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Li C, Gao X, Liu Y, Yang B, Dai H, Zhao H, Li Y. The role of natural killer T cells in sepsis-associated acute kidney injury. Int Immunopharmacol 2025; 159:114953. [PMID: 40418883 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2025.114953] [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: 01/31/2025] [Revised: 05/12/2025] [Accepted: 05/21/2025] [Indexed: 05/28/2025]
Abstract
The condition of sepsis, defined by the misregulation of the body's defensive mechanisms against infection, culminates in the potential for catastrophic organ damage and stands as a primary driver of mortality in Intensive Care Units (ICU) settings. Among patients in a critical condition, sepsis is a predominant factor in the development of acute kidney injury (AKI), and the death rate among those with both sepsis and AKI is considerably higher, underscoring the importance of addressing this health crisis. Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (S-AKI) is a complex process involving inflammation, microcirculatory issues, and metabolic disorders. Among these, the inflammatory response has become a focal point of interest. Bridging the innate and adaptive immunity, natural killer T (NKT) cells can be rapidly activated in sepsis, contributing to sepsis-associated injury and downstream activation of inflammatory cells through the emission of Th1 or Th2 cytokines. They also contribute to S-AKI through the TNF-α/FasL and perforin pathways. Alpha-Galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), acting as a powerful activator for type I NKT (iNKT) cells, is able to regulate the secretory profile of iNKT cells, responding to the pro-inflammatory response and immunosuppressive profiles of sepsis. This review examines the part played by NKT cells in S-AKI and whether α-Galcer could function as a significant regulator in sepsis, based on studies of regression-related mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Li
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China; Department of Emergency, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaopo Gao
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China; Department of Emergency, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330000, Jiangxi, China
| | - Bin Yang
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China; Department of Emergency, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Hongkai Dai
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China; Department of Emergency, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China; Department of Emergency, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yongshen Li
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China; Department of Emergency, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China.
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Hung JT, Chiou SP, Tang YH, Huang JR, Lo FY, Yu AL. Bioactivities and Anti-Cancer Activities of NKT-Stimulatory Phenyl-Glycolipid Formulated with a PEGylated Lipid Nanocarrier. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:5323-5332. [PMID: 39583633 PMCID: PMC11586003 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s484130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 11/13/2024] [Indexed: 11/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose The glycolipid α-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), when presented by CD1d, can modulate the immune system through the activation of natural killer T (NKT) cells. Previously, we synthesized over 30 analogs of α-GalCer and identified a compound, C34, which features two phenyl rings on the acyl chain. C34 exhibited the most potent NKT-stimulating activities, characterized by strong Th1-biased cytokines and potent anti-tumor effects in several murine tumor models. Importantly, unlike α-GalCer, C34 did not induce NKT cell anergy. Despite these promising results, the clinical application of C34 is limited by its poor aqueous solubility. PEGylation enhances the solubility of hydrophobic drugs, and numerous PEGylated drugs have received clinical approval. Consequently, we assessed the biological activity of PEGylated C34 in this study. Methods Murine NK1.2 cells were cultured with A20-CD1d cells in the presence of either PEGylated lipid nanocarriers encapsulating C34 (PLN-C34) or C34 dissolved in DMSO to determine IL-2 production via ELISA. C57BL/6 mice were i.v. injected with C34 or PLN-C34 to examine cytokine profiles and immune cell populations using luminex and flow cytometry, respectively. The anticancer effects of C34 and PLN-C34 were evaluated in mice bearing TC-1 lung cancer and B16 melanoma tumors. Additionally, human PBMCs were cultured with C34 or PLN-C34 to measure cytokine production through luminex. Results PLN-C34 demonstrated a comparable capacity to C34 in activating the NKT cell line in vitro and inducing various cytokines in vivo. Furthermore, treatment with either PLN-C34 or C34 significantly prolonged the survival of TC-1- and B16F10-bearing mice to a similar extent. Additionally, PLN-C34 effectively stimulated cytokine responses in human NKT cells, comparable to those induced by C34. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that the newly formulated PLN-C34 retains NKT-stimulatory activity and anti-cancer efficacy of C34, supporting the potential of PLN as a solvent for C34 for further development in cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Tung Hung
- Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Pin Chiou
- Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Hsin Tang
- Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, and Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Gynecologic Cancer Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Branch, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jing-Rong Huang
- Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Fei-Yun Lo
- Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Alice L Yu
- Institute of Stem Cell and Translational Cancer Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California in San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
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Choi J, Schmerk CL, Mele TS, Rudak PT, Wardell CM, Deng G, Pavri FR, Kim K, Cepinskas G, He W, Haeryfar SM. Longitudinal analysis of mucosa-associated invariant T cells in sepsis reveals their early numerical decline with prognostic implications and a progressive loss of antimicrobial functions. Immunol Cell Biol 2023; 101:249-261. [PMID: 36604951 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Sepsis-elicited immunosuppression elevates the risk of secondary infections. We used a clinically relevant mouse model and serial peripheral blood samples from patients to assess the antimicrobial activities of mucosa-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in sepsis. Hepatic and splenic MAIT cells from B6-MAITCAST mice displayed increased CD69 expression and a robust interferon-γ (IFNγ) production capacity shortly after sublethal cecal ligation and puncture, but not at a late timepoint. Peripheral blood MAIT cell frequencies were reduced in septic patients at the time of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and more dramatically so among nonsurvivors, suggesting the predictive usefulness of early MAIT cell enumeration. In addition, at ICU admission, MAIT cells from sepsis survivors launched stronger IFNγ responses to several bacterial species compared with those from patients who subsequently died of sepsis. Of note, while low human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR+ monocyte frequencies, widely regarded as a surrogate indicator of sepsis-induced immunosuppression, were gradually corrected, the numerical insufficiency of MAIT cells was not resolved over time, and their CD69 expression continued to decline. MAIT cell responses to bacterial pathogens, a major histocompatibility complex-related protein 1 (MR1) ligand, and interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-18 were also progressively lost during sepsis and did not recover by the time of ICU/hospital discharge. We propose that MAIT cell dysfunctions contribute to post-sepsis immunosuppression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Choi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Crystal L Schmerk
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tina S Mele
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Patrick T Rudak
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christine M Wardell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gansen Deng
- Department of Statistical and Actuarial Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Farzan R Pavri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kyoungok Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gediminas Cepinskas
- Centre for Critical Illness Research, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wenqing He
- Department of Statistical and Actuarial Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sm Mansour Haeryfar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Haeryfar SMM. Finding a Mentor While "Storm" Chasing with Howard Young. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2022; 42:658-661. [PMID: 36070592 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2022.0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- S M Mansour Haeryfar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Western University, London, Canada.,Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Western University, London, Canada.,Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Western University, London, Canada.,Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada
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Li YQ, Yan C, Wang XF, Xian MY, Zou GQ, Gao XF, Luo R, Liu Z. A New iNKT-Cell Agonist-Adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 Subunit Vaccine Elicits Robust Neutralizing Antibody Responses. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:2161-2170. [PMID: 36043698 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Adjuvants are essential components of vaccines. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are a distinct subset of T cells that function to bridge the innate and adaptive immunities and are capable of mediating strong and rapid responses to a range of diseases, including cancer and infectious disease. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that iNKT cells can help fight viral infection. In particular, iNKT-secreting IL-4 is a key mediator of humoral immunity and has a positive correlation with the levels of neutralizing antibodies. As iNKT cell agonists, αGC glycolipid (α-galactosylceramide, or KRN7000) and its analogues as vaccine adjuvants have begun to provide vaccinologists with a new toolset. Herein we found that a new iNKT-cell agonist αGC-CPOEt elicited a strong cytokine response with increased IL-4 production. Remarkably, after three immunizations, SARS-CoV-2 RBD-Fc adjuvanted by αGC-CPOEt evoked robust neutralizing antibody responses that were about 5.5-fold more than those induced by αGC/RBD-Fc and 25-fold greater than those induced by unadjuvanted RBD-Fc. These findings imply that αGC-CPOEt could be investigated further as a new COVID-19 vaccine adjuvant to prevent current and future infectious disease outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China
| | - Cheng Yan
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Pesticide and Green Synthesis, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, PR China
| | - Xi-Feng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Pesticide and Green Synthesis, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, PR China
| | - Mao-Ying Xian
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Pesticide and Green Synthesis, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, PR China
| | - Guo-Qing Zou
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Pesticide and Green Synthesis, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, PR China
| | - Xiao-Fei Gao
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory for Mass Spectrometry and Instrumentation, East China University of Technology, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330013, PR China
| | - Rui Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, PR China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide & Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, Hubei International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Pesticide and Green Synthesis, International Joint Research Center for Intelligent Biosensing Technology and Health, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, PR China
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