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Kang S, Jin S, Mao X, He B, Wu C. CD4 +T and CD8 +T Cells in Uterus Exhibit Both Selective Dysfunction and Residency Signatures. J Immunol Res 2024; 2024:5582151. [PMID: 38690552 PMCID: PMC11057950 DOI: 10.1155/2024/5582151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Unlike T cells in other tissues, uterine T cells must balance strong immune defense against pathogens with tolerance to semiallogeneic fetus. Our previous study fully elucidated the characteristics of γδT cells in nonpregnant uterus and the mechanism modulated by estrogen. However, comprehensive knowledge of the immunological properties of αβT (including CD4+T cells and CD8+T) cells in nonpregnancy uterus has not been acquired. In this study, we fully compared the immunological properties of αβT cells between uterus and blood using mouse and human sample. It showed that most of CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells in murine uterus and human endometrium were tissue resident memory T cells which highly expressed tissue residence markers CD69 and/or CD103. In addition, both CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells in uterus highly expressed inhibitory molecular PD-1 and cytokine IFN-γ. Uterine CD4+T cells highly expressed IL-17 and modulated by transcription factor pSTAT3. Moreover, we compared the similarities and differences between human and murine uterine T cell phenotype. Together, uterine CD4+T cells and CD8+ cells exhibited a unique mixed signature of T cell dysfunction, activation, and effector function which enabled them to balance strong immune defense against pathogens with tolerance to fetus. Our study fully elucidated the unique immunologic properties of uterine CD4+T and CD8+T cells and provided a base for further investigation of functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangpeng Kang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of the Research and Development of Novel Pharmaceutical Preparations, The Hunan Provincial University Key Laboratory of the Fundamental and Clinical Research on Functional Nucleic Acid, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuiping Jin
- Clinical Research Center of Clifford Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueying Mao
- Clinical Research Center of Clifford Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - BinSheng He
- Hunan Key Laboratory of the Research and Development of Novel Pharmaceutical Preparations, The Hunan Provincial University Key Laboratory of the Fundamental and Clinical Research on Functional Nucleic Acid, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Changyou Wu
- Clinical Research Center of Clifford Hospital, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Immunology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Strbo N, Rodriguez S, Padula L, Fisher E, Lyons A, Rodriguez C, Rivas K, Ibrahim M, Paidas M, Attia G. Assessment of immune cells in the uterine fluid at the time of the embryo transfer. Am J Reprod Immunol 2024; 91:e13842. [PMID: 38650366 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Although endometrial receptivity is a key factor in influencing implantation in both naturally conceived and assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles, very little is known about the endometrium milieu around the time of implantation. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of several cytokines in the endometrium that affect implantation. However, there is lacking data about the presence of immune cell subtypes within the endometrium and in the uterine cavity at the time of implantation. METHOD OF STUDY This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (# 225589). The study was designed as a prospective observational cohort study between May 2021 and December 2022 at a single academic-based fertility center. All patients underwent at least one In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycle and have frozen embryos. Twenty-four participants were recruited for this study which was conducted during the frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle regardless of the outcome of previous cycles. Two samples were acquired from each subject, denoted as lower and upper. A trial transfer catheter was introduced under ultrasound guidance into the lower uterine segment. Upon removal, the tip was rinsed in IMDM medium containing 10% FBS (lower uterus). A transfer catheter was then loaded with the embryo that was placed in the upper uterus under ultrasound guidance. The tip of the transfer catheter was rinsed in separate aliquot of the above media (upper uterus). After centrifugation, pelleted cells were stained for the following surface markers: CD45, CD3, CD19, CD4, CD8, gamma delta TCR, CD25, CD127, CD66b, CD14, CD16, CD56 and acquired on Sony SP6800 Spectral Analyzer. RESULTS Upon staining the pelleted cells, we were able to identify viable leukocytes from samples obtained from both, upper and lower uterus (0.125 × 106 cells ± SD 0.32), (0.123 × 106 cells ± SD 0.12), respectively. Among total viable cells, there was no significant difference in both percent and number of CD45+ cells between the upper and lower uterus (9.88% ± 6.98 SD, 13.67% ± 9.79 SD, p = .198) respectively. However, there was significantly higher expression of CD3+ (p = .006), CD19+ (p = .032) and CD14+ (p = .019) cells in samples collected from upper compared to lower uterus. Within all CD3+ cells, we found that gamma delta T cells (GDT) were the major population of T cells in both upper and lower uterus. In contrast, CD8+ T cells were significantly higher in the lower uterus when compared to the upper uterus (p = .009). There was no statistically significant difference in the expression of CD4+ T cells, T regulatory cells (CD4+CD25+CD127-), NK cells (CD56+), neutrophils (CD66b+) and FcγRIII+ cells (CD16+) between upper and lower uterus. CONCLUSIONS We believe the immune milieu at the time of embryo transfer will affect implantation. Understanding the composition of immune cells will guide further research in identifying optimal immune milieus that favor implantation. Comprehensive analysis of endometrium is expected to lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to improve IVF outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasa Strbo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Suset Rodriguez
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, and Infertility, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Laura Padula
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Eva Fisher
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Annabel Lyons
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Carolina Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Katelyn Rivas
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Mohammed Ibrahim
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, and Infertility, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Michael Paidas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, and Infertility, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - George Attia
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, and Infertility, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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Alfi O, Cohen M, Bar-On S, Hashimshony T, Levitt L, Raz Y, Blecher Y, Chaudhry MZ, Cicin-Sain L, Ben-El R, Oiknine-Djian E, Lahav T, Vorontsov O, Cohen A, Zakay-Rones Z, Daniel L, Berger M, Mandel-Gutfreund Y, Panet A, Wolf DG. Decidual-tissue-resident memory T cells protect against nonprimary human cytomegalovirus infection at the maternal-fetal interface. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113698. [PMID: 38265934 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common intrauterine infection, leading to infant neurodevelopmental disabilities. An improved knowledge of correlates of protection against cCMV is needed to guide prevention strategies. Here, we employ an ex vivo model of human CMV (HCMV) infection in decidual tissues of women with and without preconception immunity against CMV, recapitulating nonprimary vs. primary infection at the authentic maternofetal transmission site. We show that decidual tissues of women with preconception immunity against CMV exhibit intrinsic resistance to HCMV, mounting a rapid activation of tissue-resident memory CD8+ and CD4+ T cells upon HCMV reinfection. We further reveal the role of HCMV-specific decidual-tissue-resident CD8+ T cells in local protection against nonprimary HCMV infection. The findings could inform the development of a vaccine against cCMV and provide insights for further studies of the integrity of immune defense against HCMV and other pathogens at the human maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Or Alfi
- Clinical Virology Unit, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel; Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Mevaseret Cohen
- Clinical Virology Unit, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel; Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Shikma Bar-On
- Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Affiliated with the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tamar Hashimshony
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Lorinne Levitt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yael Raz
- Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Affiliated with the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yair Blecher
- Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Souraski Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Affiliated with the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - M Zeeshan Chaudhry
- Department of Viral Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Luka Cicin-Sain
- Department of Viral Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany; Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (a joint venture of HZI and MHH), Hannover, Germany
| | - Rina Ben-El
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Esther Oiknine-Djian
- Clinical Virology Unit, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Tamar Lahav
- Faculty of Biology, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Olesya Vorontsov
- Clinical Virology Unit, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel; Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Adiel Cohen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Zichria Zakay-Rones
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Leonor Daniel
- Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Michael Berger
- Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Amos Panet
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Medical Research Israel Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Dana G Wolf
- Clinical Virology Unit, Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; Lautenberg Center for General and Tumor Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Li J, Meng Z, Cao Z, Lu W, Yang Y, Li Z, Lu S. ADGRE5-centered Tsurv model in T cells recognizes responders to neoadjuvant cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1304183. [PMID: 38343549 PMCID: PMC10853338 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1304183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Neoadjuvant immunotherapy with anti-programmed death-1 (neo-antiPD1) has revolutionized perioperative methods for improvement of overall survival (OS), while approaches for major pathologic response patients' (MPR) recognition along with methods for overcoming non-MPR resistance are still in urgent need. Methods We utilized and integrated publicly-available immune checkpoint inhibitors regimens (ICIs) single-cell (sc) data as the discovery datasets, and innovatively developed a cell-communication analysis pipeline, along with a VIPER-based-SCENIC process, to thoroughly dissect MPR-responding subsets. Besides, we further employed our own non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ICIs cohort's sc data for validation in-silico. Afterward, we resorted to ICIs-resistant murine models developed by us with multimodal investigation, including bulk-RNA-sequencing, Chip-sequencing and high-dimensional cytometry by time of flight (CYTOF) to consolidate our findings in-vivo. To comprehensively explore mechanisms, we adopted 3D ex-vivo hydrogel models for analysis. Furthermore, we constructed an ADGRE5-centered Tsurv model from our discovery dataset by machine learning (ML) algorithms for a wide range of tumor types (NSCLC, melanoma, urothelial cancer, etc.) and verified it in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) sc datasets. Results Through a meta-analysis of multimodal sequential sc sequencing data from pre-ICIs and post-ICIs, we identified an MPR-expanding T cells meta-cluster (MPR-E) in the tumor microenvironment (TME), characterized by a stem-like CD8+ T cluster (survT) with STAT5-ADGRE5 axis enhancement compared to non-MPR or pre-ICIs TME. Through multi-omics analysis of murine TME, we further confirmed the existence of survT with silenced function and immune checkpoints (ICs) in MPR-E. After verification of the STAT5-ADGRE5 axis of survT in independent ICIs cohorts, an ADGRE5-centered Tsurv model was then developed through ML for identification of MPR patients pre-ICIs and post-ICIs, both in TME and PBMCs, which was further verified in pan-cancer immunotherapy cohorts. Mechanistically, we unveiled ICIs stimulated ADGRE5 upregulation in a STAT5-IL32 dependent manner in a 3D ex-vivo system (3D-HYGTIC) developed by us previously, which marked Tsurv with better survival flexibility, enhanced stemness and potential cytotoxicity within TME. Conclusion Our research provides insights into mechanisms underlying MPR in neo-antiPD1 and a well-performed model for the identification of non-MPR.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ziming Li
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shun Lu
- Shanghai Lung Cancer Center, Shanghai Chest Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Peng L, Zhao W, Yin T, Xu C, Wang G, Du M. The unique expression pattern of human leukocyte antigen in trophoblasts potentially explains the key mechanism of maternal-fetal tolerance and successful pregnancy. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 158:103980. [PMID: 37390630 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
The success of pregnancy mainly depends on immune tolerance of the mother for the semi-allogeneic fetus. The placenta carrying paternal antigens develops in the maternal uterus without suffering immune attack, making the underlying mechanism of maternal tolerance an enduring mystery. As we all know, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) plays an important role in antigen processing and presentation, thus inducing specific immune responses. Therefore, it is reasonable to speculate that the absence of classical HLA class-I(HLA-I) and HLA class-II (HLA-II) molecules in trophoblasts may account for the maternal-fetal tolerance. Here, we review the HLA-involved interactions between trophoblast cells and decidual immune cells, which contribute to the immunotolerance in the development of normal pregnancy. We also compare the similarity between the maternal-fetal interface and tumor-immune microenvironment because the important role of HLA molecules in tumor immune invasion can provide some references to studies of maternal-fetal immune tolerance. Besides, the abnormal HLA expression is likely to be associated with unexplained miscarriage, making HLA molecules potential therapeutic targets. The advances reported by these studies may exert profound influences on other research areas, including tumor immunity, organ transplantation and autoimmune disease in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijin Peng
- The Lab of Reproduction Immunology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijie Zhao
- The Lab of Reproduction Immunology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingxuan Yin
- The Lab of Reproduction Immunology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunfang Xu
- The Lab of Reproduction Immunology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China
| | - Guangchuan Wang
- Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Meirong Du
- The Lab of Reproduction Immunology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China.
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Xie J, Gu A, He H, Zhao Q, Yu Y, Chen J, Cheng Z, Zhou P, Zhou Q, Jin M. Autoimmune thyroid disease disrupts immune homeostasis in the endometrium of unexplained infertility women-a single-cell RNA transcriptome study during the implantation window. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1185147. [PMID: 37501789 PMCID: PMC10368980 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1185147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is known to be associated with unexplained infertility in women. Although the presence of antithyroid antibodies have been speculated to be a marker of an immune imbalance that might lead to implantation failure, its underlying mechanism influencing the endometrial receptivity remains to be elucidated. In this study, we used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to dissect immune microenvironment in endometrium of AITD patients during window of implantation (WOI). Methods We collected CD45+ immune cell populations of endometrium samples of unexplained infertile women with AITD (n=3), as well as samples of AITD- controls (n=3). The cells were then processed with 10X Genomics Chromium for further analysis. Results We characterized 28 distinct immune cell subtypes totally, and uncovered differences in the composition and gene expression patterns between AITD patients and controls. The proportions of T CD4+, cNK, ILC3, T CD8+ GZMK+, T CD8+ Cytotoxic and ILC3 CD3E - cells were increased, and CD366+ uNK1 was decreased in AITD+ patients. And the abnormal expression of GNLY and chemokines was observed in AITD patients. In addition, uNK and T CD8+ Cytotoxic cells showed lower cytotoxicity but activation of immune response. Genes enriched in cell adhesion of ILC3 and Tregs were downregulated, while the number of ILC3 and Tregs were increased. Conclusion Immune imbalance exists in endometrium during WOI, which may impact embryo implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jilai Xie
- Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Aiyuan Gu
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Huangyi He
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qiaohang Zhao
- Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ya Yu
- Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jian Chen
- Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhangliang Cheng
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Ministry of Education (MOE) Laboratory of Biosystems Homeostasis & Protection and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Cancer Molecular Cell Biology, Life Sciences Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Min Jin
- Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Coler B, Wu TY, Carlson L, Burd N, Munson J, Dacanay M, Cervantes O, Esplin S, Kapur RP, Feltovich H, Adams Waldorf KM. Diminished antiviral innate immune gene expression in the placenta following a maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2023; 228:463.e1-463.e20. [PMID: 36126729 PMCID: PMC9482164 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is associated with critical illness requiring hospitalization, maternal mortality, stillbirth, and preterm birth. SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to induce placental pathology. However, substantial gaps exist in our understanding of the pathophysiology of COVID-19 disease in pregnancy and the long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the placenta and fetus. To what extent a SARS-CoV-2 infection of the placenta alters the placental antiviral innate immune response is not well understood. A dysregulated innate immune response in the setting of maternal COVID-19 disease may increase the risk of inflammatory tissue injury or placental compromise and may contribute to deleterious pregnancy outcomes. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the impact of a maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection on placental immune response by evaluating gene expression of a panel of 6 antiviral innate immune mediators that act as biomarkers of the antiviral and interferon cytokine response. Our hypothesis was that a SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy would result in an up-regulated placental antiviral innate immune response. STUDY DESIGN We performed a case-control study on placental tissues (chorionic villous tissues and chorioamniotic membrane) collected from pregnant patients with (N=140) and without (N=24) COVID-19 disease. We performed real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry, and the placental histopathology was evaluated. Clinical data were abstracted. Fisher exact test, Pearson correlations, and linear regression models were used to examine proportions and continuous data between patients with active (<10 days since diagnosis) vs recovered COVID-19 (>10 days since diagnosis) at the time of delivery. Secondary regression models adjusted for labor status as a covariate and evaluated potential correlation between placental innate immune gene expression and other variables. RESULTS SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was detected in placental tissues from 5 women with COVID-19 and from no controls (0/24, 0%). Only 1 of 5 cases with detectable SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in placental tissues was confirmed to express SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid and spike proteins in syncytiotrophoblast cells. We detected a considerably lower gene expression of 5 critical innate immune mediators (IFNB, IFIT1, MXA, IL6, IL1B) in the chorionic villi and chorioamniotic membranes from women with active or recovered COVID-19 than controls, which remained significant after adjustment for labor status. There were minimal correlations between placental gene expression and other studied variables including gestational age at diagnosis, time interval between COVID-19 diagnosis and delivery, prepregnancy body mass index, COVID-19 disease severity, or placental pathology. CONCLUSION A maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with an impaired placental innate immune response in chorionic villous tissues and chorioamniotic membranes that was not correlated with gestational age at COVID-19 diagnosis, time interval from COVID-19 diagnosis to delivery, maternal obesity, disease severity, or placental pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brahm Coler
- Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Tsung-Yen Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Lindsey Carlson
- Women and Newborn Research, Intermountain Health Care, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Nicole Burd
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Jeff Munson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Matthew Dacanay
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Sean Esplin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Intermountain Health Care, Salt Lake City, UT
| | - Raj P Kapur
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Department of Pathology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA
| | - Helen Feltovich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Intermountain Health Care, Salt Lake City, UT.
| | - Kristina M Adams Waldorf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.
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8
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Fedorka CE, Troedsson MH. The immune response to equine ascending placentitis: A narrative review. Theriogenology 2023; 203:11-20. [PMID: 36966581 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
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Campagna MP, Xavier A, Stankovich J, Maltby VE, Slee M, Yeh WZ, Kilpatrick T, Scott RJ, Butzkueven H, Lechner-Scott J, Lea RA, Jokubaitis VG. Parity is associated with long-term differences in DNA methylation at genes related to neural plasticity in multiple sclerosis. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:20. [PMID: 36765422 PMCID: PMC9921068 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01438-4] [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: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy in women with multiple sclerosis (wwMS) is associated with a reduction of long-term disability progression. The mechanism that drives this effect is unknown, but converging evidence suggests a role for epigenetic mechanisms altering immune and/or central nervous system function. In this study, we aimed to identify whole blood and immune cell-specific DNA methylation patterns associated with parity in relapse-onset MS. RESULTS We investigated the association between whole blood and immune cell-type-specific genome-wide methylation patterns and parity in 192 women with relapse-onset MS, matched for age and disease severity. The median time from last pregnancy to blood collection was 16.7 years (range = 1.5-44.4 years). We identified 2965 differentially methylated positions in whole blood, 68.5% of which were hypermethylated in parous women; together with two differentially methylated regions on Chromosomes 17 and 19 which mapped to TMC8 and ZNF577, respectively. Our findings validated 22 DMPs and 366 differentially methylated genes from existing literature on epigenetic changes associated with parity in wwMS. Differentially methylated genes in whole blood were enriched in neuronal structure and growth-related pathways. Immune cell-type-specific analysis using cell-type proportion estimates from statistical deconvolution of whole blood revealed further differential methylation in T cells specifically (four in CD4+ and eight in CD8+ T cells). We further identified reduced methylation age acceleration in parous women, demonstrating slower biological aging compared to nulligravida women. CONCLUSION Differential methylation at genes related to neural plasticity offers a potential molecular mechanism driving the long-term effect of pregnancy on MS outcomes. Our results point to a potential 'CNS signature' of methylation in peripheral immune cells, as previously described in relation to MS progression, induced by parity. As the first epigenome-wide association study of parity in wwMS reported, validation studies are needed to confirm our findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pia Campagna
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Alexandre Xavier
- grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XSchool of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia ,grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XHunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW Australia
| | - Jim Stankovich
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Vicki E. Maltby
- grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XHunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW Australia ,grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XSchool of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW Australia ,grid.414724.00000 0004 0577 6676Neurology Department, John Hunter Hospital, Hunter New England, Newcastle, NSW Australia
| | - Mark Slee
- grid.1014.40000 0004 0367 2697College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Wei Z. Yeh
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,grid.267362.40000 0004 0432 5259Neurology Department, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Trevor Kilpatrick
- grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,grid.416153.40000 0004 0624 1200Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Rodney J. Scott
- grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XSchool of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia ,grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XHunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW Australia
| | - Helmut Butzkueven
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,grid.267362.40000 0004 0432 5259Neurology Department, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC Australia
| | - Jeannette Lechner-Scott
- grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XHunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW Australia ,grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XSchool of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW Australia ,grid.414724.00000 0004 0577 6676Neurology Department, John Hunter Hospital, Hunter New England, Newcastle, NSW Australia
| | - Rodney A. Lea
- grid.266842.c0000 0000 8831 109XHunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW Australia ,grid.1024.70000000089150953Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD Australia
| | - Vilija G. Jokubaitis
- grid.1002.30000 0004 1936 7857Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,grid.267362.40000 0004 0432 5259Neurology Department, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,grid.1008.90000 0001 2179 088XDepartment of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC Australia ,grid.416153.40000 0004 0624 1200Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC Australia
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10
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Vignali PDA, DePeaux K, Watson MJ, Ye C, Ford BR, Lontos K, McGaa NK, Scharping NE, Menk AV, Robson SC, Poholek AC, Rivadeneira DB, Delgoffe GM. Hypoxia drives CD39-dependent suppressor function in exhausted T cells to limit antitumor immunity. Nat Immunol 2023; 24:267-279. [PMID: 36543958 PMCID: PMC10402660 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-022-01379-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 66.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
CD8+ T cells are critical for elimination of cancer cells. Factors within the tumor microenvironment (TME) can drive these cells to a hypofunctional state known as exhaustion. The most terminally exhausted T (tTex) cells are resistant to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy and might instead limit immunotherapeutic efficacy. Here we show that intratumoral CD8+ tTex cells possess transcriptional features of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells and are similarly capable of directly suppressing T cell proliferation ex vivo. tTex cell suppression requires CD39, which generates immunosuppressive adenosine. Restricted deletion of CD39 in endogenous CD8+ T cells resulted in slowed tumor progression, improved immunotherapy responsiveness and enhanced infiltration of transferred tumor-specific T cells. CD39 is induced on tTex cells by tumor hypoxia, thus mitigation of hypoxia limits tTex suppression. Together, these data suggest tTex cells are an important regulatory population in cancer and strategies to limit their generation, reprogram their immunosuppressive state or remove them from the TME might potentiate immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo D A Vignali
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kristin DePeaux
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - McLane J Watson
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Chenxian Ye
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - B Rhodes Ford
- Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Konstantinos Lontos
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nicole K McGaa
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nicole E Scharping
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ashley V Menk
- Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Simon C Robson
- Center for Inflammation Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care & Pain Medicine and Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda C Poholek
- Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Dayana B Rivadeneira
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Greg M Delgoffe
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. .,Tumor Microenvironment Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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11
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Bonney EA. A Framework for Understanding Maternal Immunity. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2023; 43:e1-e20. [PMID: 37179052 PMCID: PMC10484232 DOI: 10.1016/j.iac.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
This is an alternative and controversial framing of the data relevant to maternal immunity. It argues for a departure from classical theory to view, interrogate and interpret existing data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont Robert Larner College of Medicine, Given Building, Room C246, 89 Beaumont Avenue, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
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12
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van der Woude H, Hally KE, Currie MJ, Gasser O, Henry CE. Importance of the endometrial immune environment in endometrial cancer and associated therapies. Front Oncol 2022; 12:975201. [PMID: 36072799 PMCID: PMC9441707 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.975201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer is rising in prevalence. The standard treatment modality of hysterectomy is becoming increasingly inadequate due primarily to the direct link between endometrial cancer and high BMI which increases surgical risks. This is an immunogenic cancer, with unique molecular subtypes associated with differential immune infiltration. Despite the immunogenicity of endometrial cancer, there is limited pre-clinical and clinical evidence of the function of immune cells in both the normal and cancerous endometrium. Immune checkpoint inhibitors for endometrial cancer are the most well studied type of immune therapy but these are not currently used as standard-of-care and importantly, they represent only one method of immune manipulation. There is limited evidence regarding the use of other immunotherapies as surgical adjuvants or alternatives. Levonorgestrel-loaded intra-uterine systems can also be effective for early-stage disease, but with varying success. There is currently no known reason as to what predisposes some patients to respond while others do not. As hormones can directly influence immune cell function, it is worth investigating the immune compartment in this context. This review assesses the immunological components of the endometrium and describes how the immune microenvironment changes with hormones, obesity, and in progression to malignancy. It also describes the importance of investigating novel pathways for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah van der Woude
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women’s Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - Margaret Jane Currie
- Department of Pathology and Biomedical Science, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Olivier Gasser
- Malaghan Institute of Medical Research, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Claire Elizabeth Henry
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Women’s Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
- *Correspondence: Claire Elizabeth Henry,
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13
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Monaco-Brown M, Lawrence DA. Obesity and Maternal-Placental-Fetal Immunology and Health. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:859885. [PMID: 35573953 PMCID: PMC9100592 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.859885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity rates in women of childbearing age is now at 29%, according to recent CDC reports. It is known that obesity is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, including disruptions in cellular function and cytokine levels. In pregnant women who are obese, associated placental dysfunction can lead to small for gestational age (SGA) infants. More frequently, however, maternal obesity is associated with large for gestational age (LGA) newborns, who also have higher incidence of metabolic disease and asthma due to elevated levels of inflammation. In addition, anthropogenic environmental exposures to "endocrine disrupting" and "forever" chemicals affect obesity, as well as maternal physiology, the placenta, and fetal development. Placental function is intimately associated with the control of inflammation during pregnancy. There is a large amount of literature examining the relationship of placental immunology, both cellular and humoral, with pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Cells such as placental macrophages and NK cells have been implicated in spontaneous miscarriage, preeclampsia, preterm birth, perinatal neuroinflammation, and other post-natal conditions. Differing levels of placental cytokines and molecular inflammatory mediators also have known associations with preeclampsia and developmental outcomes. In this review, we will specifically examine the literature regarding maternal, placental, and fetal immunology and how it is altered by maternal obesity and environmental chemicals. We will additionally describe the relationship between placental immune function and clinical outcomes, including neonatal conditions, autoimmune disease, allergies, immunodeficiency, metabolic and endocrine conditions, neurodevelopment, and psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meredith Monaco-Brown
- Department of Pediatrics, Bernard and Millie Duker Children's Hospital at Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY, United States
| | - David A Lawrence
- New York State Department of Health, Wadsworth Center, Albany, NY, United States.,Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University at Albany School of Public Health, Rensselaer, NY, United States
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