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Miedema J, Cinetto F, Smed-Sörensen A, Spagnolo P. The immunopathogenesis of sarcoidosis. J Autoimmun 2024:103247. [PMID: 38734536 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2024.103247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous multiorgan disease, thought to result from exposure to yet unidentified antigens in genetically susceptible individuals. The exaggerated inflammatory response that leads to granuloma formation is highly complex and involves the innate and adaptive immune system. Consecutive immunological studies using advanced technology have increased our understanding of aberrantly activated immune cells, mediators and pathways that influence the formation, maintenance and resolution of granulomas. Over the years, it has become increasingly clear that disease immunopathogenesis can only be understood if the clinical heterogeneity of sarcoidosis is taken into consideration, along with the distribution of immune cells in peripheral blood and involved organs. Most studies offer an immunological snapshot during disease course, while the cellular composition of both the circulation and tissue microenvironment may change over time. Despite these challenges, novel insights on the role of the immune system are continuously published, thus bringing the field forward. This review highlights current knowledge on the innate and adaptive immune responses involved in sarcoidosis pathogenesis, as well as the pathways involved in non-resolving disease and fibrosis development. Additionally, we describe proposed immunological mechanisms responsible for drug-induced sarcoid like reactions. Although many aspects of disease immunopathogenesis remain to be unraveled, the identification of crucial immune reactions in sarcoidosis may help identify new treatment targets. We therefore also discuss potential therapies and future strategies based on the latest immunological findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelle Miedema
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Center of Expertise for Interstitial Lung Disease, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Francesco Cinetto
- Rare Diseases Referral Center, Internal Medicine 1, Ca' Foncello Hospital, AULSS2 Marca Trevigiana, Italy; Department of Medicine - DIMED, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Anna Smed-Sörensen
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Clinical Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Paolo Spagnolo
- Respiratory Disease Unit, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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Della Zoppa M, Bertuccio FR, Campo I, Tousa F, Crescenzi M, Lettieri S, Mariani F, Corsico AG, Piloni D, Stella GM. Phenotypes and Serum Biomarkers in Sarcoidosis. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:709. [PMID: 38611622 PMCID: PMC11011731 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14070709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease, which is diagnosed on a compatible clinical presentation, non-necrotizing granulomatous inflammation in one or more tissue samples, and exclusion of alternative causes of granulomatous disease. Considering its heterogeneity, numerous aspects of the disease remain to be elucidated. In this context, the identification and integration of biomarkers may hold significance in clinical practice, aiding in appropriate selection of patients for targeted clinical trials. This work aims to discuss and analyze how validated biomarkers are currently integrated in disease category definitions. Future studies are mandatory to unravel the diverse contributions of genetics, socioeconomic status, environmental exposures, and other sociodemographic variables to disease severity and phenotypic presentation. Furthermore, the implementation of transcriptomics, multidisciplinary approaches, and consideration of patients' perspectives, reporting innovative insights, could be pivotal for a better understanding of disease pathogenesis and the optimization of clinical assistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Della Zoppa
- Pneumology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.D.Z.); (F.R.B.); (F.T.); (M.C.); (S.L.); (F.M.); (A.G.C.); (D.P.); (G.M.S.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia Medical School, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesco Rocco Bertuccio
- Pneumology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.D.Z.); (F.R.B.); (F.T.); (M.C.); (S.L.); (F.M.); (A.G.C.); (D.P.); (G.M.S.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia Medical School, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Ilaria Campo
- Pneumology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.D.Z.); (F.R.B.); (F.T.); (M.C.); (S.L.); (F.M.); (A.G.C.); (D.P.); (G.M.S.)
| | - Fady Tousa
- Pneumology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.D.Z.); (F.R.B.); (F.T.); (M.C.); (S.L.); (F.M.); (A.G.C.); (D.P.); (G.M.S.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia Medical School, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Crescenzi
- Pneumology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.D.Z.); (F.R.B.); (F.T.); (M.C.); (S.L.); (F.M.); (A.G.C.); (D.P.); (G.M.S.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia Medical School, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Sara Lettieri
- Pneumology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.D.Z.); (F.R.B.); (F.T.); (M.C.); (S.L.); (F.M.); (A.G.C.); (D.P.); (G.M.S.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia Medical School, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Francesca Mariani
- Pneumology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.D.Z.); (F.R.B.); (F.T.); (M.C.); (S.L.); (F.M.); (A.G.C.); (D.P.); (G.M.S.)
| | - Angelo Guido Corsico
- Pneumology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.D.Z.); (F.R.B.); (F.T.); (M.C.); (S.L.); (F.M.); (A.G.C.); (D.P.); (G.M.S.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia Medical School, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Davide Piloni
- Pneumology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.D.Z.); (F.R.B.); (F.T.); (M.C.); (S.L.); (F.M.); (A.G.C.); (D.P.); (G.M.S.)
| | - Giulia Maria Stella
- Pneumology Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo Foundation, Viale Golgi 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (M.D.Z.); (F.R.B.); (F.T.); (M.C.); (S.L.); (F.M.); (A.G.C.); (D.P.); (G.M.S.)
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia Medical School, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Ji HL, Xi NMS, Mohan C, Yan X, Jain KG, Zang QS, Gahtan V, Zhao R. Biomarkers and molecular endotypes of sarcoidosis: lessons from omics and non-omics studies. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1342429. [PMID: 38250062 PMCID: PMC10797773 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1342429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disorder characterized by unknown etiology, undetermined mechanisms, and non-specific therapies except TNF blockade. To improve our understanding of the pathogenicity and to predict the outcomes of the disease, the identification of new biomarkers and molecular endotypes is sorely needed. In this study, we systematically evaluate the biomarkers identified through Omics and non-Omics approaches in sarcoidosis. Most of the currently documented biomarkers for sarcoidosis are mainly identified through conventional "one-for-all" non-Omics targeted studies. Although the application of machine learning algorithms to identify biomarkers and endotypes from unbiased comprehensive Omics studies is still in its infancy, a series of biomarkers, overwhelmingly for diagnosis to differentiate sarcoidosis from healthy controls have been reported. In view of the fact that current biomarker profiles in sarcoidosis are scarce, fragmented and mostly not validated, there is an urgent need to identify novel sarcoidosis biomarkers and molecular endotypes using more advanced Omics approaches to facilitate disease diagnosis and prognosis, resolve disease heterogeneity, and facilitate personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Long Ji
- Burn and Shock Trauma Research Institute, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, IL, United States
- Department of Surgery, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Nan Mile S. Xi
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Chandra Mohan
- Biomedical Engineering & Medicine, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Xiting Yan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Krishan G. Jain
- Burn and Shock Trauma Research Institute, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, IL, United States
- Department of Surgery, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Qun Sophia Zang
- Burn and Shock Trauma Research Institute, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, IL, United States
- Department of Surgery, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Vivian Gahtan
- Burn and Shock Trauma Research Institute, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, IL, United States
- Department of Surgery, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Runzhen Zhao
- Burn and Shock Trauma Research Institute, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, IL, United States
- Department of Surgery, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, IL, United States
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Rubinstein A, Kudryavtsev I, Malkova A, Mammedova J, Isakov D, Isakova-Sivak I, Kudlay D, Starshinova A. Sarcoidosis-related autoimmune inflammation in COVID-19 convalescent patients. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1271198. [PMID: 38179278 PMCID: PMC10765615 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1271198] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, there are a large number of reports about the development of autoimmune conditions after COVID-19. Also, there have been cases of sarcoid-like granulomas in convalescents as a part of the post-COVID-19 syndrome. Since one of the etiological theories of sarcoidosis considers it to be an autoimmune disease, we decided to study changes in the adaptive humoral immune response in sarcoidosis and SARS-CoV-2 infection and to find out whether COVID-19 can provoke the development of sarcoidosis. This review discusses histological changes in lymphoid organs in sarcoidosis and COVID-19, changes in B cell subpopulations, T-follicular helper cells (Tfh), and T-follicular regulatory cells (Tfr), and analyzes various autoantibodies detected in these pathologies. Based on the data studied, we concluded that SARS-CoV-2 infection may cause the development of autoimmune pathologies, in particular contributing to the onset of sarcoidosis in convalescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem Rubinstein
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Institution of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | - Igor Kudryavtsev
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Institution of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Annа Malkova
- Ariel University Faculty of Natural Sciences, Ariel, Israel
| | | | - Dmitry Isakov
- First Saint Petersburg State I. Pavlov Medical University, Saint Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Dmitry Kudlay
- Institute of Pharmacy, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
- NRC Institute of Immunology, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna Starshinova
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Saint Petersburg, Russia
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Menghani SV, Diaz-Hanson JP, Heimbigner A, Wakefield C, Fuchs D, Reveles CY, Spier C, Amaraneni A, Kumar A. Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma in a Patient Previously Diagnosed With Sarcoidosis. J Hematol 2023; 12:272-276. [PMID: 38188478 PMCID: PMC10769647 DOI: 10.14740/jh1173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder characterized by granulomatous inflammation on histopathological evaluation. Diagnosis of sarcoidosis requires thorough elimination of malignancy and alternative causes of noncaseating granulomatous inflammation. Sarcoidosis and several subtypes of lymphoma have similar clinical presentations and can potentially have similar histopathological findings. Patients with a histopathology-confirmed diagnosis of sarcoidosis are at higher risk of developing malignancies. In this report, we present a case of a 64-year-old male diagnosed with sarcoidosis 2 years before presenting to the emergency department with a 4-month history of generalized weakness, cough, and very high fever. After a thorough workup involving cervical lymph node biopsy and bone marrow biopsy, he was diagnosed with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL, NOS). Due to the patient's current lymphoma diagnosis and features noted on pathology, a retrospective review of the prior biopsy specimen was performed, finding similar hematopathological features on both initial lymph node biopsy diagnosing sarcoidosis and current biopsies diagnosing lymphoma. Given these findings, our patient likely had early manifestation of PTCL misdiagnosed as sarcoidosis. In summary, lymphoma should be considered in all patients with suspected sarcoidosis, especially those who do not respond to treatment or who present with persistent hematological abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay V. Menghani
- University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Medical Scientist Training MD-PhD Program, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Jessica P. Diaz-Hanson
- University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Alex Heimbigner
- Department of Pathology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Banner Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Chelby Wakefield
- Banner Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Deborah Fuchs
- Department of Pathology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Banner Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Candace Y. Reveles
- Department of Pathology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Banner Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Catherine Spier
- Department of Pathology, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Banner Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Akshay Amaraneni
- Banner Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Abhijeet Kumar
- Banner Health, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
- University of Arizona Cancer Center, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson, Tucson, AZ, USA
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Lung mesenchymal cells from patients with COVID-19 driven lung fibrosis: Several features with CTD-ILD derived cells but with higher response to fibrogenic signals and might be more pro-inflammatory. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114640. [PMID: 37004325 PMCID: PMC10063673 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
A subset of severe COVID19 patients develop pulmonary fibrosis, but the pathophysiology of this complication is still unclear. We previously described the possibility to isolate lung mesenchymal cells (LMC) by culturing broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) cells from patients with pulmonary fibrosis or chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Aim of this study was to investigate the possibility to isolate and characterize LMC from BAL of patients that, two months after discharge for severe COVID19, show CT signs of post-COVID19 fibrosis (Post-COVID) and in some cases has been considered transplant indication. Results were compared with those from BAL of patients with collagen tissue disease-associated interstitial fibrosis (CTD-ILD). BAL fluid levels of TGFβ, VEGF, TIMP2, RANTES, IL6, IL8, and PAI1 were assessed. LMC were cultured and expanded, phenotyped by flow cytometry, and tested for osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Finally, we tested immunomodulatory and proliferative capabilities, collagen I production + /- TGF-beta stimulation. BAL cytokine and growth factor levels were comparable in the two groups. Efficiency of isolation from BAL was 100% in post-COVID compared to 63% in CTD-ILD. LMC from post-COVID were positive for CD105, CD73, CD90, and negative for CD45, CD34, CD19 and HLA-DR as in CTD-ILD samples. Post-COVID LMC displayed higher collagen production with respect to CTD-ILD LMC. Immunomodulatory capacity towards lymphocytes was very low, while Post-COVID LMC significantly upregulated pro-inflammatory cytokine production by healthy PBMCs. Our preliminary data suggest that LMC from post-COVID19 fibrosis patients share several features with CTD-ILD ones but might have a higher response to fibrogenic signals and pro-inflammatory profile.
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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:diagnostics13081378. [PMID: 37189479 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13081378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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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d’Alessandro M, Gangi S, Soccio P, Cantó E, Osuna-Gómez R, Bergantini L, Cameli P, Fabbri G, Croce S, Scioscia G, Montuori G, Fanetti M, Moriondo G, Mezzasalma F, Castillo D, Lacedonia D, Vidal S, Bargagli E. The Effects of Interstitial Lung Diseases on Alveolar Extracellular Vesicles Profile: A Multicenter Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044071. [PMID: 36835481 PMCID: PMC9964169 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases (ILD) is difficult to perform. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) facilitate cell-to-cell communication, and they are released by a variety of cells. Our goal aimed to investigate EV markers in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), sarcoidosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) cohorts. ILD patients followed at Siena, Barcelona and Foggia University Hospitals were enrolled. BAL supernatants were used to isolate the EVs. They were characterized by flow cytometry assay through MACSPlex Exsome KIT. The majority of alveolar EV markers were related to the fibrotic damage. CD56, CD105, CD142, CD31 and CD49e were exclusively expressed by alveolar samples from IPF patients, while HP showed only CD86 and CD24. Some EV markers were common between HP and sarcoidosis (CD11c, CD1c, CD209, CD4, CD40, CD44, CD8). Principal component analysis distinguished the three groups based on EV markers with total variance of 60.08%. This study has demonstrated the validity of the flow cytometric method to phenotype and characterize EV surface markers in BAL samples. The two granulomatous diseases, sarcoidosis and HP, cohorts shared alveolar EV markers not revealed in IPF patients. Our findings demonstrated the viability of the alveolar compartment allowing identification of lung-specific markers for IPF and HP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriana d’Alessandro
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neuro-Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +39-0577586713; Fax: +39-0577280744
| | - Sara Gangi
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neuro-Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Piera Soccio
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Riuniti of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Elisabet Cantó
- Inflammatory Diseases, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rubén Osuna-Gómez
- Inflammatory Diseases, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura Bergantini
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neuro-Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Cameli
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neuro-Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Gaia Fabbri
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neuro-Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sara Croce
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neuro-Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Scioscia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Riuniti of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Giusy Montuori
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neuro-Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Matteo Fanetti
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neuro-Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giorgia Moriondo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Riuniti of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Mezzasalma
- Diagnostic and Interventional Bronchoscopy Unit, Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital of Siena (Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese—AOUS), 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Diego Castillo
- Respiratory Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Sant Pau Biomedical Research Institute (IIB-Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Donato Lacedonia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
- Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Policlinico Riuniti of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | - Silvia Vidal
- Inflammatory Diseases, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau), 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Elena Bargagli
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neuro-Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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9
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Bergantini L, d’Alessandro M, Del Zotto G, Marcenaro E, Bargagli E. Characterization of natural killer and T cells in bronchoalveolar lavage and peripheral blood of sarcoidosis patients. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1080556. [PMID: 36685602 PMCID: PMC9846229 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1080556] [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: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The characterization of frequency and phenotypes of natural killer (NK) cells and T cells in BAL and peripheral blood of patients with sarcoidosis was evaluated, to discriminate the differential status of these cells in these two compartments. The analysis revealed that CD56brightCD16neg resulted higher in BAL than PB of sarcoidosis and healthy subjects, while CD56dimCD16+ showed a different proportion between BAL and PB of both Sarcoidosis patients and HC. Moreover, in comparison with autologous PB, BAL was characterized by a higher expression of activated NK cell markers NKp44, CD69 and CD25. Significantly increased levels of PD-1+ NK cells in the BAL of patients were detected. Regarding the maturation of CD4 and CD8, an increase of Effector Memory T cells (TEM) was reported in BAL compared to PB. A better characterization of NK and T cells may lead to an improvement of the pathogenetic mechanisms in sarcoidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bergantini
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Science, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy,*Correspondence: Laura Bergantini,
| | - Miriana d’Alessandro
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Science, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Genny Del Zotto
- Department of Research and Diagnostics, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Emanuela Marcenaro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale (DIMES), Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy,IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Elena Bargagli
- Respiratory Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Science, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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10
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d'Alessandro M, Bergantini L, Mezzasalma F, Cavallaro D, Gangi S, Baglioni S, Armati M, Abbritti M, Cattelan S, Cameli P, Bargagli E. Immune-Checkpoint Expression on CD4, CD8 and NK Cells in Blood, Bronchoalveolar Lavage and Lymph Nodes of Sarcoidosis. Mol Diagn Ther 2022; 26:437-449. [PMID: 35761164 PMCID: PMC9276617 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-022-00596-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Background Sarcoidosis features non-necrotizing granulomas consisting mainly of activated CD4-lymphocytes. T-cell activation is regulated by immune checkpoint (IC) molecules. The present study aimed to compare IC expression on CD4, CD8 and NK cells from peripheral, alveolar and lung‐draining lymph node (LLN) samples of sarcoidosis patients. Methods Flow-cytometry analysis was performed to detect IC molecules and a regression decision tree model was constructed to investigate potential binary classifiers for sarcoidosis diagnosis as well as for the IC distribution. Results Fourteen patients (7 females) were consecutively recruited in the study; all enrolled patients showed hilo-mediastinal lymph node enlargement and lung parenchyma involvement with chest X-rays and high resolution computed tomography. CD4+PD1+ and CD8+PD1+ were higher in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) than in LLN (p = 0.0159 and p = 0.0439, respectively). CD4+ T-cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT)+ were higher in BAL than in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (p = 0.0239), while CD8+TIGIT+ were higher in PBMC than in BAL (p = 0.0386). CD56+TIGIT+ were higher in LLN than in PBMC (p = 0.0126). The decision-tree model showed the best clustering cells of PBMC, BAL and LLN: CD56, CD4/CD8 and CD4+TIGIT+ cells. Considering patients and controls, the best subset was CD4+CTLA-4+. Conclusion High expression of PD1 and TIGIT on T cells in BAL, as well as CTLA-4 and TIGIT on T cells in LLN, suggest that inhibition of these molecules could be a therapeutic strategy for avoiding the development of chronic inflammation and tissue damage in sarcoidosis patients. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40291-022-00596-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriana d'Alessandro
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Laura Bergantini
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Mezzasalma
- Diagnostic and Interventional Bronchoscopy Unit, Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital of Siena (Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, AOUS), Siena, Italy
| | - Dalila Cavallaro
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Sara Gangi
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Martina Armati
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Cattelan
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Cameli
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Bargagli
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Viale Bracci 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
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11
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CD103 Expression on Regulatory and Follicular T Cells in Lymph Nodes, Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid and Peripheral Blood of Sarcoidosis Patients. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12050762. [PMID: 35629428 PMCID: PMC9146853 DOI: 10.3390/life12050762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Sarcoidosis is a chronic multisystem disorder of unknown aetiology, driven by a T-cell mechanism allowing T-cell attachment and transmigration through the endothelium, and endorsed by the expression of an integrin alpha-E beta-7 (CD103). This study aimed to analyse the different distribution and compartmentalisation of CD103 expression on T cell subsets in BAL, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and lymph nodes (LLN) from sarcoidosis patients. (2) Patients: We consecutively and prospectively enrolled 14 sarcoidosis patients. We collected PBMC, LLN and BAL at the same time from all patients. Through flow cytometric analysis, we analysed the expression of CD103 on regulatory and follicular T cell subsets. (3) Results: All patients were in radiological Scadding stage II. The multivariate analysis found that the variables which most influenced the peripheral blood compartment were high CD8+ and low ThReg, CD8+CD103+ and Tfh cell percentages. A principal component analysis plot performed to distinguish LLN, BAL and PBMC showed that they separated on the basis of CD4+, CD4+CD103+, CD8+, CD8+CD103+, TcEffector, TcNaive, ThNaive, ThEffector, Threg, ThregCD103+, Tfh, TcfCXC5+ and CD4+CD103+/CD4+ with 65.96% of the total variance. (4) Conclusions: Our study is the first to report a link between the imbalance in circulating, alveolar and lymph node CD8+ and CD8+CD103+ T cells, ThReg, Tfh and ThNaive and the CD103+CD4+/CD4+ T cell ratio in the development of sarcoidosis. These findings shine a spotlight on the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and may offer new predictors for diagnosis. Our study provides additional understanding for a personalised, and hopefully more effective treatment of sarcoidosis.
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12
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Zhao M, Tian C, Cong S, Di X, Wang K. From COVID-19 to Sarcoidosis: How Similar Are These Two Diseases? Front Immunol 2022; 13:877303. [PMID: 35615369 PMCID: PMC9124764 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.877303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), leads to the dysregulation of the immune system, exacerbates inflammatory responses, and even causes multiple organ dysfunction syndrome in patients with severe disease. Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic granulomatous multisystem disease characterized by dense epithelioid non-necrotizing lesions with varying degrees of lymphocytic inflammation. These two diseases have similar clinical manifestations and may also influence each other and affect their clinical courses. In this study, we analyzed some possible connections between sarcoidosis and COVID-19, including the role of the renin–angiotensin system in the respiratory system, immune response, and cell death pathways, to understand the underlying mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, predisposing patients to severe forms of COVID-19. This review will provide a new prospect for the treatment of COVID-19 and an opportunity to explore the pathogenesis and development of sarcoidosis.
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13
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Bergantini L, Nardelli G, d’Alessandro M, Montuori G, Piccioli C, Rosi E, Gangi S, Cavallaro D, Cameli P, Bargagli E. Combined Sarcoidosis and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (CSIPF): A New Phenotype or a Fortuitous Overlap? Scoping Review and Case Series. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11072065. [PMID: 35407673 PMCID: PMC8999728 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11072065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and sarcoidosis are two distinct clinical entities with different aetiology, epidemiology, risk factors, symptoms and chest imaging. A number of papers have reported an overlap of the two diseases and have suggested the existence of a distinct phenotype defined as combined sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (CSIPF). We used the scoping review protocol to review the literature on CSIPF. We also enrolled a cohort of nine CSIPF patients and compared them with lone-IPF and fibrotic sarcoidosis patients. Our CSIPF cohort showed male prevalence and only ex-smokers. Functional assessment at baseline showed mild to moderate restrictive impairment of lung volumes in lone-IPF and CSIPF patients, associated with moderate-to-severe reduction in DLco percentages. Although all CSIPF patients were on antifibrotic treatments, functional impairment occurred in the two years of follow up. This suggests the importance of considering these patients at high risk of rapid deterioration and lung damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Bergantini
- Respiratory Disease Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese (AOUS), 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.N.); (M.d.); (G.M.); (S.G.); (D.C.); (P.C.); (E.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0577-586713; Fax: +39-0577-280744
| | - Gabriele Nardelli
- Respiratory Disease Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese (AOUS), 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.N.); (M.d.); (G.M.); (S.G.); (D.C.); (P.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Miriana d’Alessandro
- Respiratory Disease Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese (AOUS), 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.N.); (M.d.); (G.M.); (S.G.); (D.C.); (P.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Giusy Montuori
- Respiratory Disease Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese (AOUS), 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.N.); (M.d.); (G.M.); (S.G.); (D.C.); (P.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Caterina Piccioli
- SOD of Respiratory Diseases, Florence University Hospital, 50100 Florence, Italy; (C.P.); (E.R.)
| | - Elisabetta Rosi
- SOD of Respiratory Diseases, Florence University Hospital, 50100 Florence, Italy; (C.P.); (E.R.)
| | - Sara Gangi
- Respiratory Disease Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese (AOUS), 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.N.); (M.d.); (G.M.); (S.G.); (D.C.); (P.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Dalila Cavallaro
- Respiratory Disease Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese (AOUS), 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.N.); (M.d.); (G.M.); (S.G.); (D.C.); (P.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Paolo Cameli
- Respiratory Disease Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese (AOUS), 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.N.); (M.d.); (G.M.); (S.G.); (D.C.); (P.C.); (E.B.)
| | - Elena Bargagli
- Respiratory Disease Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese (AOUS), 53100 Siena, Italy; (G.N.); (M.d.); (G.M.); (S.G.); (D.C.); (P.C.); (E.B.)
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14
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Bergantini L, d’Alessandro M, Cameli P, Cavallaro D, Gangi S, Cekorja B, Sestini P, Bargagli E. NK and T Cell Immunological Signatures in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19. Cells 2021; 10:3182. [PMID: 34831404 PMCID: PMC8618013 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus 2 emerged in Wuhan (China) in December 2019 and has severely challenged the human population. NK and T cells are involved in the progression of COVID-19 infection through the ability of NK cells to modulate T-cell responses, and by the stimulation of cytokine release. No detailed investigation of the NK cell landscape in clinical SARS-CoV-2 infection has yet been reported. A total of 35 COVID-19 hospitalised patients were stratified for clinical severity and 17 healthy subjects were enrolled. NK cell subsets and T cell subsets were analysed with flow cytometry. Serum cytokines were detected with a bead-based multiplex assay. Fewer CD56dimCD16brightNKG2A+NK cells and a parallel increase in the CD56+CD69+NK, CD56+PD-1+NK, CD56+NKp44+NK subset were reported in COVID-19 than HC. A significantly higher adaptive/memory-like NK cell frequency in patients with severe disease than in those with mild and moderate phenotypes were reported. Moreover, adaptive/memory-like NK cell frequencies were significantly higher in patients who died than in survivors. Severe COVID-19 patients showed higher serum concentrations of IL-6 than mild and control groups. Direct correlation emerged for IL-6 and adaptive/memory-like NK. All these findings provide new insights into the immune response of patients with COVID-19. In particular, they demonstrate activation of NK through overexpression of CD69 and CD25 and show that PD-1 inhibitory signalling maintains an exhausted phenotype in NK cells. These results suggest that adaptive/memory-like NK cells could be the basis of promising targeted therapy for future viral infections.
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15
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d'Alessandro M, Bergantini L, Cameli P, Mezzasalma F, Refini RM, Pieroni M, Sestini P, Bargagli E. Adaptive immune system in pulmonary sarcoidosis-Comparison of peripheral and alveolar biomarkers. Clin Exp Immunol 2021; 205:406-416. [PMID: 34107064 PMCID: PMC8374215 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcoidosis is a multi‐systemic granulomatous disease of unknown origin. Recent research has focused upon the role of autoimmunity in its development and progression. This study aimed to determine and define the disturbance and distribution of T and B cell subsets in the alveolar and peripheral compartments. Thirteen patients were selected for the study [median age, interquartile range (IQR) = 57 years (48–59); 23% were male]. Twelve healthy controls [median age, IQR = 53 years (52–65); 16% male] were also enrolled into the study. Cellular and cytokine patterns were measured using the cytofluorimetric approach. Peripheral CD8 percentages were higher in sarcoidosis patients (SP) than healthy controls (HC) (p = 0.0293), while CD4 percentages were lower (p = 0.0305). SP showed low bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) percentages of CD19 (p = 0.0004) and CD8 (p = 0.0035), while CD19+CD5+CD27− percentages were higher (p = 0.0213); the same was found for CD4 (p = 0.0396), follicular regulatory T cells (Treg) (p = 0.0078) and Treg (p < 0.0001) cells. Low T helper type 17 (Th17) percentages were observed in BAL (p = 0.0063) of SP. Peripheral CD4+ C‐X‐C chemokine receptor (CXCR)5+CD45RA−) percentages and follicular T helper cells (Tfh)‐like Th1 (Tfh1) percentages (p = 0.0493 and p = 0.0305, respectively) were higher in the SP than HC. Tfh1 percentages and Tfh‐like Th2 percentages were lower in BAL than in peripheral blood (p = 0.0370 and p = 0.0078, respectively), while CD4+ C‐X‐C motif CXCR5+CD45RA− percentages were higher (p = 0.0011). This is the first study, to our knowledge, to demonstrate a link between an imbalance in circulating and alveolar Tfh cells, especially CCR4‐, CXCR3‐ and CXCR5‐expressing Tfh subsets in the development of sarcoidosis. These findings raise questions about the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and may provide new directions for future clinical studies and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriana d'Alessandro
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | - Laura Bergantini
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | - Paolo Cameli
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Mezzasalma
- Diagnostic and Interventional Bronchoscopy Unit, Cardio-Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital of Siena (Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, AOUS), Siena, Italy
| | - Rosa Metella Refini
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Pieroni
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | - Piersante Sestini
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Bargagli
- Respiratory Diseases and Lung Transplantation, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences & Neurosciences, Siena University Hospital, Siena, Italy
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