1
|
Skartsis N, Peng Y, Ferreira LMR, Nguyen V, Ronin E, Muller YD, Vincenti F, Tang Q. IL-6 and TNFα Drive Extensive Proliferation of Human Tregs Without Compromising Their Lineage Stability or Function. Front Immunol 2022; 12:783282. [PMID: 35003100 PMCID: PMC8732758 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.783282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Treg therapies are being tested in clinical trials in transplantation and autoimmune diseases, however, the impact of inflammation on Tregs remains controversial. We challenged human Tregs ex-vivo with pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNFα and observed greatly enhanced proliferation stimulated by anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 (aCD3/28) beads or CD28 superagonist (CD28SA). The cytokine-exposed Tregs maintained high expression of FOXP3 and HELIOS, demethylated FOXP3 enhancer, and low IFNγ, IL-4, and IL-17 secretion. Blocking TNF receptor using etanercept or deletion of TNF receptor 2 using CRISPR/Cas9 blunted Treg proliferation and attenuated FOXP3 and HELIOS expression. These results prompted us to consider using CD28SA together with IL-6 and TNFα without aCD3/28 beads (beadless) as an alternative protocol for therapeutic Treg manufacturing. Metabolomics profiling revealed more active glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, increased energy production, and higher antioxidant potential during beadless Treg expansion. Finally, beadless expanded Tregs maintained suppressive functions in vitro and in vivo. These results demonstrate that human Tregs positively respond to proinflammatory cytokines with enhanced proliferation without compromising their lineage identity or function. This property can be harnessed for therapeutic Treg manufacturing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Skartsis
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Yani Peng
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Leonardo M R Ferreira
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Vinh Nguyen
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Emilie Ronin
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Yannick D Muller
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Flavio Vincenti
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Qizhi Tang
- Department of Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States.,Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Schöller-Mann A, Matt K, Hochecker B, Bergemann J. Ex vivo Assessment of Mitochondrial Function in Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Using XF Analyzer. Bio Protoc 2021; 11:e3980. [PMID: 33889674 PMCID: PMC8054202 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular health and function, as we know today, depend on a large extent on mitochondrial function. The essential function of mitochondria is the energy production, more precisely ATP production, via oxidative phosphorylation. Mitochondrial energy production parameters therefore represent important biomarkers. Studies on human cells have mainly been performed on in vitro cell cultures. However, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are particularly suitable for such examinations. That's why this protocol describes a method to measure key parameters of mitochondrial function in freshly isolated PBMCs with the latest technology, the XF Analyzer. For this ex vivo approach PBMCs are first isolated out of human anticoagulated blood. Next, they are attached to the surface of special microplates pre-coated with Poly-D-Lysine. During the subsequent measurement of oxygen consumption rate (OCR) as well as extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) the stress reagents oligomycin, carbonyl cyanide 4-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone (FCCP), rotenone and antimycin A are injected. Several mitochondrial parameters can be calculated from the results obtained. The application of this protocol allows the analysis of various influences, such as pharmaceuticals or environmental factors, on human cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alica Schöller-Mann
- Department of Life Sciences, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences, Sigmaringen, Germany
| | - Katja Matt
- Department of Life Sciences, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences, Sigmaringen, Germany
| | - Barbara Hochecker
- Department of Life Sciences, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences, Sigmaringen, Germany
| | - Jörg Bergemann
- Department of Life Sciences, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences, Sigmaringen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
A Role for Human Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells in Direct Allo-Recognition by CD4+ T-Cells and the Effect of Ischemia-Reperfusion. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041733. [PMID: 33572206 PMCID: PMC7915934 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct allorecognition is the earliest and most potent immune response against a kidney allograft. Currently, it is thought that passenger donor professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are responsible. Further, many studies support that graft ischemia-reperfusion injury increases the probability of acute rejection. We evaluated the possible role of primary human proximal renal tubular epithelial cells (RPTECs) in direct allorecognition by CD4+ T-cells and the effect of anoxia-reoxygenation. In cell culture, we detected that RPTECs express all the required molecules for CD4+ T-cell activation (HLA-DR, CD80, and ICAM-1). Anoxia-reoxygenation decreased HLA-DR and CD80 but increased ICAM-1. Following this, RPTECs were co-cultured with alloreactive CD4+ T-cells. In T-cells, zeta chain phosphorylation and c-Myc increased, indicating activation of T-cell receptor and co-stimulation signal transduction pathways, respectively. T-cell proliferation assessed with bromodeoxyuridine assay and with the marker Ki-67 increased. Previous culture of RPTECs under anoxia raised all the above parameters in T-cells. FOXP3 remained unaffected in all cases, signifying that proliferating T-cells were not differentiated towards a regulatory phenotype. Our results support that direct allorecognition may be mediated by RPTECs even in the absence of donor-derived professional APCs. Also, ischemia-reperfusion injury of the graft may enhance the above capacity of RPTECs, increasing the possibility of acute rejection.
Collapse
|