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Manuel G, Coleman M, Orvis AS, Munson J, Li A, Kapur RP, Li M, Li E, Armistead B, Rajagopal L, Adams Waldorf KM. Spatial profiling of the placental chorioamniotic membranes reveals upregulation of immune checkpoint proteins during Group B Streptococcus infection in a nonhuman primate model. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 13:1299644. [PMID: 38239507 PMCID: PMC10794649 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1299644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Preterm birth is a leading cause of neonatal mortality, which is often complicated by intrauterine infection and inflammation. We have established a nonhuman primate model of Group B Streptococcus (GBS, Streptococcus agalactiae) infection-associated preterm birth. Immune checkpoints are modulators of the immune response by activating or suppressing leukocyte function and are understudied in preterm birth. The objective of this study was to spatially profile changes in immune protein expression at the maternal-fetal interface during a GBS infection with a focus on immune checkpoints. Methods Twelve nonhuman primates (pigtail macaques, Macaca nemestrina) received a choriodecidual inoculation of either: 1) 1-5 X 108 colony forming units (CFU) of hyperhemolytic/hypervirulent GBS (GBSΔcovR, N=4); 2) an isogenic/nonpigmented strain (GBS ΔcovRΔcylE, N=4); or, 3) saline (N=4). A Cesarean section was performed at preterm labor or 3 days after GBS infection or 7 days after saline inoculation. Nanostring GeoMx® Digital Spatial Profiling technology was used to segment protein expression within the amnion, chorion, and maternal decidua at the inoculation site using an immuno-oncology panel targeting 56 immunoproteins enriched in stimulatory and inhibitory immune checkpoint proteins or their protein ligands. Statistical analysis included R studio, Kruskal-Wallis, Pearson and Spearman tests. Results Both inhibitory and stimulatory immune checkpoint proteins were significantly upregulated within the chorioamniotic membranes and decidua (VISTA, LAG3, PD-1, CD40, GITR), as well as their ligands (PD-L1, PD-L2, CD40L; all p<0.05). Immunostaining for VISTA revealed positive (VISTA+) cells, predominantly in the chorion and decidua. There were strong correlations between VISTA and amniotic fluid concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α (all p<0.05), as well as maternal placental histopathology scores (p<0.05). Conclusion Differential regulation of multiple immune checkpoint proteins in the decidua at the site of a GBS infection indicates a major perturbation in immunologic homeostasis that could benefit the host by restricting immune-driven pathologies or the pathogen by limiting immune surveillance. Protein expression of VISTA, an inhibitory immune checkpoint, was upregulated in the chorion and decidua after GBS infection. Investigating the impact of innate immune cell expression of inhibitory immune checkpoints may reveal new insights into placental host-pathogen interactions at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gygeria Manuel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Michelle Coleman
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Childrens Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Austyn S. Orvis
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Childrens Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jeff Munson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Amanda Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Raj P. Kapur
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Seattle Children’s Hospital and University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Miranda Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Edmunda Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Blair Armistead
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Childrens Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Lakshmi Rajagopal
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Childrens Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kristina M. Adams Waldorf
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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