1
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Viano ME, Baez NS, Savid-Frontera C, Baigorri RE, Dinatale B, Pacini MF, Bulfoni Balbi C, Gonzalez FB, Fozzatti L, Lidón NL, Young HA, Hodge DL, Cerban F, Stempin CC, Pérez AR, Rodriguez-Galán MC. Systemic inflammatory Th1 cytokines during Trypanosoma cruzi infection disrupt the typical anatomical cell distribution and phenotypic/functional characteristics of various cell subsets within the thymus. Microbes Infect 2024:105337. [PMID: 38615883 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The thymus plays a crucial role in T cell differentiation, a complex process influenced by various factors such as antigens, the microenvironment and thymic architecture. The way the thymus resolves infections is critical, as chronic persistence of microbes or inflammatory mediators can obstruct the differentiation. Here, we illustrate that following inflammatory T helper 1 infectious processes like those caused by Candida albicans or Trypanosoma cruzi, single positive thymocytes adopt a mature phenotype. Further investigations focused on T. cruzi infection, reveal a substantial existence of CD44+ cells in both the cortical and medullary areas of the thymus at the onset of infection. This disturbance coincides with heightened interferon gamma (IFNγ) production by thymocytes and an increased cytotoxic capacity against T. cruzi-infected macrophages. Additionally, we observe a reduced exportation capacity in T. cruzi-infected mice. Some alterations can be reversed in IFNγ knockout mice (KO). Notably, the majority of these effects can be replicated by systemic expression of interleukin (IL)-12+IL-18, underlining the predominantly inflammatory rather than pathogen-specific nature of these phenomena. Understanding the mechanisms through which systemic inflammation disrupts normal T cell development, as well as subsequent T cell exportation to secondary lymphoid organs (SLO) is pivotal for comprehending susceptibility to diseases in different pathological scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Estefania Viano
- Inmunología, CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Natalia Soledad Baez
- Inmunología, CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Constanza Savid-Frontera
- Inmunología, CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ruth Eliana Baigorri
- Inmunología, CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Brenda Dinatale
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Argentina
| | - Maria Florencia Pacini
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Argentina
| | - Camila Bulfoni Balbi
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Argentina
| | | | - Laura Fozzatti
- Inmunología, CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Nicolas Leonel Lidón
- Inmunología, CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Howard A Young
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick MD 21702-1201, USA
| | - Deborah L Hodge
- Cancer and Inflammation Program, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick MD 21702-1201, USA
| | - Fabio Cerban
- Inmunología, CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Cinthia Carolina Stempin
- Inmunología, CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Ana Rosa Pérez
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario (IDICER CONICET-UNR), Argentina; Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos (CIPREB), Facultad de Cs. Médicas de la Universidad Nacional de Rosario (UNR), Argentina
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2
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Corral-Ruiz GM, Pérez-Vega MJ, Galán-Salinas A, Mancilla-Herrera I, Barrios-Payán J, Fabila-Castillo L, Hernández-Pando R, Sánchez-Torres LE. Thymic atrophy induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA and Plasmodium yoelii 17XL infection. Immunol Lett 2023; 264:4-16. [PMID: 37875239 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2023.10.006] [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: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is the anatomical site where T cells undergo a complex process of differentiation, proliferation, selection, and elimination of autorreactive cells which involves molecular signals in different intrathymic environment. However, the immunological functions of the thymus can be compromised upon exposure to different infections, affecting thymocyte populations. In this work, we investigated the impact of malaria parasites on the thymus by using C57BL/6 mice infected with Plasmodium berghei ANKA and Plasmodium yoelii 17XL; these lethal infection models represent the most severe complications, cerebral malaria, and anemia respectively. Data showed a reduction in the thymic weight and cellularity involving different T cell maturation stages, mainly CD4-CD8- and CD4+CD8+ thymocytes, as well as an increased presence of apoptotic cells, leading to significant thymic cortex reduction. Thymus atrophy showed no association with elevated serum cytokines levels, although increased glucocorticoid levels did. The severity of thymic damage in both models reached the same extend although it occurs at different stages of infection, showing that thymic atrophy does not depend on parasitemia level but on the specific host-parasite interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M Corral-Ruiz
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - M J Pérez-Vega
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - A Galán-Salinas
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - I Mancilla-Herrera
- Departamento de Infectología e Inmunología, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - J Barrios-Payán
- Sección de Patología Experimental, Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - L Fabila-Castillo
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - R Hernández-Pando
- Sección de Patología Experimental, Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - L E Sánchez-Torres
- Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico.
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3
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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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4
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Hino C, Xu Y, Xiao J, Baylink DJ, Reeves ME, Cao H. The potential role of the thymus in immunotherapies for acute myeloid leukemia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1102517. [PMID: 36814919 PMCID: PMC9940763 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1102517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the factors which shape T-lymphocyte immunity is critical for the development and application of future immunotherapeutic strategies in treating hematological malignancies. The thymus, a specialized central lymphoid organ, plays important roles in generating a diverse T lymphocyte repertoire during the infantile and juvenile stages of humans. However, age-associated thymic involution and diseases or treatment associated injury result in a decline in its continuous role in the maintenance of T cell-mediated anti-tumor/virus immunity. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy that mainly affects older adults, and the disease's progression is known to consist of an impaired immune surveillance including a reduction in naïve T cell output, a restriction in T cell receptor repertoire, and an increase in frequencies of regulatory T cells. As one of the most successful immunotherapies thus far developed for malignancy, T-cell-based adoptive cell therapies could be essential for the development of a durable effective treatment to eliminate residue leukemic cells (blasts) and prevent AML relapse. Thus, a detailed cellular and molecular landscape of how the adult thymus functions within the context of the AML microenvironment will provide new insights into both the immune-related pathogenesis and the regeneration of a functional immune system against leukemia in AML patients. Herein, we review the available evidence supporting the potential correlation between thymic dysfunction and T-lymphocyte impairment with the ontogeny of AML (II-VI). We then discuss how the thymus could impact current and future therapeutic approaches in AML (VII). Finally, we review various strategies to rejuvenate thymic function to improve the precision and efficacy of cancer immunotherapy (VIII).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Hino
- Department of Internal Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Yi Xu
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Jeffrey Xiao
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - David J Baylink
- Division of Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Mark E Reeves
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
| | - Huynh Cao
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, United States.,Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Loma Linda, CA, United States
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5
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Savino W, Durães J, Maldonado-Galdeano C, Perdigon G, Mendes-da-Cruz DA, Cuervo P. Thymus, undernutrition, and infection: Approaching cellular and molecular interactions. Front Nutr 2022; 9:948488. [PMID: 36225882 PMCID: PMC9549110 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.948488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Undernutrition remains a major issue in global health. Low protein-energy consumption, results in stunting, wasting and/or underweight, three deleterious forms of malnutrition that affect roughly 200 million children under the age of five years. Undernutrition compromises the immune system with the generation of various degrees of immunodeficiency, which in turn, renders undernourished individuals more sensitive to acute infections. The severity of various infectious diseases including visceral leishmaniasis (VL), influenza, and tuberculosis is associated with undernutrition. Immunosuppression resulting from protein-energy undernutrition severely impacts primary and secondary lymphoid organs involved in the response to related pathogens. The thymus—a primary lymphoid organ responsible for the generation of T lymphocytes—is particularly compromised by both undernutrition and infectious diseases. In this respect, we will discuss herein various intrathymic cellular and molecular interactions seen in undernutrition alone or in combination with acute infections. Many examples illustrated in studies on humans and experimental animals clearly revealed that protein-related undernutrition causes thymic atrophy, with cortical thymocyte depletion. Moreover, the non-lymphoid microenvironmental compartment of the organ undergoes important changes in thymic epithelial cells, including their secretory products such as hormones and extracellular matrix proteins. Of note, deficiencies in vitamins and trace elements also induce thymic atrophy. Interestingly, among the molecular interactions involved in the control of undernutrition-induced thymic atrophy is a hormonal imbalance with a rise in glucocorticoids and a decrease in leptin serum levels. Undernutrition also yields a negative impact of acute infections upon the thymus, frequently with the intrathymic detection of pathogens or their antigens. For instance, undernourished mice infected with Leishmania infantum (that causes VL) undergo drastic thymic atrophy, with significant reduction in thymocyte numbers, and decreased levels of intrathymic chemokines and cytokines, indicating that both lymphoid and microenvironmental compartments of the organ are affected. Lastly, recent data revealed that some probiotic bacteria or probiotic fermented milks improve the thymus status in a model of malnutrition, thus raising a new field for investigation, namely the thymus-gut connection, indicating that probiotics can be envisioned as a further adjuvant therapy in the control of thymic changes in undernutrition accompanied or not by infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Wilson Savino, ,
| | - Jonathan Durães
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Leishmaniasis Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carolina Maldonado-Galdeano
- Laboratory of Immunology, Reference Center for Lactobacilli Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
- Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, National University of Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Gabriela Perdigon
- Laboratory of Immunology, Reference Center for Lactobacilli Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CERELA-CONICET), San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
- Laboratory of Immunology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, National University of Tucumán, San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Daniella Arêas Mendes-da-Cruz
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Brazilian National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia Cuervo
- Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Laboratory on Leishmaniasis Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Patricia Cuervo, ,
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6
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Detection of Microbiota from Human Thymus of Myasthenia Gravis. Indian J Surg 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s12262-020-02202-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
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7
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Pérez AR, de Meis J, Rodriguez-Galan MC, Savino W. The Thymus in Chagas Disease: Molecular Interactions Involved in Abnormal T-Cell Migration and Differentiation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1838. [PMID: 32983098 PMCID: PMC7492291 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite T. cruzi, is a prevalent parasitic disease in Latin America. Presently, it is spreading around the world by human migration, thus representing a new global health issue. Chronically infected individuals reveal a dissimilar disease progression: while nearly 60% remain without apparent disease for life, 30% develop life-threatening pathologies, such as chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) or megaviscerae. Inflammation driven by parasite persistence seems to be involved in the pathophysiology of the disease. However, there is also evidence of the occurrence of autoimmune events, mainly caused by molecular mimicry and bystander activation. In experimental models of disease, is well-established that T. cruzi infects the thymus and causes locally profound structural and functional alterations. The hallmark is a massive loss of CD4+CD8+ double positive (DP) thymocytes, mainly triggered by increased levels of glucocorticoids, although other mechanisms seem to act simultaneously. Thymic epithelial cells (TEC) exhibited an increase in extracellular matrix deposition, which are related to thymocyte migratory alterations. Moreover, medullary TEC showed a decreased expression of AIRE and altered expression of microRNAs, which might be linked to a disrupted negative selection of the T-cell repertoire. Also, almost all stages of thymocyte development are altered, including an abnormal output of CD4−CD8− double negative (DN) and DP immature and mature cells, many of them carrying prohibited TCR-Vβ segments. Evidence has shown that DN and DP cells with an activated phenotype can be tracked in the blood of humans with chronic Chagas disease and also in the secondary lymphoid organs and heart of infected mice, raising new questions about the relevance of these populations in the pathogenesis of Chagas disease and their possible link with thymic alterations and an immunoendocrine imbalance. Here, we discuss diverse molecular mechanisms underlying thymic abnormalities occurring during T. cruzi infection and their link with CCC, which may contribute to the design of innovative strategies to control Chagas disease pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rosa Pérez
- Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina.,Centro de Investigación y Producción de Reactivos Biológicos, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Juliana de Meis
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Rio de Janeiro Research Network on Neuroinflammation, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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8
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Pydi SS, Ghousunnissa S, Devalraju KP, Ramaseri SS, Gaddam R, Auzumeedi SK, Vankayalapati R, Valluri VL. Down regulation of RANTES in pleural site is associated with inhibition of antigen specific response in tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (Edinb) 2019; 116S:S123-S130. [PMID: 31103419 DOI: 10.1016/j.tube.2019.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis is the most common infectious reason for death and a major cause of pleural effusion globally. To understand the role of chemokines in trafficking of cells during TB pleurisy, we studied the responses to MTB, Ag85A in cells from pleural fluids and peripheral blood. Patients with TB pleural effusions, malignant effusions and asymptomatic healthy controls were enrolled. High expression (p < 0.05) of IP-10, MCP-1, MIG, IL-8, IFN-γ and IL-23 were observed in pleural fluids of TB patients compared to their plasma where expression of RANTES was significantly higher (p < 0.05). On specific stimulation of PFMCs with Ag85A, expression of RANTES was significantly lower in TB compared to NTB patients. We also observed increased expression of T regs and PD1 on CD8+T cells in PFMC of TB patients. Though some of the inflammatory chemokine/cytokines were up-regulated in pleura of TB patients, antigenic stimulation failed to induce them indicating poor antigenic responses at the site. Low expression of RANTES might be a reason for decreased trafficking of cells to the site and dissemination of infection into pleural site. The pattern of RANTES expression in pleural fluid vs serum is interesting. The observations necessitate further studies to investigate the levels of RANTES for its potential biological relevance in TB immunity and its use as a biomarker for diagnosis of pleural TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satya Sudheer Pydi
- Immunology and Molecular Biology Division, Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre, LEPRA Society, Cherlapally, Hyderabad, 501301, India
| | - Sheikh Ghousunnissa
- Immunology and Molecular Biology Division, Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre, LEPRA Society, Cherlapally, Hyderabad, 501301, India
| | - Kamakshi Prudhula Devalraju
- Immunology and Molecular Biology Division, Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre, LEPRA Society, Cherlapally, Hyderabad, 501301, India
| | - Sharadambal Sunder Ramaseri
- Immunology and Molecular Biology Division, Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre, LEPRA Society, Cherlapally, Hyderabad, 501301, India
| | - Ramulu Gaddam
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, AP Chest and General Hospital, Osmania Medical College, Erragadda, Hyderabad, 500038, India
| | - Sai Kumar Auzumeedi
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, AP Chest and General Hospital, Osmania Medical College, Erragadda, Hyderabad, 500038, India
| | - Ramakrishna Vankayalapati
- Department of Pulmonary Immunology, Center for Biomedical Research, University of Texas Health Center, Tyler, TX, 75708, USA.
| | - Vijaya Lakshmi Valluri
- Immunology and Molecular Biology Division, Blue Peter Public Health and Research Centre, LEPRA Society, Cherlapally, Hyderabad, 501301, India.
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9
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Starikova EA, Golovin AS, Vasilyev KA, Karaseva AB, Serebriakova MK, Sokolov AV, Kudryavtsev IV, Burova LA, Voynova IV, Suvorov AN, Vasilyev VB, Freidlin IS. Role of arginine deiminase in thymic atrophy during experimental Streptococcus pyogenes infection. Scand J Immunol 2019; 89:e12734. [PMID: 30471128 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/18/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Expression of gene of arginine deiminase (AD) allows adaptation of Streptococcus pyogenes to adverse environmental conditions. AD activity can lead to L-arginine deficiency in the host cells' microenvironment. Bioavailability of L-arginine is an important factor regulating the functions of the immune cells in mammals. By introducing a mutation into S pyogenes M46-16, we obtained a strain with inactivated arcA/sagp gene (M49-16 delArcA), deficient in AD. This allowed elucidating the function of AD in pathogenesis of streptococcal infection. The virulence of the parental and mutant strains was examined in a murine model of subcutaneous streptococcal infection. L-arginine concentration in the plasma of mice infected with S pyogenes M49-16 delArcA remained unchanged in course of the entire experiment. At the same time mice infected with S pyogenes M49-16 demonstrated gradual diminution of L-arginine concentration in the blood plasma, which might be due to the activity of streptococcal AD. Mice infected with S pyogenes M49-16 delArcA demonstrated less intensive bacterial growth in the primary foci and less pronounced bacterial dissemination as compared with animals infected with the parental strain S pyogenes M46-16. Similarly, thymus involution, alterations in apoptosis, thymocyte subsets and Treg cells differentiation were less pronounced in mice infected with S pyogenes M49-16 delArcA than in those infected with the parental strain. The results obtained showed that S pyogenes M49-16 delArcA, unable to produce AD, had reduced virulence in comparison with the parental S pyogenes M49-16 strain. AD is an important factor for the realization of the pathogenic potential of streptococci.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Alena Borisovna Karaseva
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Alexey Victorovich Sokolov
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Saint-Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Igor Vladimirovich Kudryavtsev
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Far Eastern Federal University Vladivostok, Russia
| | | | - Irina Vitalyevna Voynova
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Alexander Nikolaevich Suvorov
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Saint-Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Vadim Borisovich Vasilyev
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Saint-Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Irina Solomonovna Freidlin
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Saint-Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia.,Pavlov First Saint-Petersburg State Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
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10
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das Neves SP, Serre-Miranda C, Nobrega C, Roque S, Cerqueira JJ, Correia-Neves M, Marques F. Immune Thymic Profile of the MOG-Induced Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Mouse Model. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2335. [PMID: 30369926 PMCID: PMC6194318 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, immune-mediated, demyelinating disease that affects the neurons of the central nervous system. Activated T cells, specific for myelin epitopes, cross the brain barriers, and react against the myelin sheath, leading to demyelination. Since T cells are generated within the thymus, here we explored, in mice, the alterations occurring in this organ throughout the different phases of the disease. We induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6 females and sacrifice them at the onset (day 16) and chronic phases of disease (day 23), along with non-induced controls. We observed thymic atrophy in EAE mice at the onset that remained until the chronic phase of disease. This atrophy was associated with a preferential loss of the CD4+CD8+ double positive thymocytes, an intermediate population between the more immature CD4−CD8− double negative and the most mature single positive thymocytes. This was accompanied by an increase in the thymic medullary/cortical ratio and by an altered expression levels of genes important for T cell survival. During the chronic phase, the thymi remained atrophic, but reacquired the normal proportion of the main four thymocyte populations and the normal medullary/cortical ratio. Importantly, at the onset phase, and accompanying these thymic alterations, EAE animals presented an increased percentage of demyelinating lesion area in the cerebellum, and an increased expression of interferon gamma (Ifng), interleukin (Il) 12a, and Il17a. This study suggests dynamic thymic alterations occurring in response to EAE, from the induction to the chronic phase, that might help to elucidate the MS pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia P das Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Cláudia Serre-Miranda
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Claudia Nobrega
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Susana Roque
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - João J Cerqueira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center-Braga, Braga, Portugal
| | - Margarida Correia-Neves
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Fernanda Marques
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's-PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
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11
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Song A, Zhu L, Gorantla G, Berdysz O, Amici SA, Guerau-de-Arellano M, Madalena KM, Lerch JK, Liu X, Quan N. Salient type 1 interleukin 1 receptor expression in peripheral non-immune cells. Sci Rep 2018; 8:723. [PMID: 29335509 PMCID: PMC5768710 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-19248-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin 1 is a pleiotropic cytokine that mediates diverse functions through its receptor, type I interleukin 1 receptor (IL-1R1). Most previous studies have focused on the expression and function of IL-1R1 in immune cells. Here we performed a comprehensive mapping of IL-1R1 distribution in multiple peripheral tissues using our IL-1R1 reporter (IL-1R1GR/GR) mice. This method yielded the highest sensitivity of in situ detection of IL-1R1 mRNA and protein. Besides validating previously reported IL-1R1 expression in the endocrine tissues including pituitary and pancreas, our results refuted previously reported exclusive IL-1R1 expression in neurons of the spinal cord dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Instead, IL-1R1 expression was detected in endothelial cells within DRG, spinal cord, pancreas, colon, muscles and many immune organs. In addition, gp38+ fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs), rather than tissue macrophages or other immune cells, were found to express high levels of IL-1R1 in colon and many immune organs. A functional test of spleen FRCs showed that they responded rapidly to systemic IL-1β stimulation in vivo. Taken together, this study provides a rigorous re-examination of IL-1R1 expression in peripheral tissues and reveals tissue FRCs as a previously unappreciated novel high IL-1R1-expressing cell type in peripheral IL-1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anping Song
- Department of Oncolgy, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College, Wuhan, Hubei, 430030, P. R. China
| | - Ling Zhu
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041, P. R. China
| | - Gowthami Gorantla
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Olimpia Berdysz
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Stephanie A Amici
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Division of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Mireia Guerau-de-Arellano
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Division of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Kathryn M Madalena
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Jessica K Lerch
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.,Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Liu
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,Division of Biosciences, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, 460 Medical Center Drive, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
| | - Ning Quan
- Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,Division of Biosciences, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. .,Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, 460 Medical Center Drive, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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12
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D’Attilio L, Santucci N, Bongiovanni B, Bay ML, Bottasso O. Tuberculosis, the Disrupted Immune-Endocrine Response and the Potential Thymic Repercussion As a Contributing Factor to Disease Physiopathology. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:214. [PMID: 29765355 PMCID: PMC5938357 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon the pathogen encounter, the host seeks to ensure an adequate inflammatory reaction to combat infection but at the same time tries to prevent collateral damage, through several regulatory mechanisms, like an endocrine response involving the production of adrenal steroid hormones. Our studies show that active tuberculosis (TB) patients present an immune-endocrine imbalance characterized by an impaired cellular immunity together with increased plasma levels of cortisol, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and decreased amounts of dehydroepiandrosterone. Studies in patients undergoing specific treatment revealed that cortisol levels remained increased even after several months of initiating therapy. In addition to the well-known metabolic and immunological effects, glucocorticoids are involved in thymic cortical depletion with immature thymocytes being quite sensitive to such an effect. The thymus is a central lymphoid organ supporting thymocyte T-cell development, i.e., lineage commitment, selection events and thymic emigration. While thymic TB is an infrequent manifestation of the disease, several pieces of experimental and clinical evidence point out that the thymus can be infected by mycobacteria. Beyond this, the thymic microenvironment during TB may be also altered because of the immune-hormonal alterations. The thymus may be then an additional target of organ involvement further contributing to a deficient control of infection and disease immunopathology.
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13
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Carvalho Barros LR, Linhares-Lacerda L, Moreira-Ramos K, Ribeiro-Alves M, Machado Motta MC, Bou-Habib DC, Savino W. HTLV-1-infected thymic epithelial cells convey the virus to CD4 + T lymphocytes. Immunobiology 2017; 222:1053-1063. [PMID: 28888743 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 06/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The human T-lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is the causative agent of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV-1 associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). CD4+T cells are the main target of HTLV-1, but other cell types are known to be infected, including immature lymphocytes. Developing T cells undergo differentiation in the thymus, through migration and interaction with the thymic microenvironment, in particular with thymic epithelial cells (TEC) the major component of this three dimensional meshwork of non-lymphoid cells. Herein, we show that TEC express the receptors for HTLV-1 and can be infected by this virus through cell-cell contact and by cell-free virus suspensions. The expression of anti-apoptosis, chemokine and adhesion molecules genes are altered in HTLV-1-infected TEC, although gene expression of antigen presentation molecules remained unchanged. Furthermore, HTLV-1-infected TEC transmitted the virus to a CD4+ T cell line and to CD4+ T cells from healthy donors, during in vitro cellular co-cultures. Altogether, our data point to the possibility that the human thymic epithelial cells play a role in the establishment and progression of HTLV-1 infection, functioning as a reservoir and transmitting the virus to maturing CD4+ T lymphocytes, which in turn will cause disease in the periphery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana Rodrigues Carvalho Barros
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil
| | - Leandra Linhares-Lacerda
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil
| | - Klaysa Moreira-Ramos
- Alagoas State University of Health Sciences, R Jorge de Lima, 113, 57010-382 Maceió, AL, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Ribeiro-Alves
- HIV/AIDS Clinical Research Center, Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectology/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Maria Cristina Machado Motta
- Hertha Meyer Laboratory of Cellular, Carlos Chagas Filho Institute of Biophysics, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, R Carlos Chagas Filho, 373, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Dumith Chequer Bou-Habib
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil
| | - Wilson Savino
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Av. Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21045-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Brazil.
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14
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Ansari AR, Liu H. Acute Thymic Involution and Mechanisms for Recovery. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2017; 65:401-420. [PMID: 28331940 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-017-0462-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 03/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Acute thymic involution (ATI) is usually regarded as a virulence trait. It is caused by several infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi) and other factors, including stress, pregnancy, malnutrition and chemotherapy. However, the complex mechanisms that operate during ATI differ substantially from each other depending on the causative agent. For instance, a transient reduction in the size and weight of the thymus and depletion of populations of T cell subsets are hallmarks of ATI in many cases, whereas severe disruption of the anatomical structure of the organ is also associated with some factors, including fungal, parasitic and viral infections. However, growing evidence shows that ATI may be therapeutically halted or reversed. In this review, we highlight the current progress in this field with respect to numerous pathological factors and discuss the possible mechanisms. Moreover, these new observations also show that ATI can be mechanistically reversed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdur Rahman Ansari
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (CVAS), Jhang, Pakistan.,University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Huazhen Liu
- Department of Basic Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, 430070, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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15
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Kugler DG, Flomerfelt FA, Costa DL, Laky K, Kamenyeva O, Mittelstadt PR, Gress RE, Rosshart SP, Rehermann B, Ashwell JD, Sher A, Jankovic D. Systemic toxoplasma infection triggers a long-term defect in the generation and function of naive T lymphocytes. J Exp Med 2016; 213:3041-3056. [PMID: 27849554 PMCID: PMC5154934 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20151636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Kugler et al. show that systemic infection with Toxoplasma gondii triggers a long-term impairment in thymic function, which leads to an immunodeficient state reflected in decreased antimicrobial resistance. Because antigen-stimulated naive T cells either die as effectors or enter the activated/memory pool, continuous egress of new T lymphocytes from thymus is essential for maintenance of peripheral immune homeostasis. Unexpectedly, we found that systemic infection with the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii triggers not only a transient increase in activated CD4+ Th1 cells but also a persistent decrease in the size of the naive CD4+ T lymphocyte pool. This immune defect is associated with decreased thymic output and parasite-induced destruction of the thymic epithelium, as well as disruption of the overall architecture of that primary lymphoid organ. Importantly, the resulting quantitative and qualitative deficiency in naive CD4+ T cells leads to an immunocompromised state that both promotes chronic toxoplasma infection and leads to decreased resistance to challenge with an unrelated pathogen. These findings reveal that systemic infectious agents, such as T. gondii, can induce long-term immune alterations associated with impaired thymic function. When accumulated during the lifetime of the host, such events, even when occurring at low magnitude, could be a contributing factor in immunological senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Kugler
- Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Francis A Flomerfelt
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Diego L Costa
- Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Karen Laky
- T Cell Development Section, Laboratory of Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Olena Kamenyeva
- Biological Imaging, Research Technology Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Paul R Mittelstadt
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Ronald E Gress
- Experimental Transplantation and Immunology Branch, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Stephan P Rosshart
- Immunology Section, Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Barbara Rehermann
- Immunology Section, Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Jonathan D Ashwell
- Laboratory of Immune Cell Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Alan Sher
- Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Dragana Jankovic
- Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
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16
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Mavrommatis B, Baudino L, Levy P, Merkenschlager J, Eksmond U, Donnarumma T, Young G, Stoye J, Kassiotis G. Dichotomy between T Cell and B Cell Tolerance to Neonatal Retroviral Infection Permits T Cell Therapy. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 197:3628-3638. [PMID: 27647833 PMCID: PMC5073355 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1600734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Elucidation of the immune requirements for control or elimination of retroviral infection remains an important aim. We studied the induction of adaptive immunity to neonatal infection with a murine retrovirus, under conditions leading to immunological tolerance. We found that the absence of either maternal or offspring adaptive immunity permitted efficient vertical transmission of the retrovirus. Maternal immunodeficiency allowed the retrovirus to induce central Th cell tolerance in the infected offspring. In turn, this compromised the offspring’s ability to mount a protective Th cell–dependent B cell response. However, in contrast to T cells, offspring B cells were not centrally tolerized and retained their ability to respond to the infection when provided with T cell help. Thus, escape of retrovirus-specific B cells from deletional tolerance offers the opportunity to induce protective retroviral immunity by restoration of retrovirus-specific T cell help, suggesting similar T cell immunotherapies for persistent viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Mavrommatis
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom
| | - Lucie Baudino
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom
| | - Prisca Levy
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom
| | - Julia Merkenschlager
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom
| | - Urszula Eksmond
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom
| | - Tiziano Donnarumma
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom
| | - George Young
- Retrovirus-Host Interactions, The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom; and
| | - Jonathan Stoye
- Retrovirus-Host Interactions, The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom; and.,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - George Kassiotis
- Retroviral Immunology, The Francis Crick Institute, Mill Hill Laboratory, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom; .,Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
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17
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Polena H, Boudou F, Tilleul S, Dubois-Colas N, Lecointe C, Rakotosamimanana N, Pelizzola M, Andriamandimby SF, Raharimanga V, Charles P, Herrmann JL, Ricciardi-Castagnoli P, Rasolofo V, Gicquel B, Tailleux L. Mycobacterium tuberculosis exploits the formation of new blood vessels for its dissemination. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33162. [PMID: 27616470 PMCID: PMC5018821 DOI: 10.1038/srep33162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/17/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms by which the airborne pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis spreads within the lung and leaves its primary niche to colonize other organs, thus inducing extrapulmonary forms of tuberculosis (TB) in humans, remains poorly understood. Herein, we used a transcriptomic approach to investigate the host cell gene expression profile in M. tuberculosis-infected human macrophages (ΜΦ). We identified 33 genes, encoding proteins involved in angiogenesis, for which the expression was significantly modified during infection, and we show that the potent angiogenic factor VEGF is secreted by M. tuberculosis-infected ΜΦ, in an RD1-dependent manner. In vivo these factors promote the formation of blood vessels in murine models of the disease. Inhibiting angiogenesis, via VEGF inactivation, abolished mycobacterial spread from the infection site. In accordance with our in vitro and in vivo results, we show that the level of VEGF in TB patients is elevated and that endothelial progenitor cells are mobilized from the bone marrow. These results strongly strengthen the most recent data suggesting that mycobacteria take advantage of the formation of new blood vessels to disseminate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Polena
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Mycobactérienne, Paris, France.,Univ. Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Cellule Pasteur, rue du Dr. Roux, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Boudou
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Mycobactérienne, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Tilleul
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Mycobactérienne, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Dubois-Colas
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Mycobactérienne, Paris, France.,Univ. Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Cellule Pasteur, rue du Dr. Roux, F-75015 Paris, France
| | - Cécile Lecointe
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Mycobactérienne, Paris, France
| | - Niaina Rakotosamimanana
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Mycobactérienne, Paris, France.,Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Unité des Mycobactéries, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Mattia Pelizzola
- University of Milano-Bicocca, Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | | | | | - Patricia Charles
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Mycobactérienne, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Louis Herrmann
- INSERM U1173, UFR Sciences de la Santé Simone Veil, Université Versailles-Saint-Quentin, 78180 Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, France.,Service de Microbiologie, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, 92380 Garches, France
| | - Paola Ricciardi-Castagnoli
- University of Milano-Bicocca, Department of Biotechnology and Bioscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 2, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Voahangy Rasolofo
- Institut Pasteur de Madagascar, Unité des Mycobactéries, Antananarivo, Madagascar
| | - Brigitte Gicquel
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Mycobactérienne, Paris, France
| | - Ludovic Tailleux
- Institut Pasteur, Unité de Génétique Mycobactérienne, Paris, France
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18
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Abstract
As the primary site of T-cell development, the thymus plays a key role in the generation of a strong yet self-tolerant adaptive immune response, essential in the face of the potential threat from pathogens or neoplasia. As the importance of the role of the thymus has grown, so too has the understanding that it is extremely sensitive to both acute and chronic injury. The thymus undergoes rapid degeneration following a range of toxic insults, and also involutes as part of the aging process, albeit at a faster rate than many other tissues. The thymus is, however, capable of regenerating, restoring its function to a degree. Potential mechanisms for this endogenous thymic regeneration include keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) signaling, and a more recently described pathway in which innate lymphoid cells produce interleukin-22 (IL-22) in response to loss of double positive thymocytes and upregulation of IL-23 by dendritic cells. Endogenous repair is unable to fully restore the thymus, particularly in the aged population, and this paves the way toward the need for exogenous strategies to help regenerate or even replace thymic function. Therapies currently in clinical trials include KGF, use of the cytokines IL-7 and IL-22, and hormonal modulation including growth hormone administration and sex steroid inhibition. Further novel strategies are emerging in the preclinical setting, including the use of precursor T cells and thymus bioengineering. The use of such strategies offers hope that for many patients, the next regeneration of their thymus is a step closer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed S Chaudhry
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Enrico Velardi
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jarrod A Dudakov
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Program in Immunology, Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Marcel R M van den Brink
- Immunology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
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19
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Prendergast AJ. Malnutrition and vaccination in developing countries. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2016; 370:rstb.2014.0141. [PMID: 25964453 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2014.0141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Malnutrition contributes to an estimated 45% of deaths among children under 5 years of age in developing countries, predominantly due to infections. Malnourished children therefore stand to benefit hugely from vaccination, but malnutrition has been described as the most common immunodeficiency globally, suggesting that they may not be able to respond effectively to vaccines. The immunology of malnutrition remains poorly characterized, but is associated with impairments in mucosal barrier integrity, and innate and adaptive immune dysfunction. Despite this, the majority of malnourished children can mount a protective immune response following vaccination, although the timing, quality and duration of responses may be impaired. This paper reviews the evidence for vaccine immunogenicity in malnourished children, discusses the importance of vaccination in prevention of malnutrition and highlights evidence gaps in our current knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Prendergast
- Centre for Paediatrics, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA Zvitambo Institute for Maternal and Child Health Research, Harare, Zimbabwe
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20
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Leyva-Rangel JP, de Los Angeles Hernández-Cueto M, Galan-Enriquez CS, López-Medina M, Ortiz-Navarrete V. Bacterial clearance reverses a skewed T-cell repertoire induced by Salmonella infection. IMMUNITY INFLAMMATION AND DISEASE 2015; 3:209-23. [PMID: 26417438 PMCID: PMC4578521 DOI: 10.1002/iid3.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 03/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Salmonella typhimurium invades the spleen, liver, and peripheral lymph nodes and has recently been detected in the bone marrow and thymus, resulting in a reduced thymic size and a decline in the total number of thymic cells. A specific deletion of the double-positive cell subset has been characterized, yet the export of mature T cells to the periphery remains normal. We analyzed Salmonella pathogenesis regarding thymic structure and the T-cell maturation process. We demonstrate that, despite alterations in the thymic structure, T-cell development is maintained during Salmonella infection, allowing the selection of single-positive T-cell clones expressing particular T-cell receptor beta chains (TCR-Vβ). Moreover, the treatment of infected mice with an antibiotic restored the normal thymic architecture and thymocyte subset distribution. Additionally, the frequency of TCR-Vβ usage after treatment was comparable to that in non-infected mice. However, bacteria were still recovered from the thymus after 1 month of treatment. Our data reveal that a skewed T-cell developmental process is present in the Salmonella-infected thymus that alters the TCR-Vβ usage frequency. Likewise, the post-treatment persistence of Salmonella reveals a novel function of the thymus as a potential reservoir for this infectious agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica P Leyva-Rangel
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas Facultad de Medicina, UNAM Mexico City, CP 045510, Mexico ; Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) Mexico City
| | | | - Carlos-Samuel Galan-Enriquez
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) Mexico City
| | - Marcela López-Medina
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) Mexico City
| | - Vianney Ortiz-Navarrete
- Departamento de Biomedicina Molecular, Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional (CINVESTAV) Mexico City
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21
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von Bargen K, Gagnaire A, Arce-Gorvel V, de Bovis B, Baudimont F, Chasson L, Bosilkovski M, Papadopoulos A, Martirosyan A, Henri S, Mège JL, Malissen B, Gorvel JP. Cervical Lymph Nodes as a Selective Niche for Brucella during Oral Infections. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121790. [PMID: 25919005 PMCID: PMC4412401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical lymph nodes (CLN) are the first lymph nodes encountered by material taking the oral route. To study their role in orally acquired infections, we analyzed 307 patients of up to 14 years treated in the university clinic of Skopje, Macedonia, for brucellosis, a zoonotic bacterial disease frequently acquired by ingestion of contaminated dairy products. From these children, 36% had lymphadenopathy. Among orally infected children, lymphadenopathy with CLN being the only lymph nodes affected was significantly more frequent as compared to those infected by contact with animals (83% vs. 63%), suggesting a possible involvement of CLN during orally acquired human brucellosis. Using a murine model where bacteria are delivered into the oral cavity, we show that Brucella quickly and selectively colonize the CLN where they proliferate and persist over long periods of time for up to 50 days post-infection. A similar efficient though less specific drainage to CLN was found for Brucella, Salmonella typhimurium and fluorescent microspheres delivered by gavage, a pathway likely representing a mixed infection mode of intragastric and oral infection, suggesting a central pathway of drained material. Microspheres as well as bacteria drained to CLN predominately reside in cells expressing CD68 and no or low levels of CD11c. Even though no systemic response could be detected, Brucella induced a locally restricted inflammatory reaction with increased expression levels of interferon γ, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, granzyme B and a delayed induction of Nos2. Inflammation led to pronounced lymphadenopathy, infiltration of macrophages/monocytes expressing high levels of major histocompatibility complex II and to formation of epitheloid granulomas. Together, these results highlight the role of CLN in oral infections as both, an initial and efficient trap for bacterial invaders and as possible reservoir for chronic pathogens. They likewise cast a new light on the significance of oral routes for means of vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine von Bargen
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), Aix-Marseille University, UM2, Marseille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1104, Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7280, Marseille, France
| | - Aurélie Gagnaire
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), Aix-Marseille University, UM2, Marseille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1104, Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7280, Marseille, France
| | - Vilma Arce-Gorvel
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), Aix-Marseille University, UM2, Marseille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1104, Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7280, Marseille, France
| | - Béatrice de Bovis
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), Aix-Marseille University, UM2, Marseille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1104, Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7280, Marseille, France
| | - Fannie Baudimont
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), Aix-Marseille University, UM2, Marseille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1104, Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7280, Marseille, France
| | - Lionel Chasson
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), Aix-Marseille University, UM2, Marseille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1104, Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7280, Marseille, France
| | - Mile Bosilkovski
- University Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions, Skopje, Republic of Macedonia
| | - Alexia Papadopoulos
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), Aix-Marseille University, UM2, Marseille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1104, Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7280, Marseille, France
| | - Anna Martirosyan
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), Aix-Marseille University, UM2, Marseille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1104, Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7280, Marseille, France
| | - Sandrine Henri
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), Aix-Marseille University, UM2, Marseille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1104, Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7280, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Louis Mège
- Unité des Rickettsies, Aix-Marseille University, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR6020, Faculté de Médecine, Marseille, France
| | - Bernard Malissen
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), Aix-Marseille University, UM2, Marseille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1104, Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7280, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Gorvel
- Centre d'Immunologie de Marseille-Luminy (CIML), Aix-Marseille University, UM2, Marseille, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1104, Marseille, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7280, Marseille, France
- * E-mail:
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22
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Takamura S, Kajiwara E, Tsuji-Kawahara S, Masumoto T, Fujisawa M, Kato M, Chikaishi T, Kawasaki Y, Kinoshita S, Itoi M, Sakaguchi N, Miyazawa M. Infection of adult thymus with murine retrovirus induces virus-specific central tolerance that prevents functional memory CD8+ T cell differentiation. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1003937. [PMID: 24651250 PMCID: PMC3961338 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003937] [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: 07/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In chronic viral infections, persistent antigen presentation causes progressive exhaustion of virus-specific CD8+ T cells. It has become clear, however, that virus-specific naïve CD8+ T cells newly generated from the thymus can be primed with persisting antigens. In the setting of low antigen density and resolved inflammation, newly primed CD8+ T cells are preferentially recruited into the functional memory pool. Thus, continual recruitment of naïve CD8+ T cells from the thymus is important for preserving the population of functional memory CD8+ T cells in chronically infected animals. Friend virus (FV) is the pathogenic murine retrovirus that establishes chronic infection in adult mice, which is bolstered by the profound exhaustion of virus-specific CD8+ T cells induced during the early phase of infection. Here we show an additional evasion strategy in which FV disseminates efficiently into the thymus, ultimately leading to clonal deletion of thymocytes that are reactive to FV antigens. Owing to the resultant lack of virus-specific recent thymic emigrants, along with the above exhaustion of antigen-experienced peripheral CD8+ T cells, mice chronically infected with FV fail to establish a functional virus-specific CD8+ T cell pool, and are highly susceptible to challenge with tumor cells expressing FV-encoded antigen. However, FV-specific naïve CD8+ T cells generated in uninfected mice can be primed and differentiate into functional memory CD8+ T cells upon their transfer into chronically infected animals. These findings indicate that virus-induced central tolerance that develops during the chronic phase of infection accelerates the accumulation of dysfunctional memory CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiki Takamura
- Department of Immunology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail: (ST); (MM)
| | - Eiji Kajiwara
- Department of Immunology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | | | - Tomoko Masumoto
- Department of Immunology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Makoto Fujisawa
- Department of Immunology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Maiko Kato
- Department of Immunology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomomi Chikaishi
- Department of Immunology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuri Kawasaki
- Department of Immunology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Saori Kinoshita
- Department of Immunology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Manami Itoi
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Meiji University of Integrative Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Nobuo Sakaguchi
- Department of Immunology, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Masaaki Miyazawa
- Department of Immunology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
- * E-mail: (ST); (MM)
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23
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de Meis J, Savino W. Mature peripheral T cells are important to preserve thymus function and selection of thymocytes during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Immunotherapy 2014; 5:573-6. [PMID: 23725281 DOI: 10.2217/imt.13.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Evaluation of: Nobrega C, Nunes-Alves C, Cerqueira-Rodrigues B et al. T cells home to the thymus and control infection. J. Immunol. 190, 1646-1658 (2013). It is well documented that the thymus is a target organ for a large variety of pathogens (virus, bacteria, fungi and protozoa). Moreover, the presence of pathogen-derived antigens in the thymus of infected mice seems to interfere with the capacity of mature T cells to respond to the invading organism. In this way, Nobrega and colleagues demonstrated in 2010 that Mycobacterium avium infection in the thymus leads to the appearance of differentiated T cells tolerogenic for bacterial antigens. In the present and elegant study, the same group demonstrates that T-cell recirculation from the periphery to the thymus is a mechanism that allows the immune system to respond to thymic infection. A Mycobacterium-infected thymus increases the production of Th1-effector chemokines, such as CXCL9 and CXCL10, which in turn recruit CXCR3(+) peripheral T cells involved in intrathymic bacterial control. Taken together, these findings may represent an important issue of the host response, in terms of different pathogens able to infect the thymus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana de Meis
- Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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24
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Deobagkar-Lele M, Victor ES, Nandi D. c-Jun NH2 -terminal kinase is a critical node in the death of CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes during Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection. Eur J Immunol 2013; 44:137-49. [PMID: 24105651 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201343506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Revised: 08/15/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Thymic atrophy, due to the depletion of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes, is observed during infections with numerous pathogens. Several mechanisms, such as glucocorticoids and inflammatory cytokines, are known to be involved in this process; however, the roles of intracellular signaling molecules have not been investigated. In this study, the functional role of c-Jun NH2 -terminal kinase (JNK) during infection-induced thymic atrophy was addressed. The levels of phosphorylated JNK in immature CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes from C57BL/6 (Nramp-deficient) and 129/SvJ (Nramp-sufficient) mice were increased upon oral infection of mice with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium). Furthermore, inhibition of JNK signaling, but not ERK or p38 MAPK, prevented the in vitro death of infected thymocytes. Importantly, the in vivo inhibition of JNK signaling with SP600125 protected C57BL/6 CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes from depletion via multiple mechanisms as follows: lower intracellular ROS, inflammatory cytokines, Bax and caspase 3 activity, increase in Bcl-xL amounts, and prevention of the loss in mitochondrial membrane potential. Notably, thymic architecture was preserved in infected mice treated with SP600125. Overall, this study identifies a novel role for JNK as a crucial regulator of the death of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes during S. typhimurium infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mukta Deobagkar-Lele
- Department of Biochemistry and Centre for Infectious Disease Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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25
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Tolerance has its limits: how the thymus copes with infection. Trends Immunol 2013; 34:502-10. [PMID: 23871487 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2013.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2013] [Revised: 05/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is required for T cell differentiation; a process that depends on which antigens are encountered by thymocytes, the environment surrounding the differentiating cells, and the thymic architecture. These features are altered by local infection of the thymus and by the inflammatory mediators that accompany systemic infection. Although once believed to be an immune privileged site, it is now known that antimicrobial responses are recruited to the thymus. Resolving infection in the thymus is important because chronic persistence of microbes impairs the differentiation of pathogen-specific T cells and diminishes resistance to infection. Understanding how these mechanisms contribute to disease susceptibility, particularly in infants with developing T cell repertoires, requires further investigation.
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26
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Deobagkar-Lele M, Chacko SK, Victor ES, Kadthur JC, Nandi D. Interferon-γ- and glucocorticoid-mediated pathways synergize to enhance death of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes during Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium infection. Immunology 2013. [PMID: 23186527 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Thymic atrophy is known to occur during infections; however, there is limited understanding of its causes and of the cross-talk between different pathways. This study investigates mechanisms involved in thymic atrophy during a model of oral infection by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. typhimurium). Significant death of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes, but not of single-positive thymocytes or peripheral lymphocytes, is observed at later stages during infection with live, but not heat-killed, bacteria. The death of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes is Fas-independent as shown by infection studies with lpr mice. However, apoptosis occurs with lowering of mitochondrial potential and higher caspase-3 activity. The amounts of cortisol, a glucocorticoid, and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), an inflammatory cytokine, increase upon infection. To investigate the functional roles of these molecules, studies were performed using Ifnγ(-/-) mice together with RU486, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. Treatment of C57BL/6 mice with RU486 does not affect colony-forming units (CFU), amounts of IFN-γ and mouse survival; however, there is partial rescue in thymocyte death. Upon infection, Ifnγ(-/-) mice display higher CFU and lower survival but more surviving thymocytes are recovered. However, there is no difference in cortisol amounts in C57BL/6 and Ifnγ(-/-) mice. Importantly, the number of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes is significantly higher in Ifnγ(-/-) mice treated with RU486 along with lower caspase-3 activity and mitochondrial damage. Hence, endogenous glucocorticoid and IFN-γ-mediated pathways are parallel but synergize in an additive manner to induce death of CD4(+) CD8(+) thymocytes during S. typhimurium infection. The implications of this study for host responses during infection are discussed.
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27
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Nobrega C, Nunes-Alves C, Cerqueira-Rodrigues B, Roque S, Barreira-Silva P, Behar SM, Correia-Neves M. T cells home to the thymus and control infection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 190:1646-58. [PMID: 23315077 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1202412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The thymus is a target of multiple pathogens. How the immune system responds to thymic infection is largely unknown. Despite being considered an immune-privileged organ, we detect a mycobacteria-specific T cell response in the thymus following dissemination of Mycobacterium avium or Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This response includes proinflammatory cytokine production by mycobacteria-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, which stimulates infected cells and controls bacterial growth in the thymus. Importantly, the responding T cells are mature peripheral T cells that recirculate back to the thymus. The recruitment of these cells is associated with an increased expression of Th1 chemokines and an enrichment of CXCR3(+) mycobacteria-specific T cells in the thymus. Finally, we demonstrate it is the mature T cells that home to the thymus that most efficiently control mycobacterial infection. Although the presence of mature T cells in the thymus has been recognized for some time, to our knowledge, these data are the first to show that T cell recirculation from the periphery to the thymus is a mechanism that allows the immune system to respond to thymic infection. Maintaining a functional thymic environment is essential to maintain T cell differentiation and prevent the emergence of central tolerance to the invading pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Nobrega
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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28
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Reiley WW, Wittmer ST, Ryan LM, Eaton SM, Haynes L, Winslow GM, Woodland DL. Maintenance of peripheral T cell responses during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 189:4451-8. [PMID: 23028057 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Fully functional T cells are necessary for the maintenance of protective immunity during chronic infections. However, activated T cells often undergo apoptosis or exhaustion upon chronic stimulation mediated by Ag or inflammation. T cell attrition can be compensated for by the production of thymus-derived T cells, although the new naive T cells must undergo T cell priming and differentiation under conditions different from those encountered during acute infection. We used a murine model of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection to address how the activation and differentiation of new thymic emigrants is affected by chronic inflammation, as well as whether the newly developed effector T cells help to maintain peripheral T cell responses. Although new thymic emigrants contributed to the peripheral T cell response early during acute M. tuberculosis infection, the relative contribution of new effector T cells to the peripheral CD4 and CD8 T cell pools declined during chronic infection. The decline in new T cell recruitment was a consequence of quantitative and/or qualitative changes in Ag presentation, because during chronic infection both the priming and expansion of naive T cells were inefficient. Thus, although thymic tolerance is not a major factor that limits protective T cell responses, the chronic environment does not efficiently support naive T cell priming and accumulation during M. tuberculosis infection. These studies support our previous findings that long-term protective T cell responses can be maintained indefinitely in the periphery, but also suggest that the perturbation of homeostasis during chronic inflammatory responses may elicit immune pathology mediated by new T cells.
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29
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Borges M, Barreira-Silva P, Flórido M, Jordan MB, Correia-Neves M, Appelberg R. Molecular and cellular mechanisms of Mycobacterium avium-induced thymic atrophy. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 189:3600-8. [PMID: 22922815 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1201525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Thymic atrophy has been described as a consequence of infection by several pathogens and shown to be induced through diverse mechanisms. Using the mouse model of Mycobacterium avium infection, we show in this study that the production of NO from IFN-γ-activated macrophages plays a major role in mycobacterial infection-induced thymic atrophy. Our results show that disseminated infection with a highly virulent strain of M. avium, but not with a low-virulence strain, led to a progressive thymic atrophy. Thymic involution was prevented in genetically manipulated mice unable to produce IFN-γ or the inducible NO synthase. In addition, mice with a selective impairment of IFN-γ signaling in macrophages were similarly protected from infection-induced thymic atrophy. A slight increase in the concentration of corticosterone was found in mice infected with the highly virulent strain, and thymocytes presented an increased susceptibility to dexamethasone-induced death during disseminated infection. The administration of an antagonist of glucocorticoid receptors partially reverted the infection-induced thymic atrophy. We observed a reduction in all thymocyte populations analyzed, including the earliest thymic precursors, suggesting a defect during thymic colonization by T cell precursors and/or during the differentiation of these cells in the bone marrow in addition to local demise of thymic cells. Our data suggest a complex picture underlying thymic atrophy during infection by M. avium with the participation of locally produced NO, endogenous corticosteroid activity, and reduced bone marrow seeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarida Borges
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
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30
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Is the BCG vaccine safe for undernourished individuals? Clin Dev Immunol 2012; 2012:673186. [PMID: 22567029 PMCID: PMC3332168 DOI: 10.1155/2012/673186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2011] [Accepted: 02/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cellular immunity is critical for protection against tuberculosis, but its integrity is compromised during undernutrition. The present study was designed to evaluate if the attenuated mycobacterium BCG is a safe vaccine for undernourished individuals. An experimental model of undernutrition was established by subjecting BALB/c mice to dietary restriction. These animals received 70% of the amount of food consumed by the healthy control group and exhibited physiological alterations compatible with malnutrition, including body weight loss, reduced levels of triglycerides and glucose, and reduced lymphocyte numbers. Undernourished mice were immunized with BCG, and the mycobacterial loads in lymph nodes, spleen, liver, lungs, and thymus were determined. A much higher proportion of undernourished mice exhibited bacterial dissemination to the lymph nodes, spleen and liver. In addition, only undernourished animals had bacteria in the lungs and thymus. Concomitant with higher mycobacterial loads and more widespread BCG dissemination in undernourished mice, production of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-10 was also diminished in these mice. Taken together, these results indicate that BCG infection is more severe in undernourished mice. Whether a similar phenomenon exists in undernourished children or not remains to be thoroughly investigated.
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Quintero-Macías L, Silva-Sánchez A, Valderrabano-Ortíz E, Munguía-Fuentes R, Aguilar-León D, Hernández-Pando R, Flores-Romo L. Reduced in vivo Cytotoxicity and Increased Mycobacterial Burden Are Associated with VirulentMycobacterium tuberculosisStrains During Lung Infection. Immunol Invest 2011; 41:51-60. [DOI: 10.3109/08820139.2011.580408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Urdahl KB, Shafiani S, Ernst JD. Initiation and regulation of T-cell responses in tuberculosis. Mucosal Immunol 2011; 4:288-93. [PMID: 21451503 PMCID: PMC3206635 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2011.10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) poses a great challenge to immunologists, as it represents a chronic infection characterized by persistence of the pathogen despite development of antigen-specific immune responses. Among the characteristics of adaptive immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a delay in the onset of detectable T-cell responses, in both humans and experimental animals. Recent studies have revealed mechanisms that contribute to this delay, including pathogen inhibition of apoptosis, delayed migration of dendritic cells from the lungs to the local lymph node, and influence of regulatory T cells. In addition, novel features of M. tuberculosis antigen-specific T-cell differentiation have been discovered, which reveal pathways that limit and promote immune control of infection. Taken together, these results highlight the need for additional basic research and provide optimism for the development of TB vaccines with greater efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- KB Urdahl
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA.
,Departments of Immunology and Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
| | - S Shafiani
- Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, USA.
| | - JD Ernst
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine; Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
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Cellular response to mycobacteria: balancing protection and pathology. Trends Immunol 2011; 32:66-72. [PMID: 21216195 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2010.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2010] [Revised: 12/03/2010] [Accepted: 12/06/2010] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
There has been a recent increase in our understanding of T cell responses during mycobacterial infection; however, we have not yet identified the protective mechanisms capable of mediating vaccine-induced protection in the lung. Novel approaches have allowed the determination of the kinetics and location of naïve T cell activation, as well as the factors that affect of antigen-specific T cell responses, and the balance between protective and immunopathological consequences during the chronic stages of infection. With an urgent need for new and more efficient vaccination strategies, the integration of these data will result in improved vaccine strategies.
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Olsson IAS, Costa A, Nobrega C, Roque S, Correia-Neves M. Environmental Enrichment does not Compromise the Immune Response in Mice Chronically Infected withMycobacterium avium. Scand J Immunol 2010; 71:249-57. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2010.02371.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- I A S Olsson
- Laboratory Animal Science, Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular (IBMC), Universidade do Porto, Portugal
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