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Viengkhou B, Hong C, Mazur C, Damle S, Gallo NB, Fang TC, Henry K, Campbell IL, Kamme F, Hofer MJ. Interferon-α receptor antisense oligonucleotides reduce neuroinflammation and neuropathology in a mouse model of cerebral interferonopathy. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e169562. [PMID: 38357922 PMCID: PMC10869178 DOI: 10.1172/jci169562] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic and elevated levels of the antiviral cytokine IFN-α in the brain are neurotoxic. This is best observed in patients with genetic cerebral interferonopathies such as Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Cerebral interferonopathies typically manifest in early childhood and lead to debilitating disease and premature death. There is no cure for these diseases with existing treatments largely aimed at managing symptoms. Thus, an effective therapeutic strategy is urgently needed. Here, we investigated the effect of antisense oligonucleotides targeting the murine IFN-α receptor (Ifnar1 ASOs) in a transgenic mouse model of cerebral interferonopathy. Intracerebroventricular injection of Ifnar1 ASOs into transgenic mice with brain-targeted chronic IFN-α production resulted in a blunted cerebral interferon signature, reduced neuroinflammation, restoration of blood-brain barrier integrity, absence of tissue destruction, and lessened neuronal damage. Remarkably, Ifnar1 ASO treatment was also effective when given after the onset of neuropathological changes, as it reversed such disease-related features. We conclude that ASOs targeting the IFN-α receptor halt and reverse progression of IFN-α-mediated neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity, opening what we believe to be a new and promising approach for the treatment of patients with cerebral interferonopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barney Viengkhou
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Curt Mazur
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California, USA
| | - Sagar Damle
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California, USA
| | | | | | - Kate Henry
- Biogen Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Iain L. Campbell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Markus J. Hofer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Harney DJ, Cielesh M, Roberts GE, Vila IK, Viengkhou B, Hofer MJ, Laguette N, Larance M. Dietary restriction induces a sexually dimorphic type I interferon response in mice with gene-environment interactions. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112559. [PMID: 37243595 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112559] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Intermittent fasting (IF) is an established intervention to treat the growing obesity epidemic. However, the interaction between dietary interventions and sex remains a significant knowledge gap. In this study, we use unbiased proteome analysis to identify diet-sex interactions. We report sexual dimorphism in response to intermittent fasting within lipid and cholesterol metabolism and, unexpectedly, in type I interferon signaling, which was strongly induced in females. We verify that secretion of type I interferon is required for the IF response in females. Gonadectomy differentially alters the every-other-day fasting (EODF) response and demonstrates that sex hormone signaling can either suppress or enhance the interferon response to IF. IF fails to potentiate a stronger innate immune response when IF-treated animals were challenged with a viral mimetic. Lastly, the IF response changes with genotype and environment. These data reveal an interesting interaction between diet, sex, and the innate immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan J Harney
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006 NSW, Australia
| | - Michelle Cielesh
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006 NSW, Australia
| | - Georgia E Roberts
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006 NSW, Australia
| | | | - Barney Viengkhou
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006 NSW, Australia
| | - Markus J Hofer
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006 NSW, Australia
| | | | - Mark Larance
- Charles Perkins Centre and School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006 NSW, Australia.
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Spiteri AG, Wishart CL, Ni D, Viengkhou B, Macia L, Hofer MJ, King NJC. Temporal tracking of microglial and monocyte single-cell transcriptomics in lethal flavivirus infection. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:60. [PMID: 37016414 PMCID: PMC10074823 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01547-4] [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] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As the resident parenchymal myeloid population in the central nervous system (CNS), microglia are strategically positioned to respond to neurotropic virus invasion and have been implicated in promoting both disease resolution and progression in the acute and post-infectious phase of virus encephalitis. In a mouse model of West Nile virus encephalitis (WNE), infection of the CNS results in recruitment of large numbers of peripheral immune cells into the brain, the majority being nitric oxide (NO)-producing Ly6Chi inflammatory monocyte-derived cells (MCs). In this model, these cells enhance immunopathology and mortality. However, the contribution of microglia to this response is currently undefined. Here we used a combination of experimental tools, including single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), microglia and MC depletion reagents, high-dimensional spectral cytometry and computational algorithms to dissect the differential contribution of microglia and MCs to the anti-viral immune response in severe neuroinflammation seen in WNE. Intriguingly, analysis of scRNA-seq data revealed 6 unique microglia and 3 unique MC clusters that were predominantly timepoint-specific, demonstrating substantial transcriptional adaptation with disease progression over the course of WNE. While microglia and MC adopted unique gene expression profiles, gene ontology enrichment analysis, coupled with microglia and MC depletion studies, demonstrated a role for both of these cells in the trafficking of peripheral immune cells into the CNS, T cell responses and viral clearance. Over the course of infection, microglia transitioned from a homeostatic to an anti-viral and then into an immune cell-recruiting phenotype. Conversely, MC adopted antigen-presenting, immune cell-recruiting and NO-producing phenotypes, which all had anti-viral function. Overall, this study defines for the first time the single-cell transcriptomic responses of microglia and MCs over the course of WNE, demonstrating both protective and pathological roles of these cells that could potentially be targeted for differential therapeutic intervention to dampen immune-mediated pathology, while maintaining viral clearance functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alanna G Spiteri
- Viral Immunopathology Laboratory, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research Theme, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- Sydney Cytometry, The University of Sydney and Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- Ramaciotti Facility for Human Systems Biology, The University of Sydney and Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Claire L Wishart
- Viral Immunopathology Laboratory, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research Theme, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- Sydney Cytometry, The University of Sydney and Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- Ramaciotti Facility for Human Systems Biology, The University of Sydney and Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Duan Ni
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- Chronic Diseases Research Theme, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Barney Viengkhou
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Laurence Macia
- Sydney Cytometry, The University of Sydney and Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- Chronic Diseases Research Theme, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Markus J Hofer
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
- The University of Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Nicholas J C King
- Viral Immunopathology Laboratory, Infection, Immunity and Inflammation Research Theme, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
- Sydney Cytometry, The University of Sydney and Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
- Ramaciotti Facility for Human Systems Biology, The University of Sydney and Centenary Institute, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
- The University of Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
- Sydney Nano, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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Viengkhou B, Hofer MJ. Breaking down the cellular responses to type I interferon neurotoxicity in the brain. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1110593. [PMID: 36817430 PMCID: PMC9936317 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1110593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Since their original discovery, type I interferons (IFN-Is) have been closely associated with antiviral immune responses. However, their biological functions go far beyond this role, with balanced IFN-I activity being critical to maintain cellular and tissue homeostasis. Recent findings have uncovered a darker side of IFN-Is whereby chronically elevated levels induce devastating neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative pathologies. The underlying causes of these 'interferonopathies' are diverse and include monogenetic syndromes, autoimmune disorders, as well as chronic infections. The prominent involvement of the CNS in these disorders indicates a particular susceptibility of brain cells to IFN-I toxicity. Here we will discuss the current knowledge of how IFN-Is mediate neurotoxicity in the brain by analyzing the cell-type specific responses to IFN-Is in the CNS, and secondly, by exploring the spectrum of neurological disorders arising from increased IFN-Is. Understanding the nature of IFN-I neurotoxicity is a crucial and fundamental step towards development of new therapeutic strategies for interferonopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barney Viengkhou
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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West PK, Viengkhou B, Campbell IL, Hofer MJ. Microglia shield the murine brain from damage mediated by the cytokines IL-6 and IFN-α. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1036799. [PMID: 36389783 PMCID: PMC9650248 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1036799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sustained production of elevated levels of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 or interferon (IFN)-α in the central nervous system (CNS) is detrimental and directly contributes to the pathogenesis of neurological diseases such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders or cerebral interferonopathies, respectively. Using transgenic mice with CNS-targeted production of IL-6 (GFAP-IL6) or IFN-α (GFAP-IFN), we have recently demonstrated that microglia are prominent target and effector cells and mount stimulus-specific responses to these cytokines. In order to further clarify the phenotype and function of these cells, we treated GFAP-IL6 and GFAP-IFN mice with the CSF1R inhibitor PLX5622 to deplete microglia. We examined their ability to recover from acute microglia depletion, as well as the impact of chronic microglia depletion on the progression of disease. Following acute depletion in the brains of GFAP-IL6 mice, microglia repopulation was enhanced, while in GFAP-IFN mice, microglia did not repopulate the brain. Furthermore, chronic CSF1R inhibition was detrimental to the brain of GFAP-IL6 and GFAP-IFN mice and gave rise to severe CNS calcification which strongly correlated with the absence of microglia. In addition, PLX5622-treated GFAP-IFN mice had markedly reduced survival. Our findings provide evidence for novel microglia functions to protect against IFN-α-mediated neurotoxicity and neuronal dysregulation, as well as restrain calcification as a result of both IL-6- and IFN-α-induced neuroinflammation. Taken together, we demonstrate that CSF1R inhibition may be an undesirable target for therapeutic treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases that are driven by elevated IL-6 and IFN-α production.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Markus J. Hofer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre and the Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Syme TE, Grill M, Hayashida E, Viengkhou B, Campbell IL, Hofer MJ. Strawberry notch homolog 2 regulates the response to interleukin-6 in the central nervous system. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:126. [PMID: 35624480 PMCID: PMC9145108 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02475-1] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) modulates a variety of inflammatory processes and, context depending, can mediate either pro- or anti-inflammatory effects. Excessive IL-6 signalling in the brain is associated with chronic inflammation resulting in neurodegeneration. Strawberry notch homolog 2 (Sbno2) is an IL-6-regulated gene whose function is largely unknown. Here we aimed to address this issue by investigating the impact of Sbno2 disruption in mice with IL-6-mediated neuroinflammation. METHODS Mice with germline disruption of Sbno2 (Sbno2-/-) were generated and crossed with transgenic mice with chronic astrocyte production of IL-6 (GFAP-IL6). Phenotypic, molecular and transcriptomic analyses were performed on tissues and primary cell cultures to clarify the role of SBNO2 in IL-6-mediated neuroinflammation. RESULTS We found Sbno2-/- mice to be viable and overtly normal. By contrast GFAP-IL6 × Sbno2-/- mice had more severe disease compared with GFAP-IL6 mice. This was evidenced by exacerbated neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration and enhanced IL-6-responsive gene expression. Cell culture experiments on primary astrocytes from Sbno2-/- mice further showed elevated and sustained transcript levels of a number of IL-6 stimulated genes. Notably, despite enhanced disease in vivo and gene expression both in vivo and in vitro, IL-6-stimulated gp130 pathway activation was reduced when Sbno2 is disrupted. CONCLUSION Based on these results, we propose a role for SBNO2 as a novel negative feedback regulator of IL-6 that restrains the excessive inflammatory actions of this cytokine in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor E Syme
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Magdalena Grill
- Division of Pharmacology, Otto Loewi Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010, Graz, Austria
- Division of Phoniatrics, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Graz, 8036, Graz, Austria
| | - Emina Hayashida
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Barney Viengkhou
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Iain L Campbell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Markus J Hofer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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7
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Viengkhou B, White MY, Cordwell SJ, Campbell IL, Hofer MJ. A novel phosphoproteomic landscape evoked in response to type I interferon in the brain and in glial cells. J Neuroinflammation 2021; 18:237. [PMID: 34656141 PMCID: PMC8520650 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-021-02277-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Type I interferons (IFN-I) are key responders to central nervous system infection and injury and are also increased in common neurodegenerative diseases. Their effects are primarily mediated via transcriptional regulation of several hundred interferon-regulated genes. In addition, IFN-I activate several kinases including members of the MAPK and PI3K families. Yet, how changes to the global protein phosphoproteome contribute to the cellular response to IFN-I is unknown. METHODS The cerebral phosphoproteome of mice with brain-targeted chronic production of the IFN-I, IFN-α, was obtained. Changes in phosphorylation were analyzed by ontology and pathway analysis and kinase enrichment predictions. These were verified by phenotypic analysis, immunohistochemistry and immunoblots. In addition, primary murine microglia and astrocytes, the brain's primary IFN-I-responding cells, were acutely treated with IFN-α and the global phosphoproteome was similarly analyzed. RESULTS We identified widespread protein phosphorylation as a novel mechanism by which IFN-I mediate their effects. In our mouse model for IFN-I-induced neurodegeneration, protein phosphorylation, rather than the proteome, aligned with the clinical hallmarks and pathological outcome, including impaired development, motor dysfunction and seizures. In vitro experiments revealed extensive and rapid IFN-I-induced protein phosphorylation in microglia and astrocytes. Response to acute IFN-I stimulation was independent of gene expression and mediated by a small number of kinase families. The changes in the phosphoproteome affected a diverse range of cellular processes and functional analysis suggested that this response induced an immediate reactive state and prepared cells for subsequent transcriptional responses. CONCLUSIONS Our studies reveal a hitherto unappreciated role for changes in the protein phosphorylation landscape in cellular responses to IFN-I and thus provide insights for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases caused by IFN-I.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barney Viengkhou
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre and Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Melanie Y White
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre and Sydney Mass Spectrometry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Stuart J Cordwell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre and Sydney Mass Spectrometry, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Iain L Campbell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre and Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Markus J Hofer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre and Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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O'Rourke MB, Viengkhou B, Smith CC, Sonderegger L, Padula MP, Sutherland GT, Hofer MJ, Crossett B. Matrix phase fractionation: Investigating the compromise between dynamic range of analyte extraction and spatial resolution in mass spectrometry imaging. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom 2021; 35:e9106. [PMID: 33860568 DOI: 10.1002/rcm.9106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation with mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has seen rapid development in recent years and as such is becoming an important technique for the mapping of biomolecules from the surface of tissues. One key area of development is the optimisation of analyte extraction by using modified matrices or mixes of common ones. METHODS A series of serial sections were prepared for lipid MSI by either dry coating (sublimation) or by wet spray application of several matrices. These samples were then evaluated for analyte extraction, delocalisation and dynamic range. RESULTS We have shown that the spraying and sublimation methods of matrix application can be used complementarily. This creates large datasets, with each preparation method applied narrowly and then interpreted as a 'fraction' of the whole. Once combined, the dynamic range is significantly increased. We have dubbed this technique 'matrix phase fractionation'. CONCLUSIONS We have found that, by utilising matrix phase fractionation for the detection of lipids in brain tissue, it is possible to create a significantly more comprehensive dataset than would otherwise be possible with traditional 'single-run' workflows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew B O'Rourke
- Northern Clinical School, Bowel Cancer & Biomarker Lab, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney Level 8, Kolling Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, 2065, Australia
| | - Barney Viengkhou
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre and The Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Caine C Smith
- Neuropathology Group, Discipline of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Lorenz Sonderegger
- Shimadzu Australasia, Unit F, 10-16 South Street, Rydalmere, NSW, 2116, Australia
| | - Matthew P Padula
- School of Life Science and Proteomics Core Facility, Faculty of Science, The University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, 2007, Australia
| | - Greg T Sutherland
- Neuropathology Group, Discipline of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences and Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Markus J Hofer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Charles Perkins Centre and The Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The University of Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Ben Crossett
- Sydney Mass Spectrometry, Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia
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Jung SR, Ashhurst TM, West PK, Viengkhou B, King NJC, Campbell IL, Hofer MJ. Contribution of STAT1 to innate and adaptive immunity during type I interferon-mediated lethal virus infection. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008525. [PMID: 32310998 PMCID: PMC7192509 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) 1 is critical for cellular responses to type I interferons (IFN-Is), with the capacity to determine the outcome of viral infection. We previously showed that while wildtype (WT) mice develop mild disease and survive infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), LCMV infection of STAT1-deficient mice results in a lethal wasting disease that is dependent on IFN-I and CD4+ cells. IFN-Is are considered to act as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. Here, we determined the relative contribution of STAT1 on innate and adaptive immunity during LCMV infection. We show that STAT1 deficiency results in a biphasic disease following LCMV infection. The initial, innate immunity-driven phase of disease was characterized by rapid weight loss, thrombocytopenia, systemic cytokine and chemokine responses and leukocyte infiltration of infected organs. In the absence of an adaptive immune response, this first phase of disease largely resolved resulting in survival of the infected host. However, in the presence of adaptive immunity, the disease progressed into a second phase with continued cytokine and chemokine production, persistent leukocyte extravasation into infected tissues and ultimately, host death. Overall, our findings demonstrate the key contribution of STAT1 in modulating innate and adaptive immunity during type I interferon-mediated lethal virus infection. The mammalian immune system is divided into innate and adaptive immunity. In response to harmful agents, innate immunity acts first, followed by late-acting, specialized, adaptive immunity. Type I interferons (IFN-Is) are important means of communication between innate and adaptive immunity. IFN-Is mediate their effects via a number of signaling molecules, principally including signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1). The importance of STAT1 to the immune response is evident from our previous finding that mice deficient in STAT1 develop a lethal, host immunity-mediated disease following infection with the otherwise harmless lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). In the present study, we characterized the role of STAT1 in protecting against harmful host immune responses against LCMV. We report that STAT1 plays a significant role in lessening both the early, inflammatory responses of innate immunity and the sustained, destructive actions of adaptive immunity. These findings exemplify the extent of STAT1’s role as a key immune response modulating factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Ri Jung
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- The Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the Charles Perkins Centre and the Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Thomas M. Ashhurst
- Sydney Cytometry Core Facility, The University of Sydney and Centenary Institute, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Phillip K. West
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- The Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the Charles Perkins Centre and the Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Barney Viengkhou
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- The Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the Charles Perkins Centre and the Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicholas J. C. King
- The Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the Charles Perkins Centre and the Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Cytometry Core Facility, The University of Sydney and Centenary Institute, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Iain L. Campbell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- The Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the Charles Perkins Centre and the Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Markus J. Hofer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- The Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the Charles Perkins Centre and the Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Hayashida E, Ling ZL, Ashhurst TM, Viengkhou B, Jung SR, Songkhunawej P, West PK, King NJC, Hofer MJ. Zika virus encephalitis in immunocompetent mice is dominated by innate immune cells and does not require T or B cells. J Neuroinflammation 2019; 16:177. [PMID: 31511023 PMCID: PMC6740023 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-019-1566-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Until the end of the twentieth century, Zika virus (ZIKV) was thought to cause a mostly mild, self-limiting disease in humans. However, as the geographic distribution of ZIKV has shifted, so too has its pathogenicity. Modern-day ZIKV infection is now known to cause encephalitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and Guillain-Barré syndrome in otherwise healthy adults. Nevertheless, the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms responsible for this shift in virulence remain unclear. Methods Here, we investigated the contribution of the innate versus the adaptive immune response using a new mouse model involving intracranial infection of adult immunocompetent mice with a moderately low dose of ZIKV MR766. To determine the contribution of type I interferons (IFN-Is) and adaptive immune cells, we also studied mice deficient for the IFN-I receptor 1 (Ifnar1−/−) and recombination-activating gene 1 (Rag1−/−). Results We show that intracranial infection with ZIKV resulted in lethal encephalitis. In wild-type mice, ZIKV remained restricted predominantly to the central nervous system (CNS) and infected neurons, whereas astrocytes and microglia were spared. Histological and molecular analysis revealed prominent activation of resident microglia and infiltrating monocytes that were accompanied by an expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The disease was independent of T and B cells. Importantly, unlike peripheral infection, IFN-Is modulated but did not protect from infection and lethal disease. Lack of IFN-I signaling resulted in spread of the virus, generalized inflammatory changes, and accelerated disease onset. Conclusions Using intracranial infection of immunocompetent wild-type mice with ZIKV, we demonstrate that in contrast to the peripheral immune system, the CNS is susceptible to infection and responds to ZIKV by initiating an antiviral immune response. This response is dominated by resident microglia and infiltrating monocytes and macrophages but does not require T or B cells. Unlike in the periphery, IFN-Is in the CNS cannot prevent the establishment of infection. Our findings show that ZIKV encephalitis in mice is dependent on the innate immune response, and adaptive immune cells play at most a minor role in disease pathogenesis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12974-019-1566-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emina Hayashida
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, and the Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Zheng Lung Ling
- Discipline of Pathology, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the Bosch Institute, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Thomas M Ashhurst
- Discipline of Pathology, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the Bosch Institute, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Sydney Cytometry Facility, The University of Sydney and the Centenary Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Barney Viengkhou
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, and the Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - So Ri Jung
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, and the Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Pattama Songkhunawej
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, and the Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Phillip K West
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, and the Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicholas J C King
- Discipline of Pathology, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the Bosch Institute, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Sydney Cytometry Facility, The University of Sydney and the Centenary Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Markus J Hofer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Charles Perkins Centre, and the Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. .,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Molecular Bioscience Bldg., Maze Crescent G08, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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West PK, Viengkhou B, Campbell IL, Hofer MJ. Microglia responses to interleukin‐6 and type I interferons in neuroinflammatory disease. Glia 2019; 67:1821-1841. [DOI: 10.1002/glia.23634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Revised: 04/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Phillip K. West
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The Charles Perkins Centre, and The Bosch InstituteThe University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Barney Viengkhou
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The Charles Perkins Centre, and The Bosch InstituteThe University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Iain L. Campbell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The Charles Perkins Centre, and The Bosch InstituteThe University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Markus J. Hofer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, The Charles Perkins Centre, and The Bosch InstituteThe University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
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12
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Li W, Viengkhou B, Denyer G, West PK, Campbell IL, Hofer MJ. Microglia have a more extensive and divergent response to interferon-α compared with astrocytes. Glia 2018; 66:2058-2078. [PMID: 30051922 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2017] [Revised: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFN-I) are crucial for effective antimicrobial defense in the central nervous system (CNS) but also can cause severe neurological disease (termed cerebral interferonopathy) as exemplified by Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome. In the CNS, microglia and astrocytes have essential roles in host responses to infection and injury, with both cell types responding to IFN-I. While the IFN-I signaling pathways are the same in astrocytes and microglia, the extent to which the IFN-I responses of these cells differ, if at all, is unknown. Here we determined the global transcriptional responses of astrocytes and microglia to the IFN-I, IFN-α. We found that under basal conditions, each cell type has a unique gene expression pattern reflective of its developmental origin and biological function. Following stimulation with IFN-α, astrocytes and microglia also displayed a common core response that was characterized by the increased expression of genes required for pathogen detection and elimination. Compared with astrocytes, microglia had a more extensive and diverse response to IFN-α with significantly more genes with expression upregulated (282 vs. 141) and downregulated (81 vs. 3). Further validation was documented for selected IFN-I-regulated genes in a murine model of cerebral interferonopathy. In all, the findings highlight not only overlapping but importantly divergent responses to IFN-I by astrocytes versus microglia. This suggests specialized roles for these cells in host defense and in the development of cerebral interferonopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Li
- The University of Sydney, School of Molecular Bioscience, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the Charles Perkins Centre, and the Bosch Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Barney Viengkhou
- The University of Sydney, School of Molecular Bioscience, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the Charles Perkins Centre, and the Bosch Institute, Sydney, Australia.,The University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gareth Denyer
- The University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Sydney, Australia
| | - Phillip K West
- The University of Sydney, School of Molecular Bioscience, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the Charles Perkins Centre, and the Bosch Institute, Sydney, Australia.,The University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Sydney, Australia
| | - Iain L Campbell
- The University of Sydney, School of Molecular Bioscience, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the Charles Perkins Centre, and the Bosch Institute, Sydney, Australia
| | - Markus J Hofer
- The University of Sydney, School of Molecular Bioscience, the Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, the Charles Perkins Centre, and the Bosch Institute, Sydney, Australia.,The University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Sydney, Australia
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