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Knoedler L, Dean J, Diatta F, Thompson N, Knoedler S, Rhys R, Sherwani K, Ettl T, Mayer S, Falkner F, Kilian K, Panayi AC, Iske J, Safi AF, Tullius SG, Haykal S, Pomahac B, Kauke-Navarro M. Immune modulation in transplant medicine: a comprehensive review of cell therapy applications and future directions. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1372862. [PMID: 38650942 PMCID: PMC11033354 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1372862] [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: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Balancing the immune response after solid organ transplantation (SOT) and vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) remains an ongoing clinical challenge. While immunosuppressants can effectively reduce acute rejection rates following transplant surgery, some patients still experience recurrent acute rejection episodes, which in turn may progress to chronic rejection. Furthermore, these immunosuppressive regimens are associated with an increased risk of malignancies and metabolic disorders. Despite significant advancements in the field, these IS related side effects persist as clinical hurdles, emphasizing the need for innovative therapeutic strategies to improve transplant survival and longevity. Cellular therapy, a novel therapeutic approach, has emerged as a potential pathway to promote immune tolerance while minimizing systemic side-effects of standard IS regiments. Various cell types, including chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), regulatory myeloid cells (RMCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs), offer unique immunomodulatory properties that may help achieve improved outcomes in transplant patients. This review aims to elucidate the role of cellular therapies, particularly MSCs, T cells, Tregs, RMCs, macrophages, and dendritic cells in SOT and VCA. We explore the immunological features of each cell type, their capacity for immune regulation, and the prospective advantages and obstacles linked to their application in transplant patients. An in-depth outline of the current state of the technology may help SOT and VCA providers refine their perioperative treatment strategies while laying the foundation for further trials that investigate cellular therapeutics in transplantation surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Knoedler
- Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jillian Dean
- School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Fortunay Diatta
- Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale New Haven Hospital, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Noelle Thompson
- University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Samuel Knoedler
- Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Richmond Rhys
- Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Khalil Sherwani
- Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Berufsgenossenschaft (BG) Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Tobias Ettl
- Department of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Simon Mayer
- University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH, United States
| | - Florian Falkner
- Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Berufsgenossenschaft (BG) Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Katja Kilian
- Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Berufsgenossenschaft (BG) Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Adriana C. Panayi
- Department of Hand, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Burn Center, Berufsgenossenschaft (BG) Trauma Center Ludwigshafen, University of Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Jasper Iske
- Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité, Berlin, Germany
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ali-Farid Safi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Craniologicum, Center for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Stefan G. Tullius
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Siba Haykal
- Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Bohdan Pomahac
- Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Kauke-Navarro
- Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Webb ER, Dodd GL, Noskova M, Bullock E, Muir M, Frame MC, Serrels A, Brunton VG. Kindlin-1 regulates IL-6 secretion and modulates the immune environment in breast cancer models. eLife 2023; 12:e85739. [PMID: 36883731 PMCID: PMC10023156 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85739] [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: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The adhesion protein Kindlin-1 is over-expressed in breast cancer where it is associated with metastasis-free survival; however, the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Here, we report that Kindlin-1 promotes anti-tumor immune evasion in mouse models of breast cancer. Deletion of Kindlin-1 in Met-1 mammary tumor cells led to tumor regression following injection into immunocompetent hosts. This was associated with a reduction in tumor infiltrating Tregs. Similar changes in T cell populations were seen following depletion of Kindlin-1 in the polyomavirus middle T antigen (PyV MT)-driven mouse model of spontaneous mammary tumorigenesis. There was a significant increase in IL-6 secretion from Met-1 cells when Kindlin-1 was depleted and conditioned media from Kindlin-1-depleted cells led to a decrease in the ability of Tregs to suppress the proliferation of CD8+ T cells, which was dependent on IL-6. In addition, deletion of tumor-derived IL-6 in the Kindlin-1-depleted tumors reversed the reduction of tumor-infiltrating Tregs. Overall, these data identify a novel function for Kindlin-1 in regulation of anti-tumor immunity, and that Kindlin-1 dependent cytokine secretion can impact the tumor immune environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Webb
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Georgia L Dodd
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Michaela Noskova
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Esme Bullock
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Morwenna Muir
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Margaret C Frame
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Alan Serrels
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
| | - Valerie G Brunton
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of EdinburghEdinburghUnited Kingdom
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3
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Arteaga-Cruz S, Cortés-Hernández A, Alvarez-Salazar EK, Rosas-Cortina K, Aguilera-Sandoval C, Morales-Buenrostro LE, Alberú-Gómez JM, Soldevila G. Highly purified and functionally stable in vitro expanded allospecific Tr1 cells expressing immunosuppressive graft-homing receptors as new candidates for cell therapy in solid organ transplantation. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1062456. [PMID: 36911743 PMCID: PMC9998667 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1062456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of new strategies based on the use of Tr1 cells has taken relevance to induce long-term tolerance, especially in the context of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Although Tr1 cells are currently identified by the co-expression of CD49b and LAG-3 and high production of interleukin 10 (IL-10), recent studies have shown the need for a more exhaustive characterization, including co-inhibitory and chemokines receptors expression, to ensure bona fide Tr1 cells to be used as cell therapy in solid organ transplantation. Moreover, the proinflammatory environment induced by the allograft could affect the suppressive function of Treg cells, therefore stability of Tr1 cells needs to be further investigated. Here, we establish a new protocol that allows long-term in vitro expansion of highly purified expanded allospecific Tr1 (Exp-allo Tr1). Our expanded Tr1 cell population becomes highly enriched in IL-10 producers (> 90%) and maintains high expression of CD49b and LAG-3, as well as the co-inhibitory receptors PD-1, CTLA-4, TIM-3, TIGIT and CD39. Most importantly, high dimensional analysis of Exp-allo Tr1 demonstrated a specific expression profile that distinguishes them from activated conventional T cells (T conv), showing overexpression of IL-10, CD39, CTLA-4 and LAG-3. On the other hand, Exp-allo Tr1 expressed a chemokine receptor profile relevant for allograft homing and tolerance induction including CCR2, CCR4, CCR5 and CXCR3, but lower levels of CCR7. Interestingly, Exp-allo Tr1 efficiently suppressed allospecific but not third-party T cell responses even after being expanded in the presence of proinflammatory cytokines for two extra weeks, supporting their functional stability. In summary, we demonstrate for the first time that highly purified allospecific Tr1 (Allo Tr1) cells can be efficiently expanded maintaining a stable phenotype and suppressive function with homing potential to the allograft, so they may be considered as promising therapeutic tools for solid organ transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saúl Arteaga-Cruz
- Department of Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Arimelek Cortés-Hernández
- Department of Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Mexico City, Mexico.,The National Laboratory of Flow Cytometry, Biomedical Research Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Evelyn Katy Alvarez-Salazar
- Department of Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Mexico City, Mexico.,The National Laboratory of Flow Cytometry, Biomedical Research Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Katya Rosas-Cortina
- Department of Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Luis E Morales-Buenrostro
- Department of Nephrology and Mineral Metabolism, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Gloria Soldevila
- Department of Immunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Mexico City, Mexico.,The National Laboratory of Flow Cytometry, Biomedical Research Institute, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
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Bednar KJ, Lee JH, Ort T. Tregs in Autoimmunity: Insights Into Intrinsic Brake Mechanism Driving Pathogenesis and Immune Homeostasis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:932485. [PMID: 35844555 PMCID: PMC9280893 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.932485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
CD4+CD25highFoxp3+ regulatory T-cells (Tregs) are functionally characterized for their ability to suppress the activation of multiple immune cell types and are indispensable for maintaining immune homeostasis and tolerance. Disruption of this intrinsic brake system assessed by loss of suppressive capacity, cell numbers, and Foxp3 expression, leads to uncontrolled immune responses and tissue damage. The conversion of Tregs to a pathogenic pro-inflammatory phenotype is widely observed in immune mediated diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms that underpin the control of Treg stability and suppressive capacity are incompletely understood. This review summarizes the concepts of Treg cell stability and Treg cell plasticity highlighting underlying mechanisms including translational and epigenetic regulators that may enable translation to new therapeutic strategies. Our enhanced understanding of molecular mechanism controlling Tregs will have important implications into immune homeostasis and therapeutic potential for the treatment of immune-mediated diseases.
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5
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Ou K, Hamo D, Schulze A, Roemhild A, Kaiser D, Gasparoni G, Salhab A, Zarrinrad G, Amini L, Schlickeiser S, Streitz M, Walter J, Volk HD, Schmueck-Henneresse M, Reinke P, Polansky JK. Strong Expansion of Human Regulatory T Cells for Adoptive Cell Therapy Results in Epigenetic Changes Which May Impact Their Survival and Function. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:751590. [PMID: 34869339 PMCID: PMC8639223 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.751590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Adoptive transfer of regulatory T cells (Treg) is a promising new therapeutic option to treat detrimental inflammatory conditions after transplantation and during autoimmune disease. To reach sufficient cell yield for treatment, ex vivo isolated autologous or allogenic Tregs need to be expanded extensively in vitro during manufacturing of the Treg product. However, repetitive cycles of restimulation and prolonged culture have been shown to impact T cell phenotypes, functionality and fitness. It is therefore critical to scrutinize the molecular changes which occur during T cell product generation, and reexamine current manufacturing practices. We performed genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of cells throughout the manufacturing process of a polyclonal Treg product that has proven safety and hints of therapeutic efficacy in kidney transplant patients. We found progressive DNA methylation changes over the duration of culture, which were donor-independent and reproducible between manufacturing runs. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in the final products were significantly enriched at promoters and enhancers of genes implicated in T cell activation. Additionally, significant hypomethylation did also occur in promoters of genes implicated in functional exhaustion in conventional T cells, some of which, however, have been reported to strengthen immunosuppressive effector function in Tregs. At the same time, a set of reported Treg-specific demethylated regions increased methylation levels with culture, indicating a possible destabilization of Treg identity during manufacturing, which was independent of the purity of the starting material. Together, our results indicate that the repetitive TCR-mediated stimulation lead to epigenetic changes that might impact functionality of Treg products in multiple ways, by possibly shifting to an effector Treg phenotype with enhanced functional activity or by risking destabilization of Treg identity and impaired TCR activation. Our analyses also illustrate the value of epigenetic profiling for the evaluation of T cell product manufacturing pipelines, which might open new avenues for the improvement of current adoptive Treg therapies with relevance for conventional effector T cell products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristy Ou
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dania Hamo
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne Schulze
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andy Roemhild
- Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Daniel Kaiser
- Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gilles Gasparoni
- Department of Genetics and Epigenetics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Abdulrahman Salhab
- Department of Genetics and Epigenetics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Ghazaleh Zarrinrad
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Leila Amini
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stephan Schlickeiser
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mathias Streitz
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörn Walter
- Department of Genetics and Epigenetics, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Hans-Dieter Volk
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Schmueck-Henneresse
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Petra Reinke
- Berlin Center for Advanced Therapies (BeCAT), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Julia K Polansky
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Rheumatism Research Centre (DRFZ) Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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6
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Takahashi H, Tsuboi H, Abe S, Honda F, Kondo Y, Matsumoto I, Sumida T. Humanized NOD/SCID/IL2rγ null mice exhibit functionally augmented human regulatory T cells associated with enzymatic up-regulation of H3K27me3 in comparison with humans. Clin Exp Immunol 2021; 204:239-250. [PMID: 33555619 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Humanized non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency/interleukin-2 receptor-γ-null (NOD/SCID/IL2rγnull ) [humanized (huNSG)] mice engrafted with human hematopoietic cells have been used for investigations of the human immune system. However, the epigenetic features of the human regulatory T (Treg ) cells of huNSG mice have not been studied. The objective of this study was to clarify the characteristics of human Treg cells in huNSG mice, especially in terms of the epigenetic aspects. We compared the populations, inhibitory molecule expression and suppressive capacity of human Treg cells in spleens harvested from the huNSG mice 120 days after the engraftment of human umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Histone modifications and enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2), an H3K27 methyltransferase, of human Treg cells were quantified in huNSG mice and human PBMCs. The effect of Ezh2 inhibitor on human Treg cells exposed to interleukin (IL)-6 was also compared between them. Human Treg cells in the spleens of huNSG mice showed an increased proportion among CD4+ T cells, higher expressions of forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3), cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor-related protein (GITR), a higher production of IL-10 and enhanced suppressive capacity when compared with those in human PBMCs. H3K27me3 and Ezh2 were specifically up-regulated in human Treg cells of huNSG mice in comparison with those of human PBMCs. The decrease in Treg cells induced by IL-6 exposure was attenuated in huNSG mice when compared with human PBMCs, while the difference between them was cancelled by addition of Ezh2 inhibitor. In conclusion, huNSG mice exhibit functionally augmented human Treg cells owing to enzymatic up-regulation of H3K27me3.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Takahashi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| | - H Tsuboi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| | - S Abe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| | - F Honda
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Y Kondo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| | - I Matsumoto
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan
| | - T Sumida
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Japan
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Regulatory T Cell Stability and Plasticity in Atherosclerosis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122665. [PMID: 33322482 PMCID: PMC7764358 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) express the lineage-defining transcription factor FoxP3 and play crucial roles in self-tolerance and immune homeostasis. Thymic tTregs are selected based on affinity for self-antigens and are stable under most conditions. Peripheral pTregs differentiate from conventional CD4 T cells under the influence of TGF-β and other cytokines and are less stable. Treg plasticity refers to their ability to inducibly express molecules characteristic of helper CD4 T cell lineages like T-helper (Th)1, Th2, Th17 or follicular helper T cells. Plastic Tregs retain FoxP3 and are thought to be specialized regulators for “their” lineage. Unstable Tregs lose FoxP3 and switch to become exTregs, which acquire pro-inflammatory T-helper cell programs. Atherosclerosis with systemic hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, inflammatory cytokines, and local hypoxia provides an environment that is likely conducive to Tregs switching to exTregs.
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Yang L, Wang G, Xia H. Molecular mechanism for impaired suppressive function of Tregs in autoimmune diseases: A summary of cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic factors. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:11056-11063. [PMID: 32881301 PMCID: PMC7576235 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T (Treg) cells are responsible for maintaining immune homeostasis and preventing autoimmunity. In immune homeostasis condition, Tregs exert their suppressive function through inhibiting the proliferation of effector T cells. In response to environmental signals, Tregs display phenotypic heterogeneity and altered stability, which endows their suppressive function in a context-dependent manner. Compelling evidence indicates deficiency of Treg suppressive function is related to the immunopathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases. Consequently, it is vital to further our understanding of the molecular mechanism accounting for the regulation of Treg suppressive functions. In this review, we outline the current knowledge that highlights how cell-intrinsic factors, such as inflammatory cytokines, transcription factors, signalling pathways, post-translational modification (PTM), miRNAs, protein and protein complex, and cell-extrinsic factors orchestrate the suppressive function of Tregs. Improved understanding of the molecular mechanism related to the suppressive functional property of Tregs should provide new insights into autoimmunity and disease pathogenesis, which offers opportunity for identifying new therapeutic targets for Treg-related autoimmune diseases and cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luting Yang
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Haibin Xia
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Biochemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, China
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