF-α or IL-1β in response to RSV. In addition, the lack of neutrophils did not change the viral load during RSV infection. Neither neutrophil depletion nor the enhancement of lung neutrophils by administration of the chemoattractant CXCL1 during RSV infection affected disease severity as measured by weight loss. Therefore, in this model of RSV infection, lung neutrophils do not offer obvious benefits to the host in terms of increasing anti-viral inflammatory responses or restricting viral replication and neutrophils do not contribute to disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freja Kirsebom
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Cecilia Johansson
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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12
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Contribution of Dendritic Cells in Protective Immunity against Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection. Viruses 2020; 12:v12010102. [PMID: 31952261 PMCID: PMC7020095 DOI: 10.3390/v12010102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of severe respiratory disease in infants and the elderly. The socioeconomic burden of RSV infection is substantial because it leads to serious respiratory problems, subsequent hospitalization, and mortality. Despite its clinical significance, a safe and effective vaccine is not yet available to prevent RSV infection. Upon RSV infection, lung dendritic cells (DCs) detecting pathogens migrate to the lymph nodes and activate the adaptive immune response. Therefore, RSV has evolved various immunomodulatory strategies to inhibit DC function. Due to the capacity of RSV to modulate defense mechanisms in hosts, RSV infection results in inappropriate activation of immune responses resulting in immunopathology and frequent reinfection throughout life. This review discusses how DCs recognize invading RSV and induce adaptive immune responses, as well as the regulatory mechanisms mediated by RSV to disrupt DC functions and ultimately avoid host defenses.
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Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause severe lower respiratory tract infections especially in infants, immunocompromised individuals and the elderly and is the most common cause of infant hospitalisation in the developed world. The immune responses against RSV are crucial for viral control and clearance but, if dysregulated, can also result in immunopathology and impaired gas exchange. Lung immunity to RSV and other respiratory viruses begins with the recruitment of immune cells from the bloodstream into the lungs. This inflammatory process is controlled largely by chemokines, which are small proteins that are produced in response to innate immune detection of the virus or the infection process. These chemokines serve as chemoattractants for granulocytes, monocytes, lymphocytes and other leukocytes. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the field of RSV infection and disease, focusing on how chemokines regulate virus-induced inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rinat Nuriev
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK.,I. Mechnikov Research Institute for Vaccines and Sera, Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - Cecilia Johansson
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
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14
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Carvajal JJ, Avellaneda AM, Salazar-Ardiles C, Maya JE, Kalergis AM, Lay MK. Host Components Contributing to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Pathogenesis. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2152. [PMID: 31572372 PMCID: PMC6753334 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most prevalent viral etiological agent of acute respiratory tract infection. Although RSV affects people of all ages, the disease is more severe in infants and causes significant morbidity and hospitalization in young children and in the elderly. Host factors, including an immature immune system in infants, low lymphocyte levels in patients under 5 years old, and low levels of RSV-specific neutralizing antibodies in the blood of adults over 65 years of age, can explain the high susceptibility to RSV infection in these populations. Other host factors that correlate with severe RSV disease include high concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukins (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and thymic stromal lymphopoitein (TSLP), which are produced in the respiratory tract of RSV-infected individuals, accompanied by a strong neutrophil response. In addition, data from studies of RSV infections in humans and in animal models revealed that this virus suppresses adaptive immune responses that could eliminate it from the respiratory tract. Here, we examine host factors that contribute to RSV pathogenesis based on an exhaustive review of in vitro infection in humans and in animal models to provide insights into the design of vaccines and therapeutic tools that could prevent diseases caused by RSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonatan J. Carvajal
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Andrea M. Avellaneda
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Camila Salazar-Ardiles
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Jorge E. Maya
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
| | - Alexis M. Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Margarita K. Lay
- Departamento de Biotecnología, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Antofagasta, Chile
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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15
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Tamtaji OR, Mobini M, Reiter RJ, Azami A, Gholami MS, Asemi Z. Melatonin, a toll-like receptor inhibitor: Current status and future perspectives. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:7788-7795. [PMID: 30387141 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are crucial activators of inflammatory responses, they are considered immune receptors. TLRs are of fundamental importance in the pathophysiology of disorders related to inflammation including neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Melatonin is a beneficial agent in the treatment of inflammatory and immune disorders. Melatonin is potent anti-inflammatory hormone that regulates various molecular pathways. Withal, limited studies have evaluated the inhibitory role of melatonin on TLRs. This review summarizes the current knowledge related to the effects of melatonin on TLRs in some common inflammatory and immunity disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omid Reza Tamtaji
- Halal Research Center of IRI, FDA, Tehran, Iran.,Physiology Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Moein Mobini
- Kinesiology Department, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Russel J Reiter
- Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Abolfazl Azami
- Anatomical Sciences Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Saeed Gholami
- Skull Base Research Center, Hazrat Rasoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Student Research Committee, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zatollah Asemi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
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Cotton rat lung transcriptome reveals host immune response to Respiratory Syncytial Virus infection. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11318. [PMID: 30054492 PMCID: PMC6063970 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29374-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute respiratory infection (ARI) with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of both hospitalizations and mortality in young infants worldwide. Repeat infections with RSV are common throughout life in both pediatric and elderly populations. Thus far, cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) are found to be the best animal model to study RSV infection. However, the lack of a cotton rat reference genome limits genome-wide host gene expression studies. We constructed the first lung tissue de novo transcriptome for the cotton rat. Cotton rat lung tissue transcripts were assigned to 12,211 unique UniProt genes, which were then utilized to profile the host immune response after RSV infection. Differential expression analysis showed up-regulation of host genes involved in cellular functions including defense responses to viral infection and immune system processes. A number of transcripts were downregulated during the later stage of infection. A set of transcripts unique to RSV-infected cotton rats was identified. To validate RNA-Seq data of three such transcripts (TR453762, TR529629, and TR5333), their expression was confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.
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17
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Ascough S, Paterson S, Chiu C. Induction and Subversion of Human Protective Immunity: Contrasting Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Front Immunol 2018; 9:323. [PMID: 29552008 PMCID: PMC5840263 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2017] [Accepted: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza are among the most important causes of severe respiratory disease worldwide. Despite the clinical need, barriers to developing reliably effective vaccines against these viruses have remained firmly in place for decades. Overcoming these hurdles requires better understanding of human immunity and the strategies by which these pathogens evade it. Although superficially similar, the virology and host response to RSV and influenza are strikingly distinct. Influenza induces robust strain-specific immunity following natural infection, although protection by current vaccines is short-lived. In contrast, even strain-specific protection is incomplete after RSV and there are currently no licensed RSV vaccines. Although animal models have been critical for developing a fundamental understanding of antiviral immunity, extrapolating to human disease has been problematic. It is only with recent translational advances (such as controlled human infection models and high-dimensional technologies) that the mechanisms responsible for differences in protection against RSV compared to influenza have begun to be elucidated in the human context. Influenza infection elicits high-affinity IgA in the respiratory tract and virus-specific IgG, which correlates with protection. Long-lived influenza-specific T cells have also been shown to ameliorate disease. This robust immunity promotes rapid emergence of antigenic variants leading to immune escape. RSV differs markedly, as reinfection with similar strains occurs despite natural infection inducing high levels of antibody against conserved antigens. The immunomodulatory mechanisms of RSV are thus highly effective in inhibiting long-term protection, with disturbance of type I interferon signaling, antigen presentation and chemokine-induced inflammation possibly all contributing. These lead to widespread effects on adaptive immunity with impaired B cell memory and reduced T cell generation and functionality. Here, we discuss the differences in clinical outcome and immune response following influenza and RSV. Specifically, we focus on differences in their recognition by innate immunity; the strategies used by each virus to evade these early immune responses; and effects across the innate-adaptive interface that may prevent long-lived memory generation. Thus, by comparing these globally important pathogens, we highlight mechanisms by which optimal antiviral immunity may be better induced and discuss the potential for these insights to inform novel vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Ascough
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanna Paterson
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Chiu
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Immunity, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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18
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Jia R, Lu L, Liang X, Sun Z, Tan L, Xu M, Su L, Xu J. Poly(U) and CpG ameliorate the unbalanced T cell immunity and pneumonia of mice with RSV vaccine-enhanced disease. Biosci Trends 2017; 11:450-459. [PMID: 28652534 DOI: 10.5582/bst.2017.01119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory Syncycial Virus (RSV) is the most important pathogen responsible for children's severe lower respiratory tract infection. So far no RSV vaccine has yet been authorized for clinical use. The main impediment that blocked development of RSV vaccine is that inactivated RSV vaccine could cause RSV vaccine-enhanced disease (RVED). The mechanism of RVED remains unclear. Recently some researchers found that insufficient activation of innate immunity, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), might be associated with the onset of RVED. Based on the above findings, this research was conducted to further study the mechanism of RVED. We first vaccinated mice with formalin-inactivated RSV vaccine (FIRSV) and then exposed them to RSV to establish a RVED mouse model. Consequently, we found that mice previously inoculated with FIRSV showed obvious weight loss and extensive pneumonia, as well as T helper 2 cells (Th2)-biased immunity and suppressed CD8+T cell immunity after viral exposure, suggesting that we have successfully established a RVED mouse model. Then based on this model, we further added Poly(U) (TLR7/8 agonist) and CpG (TLR9 agonist) in FIRSV to see if RVED could be ameliorated. As a result, mice inoculated with FIRSV supplemented with Poly(U) and CpG had a much relieved weight loss and pneumonia, as well as suppressed Th2-biased immunity and strengthened CD8+T cell function. Thus, the insufficient stimulation of TLR7/8 and (or) TLR9 might play a role in the development of RVED, which could provide evidence for using TLR agonists as vaccine adjuvants to confer a protective immune response against RSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Jia
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Fudan University
| | - Lu Lu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University
| | - Xiaozhen Liang
- Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences
| | - Zhiwu Sun
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University
| | - Lingbing Tan
- Institut Pasteur of Shanghai, Chinese Academy of Sciences
| | - Menghua Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Fudan University
| | - Liyun Su
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Fudan University
| | - Jin Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Children's Hospital of Fudan University
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19
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Openshaw PJ, Chiu C, Culley FJ, Johansson C. Protective and Harmful Immunity to RSV Infection. Annu Rev Immunol 2017; 35:501-532. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-051116-052206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter J.M. Openshaw
- Respiratory Infections, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Chiu
- Respiratory Infections, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona J. Culley
- Respiratory Infections, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Cecilia Johansson
- Respiratory Infections, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
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20
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Luo H, Winkelmann E, Xie G, Fang R, Peng BH, Li L, Lazear HM, Paessler S, Diamond MS, Gale M, Barrett AD, Wang T. MAVS Is Essential for Primary CD4 + T Cell Immunity but Not for Recall T Cell Responses following an Attenuated West Nile Virus Infection. J Virol 2017; 91:e02097-16. [PMID: 28077630 PMCID: PMC5331791 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02097-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of pathogen recognition receptor (PRR) agonists and the molecular mechanisms involved have been the major focus of research in individual vaccine development. West Nile virus (WNV) nonstructural (NS) 4B-P38G mutant has several features for an ideal vaccine candidate, including significantly reduced neuroinvasiveness, induction of strong adaptive immunity, and protection of mice from wild-type (WT) WNV infection. Here, we determined the role of mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS), the adaptor protein for RIG-I-like receptor in regulating host immunity against the NS4B-P38G vaccine. We found that Mavs-/- mice were more susceptible to NS4B-P38G priming than WT mice. Mavs-/- mice had a transiently reduced production of antiviral cytokines and an impaired CD4+ T cell response in peripheral organs. However, antibody and CD8+ T cell responses were minimally affected. NS4B-P38G induced lower type I interferon (IFN), IFN-stimulating gene, and proinflammatory cytokine responses in Mavs-/- dendritic cells and subsequently compromised the antigen-presenting capacity for CD4+ T cells. Interestingly, Mavs-/- mice surviving NS4B-P38G priming were all protected from a lethal WT WNV challenge. NS4B-P38G-primed Mavs-/- mice exhibited equivalent levels of protective CD4+ T cell recall response, a modestly reduced WNV-specific IgM production, but more robust CD8+ T cell recall response. Taken together, our results suggest that MAVS is essential for boosting optimal primary CD4+ T cell responses upon NS4B-P38G vaccination and yet is dispensable for host protection and recall T cell responses during secondary WT WNV infection.IMPORTANCE The production of innate cytokines induced by the recognition of pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) via their cognate ligands are critical for enhancing antigen-presenting cell functions and influencing T cell responses during microbial infection. The use of PRR agonists and the underlying molecular mechanisms have been the major focus in individual vaccine development. Here, we determined the role of mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS), the adaptor protein for RIG-I like receptor in regulating host immunity against the live attenuated West Nile virus (WNV) vaccine strain, the nonstructural (NS) 4B-P38G mutant. We found that MAVS is important for boosting optimal primary CD4+ T cell response during NS4B-P38G vaccination. However, MAVS is dispensable for memory T cell development and host protection during secondary wild-type WNV infection. Overall, these results may be utilized as a paradigm to aid in the rational development of other efficacious live attenuated flavivirus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanle Luo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Evandro Winkelmann
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Guorui Xie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Rong Fang
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Bi-Hung Peng
- Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Li Li
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Helen M Lazear
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Slobodan Paessler
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Michael Gale
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Alan D Barrett
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Tian Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
- Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
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Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of upper respiratory tract infection in children and adults. However, infection with this virus sometimes leads to severe lower respiratory disease and is the major cause of infant hospitalisations in the developed world. Several risk factors such as baby prematurity and congenital heart disease are known to predispose towards severe disease but previously healthy, full-term infants can also develop bronchiolitis and viral pneumonia during RSV infection. The causes of severe disease are not fully understood but may include dysregulation of the immune response to the virus, resulting in excessive recruitment and activation of innate and adaptive immune cells that can cause damage. This review highlights recent discoveries on the balancing act of immune-mediated virus clearance versus immunopathology during RSV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Johansson
- Respiratory Infections Section, St Mary's campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, W2 1PG, UK
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22
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Makris S, Bajorek M, Culley FJ, Goritzka M, Johansson C. Alveolar Macrophages Can Control Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in the Absence of Type I Interferons. J Innate Immun 2016; 8:452-63. [PMID: 27423203 PMCID: PMC5322584 DOI: 10.1159/000446824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of lower respiratory tract infections. Immunity to RSV is initiated upon detection of the virus by pattern recognition receptors, such as RIG-I-like receptors. RIG-I-like receptors signal via MAVS to induce the synthesis of proinflammatory mediators, including type I interferons (IFNs), which trigger and shape antiviral responses and protect cells from infection. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) are amongst the first cells to encounter invading viruses and the ones producing type I IFNs. However, it is unclear whether IFNs act to prevent AMs from serving as vehicles for viral replication. In this study, primary AMs from MAVS (Mavs-/-)- or type I IFN receptor (Ifnar1-/-)-deficient mice were exposed to RSV ex vivo. Wild-type (wt) AMs but not Mavs-/- and Ifnar1-/- AMs produced inflammatory mediators in response to RSV. Furthermore, Mavs-/- and Ifnar1-/- AMs accumulated more RSV proteins than wt AMs, but the infection was abortive. Thus, RIG-I-like receptor-MAVS and IFNAR signalling are important for the induction of proinflammatory mediators from AMs upon RSV infection, but this signalling is not central for controlling viral replication. The ability to restrict viral replication makes AMs ideal sensors of RSV infection and important initiators of immune responses in the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spyridon Makris
- Respiratory Infections Section, St. Mary's Campus, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
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