Development and function of FOXP3+ regulators of immune responses

3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (β-AKBA) and 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (β-KBA) increase FoxP3 expression in CD4+ T regulatory cells

Boswellic acids (BAs) have multiple beneficial effects against inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, their immunomodulatory activities are poorly understood. Herein, we investigated whether individual compounds of BAs including β-BA, β-KBA, and β-AKBA extracted from Boswellia sacra, have any potential effects on the phenotype of human T regulatory cells (Tregs), by analyzing the expression of Treg markers including FoxP3 and Helios transcription factors. Importantly, β-KBA and β-AKBA at 25 μM concentration induced a significant increase in FoxP3 expression in CD4+ Tregs. Additionally, treatment of stimulated T cells with β-BA, β-KBA, and β-AKBA increased FoxP3 expression in CD8+ T cells, but without any statistical significance. By investigating co-expression levels of FoxP3 and Helios in CD4+ T cells, we did not find any significant differences in the levels of CD4+FoxP3+Helios+ Tregs. Interestingly, significant increases in levels of CD4+FoxP3+Helios- Tregs were observed following treatment with β-KBA and β-AKBA. Our findings show that β-KBA and β-AKBA have the potential to increase FoxP3 expression in CD4+ Tregs in vitro. Clearly, further in vivo investigations, in addition to the mechanism of action of β-KBA and β-AKBA on FoxP3 expression, are required to gain a deeper understanding of the beneficial effects of these compounds for treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell therapy in neurological autoimmune diseases

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in maintaining immune tolerance. They are essential for the initiation and progression of autoimmune diseases affecting the nervous system. Recently, the correlation between Tregs and neurological autoimmune diseases, as well as their therapeutic potential, has become a central focus of research. Currently, various methods for in vivo or in vitro generation and expansion of CD4+CD25+ Tregs are under investigation; however, their application in cellular therapy is anticipated to face additional challenges. This article primarily delves into the development and function of CD4+CD25+ Tregs, the role of Tregs in neurological autoimmune disease pathology, basic methods for enhancing therapies, and recent advancements and challenges in cellular therapy for neurological autoimmune diseases.

Targeting inflammation in cancer therapy: from mechanistic insights to emerging therapeutic approaches

Inflammation is a complex and finely tuned component of the host defense mechanism, responding sensitively to a range of physical, chemical, and biological stressors. Current research is advancing our grasp of both cellular and molecular mechanisms that initiate and regulate interactions within inflammatory pathways. Substantial evidence now indicates a profound link between inflammation, innate immunity, and cancer. Dysregulation of inflammatory pathways is known to be a pivotal factor in the induction, growth, and metastasis of tumors through multiple mechanistic pathways. Basically, the tumor microenvironment (TME), characterized by dynamic interplay between cancerous cells and surrounding inflammatory and stromal cells, plays a central role in these processes. Increasingly, controlled acute inflammation is being explored as a promising therapeutic tool in certain types of cancer. However, inflammatory cells in the TME exhibit remarkable plasticity, with shifting phenotypic and functional roles that facilitate cancer cell survival, proliferation, and migration, especially under chronic inflammatory conditions. Additionally, signaling molecules associated with the innate immune system, like chemokines, are co-opted by malignant cells to support invasion, migration, and metastasis. These findings underscore the need for deeper insights into the mechanisms connecting inflammation to cancer pathology, which could pave the way for innovative diagnostic approaches and targeted anti-inflammatory therapies to counter tumor development. The current review underlines the critical involvement of inflammation in cancer development, examining the connection between the immune system, key inflammatory mediators, biomarkers, and their associated pathways in cancer. We also discuss the impact of inflammation-targeted therapies on anticancer signaling pathways. Furthermore, we review major anti-inflammatory drugs with potential applications in oncology, assessing how inflammation is modulated in cancer management. Lastly, we outline an overview of ongoing discoveries in the field, highlighting both the challenges and the therapeutic promise of targeting inflammation in cancer therapy.

Methylation profile of CD247 and FOXP3 genes and frequency of certain HLA-DQ haplotypes in Celiac disease

BACKGROUND

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the small intestine in people with gluten intolerance. HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 have been associated with Celiac Disease. CD247 is a subunit of the T cell receptor complex and Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) is a transcription factor involved in the regulation of the immune response. Expression levels of these two markers in various diseases, including autoimmune disorders, are controversial. In this context, we aimed to shed light on the etiopathogenesis of Celiac disease by determining the methylation profile of CD247 and FOXP3 genes, and to calculate the frequency of HLA-DQ haplotypes in this disease.

METHODS

Methylated and unmethylated copy numbers of the CD247 and FOXP3 genes in samples were calculated using the methylation-specific qPCR method. The records regarding HLA-DQ2 and DQ8 genotypes previously detected from our patients by Real Time PCR and tissue transglutaminase IgA (TTG-IgA) by ELISA, were analyzed.

RESULTS

CD247 methylation rate in our patients was significantly lower than in controls. According to the Marsh classification, the methylation level in Marsh type 2-3 patients was statistically lower than in type 1. On the contrary, FOXP3 had a significantly higher methylation rate in the patient group compared to healthy controls, and this gene was also found to be more methylated in Marsh type 2-3 patients than in Marsh type 1. In the patient group, HLA-DQ2 positivity was 82.5% and HLA-DQ8 positivity was 37.5%.

CONCLUSION

The data suggest that CD247 expression is upregulated, whereas FOXP3 expression is downregulated in Celiac disease. Among HLA haplotypes, HLA-DQ2 heterodimer came to the forefront with its frequency in terms of celiac predisposition.

Role of regulatory immune cells in pathogenesis and therapy of periodontitis

Periodontitis disease (PD) is a serious gum infection that progresses from gingivitis. PD is defined by gingival recession and bone loss and can lead to tooth loss. Bacterial infections are the main cause, as they induce inflammation and the development of periodontal pockets. Traditional therapies such as scaling and root planning aim to remove the subgingival biofilm via mechanical debridement but fail to address the fundamental inflammatory imbalance within the periodontium. The immune homeostasis linked to periodontal health necessitates a regulated immuno-inflammatory response, within which the presence of regulatory cells is critical to guarantee a managed response that reduces unintended tissue damage. Given that regulatory cells influence both innate and adaptive immunity, pathological conditions that might be alleviated through the establishment of immuno-tolerance, such as PD, could potentially gain from the application of regulatory cell immunotherapy. This review will reveal regulatory cell types, how they change phenotypes, and how they can be targets for new immunotherapies. As our understanding of regulatory cell biology advances, we can create novel therapeutics to improve their stability and function in PD.

Infiltrating treg reprogramming in the tumor immune microenvironment and its optimization for immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has shown promising anti-tumor effects across various tumors, yet it encounters challenges from the inhibitory tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). Infiltrating regulatory T cells (Tregs) are important contributors to immunosuppressive TIME, limiting tumor immunosurveillance and blocking effective anti-tumor immune responses. Although depletion or inhibition of systemic Tregs enhances the anti-tumor immunity, autoimmune sequelae have diminished expectations for the approach. Herein, we summarize emerging strategies, specifically targeting tumor-infiltrating (TI)-Tregs, that elevate the capacity of organisms to resist tumors by reprogramming their phenotype. The regulatory mechanisms of Treg reprogramming are also discussed as well as how this knowledge could be utilized to develop novel and effective cancer immunotherapies.

Targeting post-translational modifications of Foxp3: a new paradigm for regulatory T cell-specific therapy

A healthy immune system is pivotal for the hosts to resist external pathogens and maintain homeostasis; however, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) damages the anti-tumor immunity and promotes tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. Recently, many studies have found that Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are the major immunosuppressive cells that facilitate the formation of TME by promoting the development of various tumor-associated cells and suppressing the activity of effector immune cells. Considering the role of Tregs in tumor progression, it is pivotal to identify new therapeutic drugs to target and deplete Tregs in tumors. Although several studies have developed strategies for targeted deletion of Treg to reduce the TME and support the accumulation of effector T cells in tumors, Treg-targeted therapy systematically affects the Treg population and may lead to the progression of autoimmune diseases. It has been understood that, nevertheless, in disease conditions, Foxp3 undergoes several definite post-translational modifications (PTMs), including acetylation, glycosylation, phosphorylation, ubiquitylation, and methylation. These PTMs not only elevate or mitigate the transcriptional activity of Foxp3 but also affect the stability and immunosuppressive function of Tregs. Various studies have shown that pharmacological targeting of enzymes involved in PTMs can significantly influence the PTMs of Foxp3; thus, it may influence the progression of cancers and/or autoimmune diseases. Overall, this review will help researchers to understand the advances in the immune-suppressive mechanisms of Tregs, the post-translational regulations of Foxp3, and the potential therapeutic targets and strategies to target the Tregs in TME to improve anti-tumor immunity.