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Rosichini M, Bordoni V, Silvestris DA, Mariotti D, Matusali G, Cardinale A, Zambruno G, Condorelli AG, Flamini S, Genah S, Catanoso M, Del Nonno F, Trezzi M, Galletti L, De Stefanis C, Cicolani N, Petrini S, Quintarelli C, Agrati C, Locatelli F, Velardi E. SARS-CoV-2 infection of thymus induces loss of function that correlates with disease severity. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023; 151:911-921. [PMID: 36758836 PMCID: PMC9907790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2023.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lymphopenia, particularly when restricted to the T-cell compartment, has been described as one of the major clinical hallmarks in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and proposed as an indicator of disease severity. Although several mechanisms fostering COVID-19-related lymphopenia have been described, including cell apoptosis and tissue homing, the underlying causes of the decline in T-cell count and function are still not completely understood. OBJECTIVE Given that viral infections can directly target thymic microenvironment and impair the process of T-cell generation, we sought to investigate the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on thymic function. METHODS We performed molecular quantification of T-cell receptor excision circles and κ-deleting recombination excision circles to assess, respectively, T- and B-cell neogenesis in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. We developed a system for in vitro culture of primary human thymic epithelial cells (TECs) to mechanistically investigate the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on TEC function. RESULTS We showed that patients with COVID-19 had reduced thymic function that was inversely associated with the severity of the disease. We found that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, through which SARS-CoV-2 enters the host cells, was expressed by thymic epithelium, and in particular by medullary TECs. We also demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 can target TECs and downregulate critical genes and pathways associated with epithelial cell adhesion and survival. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that the human thymus is a target of SARS-CoV-2 and thymic function is altered following infection. These findings expand our current knowledge of the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on T-cell homeostasis and suggest that monitoring thymic activity may be a useful marker to predict disease severity and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Rosichini
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Veronica Bordoni
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Cellular Immunology Laboratory, INMI L Spallanzani – IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Alessandro Silvestris
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Mariotti
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, INMI L Spallanzani – IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Matusali
- Virology Laboratory, INMI L Spallanzani – IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Cardinale
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Zambruno
- Genodermatosis Unit, Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Giuseppe Condorelli
- Genodermatosis Unit, Genetics and Rare Diseases Research Division, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Flamini
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Shirley Genah
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marialuigia Catanoso
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Trezzi
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Galletti
- Cardiac Surgery Unit, Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiano De Stefanis
- Pathology Unit, Core Research Laboratories, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicolò Cicolani
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Research Center, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Petrini
- Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, Research Center, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Quintarelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Agrati
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Cellular Immunology Laboratory, INMI L Spallanzani – IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Franco Locatelli
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy,Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Velardi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Cell and Gene Therapy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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Ao YQ, Jiang JH, Gao J, Wang HK, Ding JY. Recent thymic emigrants as the bridge between thymoma and autoimmune diseases. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2022; 1877:188730. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2022.188730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Alhazmi A, Nekoua MP, Michaux H, Sane F, Halouani A, Engelmann I, Alidjinou EK, Martens H, Jaidane H, Geenen V, Hober D. Effect of Coxsackievirus B4 Infection on the Thymus: Elucidating Its Role in the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9061177. [PMID: 34072590 PMCID: PMC8229779 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The thymus gland is a primary lymphoid organ for T-cell development. Various viral infections can result in disturbance of thymic functions. Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) are important for the negative selection of self-reactive T-cells to ensure central tolerance. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is the dominant self-peptide of the insulin family expressed in mTECs and plays a crucial role in the intra-thymic programing of central tolerance to insulin-secreting islet β-cells. Coxsackievirus B4 (CVB4) can infect and persist in the thymus of humans and mice, thus hampering the T-cell maturation and differentiation process. The modulation of IGF2 expression and protein synthesis during a CVB4 infection has been observed in vitro and in vivo in mouse models. The effect of CVB4 infections on human and mouse fetal thymus has been studied in vitro. Moreover, following the inoculation of CVB4 in pregnant mice, the thymic function in the fetus and offspring was disturbed. A defect in the intra-thymic expression of self-peptides by mTECs may be triggered by CVB4. The effects of viral infections, especially CVB4 infection, on thymic cells and functions and their possible role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (T1D) are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz Alhazmi
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (A.A.); (M.P.N.); (F.S.); (I.E.); (E.K.A.)
- Microbiology and Parasitology Department, College of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan 82911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Magloire Pandoua Nekoua
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (A.A.); (M.P.N.); (F.S.); (I.E.); (E.K.A.)
| | - Hélène Michaux
- GIGA-I3 Center of Immunoendocrinology, GIGA Research Institute, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (H.M.); (H.M.); (V.G.)
| | - Famara Sane
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (A.A.); (M.P.N.); (F.S.); (I.E.); (E.K.A.)
| | - Aymen Halouani
- Laboratoire des Maladies Transmissibles et Substances Biologiquement Actives LR99ES27, Université de Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia; (A.H.); (H.J.)
| | - Ilka Engelmann
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (A.A.); (M.P.N.); (F.S.); (I.E.); (E.K.A.)
| | - Enagnon Kazali Alidjinou
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (A.A.); (M.P.N.); (F.S.); (I.E.); (E.K.A.)
| | - Henri Martens
- GIGA-I3 Center of Immunoendocrinology, GIGA Research Institute, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (H.M.); (H.M.); (V.G.)
| | - Hela Jaidane
- Laboratoire des Maladies Transmissibles et Substances Biologiquement Actives LR99ES27, Université de Monastir, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia; (A.H.); (H.J.)
| | - Vincent Geenen
- GIGA-I3 Center of Immunoendocrinology, GIGA Research Institute, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium; (H.M.); (H.M.); (V.G.)
| | - Didier Hober
- Laboratoire de Virologie ULR3610, Université de Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (A.A.); (M.P.N.); (F.S.); (I.E.); (E.K.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)3-20-44-66-88
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Auma AWN, Shive CL, Lange A, Damjanovska S, Kowal C, Zebrowski E, Pandiyan P, Wilson B, Kalayjian RC, Canaday DH, Anthony DD. Naïve CD4+ T Cell Lymphopenia and Apoptosis in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Is Driven by the CD31+ Subset and Is Partially Normalized in Direct-Acting Antiviral Treated Persons. Front Immunol 2021; 12:641230. [PMID: 33912168 PMCID: PMC8075159 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.641230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The mechanisms underlying naïve CD4+ lymphopenia during chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection are unclear. Whether direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy restores peripheral naïve CD4+ T cell numbers and function is unknown. Methods We enumerated frequencies and counts of peripheral naïve CD4+, CD4+CD31+ and CD4+CD31- T cells by flow cytometry in a cross sectional analysis comparing chronic HCV infected (n=34), DAA-treated(n=29), and age-range matched controls (n=25), as well as in a longitudinal cohort of HCV DAA treated persons (n=16). The cross-sectional cohort was stratified by cirrhosis state. Cell apoptosis/survival (AnnexinV+7AAD+/BCL-2 labeling) and cell cycle entry (Ki67 expression) of CD31+ and CD31- naïve CD4+ T cells was analyzed directly ex vivo and following 3 and 5 days of in vitro culture with media, interleukin (IL) -7 or CD3/CD28 activator. Results In the cross-sectional cohort, naïve CD4+ proportions were lower in chronic HCV infected persons compared to controls and DAA-treated persons, an effect in part attributed to cirrhosis. Age was associated with naïve cell counts and proportions in HCV infected and treated persons as well. Naïve CD4+ cell proportions negatively correlated with plasma levels of soluble CD14 following therapy in DAA-treated persons. Naïve CD4+ cells from HCV infected persons exhibited greater direct ex vivo apoptosis and cell-cycling compared to cells from DAA-treated persons and controls, and this was localized to the CD4+CD31+ subset. On the other hand, no remarkable differences in expression of BCL-2 or IL-7 Receptor (CD127) at baseline or following in vitro media or IL7 containing culture were observed. In the longitudinal cohort, naïve CD4+CD31+/CD31- ratio tended to increase 24 weeks after DAA therapy initiation. Conclusions Activation and apoptosis of peripheral naïve CD4+CD31+ T cells appear to contribute to naïve CD4+ lymphopenia in chronic HCV infection, and this defect is partially reversible with HCV DAA therapy. Age and cirrhosis -associated naïve CD4+ lymphopenia is present both before and after HCV DAA therapy. These findings have implications for restoration of host immune function after DAA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann W N Auma
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Carey L Shive
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States.,GRECC, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Alyssa Lange
- GRECC, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Sofi Damjanovska
- GRECC, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Corinne Kowal
- GRECC, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | | | - Pushpa Pandiyan
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Brigid Wilson
- GRECC, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Robert C Kalayjian
- Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - David H Canaday
- GRECC, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Donald D Anthony
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States.,GRECC, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System, Cleveland, OH, United States.,Department of Medicine, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
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Gomes JAN, da Silva Dias GA, Fujihara S, Yoshikawa GT, Koyama RVL, Sousa RCM, Quaresma JAS, Fuzii HT. Decrease in naïve T cell production due to HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP) development. Immunobiology 2020; 226:152050. [PMID: 33338979 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2020.152050] [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: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Human T-lymphocytic virus 1 (HTLV-1) is mainly associated with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Patients with HAM/TSP exhibit significant changes in their immune response, and HTLV-1 infection can interfere in cytokine production and perhaps in T cell production. The aims of this study were to evaluate thymic function in HAM/TSP patients and HTLV-1 healthy carriers (HCs) and correlate it to age and interleukin 7 (IL-7) gene expression. Thymic function in 21 HAM/TSP patients and 12 HCs was evaluated by quantifying T cell receptor rearrangement excision circle (TREC) particles and IL-7 gene expression, both measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. HAM/TSP patients presented lower TREC particle counts (p = 0.0112) and lower IL-7 expression (p = 0.0102) than HCs. Both TREC particles and IL-7 gene expression were separately analyzed in two age groups: ≤ 59 years and ≥60 years, The ≤59-year-old HAM/TSP patients had a lower TREC count compared with the ≤59-year-old HCs (p = 0.0476). In conclusion, HAM/TSP development could interfere with thymic function because the results showed TREC particle reduction in HAM/TSP patients in relation to HCs, and it could be associated with a concomitant reduction in IL-7 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Satomi Fujihara
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém-Pará, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Hellen Thais Fuzii
- Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém-Pará, Brazil
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Höglund P, Ljunggren HG, Jonsson R. Covid-19, SSI 50 years and Nobel: Three immunological reasons to remember 2020. Scand J Immunol 2020; 92:e12997. [PMID: 33241904 PMCID: PMC7744915 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Goggins JA, Kurtz JR, McLachlan JB. Control of Persistent Salmonella Infection Relies on Constant Thymic Output Despite Increased Peripheral Antigen-Specific T Cell Immunity. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9080605. [PMID: 32722409 PMCID: PMC7459538 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9080605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent thymic emigrants are the youngest subset of peripheral T cells and their involvement in combating persistent bacterial infections has not been explored. Here, we hypothesized that CD4+ recent thymic emigrants are essential immune mediators during persistent Salmonella infection. To test this, we thymectomized adult mice either prior to, or during, persistent Salmonella infection. We found that thymic output is crucial in the formation of protective immune responses during the early formation of a Salmonella infection but is dispensable once persistent Salmonella infection is established. Further, we show that thymectomized mice demonstrate increased infection-associated mortality and bacterial burdens. Unexpectedly, numbers of Salmonella-specific CD4+ T cells were significantly increased in thymectomized mice compared to sham control mice. Lastly, we found that T cells from thymectomized mice may be impaired in producing the effector cytokine IL-17 at early time points of infection, compared to thymically intact mice. Together, these results imply a unique role for thymic output in the formation of immune responses against a persistent, enteric pathogen.
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Abstract
Thymus glands from 283 autopsy cases were sampled and evaluated with histochemical and immunohistochemical methods. A subpopulation of 41 intravenous drug addicts were compared with age-matched control cases.It was found that an accelerated involution of the thymus occurred in the 20- to 25-year interval and thereafter with a steady pace of 5% per year. Also the size of Hassall bodies declined successively.In drug addicts, an increased dystrophic calcification of the Hassall bodies and a significant difference in thymus size (atrophy) compared with controls were seen. Moreover, a difference was seen in the relative numbers of CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes where CD4+ cells were reduced in drug addicts.It is hypothesized that signs of hepatitis C virus infection that was found in the majority of drug addicts and the reduced number of functionally intact Hassall corpuscles could explain the reduction of CD4+ lymphocytes and thymic hypotrophy in this population.
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Effects of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination at birth on T and B lymphocyte subsets: Results from a clinical randomized trial. Sci Rep 2017; 7:12398. [PMID: 28963455 PMCID: PMC5622034 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11601-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Accepted: 08/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine (BCG) has been associated with beneficial non-specific effects (NSEs) on infant health. Within a randomized trial on the effect of neonatal BCG on overall health, we investigated the possible immunological impact of neonatal BCG vaccination on lymphocyte subsets, determined by flow cytometry. In 118 infants blood samples were obtained 4 (±2) days post randomization to BCG vaccination or no intervention, and at 3 and 13 months of age. No effects of BCG were found at 4 days. However, BCG increased proportions of effector memory cells at 3 months (Geometric mean ratio (GMR) 1.62, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.20–2.21), p = 0.002 for CD4+ T cells and GMR 1.69, 95% CI (1.06–2.70), p = 0.03 for CD8+ T cells), and reduced proportions of late differentiated CD4+ T cells (GMR = 0.62, 95% CI (0.38–1.00), p = 0.05) and apoptotic CD4+ T cells at 13 months (GMR = 0.55, 95% CI (0.32–0.92), p = 0.03). In conclusion, limited overall impact of neonatal BCG vaccination on lymphocyte subsets was found in healthy Danish infants within the first 13 months of life. This is in line with the limited clinical effects of BCG observed in our setting.
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Reduced IL-7R T Cell Expression and Increased Plasma sCD127 in Late Presenting HIV-Infected Individuals. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2017; 74:81-90. [PMID: 27509242 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Late presentation of HIV infection is associated with reduced chance of optimal immune recovery after initiating combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Interleukin-7 (IL-7) and the corresponding receptor, IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) made up of CD127 and CD132, are crucial for T cell homeostasis. This study aimed to describe IL-7R and IL-7 before and after initiation of cART in late presenting HIV-infected individuals, and the impact on immune recovery and T cell subset distribution after initiation of cART. METHODS A total of 100 HIV-infected individuals initiating cART were included in a prospective study. Samples were collected at baseline and after 6, 12, and 24 months of cART. Proportion and expression {[median fluorescence intensity (MFI)]} of IL-7R on T cells, and plasma concentrations of soluble CD127 (sCD127) and IL-7 were determined. RESULTS The IL-7R expression was reduced in late presenters with CD4 cell count <200 cells per microliter compared with nonlate presenters and healthy controls as demonstrated by lower proportion of CD127 + CD132 + T cells and lower CD127 MFI. In contrast, plasma sCD127 was higher. These differences were partly reversed after suppressive cART. Interestingly, the CD127 MFI on CD4 T cells was found to be a predictor of increased thymic output after 24 months of suppressive cART. CONCLUSIONS Severely altered IL-7R expression was found in late presenters, and associations between IL-7R expression and thymic output after 24 months of suppressive cART indicate an impact of a IL-7 response for the long term de novo production from thymus.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND The effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection on CD4 T cell recovery in treated HIV-infected children is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE To compare CD4 T cell recovery in HIV/HCV coinfected children with recovery in HIV monoinfected children. METHOD We studied 355 HIV monoinfected and 46 HIV/HCV coinfected children receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) during a median follow-up period of 4.2 years (interquartile range: 2.7-5.3 years). Our dataset came from the Ukraine pediatric HIV Cohort and the HIV/HCV coinfection study within the European Pregnancy and Paediatric HIV Cohort Collaboration. We fitted an asymptotic nonlinear mixed-effects model of CD4 T cell reconstitution to age-standardized CD4 counts in all 401 children and investigated factors predicting the speed and extent of recovery. RESULTS We found no significant impact of HCV coinfection on either pre-ART or long-term age-adjusted CD4 counts (z scores). However, the rate of increase in CD4 z score was slower in HIV/HCV coinfected children when compared with their monoinfected counterparts (P < 0.001). Both monoinfected and coinfected children starting ART at younger ages had higher pre-ART (P < 0.001) and long-term (P < 0.001) CD4 z scores than those who started when they were older. CONCLUSIONS HIV/HCV coinfected children receiving ART had slower CD4 T cell recovery than HIV monoinfected children. HIV/HCV coinfection had no impact on pre-ART or long-term CD4 z scores. Early treatment of HIV/HCV coinfected children with ART should be encouraged.
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Sun DP, Wang L, Ding CY, Liang JH, Zhu HY, Wu YJ, Fan L, Li JY, Xu W. Investigating Factors Associated with Thymic Regeneration after Chemotherapy in Patients with Lymphoma. Front Immunol 2016; 7:654. [PMID: 28082988 PMCID: PMC5186774 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The factors involved in thymus regeneration after chemotherapy has not been sufficiently explored. This study was aimed to identify the clinical characteristics and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene (IL7R) encoding IL-7Rα associated with thymus renewal after chemotherapy in Chinese Han individuals with lymphoma. The dynamics of thymic activity in 134 adults with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and B cell lymphoma from baseline to 12 months post-chemotherapy were analyzed by assessing thymic structural changes using serial computed tomography scans and correlating these with measurements of thymic output by concurrent analysis of single-joint T-cell receptor excision circles (sjTREC) and CD31+ recent thymic emigrants (RTE) in peripheral blood. The association of clinical variables and IL7R polymorphisms with the occurrence of rebound thymic hyperplasia (TH) and the recovery of thymic output following chemotherapy were evaluated. Thymic regeneration was observed, with the evidence that TH occurred in 38/134 (28.4%) cases, and thymic output, assessed by CD31+ RTE numbers and sjTREC content, recovered to baseline levels within 1 year after the end of therapy. The frequencies of the T allele and TT + GT genotype of rs7718919 located in the promoter of IL7R were significantly higher in patients with TH compared with those without TH (P = 0.031 and 0.027, respectively). In contrast, no significant difference was found between two groups with respect to the distribution of allele and genotype frequencies of rs6897932. By general linear models repeated-measure analysis, rs7718919 and rs6897932 were determined to exert no significant effects on the recovery of thymic output after therapy. Univariate analysis revealed host age under 30, the diagnosis of HL, baseline thymic index and CD31+ RTE counts, and rs7718919 genotype as potential predictors for TH after chemotherapy (P < 0.05); after multivariate adjustment, only host age was independently associated with the occurrence of TH (odds ratios = 4.710, 95% confidence intervals: 1.727–12.845, P = 0.002). These findings indicate that patient age is an independent predictor for thymic regrowth after chemotherapy, which should promote awareness among physicians to make a timely diagnosis of TH in young adults and help physicians to prioritize intervention strategies for thymus rejuvenation in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dao-Ping Sun
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Hematology, Jining No.1 People's Hospital, Jining, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Chong-Yang Ding
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital , Nanjing , China
| | - Jin-Hua Liang
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Hua-Yuan Zhu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Yu-Jie Wu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Lei Fan
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Jian-Yong Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Jiangsu Province Hospital, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing , China
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13
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Perelló M C, Fernández-Carrillo C, Londoño MC, Arias-Loste T, Hernández-Conde M, Llerena S, Crespo J, Forns X, Calleja JL. Reactivation of Herpesvirus in Patients With Hepatitis C Treated With Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016; 14:1662-1666.e1. [PMID: 27211502 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2016.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2016] [Revised: 05/10/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We performed a case-series analysis of reactivation of herpesvirus in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents. We collected data from 576 patients with HCV infection treated with DAA combinations at 3 hospitals in Spain, from November 2014 through November 2015. We also collected data from a control population (230 HCV-infected patients, matched for sex and age; 23 untreated and 213 treated with interferon-based regimens). Herpesvirus was reactivated in 10 patients who received DAA therapy (7 patients had cirrhosis and 3 patients had received liver transplants), a median of 8 weeks after the therapy was initiated. None of the controls had herpesvirus reactivation. Patients with herpesvirus reactivation were receiving the DAA agents sofosbuvir with ledipasvir (with or without ribavirin, 7/10), ombitasvir with paritaprevir and ritonavir plus dasabuvir (with or without ribavirin, 2/10), or sofosbuvir with simeprevir plus ribavirin (1/10). Two of the 10 patients developed postherpetic neuralgia and 1 patient developed kerato-uveitis. All 10 patients with herpesvirus reactivation achieved a sustained virologic response. Immune changes that follow clearance of HCV might lead to reactivation of other viruses, such as herpesvirus. Patients with HCV infection suspected of having herpesvirus infection should be treated immediately. Some groups also might be screened for herpesvirus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christie Perelló M
- Liver Unit, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Majadajonda, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Fernández-Carrillo
- Liver Unit, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Majadajonda, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - María-Carlota Londoño
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacións Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Teresa Arias-Loste
- Digestive Service, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | - Marta Hernández-Conde
- Liver Unit, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Majadajonda, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Susana Llerena
- Digestive Service, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | - Javier Crespo
- Digestive Service, Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
| | - Xavier Forns
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacións Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Luis Calleja
- Liver Unit, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Puerta de Hierro-Majadajonda, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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14
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Gelpi M, Hartling HJ, Thorsteinsson K, Gerstoft J, Ullum H, Nielsen SD. Immune recovery in acute and chronic HIV infection and the impact of thymic stromal lymphopoietin. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:591. [PMID: 27769179 PMCID: PMC5073883 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1930-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Symptomatic primary HIV infection is associated with an adverse prognosis, and immediate initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is recommended. However, little is known about immunological predictors of immune recovery. Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine that promotes CD4+ T cells homeostatic polyclonal proliferation and regulates Th17/regulatory T-cell balance, immunological functions known to be affected during primary HIV infection. The aim of this study was to describe immune recovery in primary and chronic HIV infection and possible impact of TSLP. Methods Prospective study including 100 HIV-infected individuals (primary HIV infection (N = 14), early presenters (>350 CD4+ T cells/μL, N = 42), late presenters without advanced disease (200–350 CD4+ T cells/μL, N = 24) and with advanced disease (<200 CD4+ T cells/μL, N = 20) and). Immune recovery was defined as increase in CD4+ T cells count from baseline to a given time of follow-up. Plasma TSLP was determined using ELISA and CD4+ T cell subpopulations (recent thymic emigrants, naïve and memory cells) were measured using flow cytometry at baseline and after 6, 12 and 24 months of cART. Results Immune recovery was comparable in all groups, and no differences in immune homeostasis were found between primary HIV infection and early presenters, whereas differences in absolute counts and proportions of CD4+ T cell subpopulations were found between primary HIV infection and late presenters. TSLP was elevated in primary HIV infection at baseline and after 24 months of cART. Interestingly, TSLP was negatively associated with proportion of recent thymic emigrants (correlation coefficient −0.60, p = 0.030). TSLP was not associated with immune recovery in primary HIV infection. Conclusions Immune recovery was comparable in primary and chronic HIV infection whereas differences in absolute counts and proportions of CD4+ T cell subpopulations were found between primary HIV infection and late presenters supporting early initiation of cART. Higher plasma TSLP was found in primary HIV infection, and TSLP was associated with lower thymic output, but not with immune recovery. These findings indicate a possible role of TSLP in immune homeostasis in HIV infection but do not support TSLP to affect immune recovery in primary HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Gelpi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Viro-Immunology Research Unit, University Hospital of Copenhagen Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hans J Hartling
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Viro-Immunology Research Unit, University Hospital of Copenhagen Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristina Thorsteinsson
- Department of Infectious Disease, University Hospital of Copenhagen Hvidovre, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jan Gerstoft
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Viro-Immunology Research Unit, University Hospital of Copenhagen Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Ullum
- Department of Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of Copenhagen Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susanne D Nielsen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Viro-Immunology Research Unit, University Hospital of Copenhagen Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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15
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Burke Schinkel SC, Carrasco-Medina L, Cooper CL, Crawley AM. Generalized Liver- and Blood-Derived CD8+ T-Cell Impairment in Response to Cytokines in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157055. [PMID: 27315061 PMCID: PMC4912163 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Generalized CD8+ T-cell impairment in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the contribution of liver-infiltrating CD8+ T-cells to the immunopathogenesis of this infection remain poorly understood. It is hypothesized that this impairment is partially due to reduced CD8+ T-cell activity in response to cytokines such as IL-7, particularly within the liver. To investigate this, the phenotype and cytokine responsiveness of blood- and liver-derived CD8+ T-cells from healthy controls and individuals with HCV infection were compared. In blood, IL-7 receptor α (CD127) expression on bulk CD8+ T-cells in HCV infection was no different than controls yet was lower on central memory T-cells, and there were fewer naïve cells. IL-7-induced signalling through phosphorylated STAT5 was lower in HCV infection than in controls, and differed between CD8+ T-cell subsets. Production of Bcl-2 following IL-7 stimulation was also lower in HCV infection and inversely related to the degree of liver fibrosis. In liver-derived CD8+ T-cells, STAT5 activation could not be increased with cytokine stimulation and basal Bcl-2 levels of liver-derived CD8+ T-cells were lower than blood-derived counterparts in HCV infection. Therefore, generalized CD8+ T-cell impairment in HCV infection is characterized, in part, by impaired IL-7-mediated signalling and survival, independent of CD127 expression. This impairment is more pronounced in the liver and may be associated with an increased potential for apoptosis. This generalized CD8+ T-cell impairment represents an important immune dysfunction in chronic HCV infection that may alter patient health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie C. Burke Schinkel
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lorna Carrasco-Medina
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Curtis L. Cooper
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Ottawa Hospital-General Campus, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela M. Crawley
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
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16
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Grady BPX, Nanlohy NM, van Baarle D. HCV monoinfection and HIV/HCV coinfection enhance T-cell immune senescence in injecting drug users early during infection. IMMUNITY & AGEING 2016; 13:10. [PMID: 27034702 PMCID: PMC4815107 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-016-0065-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Background Injecting drug users (IDU) are at premature risk of developing multimorbidity and mortality from causes commonly observed in the elderly. Ageing of the immune system (immune-senescence) can lead to premature morbidity and mortality and can be accelerated by chronic viral infections. Here we investigated the impact of HCV monoinfection and HIV/HCV coinfection on immune parameters in (ex-) IDU. We analyzed telomere length and expression of activation, differentiation and exhaustion markers on T cells at baseline (t = 1) and at follow-up (t = 2) (median interval 16.9 years) in IDU who were: HCV mono-infected (n = 21); HIV/HCV coinfected (n = 23) or multiple exposed but uninfected (MEU) (n = 8). Results The median time interval between t = 1 and t = 2 was 16.9 years. Telomere length within CD4+ and CD8+ T cells decreased significantly over time in all IDU groups (p ≤ 0.012). CD4+ T-cell telomere length in HCV mono-infected IDU was significantly reduced compared to healthy donors at t = 1 (p < 0.008). HIV/HCV coinfected IDU had reduced CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell telomere lengths (p ≤ 0.002) to healthy donors i at t = 1. This was related to persistent levels of immune activation but not due to increased differentiation of T cells over time. Telomere length decrease was observed within all T-cell subsets, but mainly found in immature T cells (CD27+CD57+) (p ≤ 0.015). Conclusions HCV mono-infection and HIV/HCV coinfection enhance T-cell immune-senescence. Our data suggest that this occurred early during infection, which warrants early treatment for both HCV and HIV to reduce immune senescence in later life. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12979-016-0065-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart P X Grady
- Department of Research, Cluster Infectious Diseases, Public Health Service, Amsterdam, The Netherlands ; Center for Infection and Immunity Amsterdam (CINIMA), Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nening M Nanlohy
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Debbie van Baarle
- Department of Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ; Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands ; Present address: Department of Immune Mechanisms, Center for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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17
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Ravkov E, Slev P, Heikal N. Thymic output: Assessment of CD4 + recent thymic emigrants and T-Cell receptor excision circles in infants. CYTOMETRY PART B-CLINICAL CYTOMETRY 2016; 92:249-257. [PMID: 26566232 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.b.21341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2015] [Revised: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CD4+ recent thymic emigrants (CD4+ RTEs) constitute a subset of T cells recently generated in the thymus and exported into peripheral blood. CD4+ RTEs have increased copy numbers of T-cell receptor excision circles (TREC). They are characterized by the expression of CD31 on naïve CD4 T-cells. We aimed to validate a flow-cytometry assay to enumerate CD4+ RTEs and assess its performance in relation to TREC measurement. METHODS CD4+ RTEs cell count in peripheral blood was measured to determine sample stability, precision, linearity, and to establish reference ranges. TRECs were measured using qPCR assay performed with DNA isolated from peripheral blood. CD4+ RTEs, TRECs, and flow cytometry results for major T-cell markers were assessed in 50 infants less than 2 years of age. RESULTS Inter-and intra-assay precisions (% CV) were 1.5-12.2 and 1.5-7.0, respectively. Linearity studies showed that the results are linear over a range of 0.7 to 403.0 CD4+ RTEs/μL of blood. There was 84% agreement (42 of 50) between CD4+ RTEs and TRECs qualitative results for the infant samples. CD4+ RTEs reference ranges in 17 healthy children was in agreement with published data, while that of the healthy adults were 51-609 cells/μL of blood. CONCLUSION The validation results provide acceptable measures of the CD4+ RTEs test performance within CAP/CLIA frameworks. CD4+ RTEs and TRECs assays show high agreement in the infant population. The CD4+ RTEs test can be used as a confirmation for the TREC results along with or as an alternative to T-cell phenotyping in infants with repeatedly low TRECs concentrations. © 2015 International Clinical Cytometry Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Ravkov
- ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Patricia Slev
- ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Nahla Heikal
- ARUP Institute for Clinical and Experimental Pathology, Salt Lake City, Utah.,Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah
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18
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Hartling HJ, Birch C, Gaardbo JC, Hove M, Trøseid M, Clausen MR, Gerstoft J, Ullum H, Nielsen SD. T-cell homeostasis in chronic HCV-infected patients treated with interferon and ribavirin or an interferon-free regimen. APMIS 2015; 123:903-11. [PMID: 26279289 DOI: 10.1111/apm.12429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Direct-acting antiviral has replaced pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin-based treatment in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. While interferon-α is immune modulating and causes lymphopenia, interferon-free regimens seem to be well-tolerated. This study aimed to compare T-cell homeostasis before, during, and after HCV treatment with or without interferon-α in patients with chronic HCV infection. A total of 20 patients with chronic HCV infection were treated with pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin, and six patients were treated with an interferon-free regimen. All patients were treated for a minimum of 12 weeks. Interferon-α treatment caused an increase in the density of the receptor for IL-7 (IL-7Rα) during treatment, while interferon-free regimens caused a decrease in IL-7Rα density. After a sustained viral response, proportions of IL-7Rα+ T cells and IL-7Rα density decreased compared to prior treatment values. Finally, a proportion of CD8+ effector memory was lower while proportion of apoptotic T cells was higher after sustained virologic response compared to prior treatment. Despite lymphopenia during interferon, alterations in T-cell homeostasis during treatment were relatively similar in patients receiving interferon-based treatment and in patients receiving interferon-free treatment, and alterations during and after treatment seem to illustrate a reduced need for high levels of T cells aimed at controlling infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans Jakob Hartling
- Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Carsten Birch
- Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Julie C Gaardbo
- Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Malene Hove
- Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marius Trøseid
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mette Rye Clausen
- Department of Hepatology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jan Gerstoft
- Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Ullum
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susanne Dam Nielsen
- Viro-Immunology Research Unit, Department of Infectious Diseases, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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19
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Influence of hepatitis C virus coinfection on CD4⁺ T cells of HIV-infected patients receiving HAART. AIDS 2014; 28:2381-8. [PMID: 25111083 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000000418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The effects of hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection on immune homeostasis and immune restoration in treated HIV infection are not well understood. METHODS We studied 79 HIV-infected patients who had been receiving HAART for more than 2 years and who had HIV viral load below 50 copies/ml. Four patient groups were studied: HIV/HCV, CD4⁺ cells above 350/μl; HIV/HCV, CD4 cells below 350/μl; HIV/HCV, CD4 cells above 350/μl; HIV/HCV, CD4⁺ cells below 350/μl. Controls comprised 20 healthy volunteers. Naive, central memory, effector memory, and terminal effector CD4⁺ T cells were enumerated. Naive CD4CD31 T cells were counted as recent thymic emigrants (RTEs). Activation state and ex-vivo apoptosis of CD4⁺ T cells, levels of liver enzymes, and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index were evaluated. RESULTS CD4⁺ T-cell counts and the numbers of all circulating CD4 T-cell maturation subsets were diminished in HIV infection; CD4⁺ T-cell activation and apoptosis were increased in HIV infection, but none of these indices was affected by HCV coinfection. RTE numbers were diminished in HIV infection, were inversely related to age, and were increased in women and lower in HIV/HCV patients than in singly HIV-infected patients. In coinfected patients, RTE numbers were inversely related to levels of liver enzymes, but not to HCV viral load. CONCLUSION Whereas we could find no relationship between HCV infection and most indices of CD4⁺ T-cell homeostasis or activation, CD4⁺ RTEs are diminished in the circulation of HCV coinfected persons and appear to be related to indices of ongoing hepatic damage or inflammation.
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20
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Minutolo A, Conti B, Grelli S, Viscomi C, Labbadia G, Balsano C. Lymphocytes as liver damage mirror of HCV related adipogenesis deregulation. PLoS One 2014; 9:e92343. [PMID: 24658135 PMCID: PMC3962393 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus infection leads to a wide spectrum of liver diseases ranging from mild chronic hepatitis to end-stage cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. An intriguing aspect of the HCV infection is its close connection with lipid metabolism playing an important role in the HCV life cycle and in its pathogenesis. HCV is known to be a hepatotropic virus; however, it can also infect peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The goal of the current investigation is to compare the adipogenesis profile of liver tissues to lymphocytes of HCV infected patients, in order to understand if PBMCs may reflect the alterations of intracellular pathways occurring during HCV-related liver steatosis. Using the Human Adipogenesis PCR Array, gene expression was analyzed in liver samples and PBMCs of chronic HCV+, HBV+ and Healthy Donors (HDs) patients. We observed a similar modulation of lipid metabolism in HCV+ and HBV+liver tissues and lymphoid, cells suggesting that PBMCs reflect the liver adipogenesis deregulation related to infection, even if the two viruses have a different impact in the regulation of the adipogenesis mechanisms. In particular, some genes involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation, as well as in cell transformation, were up-regulated, in a similar way, in both HCV models analyzed. Interestingly, these genes were positively correlated to virological and hepatic functional parameters of HCV+ patients. On the contrary, HBV+ patients displayed a completely different profile. PBMCs of HCV+ patients seem to be useful model to study how HCV-related lipid metabolism deregulation occurs in liver. The obtained data suggest some molecules as new possible biomarkers of HCV-related liver damage progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Minutolo
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Oncology, Francesco Balsano Foundation, ex A. Cesalpino Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Conti
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Oncology, Francesco Balsano Foundation, ex A. Cesalpino Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Sandro Grelli
- U.O.C. Clinical Microbiology, Tor Vergata Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Viscomi
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Oncology, Francesco Balsano Foundation, ex A. Cesalpino Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Labbadia
- Department of Clinical and Medical Therapy, “Sapienza” University of Rome - Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Clara Balsano
- Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Oncology, Francesco Balsano Foundation, ex A. Cesalpino Foundation, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Biology and Molecular Pathology (IBPM) – CNR (National Research Council), Rome, Italy
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