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Gutierrez AH, Terry FE, Rosenberg AS, Martin WD, De Groot AS. Regulatory T cell epitope content in human antibodies decreases during maturation. Front Immunol 2025; 16:1535826. [PMID: 40313951 PMCID: PMC12043479 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1535826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2025] [Indexed: 05/03/2025] Open
Abstract
Introduction Antibody maturation in the lymphoid follicle produces antibodies with improved binding affinity. This process requires iterative rounds of mutation and B cell expansion, supported by T cells that recognize epitopes presented on the B cell's MHC-II. In this comprehensive antibody repertoire analysis, we find that established regulatory T cell epitopes (Tregitopes) decline in maturing antibody sequences as somatic hypermutation (SHM) increases, but potential T effector epitopes do not decline. A previous analysis of B cell receptor (BCR)-derived HLA-DR epitopes present in memory antibody repertoires from seven healthy human donors revealed a decrease in donor-specific epitope content with SHM. Moreover, T cell epitope depletion was associated with class-switching and long-term secretion of antibody into serum. Significant depletion of high-affinity germline-encoded epitopes in high SHM sequences was also observed, but the predicted phenotype of T cells responding to the BCR-derived epitopes (regulatory vs. effector) was not previously evaluated. Methods In this follow-on study, we screened a different set of four donor repertoires to investigate the dynamics of donor-specific HLA-DR T cell epitopes and three subsets of T cell epitope content: previously validated T cell epitopes recognized by thymus-derived Tregs (Tregitopes), potentially tolerated T cell epitopes, and potential effector T cell epitopes. Results Our results show that Tregitope content reduction is correlated with SHM, suggesting that Tregitopes are removed during maturation. Moreover, T cell epitopes that are likely to be tolerated or tolerogenic were also removed with SHM progression. In contrast, potential T effector epitope content increased with SHM. Tregitope depletion occurred in multiple V-gene pair combinations and was the most frequent T cell epitope change. Furthermore, Tregitope content in IgA and IgG sequences was lower and had greater negative correlation with SHM than IgM, indicating that Tregitope removal is likely associated with class-switching. Tregitope depletion was also associated with maturation to plasmablasts. In vitro, representative Tregitopes inhibited CD4+ T cell proliferation. Mutations introduced by SHM altered Tregitope HLA-DR binding affinities. Discussion The correlation of Tregitope depletion with increasing SHM implies that the activity of thymus-derived Treg cells in immune responses to antibodies is diminished with SHM, maturation, and isotype switching, supporting the generation of anti-idiotype responses.
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Zimmerer JM, Chaudhari S, Koneru K, Han JL, Abdel-Rasoul M, Uwase H, Yi T, Breuer CK, Bumgardner GL. Germinal Center B Cells are Uniquely Targeted by Antibody-Suppressor CXCR5 +CD8 + T Cells. Transplant Direct 2025; 11:e1742. [PMID: 39802197 PMCID: PMC11723704 DOI: 10.1097/txd.0000000000001742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2024] [Revised: 10/16/2024] [Accepted: 10/31/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2025] Open
Abstract
Background Alloprimed antibody-suppressor CXCR5+CD8+ T cells (CD8+ TAb-supp cells) downregulate alloantibody production, mediate cytotoxicity of IgG+ B cells, and prolong allograft survival. The purpose of this investigation was to determine which immune-cell subsets are susceptible to CD8+ TAb-supp cell-mediated cytotoxicity or noncytotoxic suppression. Methods Alloprimed immune-cell subsets were evaluated for susceptibility to CD8+ TAb-supp cell-mediated in vitro cytotoxicity and/or suppression of intracellular cytokine expression. In vivo CD8-mediated cytotoxicity to wild-type germinal center (GC) B cells or wild-type CD4+ T follicular helper cells (TFH cells) was assessed in RAG1 knockout mice. The impact of in vivo adoptive transfer of CD8+ TAb-supp cells into hepatocyte or kidney transplant recipients on the quantity of lymphoid immune-cell subsets was assessed. Results CD8+ TAb-supp cells mediated allospecific cytotoxicity to alloprimed GC B cells but not alloprimed extrafollicular plasmablasts, marginal zone B cells, follicular B cells, or plasma cells. CD8+ TAb-supp cells did not mediate cytotoxicity to alloprimed dendritic cells, macrophages, CD4+ TFH cells, CD4+ T follicular regulatory cells, or CD4+ regulatory T cell. CD8+ TAb-supp cells did not suppress CD4+ TFH cell, T follicular regulatory cell, or regulatory T-cell cytokine expression. Adoptive transfer of CD8+ TAb-supp cells into hepatocyte or kidney transplant recipients reduced alloantibody production and the quantity of GC B cells, TFH cells, and plasma cells (but not other B-cell, T-cell, or antigen-presenting cell subsets). The reduction of TFH-cell quantity was dependent on CD8+ TAb-supp cell-mediated major histocompatibility complex-I-dependent cytotoxic killing of GC B cells. Conclusions The primary targets of CD8+ TAb-supp cells are GC B cells with downstream reduction of TFH and plasma cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason M. Zimmerer
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center, and the College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Sachi Chaudhari
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center, and the College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Kavya Koneru
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center, and the College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Jing L. Han
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center, and the College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH
| | - Mahmoud Abdel-Rasoul
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Hope Uwase
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center, and the College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Tai Yi
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Christopher K. Breuer
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
| | - Ginny L. Bumgardner
- Department of Surgery, Comprehensive Transplant Center, and the College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
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Fahlquist-Hagert C, Wittenborn TR, Pedersen MK, Jensen L, Degn SE. T-follicular regulatory cells expand to control germinal center plasma cell output but fail to curb autoreactivity. iScience 2024; 27:110887. [PMID: 39319261 PMCID: PMC11417334 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoantibodies generated in germinal centers (GCs) contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. GCs are controlled by specialized FoxP3+ T-follicular regulatory cells (Tfr), but their role in established autoimmunity is unclear. We generated autoimmune bone marrow chimeras in which Tfr could be specifically ablated by diphtheria toxin. Furthermore, we tracked the clonal persistence and evolution of Tfr populations using Confetti reporters. Ablation of Tfr caused increased early plasma cell output, but longer-term ablation did not increase plasma cell levels beyond those of Tfr-sufficient controls, suggesting that Tfr fail to contain chronic autoreactive GC responses. In agreement, Tfr were robustly induced in early autoreactive GCs but then waned. Moreover, we observed polyclonal Tfr expansion when ablating part of the Tfr subset. Hence, under homeostatic conditions, a polyclonal population of Tfr operates to control autoreactivity by limiting the output of plasma cells from GCs, but in chronic autoimmunity, this mechanism fails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Fahlquist-Hagert
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Biology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Thomas Rea Wittenborn
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Biology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Mattias Krogh Pedersen
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Biology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Lisbeth Jensen
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Biology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Søren Egedal Degn
- Laboratory for Lymphocyte Biology, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
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Bufan B, Arsenović-Ranin N, Živković I, Ćuruvija I, Blagojević V, Dragačević L, Kovačević A, Kotur-Stevuljević J, Leposavić G. Modulation of T-Cell-Dependent Humoral Immune Response to Influenza Vaccine by Multiple Antioxidant/Immunomodulatory Micronutrient Supplementation. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:743. [PMID: 39066381 PMCID: PMC11281378 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12070743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Notwithstanding prevalence gaps in micronutrients supporting immune functions, the significance of their deficits/supplementation for the efficacy of vaccines is underinvestigated. Thus, the influence of supplementation combining vitamins C and D, zinc, selenium, manganese, and N-acetyl cysteine on immune correlates/surrogates of protection conferred by a quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) in mice was investigated. The supplementation starting 5 days before the first of two QIV injections given 28 days apart increased the serum titres of total and neutralizing IgG against each of four influenza strains from QIV. Accordingly, the frequencies of germinal center B cells, follicular CD4+ T helper (Th) cells, and IL-21-producing Th cells increased in secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs). Additionally, the supplementation improved already increased IgG response to the second QIV injection by augmenting not only neutralizing antibody production, but also IgG2a response, which is important for virus clearance, through favoring Th1 differentiation as indicated by Th1 (IFN-γ)/Th2 (IL-4) signature cytokine level ratio upon QIV restimulation in SLO cell cultures. This most likely partly reflected antioxidant action of the supplement as indicated by splenic redox status analyses. Thus, the study provides a solid scientific background for further research aimed at repurposing the use of this safe and inexpensive micronutrient combination to improve response to the influenza vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biljana Bufan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.B.); (N.A.-R.)
| | - Nevena Arsenović-Ranin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia; (B.B.); (N.A.-R.)
| | - Irena Živković
- Department of Research and Development, Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera “Torlak”, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.Ž.); (I.Ć.); (V.B.); (L.D.)
| | - Ivana Ćuruvija
- Department of Research and Development, Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera “Torlak”, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.Ž.); (I.Ć.); (V.B.); (L.D.)
| | - Veljko Blagojević
- Department of Research and Development, Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera “Torlak”, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.Ž.); (I.Ć.); (V.B.); (L.D.)
| | - Luka Dragačević
- Department of Research and Development, Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera “Torlak”, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia; (I.Ž.); (I.Ć.); (V.B.); (L.D.)
| | - Ana Kovačević
- Department for Virology Control, Institute of Virology, Vaccines and Sera “Torlak”, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Jelena Kotur-Stevuljević
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Gordana Leposavić
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, 11221 Belgrade, Serbia
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Contreras-Castillo E, García-Rasilla VY, García-Patiño MG, Licona-Limón P. Stability and plasticity of regulatory T cells in health and disease. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 116:33-53. [PMID: 38428948 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiae049] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms that negatively regulate inflammation upon a pathogenic stimulus are crucial for the maintenance of tissue integrity and organ function. T regulatory cells are one of the main drivers in controlling inflammation. The ability of T regulatory cells to adapt to different inflammatory cues and suppress inflammation is one of the relevant features of T regulatory cells. During this process, T regulatory cells express different transcription factors associated with their counterparts, Th helper cells, including Tbx21, GATA-3, Bcl6, and Rorc. The acquisition of this transcription factor helps the T regulatory cells to suppress and migrate to the different inflamed tissues. Additionally, the T regulatory cells have different mechanisms that preserve stability while acquiring a particular T regulatory cell subtype. This review focuses on describing T regulatory cell subtypes and the mechanisms that maintain their identity in health and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenio Contreras-Castillo
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito exterior s/n, CU Coyoacán, México City 04510, Mexico
| | - Verónica Yutsil García-Rasilla
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito exterior s/n, CU Coyoacán, México City 04510, Mexico
| | - María Guadalupe García-Patiño
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito exterior s/n, CU Coyoacán, México City 04510, Mexico
| | - Paula Licona-Limón
- Departamento de Biología Celular y del Desarrollo, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Circuito exterior s/n, CU Coyoacán, México City 04510, Mexico
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Belbezier A, Engeroff P, Fourcade G, Vantomme H, Vaineau R, Gouritin B, Bellier B, Brocheriou I, Tchitchek N, Graff-Dubois S, Klatzmann D. Interleukin-1 regulates follicular T cells during the germinal center reaction. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1393096. [PMID: 38855101 PMCID: PMC11157057 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1393096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Antibody production and the generation of memory B cells are regulated by T follicular helper (Tfh) and T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells in germinal centers. However, the precise role of Tfr cells in controlling antibody production is still unclear. We have previously shown that both Tfh and Tfr cells express the IL-1R1 agonist receptor, whereas only Tfr cells express the IL-1R2 decoy and IL-1Ra antagonist receptors. We aimed to investigate the role of IL-1 receptors in the regulation of B cell responses by Tfh and Tfr. Methods We generated mice with IL-1 receptors inactivated in Tfh or Tfr and measured antibody production and cell activation after immunisation. Results While IL-1β levels are increased in the draining lymph node after immunisation, antigen-specific antibody levels and cell phenotypes indicated that IL-1β can activate both Tfh and Tfr cells through IL-1R1 stimulation. Surprisingly, expression of IL-1R2 and IL-1Ra on Tfr cells does not block IL-1 activation of Tfh cells, but rather prevents IL-1/IL-1R1-mediated early activation of Tfr cells. IL-1Rs also regulate the antibody response to autoantigens and its associated pathophysiology in an experimental lupus model. Discussion Collectively, our results show that IL-1 inhibitory receptors expressed by Tfr cells prevent their own activation and suppressive function, thus licensing IL-1-mediated activation of Tfh cells after immunisation. Further mechanistic studies should unravel these complex interactions between IL-1β and follicular helper and regulatory T cells and provide new avenues for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Belbezier
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (i3), Paris, France
| | - Paul Engeroff
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (i3), Paris, France
| | - Gwladys Fourcade
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (i3), Paris, France
| | - Hélène Vantomme
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (i3), Paris, France
| | - Romain Vaineau
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (i3), Paris, France
| | - Bruno Gouritin
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (i3), Paris, France
| | - Bertrand Bellier
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (i3), Paris, France
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Biotherapy (CIC-BTi) and Inflammation-Immunopathology-Biotherapy Department (i2B), Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Brocheriou
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Pari (AP-HP), Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Department of Pathology, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Tchitchek
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (i3), Paris, France
| | - Stephanie Graff-Dubois
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (i3), Paris, France
| | - David Klatzmann
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Immunology-Immunopathology-Immunotherapy (i3), Paris, France
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Biotherapy (CIC-BTi) and Inflammation-Immunopathology-Biotherapy Department (i2B), Paris, France
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7
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Finn CM, McKinstry KK. Ex Pluribus Unum: The CD4 T Cell Response against Influenza A Virus. Cells 2024; 13:639. [PMID: 38607077 PMCID: PMC11012043 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070639] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Current Influenza A virus (IAV) vaccines, which primarily aim to generate neutralizing antibodies against the major surface proteins of specific IAV strains predicted to circulate during the annual 'flu' season, are suboptimal and are characterized by relatively low annual vaccine efficacy. One approach to improve protection is for vaccines to also target the priming of virus-specific T cells that can protect against IAV even in the absence of preexisting neutralizing antibodies. CD4 T cells represent a particularly attractive target as they help to promote responses by other innate and adaptive lymphocyte populations and can also directly mediate potent effector functions. Studies in murine models of IAV infection have been instrumental in moving this goal forward. Here, we will review these findings, focusing on distinct subsets of CD4 T cell effectors that have been shown to impact outcomes. This body of work suggests that a major challenge for next-generation vaccines will be to prime a CD4 T cell population with the same spectrum of functional diversity generated by IAV infection. This goal is encapsulated well by the motto 'ex pluribus unum': that an optimal CD4 T cell response comprises many individual specialized subsets responding together.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - K. Kai McKinstry
- Immunity and Pathogenesis Division, Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32827, USA;
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Lin Y, Wan Z, Liu B, Yao J, Li T, Yang F, Sui J, Zhao Y, Liu W, Zhou X, Wang J, Qi H. B cell-reactive triad of B cells, follicular helper and regulatory T cells at homeostasis. Cell Res 2024; 34:295-308. [PMID: 38326478 PMCID: PMC10978943 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-024-00929-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Autoreactive B cells are silenced through receptor editing, clonal deletion and anergy induction. Additional autoreactive B cells are ignorant because of physical segregation from their cognate autoantigen. Unexpectedly, we find that follicular B cell-derived autoantigen, including cell surface molecules such as FcγRIIB, is a class of homeostatic autoantigen that can induce spontaneous germinal centers (GCs) and B cell-reactive autoantibodies in non-autoimmune animals with intact T and B cell repertoires. These B cell-reactive B cells form GCs in a manner dependent on spontaneous follicular helper T (TFH) cells, which preferentially recognize B cell-derived autoantigen, and in a manner constrained by spontaneous follicular regulatory T (TFR) cells, which also carry specificities for B cell-derived autoantigen. B cell-reactive GC cells are continuously generated and, following immunization or infection, become intermixed with foreign antigen-induced GCs. Production of plasma cells and antibodies derived from B cell-reactive GC cells are markedly enhanced by viral infection, potentially increasing the chance for autoimmunity. Consequently, immune homeostasis in healthy animals not only involves classical tolerance of silencing and ignoring autoreactive B cells but also entails a reactive equilibrium attained by a spontaneous B cell-reactive triad of B cells, TFH cells and TFR cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Lin
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Zurong Wan
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Bo Liu
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China
| | - Jiacheng Yao
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianqi Li
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Yang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianhua Sui
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yongshan Zhao
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China
- Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Wanli Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuyu Zhou
- Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianbin Wang
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Hai Qi
- Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Laboratory of Dynamic Immunobiology, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- Changping Laboratory, Beijing, China.
- New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- SXMU-Tsinghua Collaborative Innovation Center for Frontier Medicine, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.
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9
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Ke F, Benet ZL, Shelyakin P, Britanova OV, Gupta N, Dent AL, Moore BB, Grigorova IL. Targeted checkpoint control of B cells undergoing positive selection in germinal centers by follicular regulatory T cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2304020121. [PMID: 38261619 PMCID: PMC10835130 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304020121] [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: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Follicular regulatory T cells (Tfr) can play opposite roles in the regulation of germinal center (GC) responses. Depending on the studies, Tfr suppress or support GC and B cell affinity maturation. However, which factors determine positive vs. negative effects of Tfr on the GC B cell is unclear. In this study, we show that GC centrocytes that express MYC up-regulate expression of CCL3 chemokine that is needed for both the positive and negative regulation of GC B cells by Tfr. B cell-intrinsic expression of CCL3 contributes to Tfr-dependent positive selection of foreign Ag-specific GC B cells. At the same time, expression of CCL3 is critical for direct Tfr-mediated suppression of GC B cells that acquire cognate to Tfr nuclear proteins. Our study suggests that CCR5 and CCR1 receptors promote Tfr migration to CCL3 and highlights Ccr5 expression on the Tfr subset that expresses Il10. Based on our findings and previous studies, we suggest a model of chemotactically targeted checkpoint control of B cells undergoing positive selection in GCs by Tfr, where Tfr directly probe and license foreign antigen-specific B cells to complete their positive selection in GCs but, at the same time, suppress GC B cells that present self-antigens cognate to Tfr.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Ke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michigan Medicine University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Zachary L. Benet
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michigan Medicine University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Pavel Shelyakin
- Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center, Abu Dhabi4600, United Arab Emirates
- Molecular Technologies Division, Institute of Translational Medicine, Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow117997, Russian Federation
| | - Olga V. Britanova
- Molecular Technologies Division, Institute of Translational Medicine, Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow117997, Russian Federation
- Genomics of Adaptive Immunity Department, Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow117997, Russian Federation
- Institute of Clinical Molecular Biology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel24105, Germany
| | - Neetu Gupta
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH44195
| | - Alexander L. Dent
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN46123
| | - Bethany B. Moore
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michigan Medicine University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
- Department of Internal Medicine, Michigan Medicine University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Irina L. Grigorova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michigan Medicine University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI48109
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10
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Santosh Nirmala S, Kayani K, Gliwiński M, Hu Y, Iwaszkiewicz-Grześ D, Piotrowska-Mieczkowska M, Sakowska J, Tomaszewicz M, Marín Morales JM, Lakshmi K, Marek-Trzonkowska NM, Trzonkowski P, Oo YH, Fuchs A. Beyond FOXP3: a 20-year journey unravelling human regulatory T-cell heterogeneity. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1321228. [PMID: 38283365 PMCID: PMC10811018 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1321228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The initial idea of a distinct group of T-cells responsible for suppressing immune responses was first postulated half a century ago. However, it is only in the last three decades that we have identified what we now term regulatory T-cells (Tregs), and subsequently elucidated and crystallized our understanding of them. Human Tregs have emerged as essential to immune tolerance and the prevention of autoimmune diseases and are typically contemporaneously characterized by their CD3+CD4+CD25high CD127lowFOXP3+ phenotype. It is important to note that FOXP3+ Tregs exhibit substantial diversity in their origin, phenotypic characteristics, and function. Identifying reliable markers is crucial to the accurate identification, quantification, and assessment of Tregs in health and disease, as well as the enrichment and expansion of viable cells for adoptive cell therapy. In our comprehensive review, we address the contributions of various markers identified in the last two decades since the master transcriptional factor FOXP3 was identified in establishing and enriching purity, lineage stability, tissue homing and suppressive proficiency in CD4+ Tregs. Additionally, our review delves into recent breakthroughs in innovative Treg-based therapies, underscoring the significance of distinct markers in their therapeutic utilization. Understanding Treg subsets holds the key to effectively harnessing human Tregs for immunotherapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kayani Kayani
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Academic Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Department of Renal Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Mateusz Gliwiński
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Yueyuan Hu
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | - Justyna Sakowska
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Martyna Tomaszewicz
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | | | - Kavitha Lakshmi
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Piotr Trzonkowski
- Department of Medical Immunology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ye Htun Oo
- Centre for Liver and Gastrointestinal Research and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Birmingham Advanced Cellular Therapy Facility, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Centre for Rare Diseases, European Reference Network - Rare Liver Centre, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Anke Fuchs
- Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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11
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Sokolova S, Grigorova IL. Follicular regulatory T cell subsets in mice and humans: origins, antigen specificity and function. Int Immunol 2023; 35:583-594. [PMID: 37549239 DOI: 10.1093/intimm/dxad031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells play various roles in immune responses, contributing to both positive and negative regulation of foreign antigen-specific B cell responses, control over autoreactive antibody responses and autoimmunity, and B cell class-switching to IgE and allergy development. Studies conducted on mice uncovered various subsets of CXCR5+FoxP3+CD4+ Tfr cells that could differently contribute to immune regulation. Moreover, recent studies of human Tfr cells revealed similar complexity with various subsets of follicular T cells of different origins and immunosuppressive and/or immunostimulatory characteristics. In this review we will overview and compare Tfr subsets currently identified in mice and humans and will discuss their origins and antigen specificity, as well as potential modes of action and contribution to the control of the autoimmune and allergic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Sokolova
- Division of Molecular Technology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Pirogov National Research Medical University, Moscow, 117513, Russia
| | - Irina L Grigorova
- Division of Molecular Technology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Pirogov National Research Medical University, Moscow, 117513, Russia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michigan Medicine University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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12
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Ou G, Xu H, Wu J, Wang S, Chen Y, Deng L, Chen X. The gut-lung axis in influenza A: the role of gut microbiota in immune balance. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1147724. [PMID: 37928517 PMCID: PMC10623161 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1147724] [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: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza A, the most common subtype, induces 3 to 5 million severe infections and 250,000 to 500,000 deaths each year. Vaccination is traditionally considered to be the best way to prevent influenza A. Yet because the Influenza A virus (IAV) is highly susceptible to antigenic drift and Antigenic shift, and because of the lag in vaccine production, this poses a significant challenge to vaccine effectiveness. Additionally, much information about the resistance of antiviral drugs, such as Oseltamivir and Baloxavir, has been reported. Therefore, the search for alternative therapies in the treatment of influenza is warranted. Recent studies have found that regulating the gut microbiota (GM) can promote the immune effects of anti-IAV via the gut-lung axis. This includes promoting IAV clearance in the early stages of infection and reducing inflammatory damage in the later stages. In this review, we first review the specific alterations in GM observed in human as well as animal models regarding IAV infection. Then we analyzed the effect of GM on host immunity against IAV, including innate immunity and subsequent adaptive immunity. Finally, our study also summarizes the effects of therapies using probiotics, prebiotics, or herbal medicine in influenza A on intestinal microecological composition and their immunomodulatory effects against IAV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Huachong Xu
- *Correspondence: Huachong Xu, ; Li Deng, ; Xiaoyin Chen,
| | | | | | | | - Li Deng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyin Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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13
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Alvarez F, Piccirillo CA. The functional adaptation of effector Foxp3 + regulatory T cells to pulmonary inflammation. Eur J Immunol 2023; 53:e2250273. [PMID: 37366319 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202250273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
During infections, the timings of effector differentiation of pulmonary immune responses are of paramount importance, as pathogen persistence and unsuppressed inflammation can rapidly lead to a loss of function, increased frailty, and death. Thus, both an efficient clearance of the danger and a rapid resolution of inflammation are critical to host survival. We now know that tissue-localized FoxP3+ regulatory T cells, a subset of CD4+ T cells, are highly attuned to the type of immune response, acquiring unique phenotypic characteristics that allow them to adapt their suppressive functions with the nature of inflammatory cells. To achieve this, activated effector TREG cells acquire specialized TH 1, TH 2, and TH 17-like characteristics that allow them to migrate, survive, and time their function(s) through refined mechanisms. Herein, we describe how this process requires a unique developmental path that includes the acquisition of master transcription factors and the expression of receptors adapted to sense local danger signals that are found during pulmonary inflammation. In turn, we offer an overview of how these characteristics promote the capacity of local effector TREG cells to proliferate, survive, and display suppressive strategies to resolve lung injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Alvarez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ciriaco A Piccirillo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Program in Infectious Diseases and Immunology in Global Health, Centre for Translational Biology, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), Montréal, Québec, Canada
- Centre of Excellence in Translational Immunology (CETI), McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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14
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Cao Y, Hou Y, Zhao L, Huang Y, Liu G. New insights into follicular regulatory T cells in the intestinal and tumor microenvironments. J Cell Physiol 2023. [PMID: 37210730 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells are a novel and unique subset of effector regulatory T (Treg) cells that are located in germinal centers (GCs). Tfr cells express transcription profiles that are characteristic of both follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and Treg cells and negatively regulate GC reactions, including Tfh cell activation and cytokine production, class switch recombination and B cell activation. Evidence also shows that Tfr cells have specific characteristics in different local immune microenvironments. This review focuses on the regulation of Tfr cell differentiation and function in unique local immune microenvironments, including the intestine and tumor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yejin Cao
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yueru Hou
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Longhao Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yijin Huang
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Guangwei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Regulation Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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15
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Le Coz C, Oldridge DA, Herati RS, De Luna N, Garifallou J, Cruz Cabrera E, Belman JP, Pueschl D, Silva LV, Knox AVC, Reid W, Yoon S, Zur KB, Handler SD, Hakonarson H, Wherry EJ, Gonzalez M, Romberg N. Human T follicular helper clones seed the germinal center-resident regulatory pool. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eade8162. [PMID: 37027481 PMCID: PMC10329285 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.ade8162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
The mechanisms by which FOXP3+ T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells simultaneously steer antibody formation toward microbe or vaccine recognition and away from self-reactivity remain incompletely understood. To explore underappreciated heterogeneity in human Tfr cell development, function, and localization, we used paired TCRVA/TCRVB sequencing to distinguish tonsillar Tfr cells that are clonally related to natural regulatory T cells (nTfr) from those likely induced from T follicular helper (Tfh) cells (iTfr). The proteins iTfr and nTfr cells differentially expressed were used to pinpoint their in situ locations via multiplex microscopy and establish their divergent functional roles. In silico analyses and in vitro tonsil organoid tracking models corroborated the existence of separate Treg-to-nTfr and Tfh-to-iTfr developmental trajectories. Our results identify human iTfr cells as a distinct CD38+, germinal center-resident, Tfh-descended subset that gains suppressive function while retaining the capacity to help B cells, whereas CD38- nTfr cells are elite suppressors primarily localized in follicular mantles. Interventions differentially targeting specific Tfr cell subsets may provide therapeutic opportunities to boost immunity or more precisely treat autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carole Le Coz
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Derek A. Oldridge
- Center for Computational and Genomic Medicine, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ramin S. Herati
- Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY
| | - Nina De Luna
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - James Garifallou
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Emylette Cruz Cabrera
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jonathan P Belman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Dana Pueschl
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Luisa V. Silva
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ainsley V. C. Knox
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Whitney Reid
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Samuel Yoon
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Karen B. Zur
- Pediatric Otolaryngology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Steven D. Handler
- Pediatric Otolaryngology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Hakon Hakonarson
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | - E. John Wherry
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Michael Gonzalez
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment & Laboratory, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Neil Romberg
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
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16
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Kudryavtsev I, Zinchenko Y, Starshinova A, Serebriakova M, Malkova A, Akisheva T, Kudlay D, Glushkova A, Yablonskiy P, Shoenfeld Y. Circulating Regulatory T Cell Subsets in Patients with Sarcoidosis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:1378. [PMID: 37189479 PMCID: PMC10137313 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13081378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Over recent years, many researchers have supported the autoimmune theory of sarcoidosis. The presence of uncontrolled inflammatory response on local and system levels in patients with sarcoidosis did not define that the immunoregulatory mechanisms could be affected. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution and the disturbance circulating Treg cell subsets in the peripheral blood in patients with sarcoidosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective comparative study was performed in 2016-2018 (34 patients with sarcoidosis (men (67.6%), women (32.3%)) were examined). Healthy subjects-the control group (n = 40). The diagnosis of pulmonary sarcoidosis was performed according to the standard criteria. We used two ten-color combinations of antibodies for Treg immunophenotyping. The first one contained CD39-FITC, CD127-PE, CCR4-PE/Dazzle™ 594, CD25-PC5.5, CD161-PC7, CD4-APC, CD8-APC-AF700, CD3-APC/Cy7, HLA-DR-PacBlue, and CD45 RA-BV 510™, while the second consisted of CXCR3-Alexa Fluor 488, CD25-РЕ, CXCR5-РЕ/Dazzle™ 594, CCR4-PerСP/Сy5.5, CCR6-РЕ/Cy7, CD4-АPC, CD8 АPC-AF700, CD3-АPC/Cy7, CCR7-BV 421, and CD45 RA-BV 510. The flow cytometry data were analyzed by using Kaluza software v2.3. A statistical analysis was performed with Statistica 7.0 and GraphPad Prism 8 software packages. RESULTS OF THE STUDY Primarily, we found that patients with sarcoidosis had decreased absolute numbers of Treg cells in circulation. We noted that the level of CCR7-expressing Tregs decreased in patients with sarcoidosis vs. the control group (65.55% (60.08; 70.60) vs. 76.93% (69.59; 79.86) with p < 0.001). We noticed that the relative numbers of CD45RA-CCR7+ Tregs decreased in patients with sarcoidosis (27.11% vs. 35.43%, p < 0.001), while the frequency of CD45 RA-CCR7- and CD45RA+ CCR7- Tregs increased compared to the control group (33.3% vs. 22.73% and 0.76% vs. 0.51% with p < 0.001 and p = 0.028, respectively). CXCR3-expressing Treg cell subsets-Th1-like CCR60078CXCR3+ Tregs and Th17.1-like CCR6+ CXCR3+ Tregs-significantly increased in patients with sarcoidosis vs. the control group (14.4% vs. 10.5% with p < 0.01 and 27.9% vs. 22.8% with p < 0.01, respectively). Furthermore, the levels of peripheral blood EM Th17-like Tregs significantly decreased in the sarcoidosis group vs. the control group (36.38% vs. 46.70% with p < 0.001). Finally, we found that CXCR5 expression was increased in CM Tregs cell subsets in patients with sarcoidosis. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicated a decrease in circulating Tregs absolute numbers and several alterations in Treg cell subsets. Moreover, our results highlight the presence of increased levels of CM CXCR5+ follicular Tregs in the periphery that could be linked with the imbalance of follicular Th cell subsets and alterations in B cell, based on the immune response. The balance between the two functionally distinct Treg cell populations-Th1-like and Th17-like Tregs-could be used in sarcoidosis diagnosis and the determination of prognosis and disease outcomes. Furthermore, we want to declare that analysis of Treg numbers of phenotypes could fully characterize their functional activity in peripherally inflamed tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor Kudryavtsev
- Department of Immunology, Institution of Experimental Medicine, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Yulia Zinchenko
- Phthisiopulmonology Department, St. Petersburg Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna Starshinova
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, 197341 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Maria Serebriakova
- Department of Immunology, Institution of Experimental Medicine, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Anna Malkova
- Laboratory of the Mosaic of Autoimmunity, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Tatiana Akisheva
- Department of Immunology, Institution of Experimental Medicine, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Dmitriy Kudlay
- Department of Pharmacology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119992 Moscow, Russia
- Institute of Immunology, 115552 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anzhela Glushkova
- Bekhterev National Research Medical Center for Psychiatry and Neurology, 19201 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Piotr Yablonskiy
- Phthisiopulmonology Department, St. Petersburg Research Institute of Phthisiopulmonology, 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Laboratory of the Mosaic of Autoimmunity, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Yehuda Shoenfeld
- Laboratory of the Mosaic of Autoimmunity, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Zabludowicz Center for Autoimmune Diseases, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer 5265601, Israel
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17
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Panneton V, Mindt BC, Bouklouch Y, Bouchard A, Mohammaei S, Chang J, Diamantopoulos N, Witalis M, Li J, Stancescu A, Bradley JE, Randall TD, Fritz JH, Suh WK. ICOS costimulation is indispensable for the differentiation of T follicular regulatory cells. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201615. [PMID: 36754569 PMCID: PMC9909462 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
ICOS is a T-cell costimulatory receptor critical for Tfh cell generation and function. However, the role of ICOS in Tfr cell differentiation remains unclear. Using Foxp3-Cre-mediated ICOS knockout (ICOS FC) mice, we show that ICOS deficiency in Treg-lineage cells drastically reduces the number of Tfr cells during GC reactions but has a minimal impact on conventional Treg cells. Single-cell transcriptome analysis of Foxp3+ cells at an early stage of the GC reaction suggests that ICOS normally inhibits Klf2 expression to promote follicular features including Bcl6 up-regulation. Furthermore, ICOS costimulation promotes nuclear localization of NFAT2, a known driver of CXCR5 expression. Notably, ICOS FC mice had an unaltered overall GC B-cell output but showed signs of expanded autoreactive B cells along with elevated autoantibody titers. Thus, our study demonstrates that ICOS costimulation is critical for Tfr cell differentiation and highlights the importance of Tfr cells in maintaining humoral immune tolerance during GC reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Panneton
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Barbara C Mindt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
- McGill University Research Centre on Complex Traits, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Antoine Bouchard
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Saba Mohammaei
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jinsam Chang
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nikoletta Diamantopoulos
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mariko Witalis
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Joanna Li
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - John E Bradley
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Troy D Randall
- Department of Medicine, Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Jörg H Fritz
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
- McGill University Research Centre on Complex Traits, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
| | - Woong-Kyung Suh
- Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Quebec, Canada
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18
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Ke F, Benet ZL, Maz MP, Liu J, Dent AL, Kahlenberg JM, Grigorova IL. Germinal center B cells that acquire nuclear proteins are specifically suppressed by follicular regulatory T cells. eLife 2023; 12:e83908. [PMID: 36862132 PMCID: PMC9981149 DOI: 10.7554/elife.83908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Follicular regulatory T cells (Tfr) restrict development of autoantibodies and autoimmunity while supporting high-affinity foreign antigen-specific humoral response. However, whether Tfr can directly repress germinal center (GC) B cells that acquire autoantigens is unclear. Moreover, TCR specificity of Tfr to self-antigens is not known. Our study suggests that nuclear proteins contain antigens specific to Tfr. Targeting of these proteins to antigen-specific B cells in mice triggers rapid accumulation of Tfr with immunosuppressive characteristics. Tfr then exert negative regulation of GC B cells with predominant inhibition of the nuclear protein-acquiring GC B cells, suggesting an important role of direct cognate Tfr-GC B cells interactions for the control of effector B cell response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Ke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan–Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Zachary L Benet
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan–Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Mitra P Maz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Michigan–Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Jianhua Liu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Michigan–Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Alexander L Dent
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisUnited States
| | - Joanne Michelle Kahlenberg
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Michigan–Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
| | - Irina L Grigorova
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Michigan–Ann ArborAnn ArborUnited States
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19
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Dikiy S, Rudensky AY. Principles of regulatory T cell function. Immunity 2023; 56:240-255. [PMID: 36792571 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 147] [Impact Index Per Article: 73.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells represent a distinct lineage of cells of the adaptive immune system indispensable for forestalling fatal autoimmune and inflammatory pathologies. The role of Treg cells as principal guardians of the immune system can be attributed to their ability to restrain all currently recognized major types of inflammatory responses through modulating the activity of a wide range of cells of the innate and adaptive immune system. This broad purview over immunity and inflammation is afforded by the multiple modes of action Treg cells exert upon their diverse molecular and cellular targets. Beyond the suppression of autoimmunity for which they were originally recognized, Treg cells have been implicated in tissue maintenance, repair, and regeneration under physiologic and pathologic conditions. Herein, we discuss the current and emerging understanding of Treg cell effector mechanisms in the context of the basic properties of Treg cells that endow them with such functional versatility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanislav Dikiy
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA; Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences, New York, NY 10021, USA.
| | - Alexander Y Rudensky
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Immunology Program, Sloan Kettering Institute, Ludwig Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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20
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A sex-biased imbalance between Tfr, Tph, and atypical B cells determines antibody responses in COVID-19 patients. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2217902120. [PMID: 36669118 PMCID: PMC9942838 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2217902120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex-biased humoral immune responses to COVID-19 patients have been observed, but the cellular basis for this is not understood. Using single-cell proteomics by mass cytometry, we find disrupted regulation of humoral immunity in COVID-19 patients, with a sex-biased loss of circulating follicular regulatory T cells (cTfr) at a significantly greater rate in male patients. In addition, a male sex-associated cellular network of T-peripheral helper, plasma blasts, proliferating and extrafollicular/atypical CD11c+ memory B cells was strongly positively correlated with neutralizing antibody concentrations and negatively correlated with cTfr frequency. These results suggest that sex-specific differences to the balance of cTfr and a network of extrafollicular antibody production-associated cell types may be a key factor in the altered humoral immune responses between male and female COVID-19 patients.
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21
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Zhang H, Sage PT. Role of T follicular helper and T follicular regulatory cells in antibody-mediated rejection: new therapeutic targets? Curr Opin Organ Transplant 2022; 27:371-375. [PMID: 35959918 PMCID: PMC9474598 DOI: 10.1097/mot.0000000000001018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Antibody-mediated rejection (AbMR) after solid organ transplantation is tightly controlled by multiple cells of the immune system. Tfh and Tfr cells are essential controllers of antibody responses making them putative targets for therapeutics. However, the mechanisms of how Tfh and Tfr cells regulate B cell and antibody responses are not completely understood. Here, we summarize recent studies elucidating the functions of T follicular helper (Tfh) and T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells as well as their possible roles in regulating AbMR in solid organ transplantation. RECENT FINDINGS New tools have been developed to study the roles of Tfh and Tfr cells in specific disease states, including AbMR after solid organ transplantation. These tools suggest complex roles for Tfh and Tfr cells in controlling antibody responses. Nevertheless, studies in solid organ transplant rejection suggest that Tfh and Tfr cells may be high value targets for therapeutics. However, specific strategies to target these cells are still being investigated. SUMMARY AbMR is still a substantial clinical problem that restricts long-term survival after solid organ transplantation. Growing evidence has demonstrated a pivotal role for Tfh and Tfr cells in controlling AbMR. In addition to providing an early indication of rejection as a biomarker, targeting Tfh and Tfr cells as a therapeutic strategy offers new hope for alleviating AbMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hengcheng Zhang
- Transplantation Research Center, Renal Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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22
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Abstract
Follicular helper T (TFH) cells provide help to B cells, supporting the formation of germinal centres that allow affinity maturation of antibody responses. Although usually located in secondary lymphoid organs, T cells bearing features of TFH cells can also be identified in human blood, and their frequency and phenotype are often altered in people with autoimmune diseases. In this Perspective article, I discuss the increase in circulating TFH cells seen in autoimmune settings and explore potential explanations for this phenomenon. I consider the multistep regulation of TFH cell differentiation by the CTLA4 and IL-2 pathways as well as by regulatory T cells and highlight that these same pathways are crucial for regulating autoimmune diseases. The propensity of infection to serve as a cue for TFH cell differentiation and a potential trigger for autoimmune disease development is also discussed. Overall, I postulate that alterations in pathways that regulate autoimmunity are coupled to alterations in TFH cell homeostasis, suggesting that this population may serve as a core sentinel of dysregulated immunity.
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23
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Cavazzoni CB, Hanson BL, Podestà MA, Bechu ED, Clement RL, Zhang H, Daccache J, Reyes-Robles T, Hett EC, Vora KA, Fadeyi OO, Oslund RC, Hazuda DJ, Sage PT. Follicular T Cells Optimize the Germinal Center Response to SARS-CoV-2 Protein Vaccination in Mice. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110399. [PMID: 35139367 PMCID: PMC8806144 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Follicular helper T (Tfh) cells promote, whereas follicular regulatory T (Tfr) cells restrain, germinal center (GC) reactions. However, the precise roles of these cells in the complex GC reaction remain poorly understood. Here, we perturb Tfh or Tfr cells after SARS-CoV-2 spike protein vaccination in mice. We find that Tfh cells promote the frequency and somatic hypermutation (SHM) of Spike-specific GC B cells and regulate clonal diversity. Tfr cells similarly control SHM and clonal diversity in the GC but do so by limiting clonal competition. In addition, deletion of Tfh or Tfr cells during primary vaccination results in changes in SHM after vaccine boosting. Aged mice, which have altered Tfh and Tfr cells, have lower GC responses, presenting a bimodal distribution of SHM. Together, these data demonstrate that GC responses to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein vaccines require a fine balance of positive and negative follicular T cell help to optimize humoral immunity.
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24
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Cui D, Tang Y, Jiang Q, Jiang D, Zhang Y, Lv Y, Xu D, Wu J, Xie J, Wen C, Lu L. Follicular Helper T Cells in the Immunopathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Front Immunol 2021; 12:731100. [PMID: 34603308 PMCID: PMC8481693 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.731100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is a serious infectious disease that has led to a global pandemic with high morbidity and mortality. High-affinity neutralizing antibody is important for controlling infection, which is closely regulated by follicular helper T (Tfh) cells. Tfh cells play a central role in promoting germinal center reactions and driving cognate B cell differentiation for antibody secretion. Available studies indicate a close relationship between virus-specific Tfh cell-mediated immunity and SARS-CoV-2 infection progression. Although several lines of evidence have suggested that Tfh cells contribute to the control of SARS-CoV-2 infection by eliciting neutralizing antibody productions, further studies are needed to elucidate Tfh-mediated effector mechanisms in anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity. Here, we summarize the functional features and roles of virus-specific Tfh cells in the immunopathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection and in COVID-19 vaccines, and highlight the potential of targeting Tfh cells as therapeutic strategy against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawei Cui
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Tang
- Department of Pathology and Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China.,Chongqing International Institute for Immunology, Chongqing, China
| | - Qi Jiang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Shaoxing People's Hospital (Shaoxing Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine), Shaoxing, China
| | - Daixi Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Lv
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dandan Xu
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Wu
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jue Xie
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chengping Wen
- School of Basic Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liwei Lu
- Department of Pathology and Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR China.,Chongqing International Institute for Immunology, Chongqing, China
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25
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Mishra S, Srinivasan S, Ma C, Zhang N. CD8 + Regulatory T Cell - A Mystery to Be Revealed. Front Immunol 2021; 12:708874. [PMID: 34484208 PMCID: PMC8416339 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.708874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Treg) are essential to maintain immune homeostasis and prevent autoimmune disorders. While the function and molecular regulation of Foxp3+CD4+ Tregs are well established, much of CD8+ Treg biology remains to be revealed. Here, we will review the heterogenous subsets of CD8+ T cells have been named "CD8+ Treg" and mainly focus on CD122hiLy49+CD8+ Tregs present in naïve mice. CD122hiLy49+CD8+ Tregs, which depends on transcription factor Helios and homeostatic cytokine IL-15, have been established as a non-redundant regulator of germinal center (GC) reaction. Recently, we have demonstrated that TGF-β (Transforming growth factor-β) and transcription factor Eomes (Eomesodermin) are essential for the function and homeostasis of CD8+ Tregs. In addition, we will discuss several open questions regarding the differentiation, function and true identity of CD8+ Tregs as well as a brief comparison between two regulatory T cell subsets critical to control GC reaction, namely CD4+ TFR (follicular regulatory T cells) and CD8+ Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Nu Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, The Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, United States
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26
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The unique biology of germinal center B cells. Immunity 2021; 54:1652-1664. [PMID: 34380063 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Revised: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Germinal center (GC) B cells are the source of the high-affinity, class-switched antibodies required for protective immunity. The unique biology of GC B cells involves iterative rounds of antibody gene somatic hypermutation coupled to multiple selection and differentiation pathways. Recent advances in areas such as single cell and gene editing technologies have shed new light upon these complex and dynamic processes. We review these findings here and integrate them into the current understanding of GC B cell replication and death, the retention of high-affinity and class-switched B cells in the GC, and differentiation into plasma and memory cell effectors. We also discuss how the biology of GC responses relates to vaccine effectiveness and outline current and future challenges in the field.
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27
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Clemens EA, Alexander-Miller MA. Understanding Antibody Responses in Early Life: Baby Steps towards Developing an Effective Influenza Vaccine. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071392. [PMID: 34372597 PMCID: PMC8310046 DOI: 10.3390/v13071392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune system of young infants is both quantitatively and qualitatively distinct from that of adults, with diminished responsiveness leaving these individuals vulnerable to infection. Because of this, young infants suffer increased morbidity and mortality from respiratory pathogens such as influenza viruses. The impaired generation of robust and persistent antibody responses in these individuals makes overcoming this increased vulnerability through vaccination challenging. Because of this, an effective vaccine against influenza viruses in infants under 6 months is not available. Furthermore, vaccination against influenza viruses is challenging even in adults due to the high antigenic variability across viral strains, allowing immune evasion even after induction of robust immune responses. This has led to substantial interest in understanding how specific antibody responses are formed to variable and conserved components of influenza viruses, as immune responses tend to strongly favor recognition of variable epitopes. Elicitation of broadly protective antibody in young infants, therefore, requires that both the unique characteristics of young infant immunity as well as the antibody immunodominance present among epitopes be effectively addressed. Here, we review our current understanding of the antibody response in newborns and young infants and discuss recent developments in vaccination strategies that can modulate both magnitude and epitope specificity of IAV-specific antibody.
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28
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Chong AS, Sage PT, Alegre ML. Regulation of Alloantibody Responses. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:706171. [PMID: 34307385 PMCID: PMC8297544 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.706171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The control of alloimmunity is essential to the success of organ transplantation. Upon alloantigen encounter, naïve alloreactive T cells not only differentiate into effector cells that can reject the graft, but also into T follicular helper (Tfh) cells that promote the differentiation of alloreactive B cells that produce donor-specific antibodies (DSA). B cells can exacerbate the rejection process through antibody effector functions and/or B cell antigen-presenting functions. These responses can be limited by immune suppressive mechanisms mediated by T regulatory (Treg) cells, T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells, B regulatory (Breg) cells and a newly described tolerance-induced B (TIB) cell population that has the ability to suppress de novo B cells in an antigen-specific manner. Transplantation tolerance following costimulation blockade has revealed mechanisms of tolerance that control alloreactive T cells through intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms, but also inhibit alloreactive B cells. Thus, the control of both arms of adaptive immunity might result in more robust tolerance, one that may withstand more severe inflammatory challenges. Here, we review new findings on the control of B cells and alloantibody production in the context of transplant rejection and tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita S. Chong
- Section of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Peter T. Sage
- Renal Division, Transplantation Research Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Maria-Luisa Alegre
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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29
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Basto AP, Graca L. Regulation of antibody responses against self and foreign antigens by Tfr cells: implications for vaccine development. OXFORD OPEN IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 2:iqab012. [PMID: 36845568 PMCID: PMC9914583 DOI: 10.1093/oxfimm/iqab012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The production of antibodies can constitute a powerful protective mechanism against infection, but antibodies can also participate in autoimmunity and allergic responses. Recent advances in the understanding of the regulation of germinal centres (GC), the sites where B cells acquire the ability to produce high-affinity antibodies, offered new prospects for the modulation of antibody production in autoimmunity and vaccination. The process of B cell affinity maturation and isotype switching requires signals from T follicular helper (Tfh) cells. In addition, Foxp3+ T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells represent the regulatory counterpart of Tfh in the GC reaction. Tfr cells were identified one decade ago and since then it has become clear their role in controlling the emergence of autoreactive B cell clones following infection and immunization. At the same time, Tfr cells are essential for fine-tuning important features of the humoral response directed to foreign antigens that are critical in vaccination. However, this regulation is complex and several aspects of Tfr cell biology are yet to be disclosed. Here, we review the current knowledge about the regulation of antibody responses against self and foreign antigens by Tfr cells and its implications for the future rational design of safer and more effective vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afonso P Basto
- CIISA—Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal,Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Luis Graca
- Correspondence address. Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. Tel: +351 217999411; Fax: +351 217999412: E-mail:
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30
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Lu Y, Craft J. T Follicular Regulatory Cells: Choreographers of Productive Germinal Center Responses. Front Immunol 2021; 12:679909. [PMID: 34177925 PMCID: PMC8222975 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.679909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
T follicular regulatory cells, or Tfr cells, are a discernable population of regulatory T (Treg) cells that migrate to the B cell follicle and germinal center (GC) upon immune challenge. These cells express the transcription factor Bcl6, the master regulator required for development and differentiation of T follicular helper cells, and are among a group of previously described Treg cells that use T helper cell–associated transcription factors to adapt their regulatory function to diverse milieus for maintenance of immune homeostasis. While there is consensus that Tfr cells control B-cell autoreactivity, it has been unclear whether they regulate productive, antigen-specific GC responses. Accordingly, understanding the regulatory balancing that Tfr cells play in maintenance of B-cell tolerance while optimizing productive humoral immunity is crucial for vaccine-design strategies. To this end, we discuss recent evidence that Tfr cells promote humoral immunity and memory following viral infections, fitting with the accepted role of Treg cells in maintaining homeostasis with promotion of productive immunity, while mitigating that which is potentially pathological. We also propose models in which Tfr cells regulate antigen-specific B cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yisi Lu
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Joe Craft
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States.,Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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31
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Noe AR, Terry FE, Schanen BC, Sassano E, Hindocha P, Phares TW, Moise L, Christen JM, Tucker KD, Kotraiah V, Drake DR, Martin WD, De Groot AS, Gutierrez GM. Bridging Computational Vaccinology and Vaccine Development Through Systematic Identification, Characterization, and Downselection of Conserved and Variable Circumsporozoite Protein CD4 T Cell Epitopes From Diverse Plasmodium falciparum Strains. Front Immunol 2021; 12:689920. [PMID: 34168657 PMCID: PMC8217813 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.689920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
An effective malaria vaccine must prevent disease in a range of populations living in regions with vastly different transmission rates and protect against genetically-diverse Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) strains. The protective efficacy afforded by the currently licensed malaria vaccine, Mosquirix™, promotes strong humoral responses to Pf circumsporozoite protein (CSP) 3D7 but protection is limited in duration and by strain variation. Helper CD4 T cells are central to development of protective immune responses, playing roles in B cell activation and maturation processes, cytokine production, and stimulation of effector T cells. Therefore, we took advantage of recent in silico modeling advances to predict and analyze human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-restricted class II epitopes from PfCSP – across the entire PfCSP 3D7 sequence as well as in 539 PfCSP sequence variants – with the goal of improving PfCSP-based malaria vaccines. Specifically, we developed a systematic workflow to identify peptide sequences capable of binding HLA-DR in a context relevant to achieving broad human population coverage utilizing cognate T cell help and with limited T regulatory cell activation triggers. Through this workflow, we identified seven predicted class II epitope clusters in the N- and C-terminal regions of PfCSP 3D7 and an additional eight clusters through comparative analysis of 539 PfCSP sequence variants. A subset of these predicted class II epitope clusters was synthesized as peptides and assessed for HLA-DR binding in vitro. Further, we characterized the functional capacity of these peptides to prime and activate human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), by monitoring cytokine response profiles using MIMIC® technology (Modular IMmune In vitro Construct). Utilizing this decision framework, we found sufficient differential cellular activation and cytokine profiles among HLA-DR-matched PBMC donors to downselect class II epitope clusters for inclusion in a vaccine targeting PfCSP. Importantly, the downselected clusters are not highly conserved across PfCSP variants but rather, they overlap a hypervariable region (TH2R) in the C-terminus of the protein. We recommend assessing these class II epitope clusters within the context of a PfCSP vaccine, employing a test system capable of measuring immunogenicity across a broad set of HLA-DR alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy R Noe
- Leidos Life Sciences, Leidos Inc., Frederick, MD, United States
| | | | - Brian C Schanen
- Sanofi Pasteur, VaxDesign Campus, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Emily Sassano
- Sanofi Pasteur, VaxDesign Campus, Orlando, FL, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Donald R Drake
- Sanofi Pasteur, VaxDesign Campus, Orlando, FL, United States
| | | | - Anne S De Groot
- EpiVax Inc., Providence, RI, United States.,University of Georgia Center for Vaccines and Immunology, Athens, GA, United States
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