B7-H3 participates in the development of Asthma by augmentation of the inflammatory response independent of TLR2 pathway

Predictive value of plasma sB7-H3 and YKL-40 in pediatric refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia

Objective

This study investigated the clinical significance of plasma sB7-H3 and YKL-40 levels in children with refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP).

Methods

A total of 182 RMPP patients (103 general Mycoplasma pneumoniae patients and 79 RMPP patients) were included. sB7-H3, YKL-40, and other inflammatory factors were measured. Independent factors associated with the early diagnosis of RMPP were determined. The value of each independent risk factor in predicting RMPP was evaluated.

Results

The RMPP group reported significantly longer hospital stays and total fever durations. Levels of C-reactive protein, D-dimer, IL-13, IL-6/-10, sB7-H3, and YKL-40 were higher in the RMPP group. sB7-H3 was positively correlated with IL-13, IL-6, and IL-4, whereas YKL-40 was positively correlated with all of the above indicators (IL-5 was also included). sB7-H3 and YKL-40 were independent risk factors for RMPP. The critical values for sB7-H3 and YKL-40 were 3.525 and 313.3 ng/mL, respectively. sB7-H3 and YKL-40 had areas under the curve of 0.734 and 0.859, respectively. YKL-40 had high sensitivity and specificity of 88.61 and 87.38%, respectively. Both indicators had predictive value, YKL-40 had the highest predictive ability for RMPP.

Conclusion

Detection of sB7-H3 and YKL-40 levels in the plasma may be useful in diagnosing RMPP early in the disease process.

The Impact of Laparoscopic Appendectomy and Open Appendectomy on B7-H3-Mediated Intrinsic Immune Response in Children with Acute Suppurative Appendicitis

Purpose

Surgery impairs immune function and increases postoperative complications. B7H3, a co-stimulatory molecule, plays a crucial role in immune regulation. The present study examined the impact of B7H3 on the postoperative immune response in children with acute suppurative appendicitis (ASA) by comparing preoperative and postoperative B7H3 levels in laparoscopic surgery (LA) and open appendectomy (OA).

Patients and Methods

198 pediatric ASA patients were enrolled. The researcher group performed LA, while the control group performed OA. Perioperative time, recovery time of gastrointestinal function, time to pass gas, length of incision, and length of hospitalization were compared in the perioperative period. Additionally, an ELISA assay was conducted to examine the levels of inflammatory factors and B7H3 and CD28. Short-term postoperative complications were also evaluated.

Results

Compared with the control group, the research group had a short operative time, gastrointestinal function recovery time, gas time, and hospitalization time. The short-term complication rate was significantly lower in the research group. More importantly, B7H3 and CD28 were insignificantly different preoperatively, but they were all reduced postoperatively. Moreover, the reduction was more pronounced in the research group. The same results were noted in inflammatory factors and immune markers, which were non-significant different preoperatively and were typically reduced postoperatively, particularly in the research group. Finally, postoperative B7H3 was positively correlated with both inflammatory factors and immune cell levels.

Conclusion

B7H3 was reduced in both postoperative periods, and the reduction was more pronounced in the LA group. B7H3 may be involved in postoperative recovery by modulating postoperative inflammation and immune responses.

Particulate matter-induced metabolic recoding of epigenetics in macrophages drives pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of illnesses associated with unresolved inflammation in response to toxic environmental stimuli. Persistent exposure to PM is a major risk factor for COPD, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Using our established mouse model of PM-induced COPD, we find that repeated PM exposure provokes macrophage-centered chronic inflammation and COPD development. Mechanistically, chronic PM exposure induces transcriptional downregulation of HAAO, KMO, KYNU, and QPRT in macrophages, which are the enzymes of de novo NAD+ synthesis pathway (kynurenine pathway; KP), via elevated chromatin binding of the CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) near the transcriptional regulatory regions of the enzymes. Subsequent reduction of NAD+ and SIRT1 function increases histone acetylation, resulting in elevated expression of pro-inflammatory genes in PM-exposed macrophages. Activation of SIRT1 by nutraceutical resveratrol mitigated PM-induced chronic inflammation and COPD development. In agreement, increased levels of histone acetylation and decreased expression of KP enzymes were observed in pulmonary macrophages of COPD patients. We newly provide an evidence that dysregulated NAD+ metabolism and consecutive SIRT1 deficiency significantly contribute to the pathological activation of macrophages during PM-mediated COPD pathogenesis. Additionally, targeting PM-induced intertwined metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming in macrophages is an effective strategy for COPD treatment.

Non-covalent binding of whey protein isolate after ultrasound pretreatment to epigallocatechin gallate: Effects on immune response and gut microbiota in BALB/c mice

Cow's milk is one of the "big eight" most common allergenic foods, and β-lactoglobulin and α-Lactalbumin in whey protein are two major allergens of cow's milk protein. An effective strategy for reducing the allergenicity of whey protein is needed. In the present study, protein-EGCG complexes were obtained through non-covalent interactions between untreated or sonicated whey protein isolate (WPI) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and the allergenicity of complexes was assessed in vivo. The results showed that SWPI-EGCG complex possesses low allergenicity in BALB/c mice. As compared with untreated WPI, SWPI-EGCG complex had less effect on the body weight and organ indexes. Moreover, SWPI-EGCG complex could alleviate the WPI induced allergic reactions and intestinal damage of mice by decreasing the secretion of IgE, IgG, histamine, mMCP-1, modulating the balance of Th1/Th2 and Treg/Th17 response, and increasing the diversity of intestinal flora and the relative abundances of probiotic bacteria. These findings indicate that the interaction of sonicated WPI with EGCG could reduce the allergenicity of WPI, which could provide a new strategy for reducing food allergenicity.

miRNAs as Modern Biomarkers in Asthma Therapy

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing. For several decades (approximately 30 years), miRNAs and their role in asthma have been of constant interest among scientists. These small, non-coding RNA fragments, 18-25 nucleotides long, regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level by binding to the target mRNA. In this way, they affect several biological processes, e.g., shaping airway structures, producing cytokines and immune mediators, and controlling defense mechanisms. Publications confirm their potential role in the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease, but only some articles address the use of miRNAs in the treatment of asthma. The following paper reviews the latest available studies and presents miRNAs as a useful tool for predicting the effectiveness of the included treatment, early diagnosis of exacerbations, and in assessing patient compliance for different groups of drugs used in asthma. The latest known pathways underlying the pathogenesis of the disease, which are associated with a change in miRNA expression, may be precise targets of therapeutic activity in the future.

mTORC1 upregulates B7-H3/CD276 to inhibit antitumor T cells and drive tumor immune evasion

Identifying the mechanisms underlying the regulation of immune checkpoint molecules and the therapeutic impact of targeting them in cancer is critical. Here we show that high expression of the immune checkpoint B7-H3 (CD276) and high mTORC1 activity correlate with immunosuppressive phenotypes and worse clinical outcomes in 11,060 TCGA human tumors. We find that mTORC1 upregulates B7-H3 expression via direct phosphorylation of the transcription factor YY2 by p70 S6 kinase. Inhibition of B7-H3 suppresses mTORC1-hyperactive tumor growth via an immune-mediated mechanism involving increased T-cell activity and IFN-γ responses coupled with increased tumor cell expression of MHC-II. CITE-seq reveals strikingly increased cytotoxic CD38+CD39+CD4+ T cells in B7-H3-deficient tumors. In pan-human cancers, a high cytotoxic CD38+CD39+CD4+ T-cell gene signature correlates with better clinical prognosis. These results show that mTORC1-hyperactivity, present in many human tumors including tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), drives B7-H3 expression leading to suppression of cytotoxic CD4+ T cells.

Novel Functional eQTL-SNPs Associated With Susceptibility to Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Children

Background

The functional causal single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with susceptibility to Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia (MPP) have scarcely been identified. In this study, we aimed to analyze the association between the functional expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL)-SNPs and the risk of MPP.

Methods

First, we identified reported genes associated with MPP from the human disease database, MalaCards. After investigating multiple databases, we systematically selected seven functional eQTL-SNPs (rs2070874, rs360720, rs8032531, rs4316, rs4353, rs7258241, and rs2250656). Finally, the selected eQTL-SNPs were genotyped using the TaqMan genotyping technology, and compared between 100 children with MPP and 178 healthy controls.

Results

We found that three eQTL-SNPs (rs8032531 in CD276 and rs4316 and rs4353 in ACE) were significantly associated with susceptibility to MPP. Joint analysis of the three eQTL-SNPs revealed that the risk of MPP increased with an increase in the number of risk alleles present. Plasma protein expression levels of CD276 and ACE were distinctively higher in children with MPP than in healthy children (CD276: P < 0.001; ACE: P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Functional eQTL-SNPs in CD276 and ACE may affect the susceptibility to MPP. The risk of developing MPP is higher in patients harboring a greater number of unfavorable alleles of the aforementioned SNPs.

B7H3 expression and significance in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

The clinical significance of B7H3 (CD276) and its cleavage product soluble B7H3 (sB7H3) in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is unknown. Mounting evidence suggests the potential utility of peripheral blood myeloid cell enumeration to predict disease outcome and indicate active lung disease. Here we hypothesized that sB7H3 is involved in regulation of circulating myeloid cells in pulmonary fibrosis. In support of this possibility, both plasma sB7H3 and B7H3+ cells were elevated in IPF patient blood samples, which correlated negatively with lung function. To analyze its function, the effects of sB7H3 on naïve or bleomycin-treated mice were examined. The results revealed that sB7H3 injection induced an influx of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and Ccl2 expression in lung tissue of naïve mice, accompanied by enhanced overall inflammation. Additionally, sB7H3 caused accumulation of MDSCs in bone marrow with increased expression of inflammatory cytokines. Notably, in vitro assays revealed chemotaxis of MDSCs to sB7H3, which was dependent on TLT-2 (TREML2), a putative receptor for sB7H3. Thus, increased circulating sB7H3 and/or B7H3+ cells in IPF patient blood samples correlated with lung function decline and potential immunosuppressive status. The correlation of sB7H3 with deterioration of lung function might be due to its ability to enhance inflammation and recruitment of MDSCs into the lung and their expansion in the bone marrow, and thus potentially contribute to IPF exacerbation. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

MiR-29b regulates Th2 cell differentiation in asthma by targeting inducible B7-H3 and STAT3

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs play an important role in T cell responses. However, how microRNAs regulate Th cells in asthma remains poorly defined.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we investigated the mechanism and pathways of miR-29b regulating Th cells in asthma, in order to find new targets for asthma.

METHODS

We detected miR-29b, B7-H3 and STAT3 in the peripheral blood of children with asthma, explored the relationship between these molecules and their effects on T cells through in vitro cell culture, and verified it by animal model.

RESULTS

MiR-29b levels were decreased in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from children with asthma. Vitro studies found that the expression of miR-29b in macrophages was decreased and the expression of B7-H3 and STAT3 was increased after house dust mite (HDM) stimulation. After down-regulation of miR-29b in macrophages, the expressions of B7-H3 and STAT3 in macrophages were increased and T cells differentiate into Th2 cells. After the addition of B7-H3 or STAT3 antibodies, the differentiation of naive T cells into Th2 cells was reduced. In OVA induced mice asthmatic model, after the up-regulation of miR-29b in lung, the expression of B7-H3 and STAT3 decreased in the lung tissues of mice, and the expression of Th2 cells and type II cytokine decreased simultaneously. The pathological changes of lung tissues were also alleviated.

CONCLUSION

The expression of miR-29b is decreased in asthmatic children. MiR-29b can inhibit Th2 cell differentiation by inhibiting B7-H3 and STAT3 pathways at the same time, and reduce asthmatic immune inflammation.

Fibronectin enhances tumor metastasis through B7-H3 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma

B7 homolog 3 (B7-H3) plays an important role in tumor biology, but the molecular mechanism underlying the role of B7-H3 in tumor metastasis remains unclear. In this article, our analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database suggested that B7-H3 expression is associated with poor prognosis of patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). B7-H3 knockdown affected the expression of metastasis-related genes and significantly suppressed the metastasis of ccRCC cells, but it had no significant effect on the proliferation of ccRCC cells. Database analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between B7-H3 and fibronectin (FN) in ccRCC cells, and further study also confirmed that FN interacts with B7-H3. Silencing FN expression inhibited the migration and invasion of ccRCC cells, whereas exogenous FN promoted the migration and invasion of ccRCC cells, which was accompanied by activation of kinases [namely, phosphorylated (p)-phosphoinositide 3-kinase, p-protein kinase B, p-p38 and p-extracellular regulated protein kinase]. B7-H3 knockdown abolished the prometastatic effect of FN. In conclusion, our data suggest that B7-H3 binds to exogenous FN and promotes the metastasis of ccRCC cells.

B7-H3 Immune Checkpoint Protein in Human Cancer

B7-H3 belongs to the B7 family of immune checkpoint proteins, which are important regulators of the adaptive immune response and emerging key players in human cancer. B7-H3 is a transmembrane protein expressed on the surface of tumor cells, antigen presenting cells, natural killer cells, tumor endothelial cells, but can also be present in intra- and extracellular vesicles. Additionally, B7-H3 may be present as a circulating soluble isoform in serum and other body fluids. B7-H3 is overexpressed in a variety of tumor types, in correlation with poor prognosis. B7-H3 is a promising new immunotherapy target for anti-cancer immune response, as well as a potential biomarker. Besides its immunoregulatory role, B7-H3 has intrinsic pro-tumorigenic activities related to enhanced cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, metastatic capacity and anti-cancer drug resistance. B7-H3 has also been found to regulate key metabolic enzymes, promoting the high glycolytic capacity of cancer cells. B7-H3 receptors are still not identified, and little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying B7-H3 functions. Here, we review the current knowledge on the involvement of B7-H3 in human cancer.

Evaluation of the role of B7-H3 haplotype in association with impaired B7-H3 expression and protection against type 1 diabetes in Chinese Han population

BACKGROUND

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disorder caused by the destruction of insulin-secreting cells. B7-H3 (CD276) plays a vital role in T cell response. However, B7-H3 expression and its clinical significance in T1D remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations between the expression of B7-H3 and clinical parameters in T1D patients. The possible role of B7-H3 gene variants with T1D was also discussed.

METHODS

Four B7-H3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in 121 T1D patients and 120 healthy controls by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) direct sequencing. Expression of membrane B7-H3 (mB7-H3) in peripheral blood lymphocytes was determined by flow cytometry. Levels of soluble B7-H3 (sB7-H3) in serum were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

The B7-H3 haplotype T-A-C-T was less frequently observed in T1D patients compared to the controls (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.16-0.61). B7-H3 expression on monocytes showed significant upregulation in T1D patients and was positively correlated with several clinical features including ALT, fast C-peptide 120 min, HbAlc, IFN-γ, IL-6 and TNF-α (P < 0.05). The concentration of sB7-H3 in serum increased in T1D patients (P < 0.0001). We also observed that B7-H3-T-A-C-T was associated with the decreased release of sB7-H3 but not the membrane form.

CONCLUSIONS

B7-H3 may act as a potential biomarker related to the pathogenesis of T1D. The B7-H3-T-A-C-T polymorphism variant is associated with the low risk of T1D as well as less release of sB7-H3.

Soluble B7-H3 (sB7-H3) is over-expressed in the serum of type 1 diabetes patients

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease resulting from insulin-secreting β-cells mediated by autoreactive T cells. We demonstrated increased level of sB7-H3 in T1D patients than in healthy control group. This result suggests that B7-H3 may be may be a promising biomarker associated with the pathogenesis of T1D.

The role of miR-29c/B7-H3 axis in children with allergic asthma

Background

MicroRNAs play roles in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. However, the mechanism of miR-29c in allergic asthma remains unclear. This study is to elucidate the regulation of Th cell differentiation by miR-29c in mononuclear macrophages.

Methods

A total of 52 children with asthma exacerbation and 26 children as controls were enrolled in the study. CD14⁺ monocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood. Differential expressions of microRNAs were evaluated using microarray analysis and miR-29c expression in monocytes was determined by qRT-PCR. The plasma B7-H3 was determined by ELISA. Transfection studies and luciferase reporter assay were performed to confirm target gene of miR-29c and its function.

Results

Compared to controls, 88 miRNAs in blood monocytes were up-regulated and 41 miRNAs down-regulated including miR-29c in asthma children. Children with asthma exacerbation had significantly lower level of miR-29c and higher level of plasma B7-H3 compared to controls (both P < 0.05). Functional studies based on luciferase reporter assay and immunofluorescence staining suggest that B7-H3 is the direct target of miR-29c and transfection anti-miR-29c into macrophages could enhance ROR-γt and GATA-3 expression in co-cultured CD4⁺ T cells and increase levels of IL-4 and IL-17 in supernatants.

Conclusion

The axis of miR-29c/B7-H3 plays an important role in children with asthma through regulating Th2/Th17 cell differentiation and may provide new targets for treatment of asthma.