Gums make IL-23, no professionals needed

IL-23 activates pathogenic Th17 cells to drive inflammatory disease at barrier surfaces. Kim et al. now identify oral epithelial cells as the critical producers of IL-23 in human and mouse periodontitis, linking microbial dysbiosis to non-hematopoietic regulation of IL-17-associated inflammation.

Serum cytokine profiles of adults with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

OBJECTIVES

There is a paucity of available biomarkers of disease activity in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), and serum cytokines/chemokines hold potential as candidate biomarkers. We aimed to determine serum cytokine profiles of IIM patients with active disease as compared to patients in remission and healthy controls.

METHODS

The IIM patients with active disease (included patients enrolled in repository corticotropin injection trial), in remission, and healthy controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional observational study. Serum concentrations of 51 cytokines/chemokines were obtained by utilising a bead-based multiplex cytokine assay (Luminex®). The myositis core set measures were obtained for all the patients. Cytokines with the best predictive ability to differentiate these clinical groups were assessed with three methods: 1) Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator modelling, 2) stepwise approach, and 3) logistic regression model.

RESULTS

Twenty-one IIM patients with active disease, 11 IIM patients in remission and 10 healthy controls were enrolled. Myositis patients had elevated levels of chemokines that attract eosinophils (eotaxin) and dendritic cells, NK cells, cytotoxic T-cells and monocytes/macrophages (CXCL-9, IP-10), cytokines that drive T-helper 1 responses (TNF-a, lymphotoxin-a), matrix degrading enzymes (MMP-3 and -9), and IGFBP-2 compared to healthy controls. Myositis patients with active disease had higher levels of lymphotoxin-a, CXCL-9, MIP-1a, MIP-1b and MMP-3 than patients in remission.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated differences in cytokine profiles of IIM patients (active and inactive disease) compared to healthy controls and identified some cytokines that could potentially be used as biomarkers. Larger longitudinal studies are needed to validate our findings.

Human IL-17A protein production is controlled through a PIP5K1α-dependent translational checkpoint

The cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) is secreted by T helper 17 (TH17) cells and is beneficial for microbial control; however, it also causes inflammation and pathological tissue remodeling in autoimmunity. Hence, TH17 cell differentiation and IL-17 production must be tightly regulated, but, to date, this has been defined only in terms of transcriptional control. Phosphatidylinositols are second messengers produced during T cell activation that transduce signals from the T cell receptor (TCR) and costimulatory receptors at the plasma membrane. Here, we found that phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) was enriched in the nuclei of human TH17 cells, which depended on the kinase PIP5K1α, and that inhibition of PIP5K1α impaired IL-17A production. In contrast, nuclear PIP2 enrichment was not observed in TH1 or TH2 cells, and these cells did not require PIP5K1α for cytokine production. In T cells from people with multiple sclerosis, IL-17 production elicited by myelin basic protein was blocked by PIP5K1α inhibition. IL-17 protein was affected without altering either the abundance or stability of IL17A mRNA in TH17 cells. Instead, analysis of PIP5K1α-associating proteins revealed that PIP5K1α interacted with ARS2, a nuclear cap-binding complex scaffold protein, to facilitate its binding to IL17A mRNA and subsequent IL-17A protein production. These findings highlight a transcription-independent, translation-dependent mechanism for regulating IL-17A protein production that might be relevant to other cytokines.

IκBζ is an essential mediator of immunity to oropharyngeal candidiasis

Fungal infections are a global threat; yet, there are no licensed vaccines to any fungal pathogens. Th17 cells mediate immunity to Candida albicans, particularly oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC), but essential downstream mechanisms remain unclear. In the murine model of OPC, IκBζ (Nfkbiz, a non-canonical NF-κB transcription factor) was upregulated in an interleukin (IL)-17-dependent manner and was essential to prevent candidiasis. Deletion of Nfkbiz rendered mice highly susceptible to OPC. IκBζ was dispensable in hematopoietic cells and acted partially in the suprabasal oral epithelium to control OPC. One prominent IκBζ-dependent gene target was β-defensin 3 (BD3) (Defb3), an essential antimicrobial peptide. Human oral epithelial cells required IκBζ for IL-17-mediated induction of BD2 (DEFB4A, human ortholog of mouse Defb3) through binding to the DEFB4A promoter. Unexpectedly, IκBζ regulated the transcription factor Egr3, which was essential for C. albicans induction of BD2/DEFB4A. Accordingly, IκBζ and Egr3 comprise an antifungal signaling hub mediating mucosal defense against oral candidiasis.

Temporary consumption of western diet trains the immune system to reduce future gut inflammation

Urbanization drives the popularity of western diet (WD), which increased burden in metabolic diseases but also in inflammatory diseases. Here, we show continuous WD disrupted the gut barrier, initiating low-grade inflammation and enhancing the colitis response. Nevertheless, transient WD consumption followed by ad libitum normal diet enhanced mucin production and tight junction protein expression in recovered mice. Furthermore, transient WD consumption surprisingly reduced the subsequent inflammatory response in DSS colitis and Citrobacter rodentium-infection induced colitis. The protective effect of WD training was not sex-dependent, and co-housing experiments suggested microbiota changes were not responsible. We identified important roles for cholesterol biosynthesis pathway and macrophages, pointing to innate myeloid training. Together, these data suggest detrimental effects of WD consumption can be reversed on return to a healthier diet. Furthermore, transient WD consumption leads to beneficial immune training, suggesting an evolutionary mechanism to benefit from feasting when abundant food is available.

Cloning of IL-12, a Critical Advance in Th1 and Th17 Discovery

This Pillars of Immunology article is a commentary on “Cloning of cDNA for natural killer cell stimulatory factor, a heterodimeric cytokine with multiple biologic effects on T and natural killer cells,” a pivotal article written by S. F. Wolf, P. A. Temple, M. Kobayashi, D. Young, M. Dicig, L. Lowe, R. Dzialo, L. Fitz, C. Ferenz, R. M. Hewick, et al., and published in The Journal of Immunology, in 1991. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.146.9.3074.

Local IL-23 is required for proliferation and retention of skin-resident memory TH17 cells

The cytokine interleukin-23 (IL-23) is critical for development and maintenance of autoimmune inflammation in nonlymphoid tissues; however, the mechanism through which IL-23 supports tissue-specific immunity remains unclear. In mice, we found that circulating memory T cells were dispensable for anamnestic protection from Candida albicans skin infection, and tissue-resident memory (TRM) cell-mediated protection from C. albicans reinfection required IL-23. Administration of anti-IL-23 receptor antibody to mice after resolution of primary C. albicans infection resulted in loss of CD69+ CD103+ tissue-resident memory T helper 17 (TRM17) cells from skin, and clinical anti-IL-23 therapy depleted TRM17 cells from skin of patients with psoriasis. IL-23 receptor blockade impaired TRM17 cell proliferation but did not affect apoptosis susceptibility or tissue egress. IL-23 produced by CD301b+ myeloid cells was required for TRM17 maintenance in skin after C. albicans infection, and CD301b+ cells were necessary for TRM17 expansion during the development of imiquimod dermatitis. This study demonstrates that locally produced IL-23 promotes in situ proliferation of cutaneous TRM17 cells to support their longevity and function and provides mechanistic insight into the durable efficacy of IL-23 blockade in the treatment of psoriasis.

Arid5a Mediates an IL-17-Dependent Pathway That Drives Autoimmunity but Not Antifungal Host Defense

IL-17 contributes to the pathogenesis of certain autoimmune diseases, but conversely is essential for host defense against fungi. Ab-based biologic drugs that neutralize IL-17 are effective in autoimmunity but can be accompanied by adverse side effects. Candida albicans is a commensal fungus that is the primary causative agent of oropharyngeal and disseminated candidiasis. Defects in IL-17 signaling cause susceptibility to candidiasis in mice and humans. A key facet of IL-17 receptor signaling involves RNA-binding proteins, which orchestrate the fate of target mRNA transcripts. In tissue culture models we showed that the RNA-binding protein AT-rich interaction domain 5A (Arid5a) promotes the stability and/or translation of multiple IL-17-dependent mRNAs. Moreover, during oropharyngeal candidiasis, Arid5a is elevated within the oral mucosa in an IL-17-dependent manner. However, the contribution of Arid5a to IL-17-driven events in vivo is poorly defined. In this study, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to generate mice lacking Arid5a. Arid5a -/- mice were fully resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an autoimmune setting in which IL-17 signaling drives pathology. Surprisingly, Arid5a -/- mice were resistant to oropharyngeal candidiasis and systemic candidiasis, similar to immunocompetent wild-type mice and contrasting with mice defective in IL-17 signaling. Therefore, Arid5a-dependent signals mediate pathology in autoimmunity and yet are not required for immunity to candidiasis, indicating that selective targeting of IL-17 signaling pathway components may be a viable strategy for development of therapeutics that spare IL-17-driven host defense.

Endogenous Interleukin-17a Contributes to Normal Spatial Memory Retention but Does Not Affect Early Behavioral or Neuropathological Outcomes after Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a proinflammatory cytokine primarily secreted in the brain by inflammatory T lymphocytes and glial cells. IL-17+ T-helper (Th17) cells are increased in the ipsilateral hemisphere after experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI), and IL-17 levels are increased in serum and brain tissue. We hypothesized that il17a and related gene expression would be increased in brain tissue after TBI in mice and il17a-/- mice would demonstrate neuroprotection versus wild type. The controlled cortical impact (CCI) model of TBI in adult male C57BL6/J mice was used for all experiments. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) or repeated-measures two-way ANOVA with the Bonferroni correction. A value of p < 0.05 determined significance. Expression of il17a was significantly reduced in the ipsilateral cortex and hippocampus by day 3 after TBI, and expression remained low at 28 days. There were no differences between il17a-/- and il17a+/+ mice in beam balance, Morris water maze performance, or lesion volume after CCI. Surprisingly, naïve il17a -/- mice performed significantly (p = 0.02) worse than naïve il17a+/+ mice on the probe trial. In conclusion, sustained depression of il17a gene expression was observed in brains after TBI in adult mice. Genetic knockout of IL-17 was not neuroprotective after TBI. IL-17a may be important for memory retention in naïve mice.

Matrix reboot: IL-17 signals CAFs to create a second tumor T cell checkpoint

Excessive collagen deposition by fibroblasts surrounding some tumors has seriously limited the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitor therapies. Chen et al. (2022. J. Exp. Med.https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.20210693) show that IL-17 promotes collagen deposition by cancer-associated fibroblasts, enhancing immune exclusion of tumors, and that targeting IL-17-triggered HIF1α expression can reverse matrix mediated immune exclusion.

IL-17-dependent fibroblastic reticular cell training boosts tissue protective mucosal immunity through IL-10-producing B cells

Prior experience of pathogen-associated stimuli reduces morbidity and mortality to newly encountered infections through innate immune training, which can be enhanced by childhood vaccination. Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) are stromal cells in lymphoid organs that support lymphocyte localization and survival and modulate adaptive immune responses. IL-17 signaling is important for FRC metabolism and proliferation during inflammatory responses. Here, we show that FRC-intrinsic IL-17 signaling was required for protective antibody-mediated immunity to the gut bacterial pathogen Citrobacter rodentium. We asked whether prior activation of FRC through nonspecific inflammatory “training” of the gut would alter subsequent immune response to C. rodentium. Inflammatory training increased the number of activated FRC in mesenteric LN (MLN) and enhanced the antibody response to C. rodentium in an IL-17–dependent manner. FRC demonstrated cardinal features of innate immune training, including increased epigenetic markers of activation and increased metabolic response to infection. Enhanced responses were still evident 6 weeks after training. The kinetics of bacterial infection were not changed by inflammatory training, but colon inflammation was paradoxically reduced. Mechanistically, IL-10 production by activated B cells was required for colon protective effects of inflammatory training. Enhancing tissue protective B cell responses thus led to increased production of antibody and IL-10, allowing clearance of infection with reduced tissue inflammation. These data identify a new mode of immune training through FRC to modulate future adaptive responses and better preserve host health.

The RNA binding protein IMP2 drives a stromal-Th17 cell circuit in autoimmune neuroinflammation

Stromal cells are emerging as key drivers of autoimmunity, partially because they produce inflammatory chemokines that orchestrate inflammation. Chemokine expression is regulated transcriptionally but also through posttranscriptional mechanisms, the specific drivers of which are still incompletely defined. CCL2 (MCP1) is a multifunctional chemokine that drives myeloid cell recruitment. During experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an IL-17–driven model of multiple sclerosis, CCL2 produced by lymph node (LN) stromal cells was essential for immunopathology. Here, we showed that Ccl2 mRNA upregulation in human stromal fibroblasts in response to IL-17 required the RNA-binding protein IGF-2 mRNA-binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2, IMP2), which is expressed almost exclusively in nonhematopoietic cells. IMP2 binds directly to CCL2 mRNA, markedly extending its transcript half-life, and is thus required for efficient CCL2 secretion. Consistent with this, Imp2^−/− mice showed reduced CCL2 production in LNs during EAE, causing impairments in monocyte recruitment and Th17 cell polarization. Imp2^–/– mice were fully protected from CNS inflammation. Moreover, deletion of IMP2 after EAE onset was sufficient to mitigate disease severity. These data showed that posttranscriptional control of Ccl2 in stromal cells by IMP2 was required to permit IL-17–driven progression of EAE pathogenesis.

Divergent functions of IL-17-family cytokines in DSS colitis: Insights from a naturally-occurring human mutation in IL-17F

The IL-17 family is structurally distinct from other cytokine subclasses. IL-17A and IL-17F, the most closely related of this family, form homodimers and an IL-17AF heterodimer. While IL-17A and IL-17F exhibit similar activities in many settings, in others their functions are divergent. To better understand the function of IL-17F in vivo, we created mice harboring a mutation in Il17f originally described in humans with unexplained chronic mucosal candidiasis (Ser-65-Leu). We evaluated Il17fS65L/S65L mice in DSS-colitis, as this is one of the few settings where IL-17A and IL-17F exhibit opposing activities. Specifically, IL-17A is protective of the gut epithelium, a finding that was revealed when trials of anti-IL-17A biologics in Crohn's disease failed and recapitulated in many mouse models of colitis. In contrast, mice lacking IL-17F are resistant to DSS-colitis, partly attributable to alterations in intestinal microbiota that mobilize Tregs. Here we report that Il17fS65L/S65L mice do not phenocopy Il17f-/- mice in DSS colitis, but rather exhibited a worsening disease phenotype much like Il17a-/- mice. Gut inflammation in Il17fS65L/S65L mice correlated with reduced Treg accumulation and lowered intestinal levels of Clostridium cluster XIV. Unexpectedly, the protective DSS-colitis phenotype in Il17f-/- mice could be reversed upon co-housing with Il17fS65L/S65L mice, also correlating with Clostridium cluster XIV levels in gut. Thus, the Il17fS65L/S65L phenotype resembles an IL-17A deficiency more closely than IL-17F deficiency in the setting of DSS colitis.

IL-17 dependent fibroblastic reticular cell training boosts host-protective immunity to mucosal infection

Prior experience of inflammatory stimuli is thought to reduce morbidity and mortality to newly encountered infections through innate immune training that can be enhanced by childhood vaccination. Here we demonstrate that IL-17 signaling in lymph node fibroblastic reticular cells (FRC) is required for efficient clearance and protective antibody-mediated immunity to the gut bacterial pathogen Citrobacter rodentium. Furthermore, prior experience of gut inflammation led to an enhanced antibody response to C. rodentium without altering the kinetics of bacterial infection. However, colon inflammation was paradoxically reduced by previous inflammatory exposure, due to IL-10 production by B cells. Mechanistically, FRC-intrinsic IL-17 dependent activation mediated the trained response, which includes enhanced metabolic response of FRC to infection. These data identify a new pathway for immune training through FRC that modulates the adaptive response, enhancing protective antibody while reducing gut inflammation, to more efficiently preserve host health.

IL-23 maintains tissue resident memory Th17 cells in murine and psoriatic skin

Tissue resident memory Th17 cells (TRM17) are the key cell type driving the chronic skin inflammation of psoriasis. Although IL-23 is strongly associated with autoimmunity and chronic inflammatory disorders including psoriasis, and anti-IL-23 biologic agents have remarkable efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis, the precise role of IL-23 in supporting IL-17-mediated skin inflammation remains unclear. In mice, we found that circulating memory T cells were dispensable for anamnestic protection from C. albicans skin infection, and TRM17 mediated protection from C. albicans reinfection required IL-23. Administration of anti-IL-23R antibody to dual Il17aCre Rosa26CAG-fl/fl-tdTomato Il17fThy1.1/Thy1.1 (17Fate) fate reporter mice following resolution of primary C. albicans infection resulted in a selective reduction in the number of CD69+CD103+TRM17 cells in skin compared with isotype controls. TRM17 proliferation was reduced and survival was unaffected. CD301b+ dermal dendritic cells (dDC) were an obligate source of IL-23 that supported TRM17 maintenance in skin after C. albicans challenge. These data demonstrate that locally produced IL-23 promotes in situ TRM17 proliferation to support their long term retention in skin. In normal human skin, we identified dermal cDC2 as the principal source of IL-23, although keratinocytes and CD4+ T cells were additional sources of IL-23 in psoriasis skin. Analysis of human psoriasis skin before and after clinical anti-IL-23 therapy revealed reduced TRM17 number and proliferation index, suggesting that targeted depletion of pathogenic TRM17 is the major mechanism by which anti-IL-23 therapy induces uniquely durable disease-free intervals in psoriasis patients.

The metabolism-modulating activity of IL-17 signaling in health and disease

IL-17 was discovered nearly 30 yr ago, but it has only been recently appreciated that a key function of this cytokine is to orchestrate cellular and organismal metabolism. Indeed, metabolic regulation is integrated into both the physiological and the pathogenic aspects of IL-17 responses. Thus, understanding the interplay between IL-17 and downstream metabolic processes could ultimately inform therapeutic opportunities for diseases involving IL-17, including some not traditionally linked to this cytokine pathway. Here, we discuss the emerging pathophysiological roles of IL-17 related to cellular and organismal metabolism, including metabolic regulation of IL-17 signal transduction.

IL-17 in the Pathogenesis of Disease: Good Intentions Gone Awry

The IL-17 family is an evolutionarily old cytokine family consisting of six members (IL-17A through IL-17F). IL-17 family cytokines signal through heterodimeric receptors that include the shared IL-17RA subunit, which is widely expressed throughout the body on both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells. The founding family member, IL-17A, is usually referred to as IL-17 and has received the most attention for proinflammatory roles in autoimmune diseases like psoriasis. However, IL-17 is associated with a wide array of diseases with perhaps surprisingly variable pathologies. This review focuses on recent advances in the roles of IL-17 during health and in disease pathogenesis. To decipher the functions of IL-17 in diverse disease processes it is useful to first consider the physiological functions that IL-17 contributes to health. We then discuss how these beneficial functions can be diverted toward pathogenic amplification of deleterious pathways driving chronic disease.

Noncanonical STAT3 activity sustains pathogenic Th17 proliferation and cytokine response to antigen

The STAT3 signaling pathway is required for early Th17 cell development, and therapies targeting this pathway are used for autoimmune disease. However, the role of STAT3 in maintaining inflammatory effector Th17 cell function has been unexplored. Th17ΔSTAT3 mice, which delete STAT3 in effector Th17 cells, were resistant to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of MS. Th17 cell numbers declined after STAT3 deletion, corresponding to reduced cell cycle. Th17ΔSTAT3 cells had increased IL-6-mediated phosphorylation of STAT1, known to have antiproliferative functions. Th17ΔSTAT3 cells also had reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, which can regulate intracellular Ca2+. Accordingly, Th17ΔSTAT3 cells had reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines when stimulated with myelin antigen but normal production of cytokines when TCR-induced Ca2+ flux was bypassed with ionomycin. Thus, early transcriptional roles of STAT3 in developing Th17 cells are later complimented by noncanonical STAT3 functions that sustain pathogenic Th17 cell proliferation and cytokine production.

IL-17 promotes protective antibody during gut infection through IκB-ζ-dependent LN stromal cell activation

Fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) provide critical regulation of T and B cell. Our recent study shown metabolic reprogramming through Interleukin 17 (IL-17) was critical for the FRCs expansion and autoantibody production. Although studies shown IL-17 is important for B-cell activation and induction of IgA responses, the mechanisms have been unclear. We further hypothesized IL-17 signaling in FRCs is critical to drive protective antibody responses, and prior FRCs activation through a distinct inflammatory episode could enhance this response. We employed Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) induced-colitis followed by Citrobacter rodentium infection model. Mice pretreated with DSS shown increased FRCs expansion and germinal center (GC) formation and enhanced anti-Citrobacter antibody production, leading to a quicker Citrobacter clearance, less colon inflammation and better outcome. IL17a neutralization in DSS phase blocked both the expansion of FRCs and the enhanced B cell response. We further confirmed FRCs failed to expand during Citrobacter infection in FRC-restricted IL-17RA deletion mice. These mice had reduced antibody production in both serum and feces, along with higher Citrobacter burden. We previously shown IL-17 induction IκB-ζ was required for metabolic reprogramming in vitro. Now, we found FRC-intrinsic IκB-ζ expression was required for in vivo Cpt1a (a rate-limiting transporter for fatty acid oxidation) expression, GC formation and antibody responses. RNAseq data suggest GC survival factors such as IL-6 and BAFF were increased by IL-17 signaling in FRCs. In conclusion, IL-17 indirectly promotes GC formation and antibody responses by inducing IκB-ζ expression in activated LN stromal cells during gut infection.

B cells in rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissues encode focused antibody repertoires that include antibodies that stimulate macrophage TNF-α production

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by the production of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs). To gain insights into the relationship between ACPA-expressing B cells in peripheral blood (PB) and synovial tissue (ST), we sequenced the B cell repertoire in paired PB and ST samples from five individuals with established, ACPA+ RA. Bioinformatics analysis of paired heavy- and light-chain sequences revealed clonally-related family members shared between PB and ST. ST-derived antibody repertoires exhibited reduced diversity and increased normalized clonal family size compared to PB-derived repertoires. Functional characterization showed that seven recombinant antibodies (rAbs) expressed from subject-derived sequences from both compartments bound citrullinated antigens and immune complexes (ICs) formed using one ST-derived rAb stimulated macrophage TNF-α production. Our findings demonstrate B cell trafficking between PB and ST in subjects with RA and ST repertoires include B cells that encode ACPA capable of forming ICs that stimulate cellular responses implicated in RA pathogenesis.

The IL-17 Family of Cytokines in Health and Disease

The interleukin 17 (IL-17) family of cytokines contains 6 structurally related cytokines, IL-17A through IL-17F. IL-17A, the prototypical member of this family, just passed the 25^th anniversary of its discovery. Although less is known about IL-17B-F, IL-17A (commonly known as IL-17) has received much attention for its pro-inflammatory role in autoimmune disease. Over the past decade, however, it has become clear that the functions of IL-17 are far more nuanced than simply turning on inflammation. Accumulating evidence indicates that IL-17 has important context- and tissue-dependent roles in maintaining health during response to injury, physiological stress, and infection. Here, we discuss the functions of the IL-17 family, with a focus on the balance between the pathogenic and protective roles of IL-17 in cancer and autoimmune disease, including results of therapeutic blockade and novel aspects of IL-17 signal transduction regulation.

The Alzheimer's Disease-Associated Protein BACE1 Modulates T Cell Activation and Th17 Function

β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) is best known for its role in Alzheimer's disease amyloid plaque formation but also contributes to neurodegenerative processes triggered by CNS injury. In this article, we report that BACE1 is expressed in murine CD4⁺ T cells and regulates signaling through the TCR. BACE1-deficient T cells have reduced IL-17A expression under Th17 conditions and reduced CD73 expression in Th17 and inducible T regulatory cells. However, induction of the Th17 and T regulatory transcription factors RORγt and Foxp3 was unaffected. BACE1-deficient T cells showed impaired pathogenic function in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. These data identify BACE1 as a novel regulator of T cell signaling pathways that impact autoimmune inflammatory T cell function.

IL-23 and IL-1β Drive Human Th17 Cell Differentiation and Metabolic Reprogramming in Absence of CD28 Costimulation

Th17 cells drive autoimmune disease but also control commensal microbes. A common link among antigens from self-proteins or commensal microbiota is relatively low activation of T cell receptor (TCR) and costimulation signaling. Indeed, strong TCR/CD28 stimulation suppressed Th17 cell differentiation from human naive T cells, but not effector/memory cells. CD28 suppressed the classical Th17 transcriptional program, while inducing known Th17 regulators, and acted through an Akt-dependent mechanism. Th17 cells differentiated without CD28 were not anergic: they showed robust proliferation and maintained Th17 cytokine production following restimulation. Interleukin (IL)-23 and IL-1β promoted glucose uptake and increased glycolysis. Although modestly increased compared to CD28 costimulation, glycolysis was necessary to support Th17 differentiation, indicating that cytokine-mediated metabolic shifts were sufficient to obviate the classical requirement for CD28 in Th17 differentiation. Together, these data propose that, in humans, strength of TCR/CD28/Akt activation serves as a rheostat tuning the magnitude of Th17 development driven by IL-23 and IL-1β.

IL-17 metabolically reprograms activated fibroblastic reticular cells for proliferation and survival

Lymph-node (LN) stromal cell populations expand during the inflammation that accompanies T cell activation. Interleukin-17 (IL-17)-producing helper T cells (T_H17 cells) promote inflammation through the induction of cytokines and chemokines in peripheral tissues. We demonstrate a critical requirement for IL-17 in the proliferation of LN and splenic stromal cells, particularly fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs), during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and colitis. Without signaling via the IL-17 receptor, activated FRCs underwent cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, accompanied by signs of nutrient stress in vivo. IL-17 signaling in FRCs was not required for the development of T_H17 cells, but failed FRC proliferation impaired germinal center formation and antigen-specific antibody production. Induction of the transcriptional co-activator IκBζ via IL-17 signaling mediated increased glucose uptake and expression of the gene Cpt1a, encoding CPT1A, a rate-limiting enzyme of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. Hence, IL-17 produced by locally differentiating T_H17 cells is an important driver of the activation of inflamed LN stromal cells, through metabolic reprogramming required to support proliferation and survival.

IL-36 and IL-1/IL-17 Drive Immunity to Oral Candidiasis via Parallel Mechanisms

Protection against microbial infection by the induction of inflammation is a key function of the IL-1 superfamily, including both classical IL-1 and the new IL-36 cytokine families. Candida albicans is a frequent human fungal pathogen causing mucosal infections. Although the initiators and effectors important in protective host responses to C. albicans are well described, the key players in driving these responses remain poorly defined. Recent work has identified a central role played by IL-1 in inducing innate Type-17 immune responses to clear C. albicans infections. Despite this, lack of IL-1 signaling does not result in complete loss of immunity, indicating that there are other factors involved in mediating protection to this fungus. In this study, we identify IL-36 cytokines as a new player in these responses. We show that C. albicans infection of the oral mucosa induces the production of IL-36. As with IL-1α/β, induction of epithelial IL-36 depends on the hypha-associated peptide toxin Candidalysin. Epithelial IL-36 gene expression requires p38-MAPK/c-Fos, NF-κB, and PI3K signaling and is regulated by the MAPK phosphatase MKP1. Oral candidiasis in IL-36R-/- mice shows increased fungal burdens and reduced IL-23 gene expression, indicating a key role played by IL-36 and IL-23 in innate protective responses to this fungus. Strikingly, we observed no impact on gene expression of IL-17 or IL-17-dependent genes, indicating that this protection occurs via an alternative pathway to IL-1-driven immunity. Thus, IL-1 and IL-36 represent parallel epithelial cell-driven protective pathways in immunity to oral C. albicans infection.

Methods for high-dimensional analysis of cells dissociated from cryopreserved synovial tissue

Background

Detailed molecular analyses of cells from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium hold promise in identifying cellular phenotypes that drive tissue pathology and joint damage. The Accelerating Medicines Partnership RA/SLE Network aims to deconstruct autoimmune pathology by examining cells within target tissues through multiple high-dimensional assays. Robust standardized protocols need to be developed before cellular phenotypes at a single cell level can be effectively compared across patient samples.

Methods

Multiple clinical sites collected cryopreserved synovial tissue fragments from arthroplasty and synovial biopsy in a 10% DMSO solution. Mechanical and enzymatic dissociation parameters were optimized for viable cell extraction and surface protein preservation for cell sorting and mass cytometry, as well as for reproducibility in RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Cryopreserved synovial samples were collectively analyzed at a central processing site by a custom-designed and validated 35-marker mass cytometry panel. In parallel, each sample was flow sorted into fibroblast, T-cell, B-cell, and macrophage suspensions for bulk population RNA-seq and plate-based single-cell CEL-Seq2 RNA-seq.

Results

Upon dissociation, cryopreserved synovial tissue fragments yielded a high frequency of viable cells, comparable to samples undergoing immediate processing. Optimization of synovial tissue dissociation across six clinical collection sites with ~ 30 arthroplasty and ~ 20 biopsy samples yielded a consensus digestion protocol using 100 μg/ml of Liberase™ TL enzyme preparation. This protocol yielded immune and stromal cell lineages with preserved surface markers and minimized variability across replicate RNA-seq transcriptomes. Mass cytometry analysis of cells from cryopreserved synovium distinguished diverse fibroblast phenotypes, distinct populations of memory B cells and antibody-secreting cells, and multiple CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell activation states. Bulk RNA-seq of sorted cell populations demonstrated robust separation of synovial lymphocytes, fibroblasts, and macrophages. Single-cell RNA-seq produced transcriptomes of over 1000 genes/cell, including transcripts encoding characteristic lineage markers identified.

Conclusions

We have established a robust protocol to acquire viable cells from cryopreserved synovial tissue with intact transcriptomes and cell surface phenotypes. A centralized pipeline to generate multiple high-dimensional analyses of synovial tissue samples collected across a collaborative network was developed. Integrated analysis of such datasets from large patient cohorts may help define molecular heterogeneity within RA pathology and identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13075-018-1631-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Oral epithelial cells orchestrate innate type 17 responses to Candida albicans through the virulence factor candidalysin

Candida albicans is a dimorphic commensal fungus that causes severe oral infections in immunodeficient patients. Invasion of C. albicans hyphae into oral epithelium is an essential virulence trait. Interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling is required for both innate and adaptive immunity to C. albicans During the innate response, IL-17 is produced by γδ T cells and a poorly understood population of innate-acting CD4⁺ αβ T cell receptor (TCRαβ)⁺ cells, but only the TCRαβ⁺ cells expand during acute infection. Confirming the innate nature of these cells, the TCR was not detectably activated during the primary response, as evidenced by Nur77^eGFP mice that report antigen-specific signaling through the TCR. Rather, the expansion of innate TCRαβ⁺ cells was driven by both intrinsic and extrinsic IL-1R signaling. Unexpectedly, there was no requirement for CCR6/CCL20-dependent recruitment or prototypical fungal pattern recognition receptors. However, C. albicans mutants that cannot switch from yeast to hyphae showed impaired TCRαβ⁺ cell proliferation and Il17a expression. This prompted us to assess the role of candidalysin, a hyphal-associated peptide that damages oral epithelial cells and triggers production of inflammatory cytokines including IL-1. Candidalysin-deficient strains failed to up-regulate Il17a or drive the proliferation of innate TCRαβ⁺ cells. Moreover, candidalysin signaled synergistically with IL-17, which further augmented the expression of IL-1α/β and other cytokines. Thus, IL-17 and C. albicans, via secreted candidalysin, amplify inflammation in a self-reinforcing feed-forward loop. These findings challenge the paradigm that hyphal formation per se is required for the oral innate response and demonstrate that establishment of IL-1- and IL-17-dependent innate immunity is induced by tissue-damaging hyphae.

CD28 suppresses IL-23- and IL-1β-driven human Th17 development

Th17 cells drive autoimmune disease but also control commensal microbes. A common link between antigens from self-proteins or commensal microbiota is relatively low activation of T cell receptor and costimulation signaling. Indeed, strong TCR/CD28 stimulation suppressed Th17 cell differentiation from human naïve T cells, but not effector/memory cells. CD28 suppressed the classical Th17 transcriptional program, while inducing known Th17-regulators, and acted through an Akt-dependent mechanism. Th17 cells differentiated without CD28 were not anergic: they showed robust proliferation and maintained Th17 cytokine production following restimulation. IL-23 and IL-1β promoted glucose uptake and increased glycolysis. Although modestly increased compared to CD28 costimulation, glycolysis was necessary to support Th17 differentiation, indicating that cytokine-mediated metabolic shifts were sufficient to obviate the classical requirement for CD28 in Th17 differentiation. Together these data propose that in humans, strength of TCR/CD28/Akt activation serves as a rheostat tuning the magnitude of Th17 development driven by IL-23 and IL-1β.

STAT3 regulation of effector Th17 cells and its implications for treatment of autoimmunity

Th17 cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and rheumatoid arthritis. Early Th17 cell development relies on key cytokines that signal through STAT3, including IL-6, IL-21 and IL-23. These signals are critical for gain of effector Th17 cell functions, including the expression of the inflammatory cytokines IL-17, IFN-γ and GM-CSF. Thus, development of drugs that target STAT3 signaling are a major research focus to alleviate disease. However, the functions of STAT3 signaling post Th17 cell development in late effector cells remain elusive. Here, we developed a model to study STAT3 deficiency effects specifically in late effector Th17 cells, termed Th17ΔSTAT3. We show that Th17ΔSTAT3 mice are resistant to development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS. To determine mechanisms by which STAT3 regulates Th17 cell pathogenicity we performed bioinformatics analysis of effector Th17 cell transcriptome. Corresponding to changes in gene expression, we found that Th17ΔSTAT3 cells were reduced in numbers in lymph nodes and CNS during EAE. We demonstrated that STAT3 is critical to drive G1 to S phase transition of the cell cycle by regulating key cell cycle genes. Moreover, we found that STAT3 maintains Th17 cell mitochondrial integrity. Unexpectedly, our data show that lineage specific gene expression, including cytokines, is not altered in Th17ΔSTAT3 cells. However, Th17ΔSTAT3 cells have reduced IL-17 expression, but not IFN-γ or GM-CSF upon antigen restimulation. Our data reveal hitherto unknown mechanisms for STAT3 in regulating effector Th17 cells, which have major implications for use of Th17 cell-targeted therapies.

Unexpected STAT3-mediated mechanisms of regulation of effector Th17 function in autoimmunity

Th17 cells have been linked to the emergence of many autoimmune inflammatory conditions as well as defense against fungal pathogens. Early differentiation and expansion of Th17 cells relies on key cytokines that signal through STAT3, including IL-6 and IL-21. Later STAT3-dependent signals from IL-23 are critical for gain of inflammatory function by effector Th17 cells. Thus, development of drugs that target STAT3 or its upstream receptors are a major research focus to alleviate disease. However, the requirements for STAT3 signaling in effector Th17 cells remain elusive. Here, we developed a model to study the effect of STAT3 deficiency specifically in effector Th17 cells in EAE, an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Our data show that mice lacking STAT3 in effector Th17 cells are resistant to EAE development. Unexpectedly, we demonstrate that in Th17 cells, STAT3 is not required for maintenance of Th17 lineage commitment or Th17 cytokine production in vivo. To determine mechanisms by which STAT3 regulates Th17 effector cells to promote development of autoimmune inflammation, we performed bioinformatics analysis of the transcriptome of effector Th17 cells isolated from lymph nodes (LN) at day 10 (onset) of EAE. This revealed that STAT3 regulates expression of genes associated with particular cell-death pathways, and pathways associated with proliferation and T cell mediated tissue damage. Corresponding to these changes in gene expression, we found that STAT3 deficient effector Th17 cells were reduced in numbers in LN and target tissue during EAE. Our data reveal a hitherto unappreciated mechanism for STAT3 in regulating effector Th17 cells, which have major implications for use of STAT3-targeted therapies.

Th17 cells modulate the LN microenvironment through IL-17 dependent regulation of fibroblastic reticular cells

Integrins play a critical role in the function and migration of Th17 cells in CNS, and blockade of inflammatory T cell migration is used therapeutically in multiple sclerosis. Our previously published data demonstrated a critical role for αvβ3 in driving encephalitogenic Th17 cell migration in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), in an IL-23R-dependent manner. Herein, we show that fibronectin, a ligand for integrin αvβ3, is significantly upregulated in the dLNs of EAE mice. Strikingly, the expression of fibronectin in dLN was significantly reduced in IL23R−/− mice following immunization. Fibronectin expression increased in dLNs during the progression of EAE with similar kinetics but delayed peak compared to IL-17. Since IL23R regulates IL-17 production, we analyzed LN from IL-17−/− and IL17Ra−/− mice immunized for EAE, and observed a similar defect in fibronectin expression in the absence of IL-17 signaling. CD45−gp38+CD31− fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) in the T cell zone are the major producers of fibronectin in the dLNs, and these stromal cells expand during EAE. Although IL-17RA−/− LN appeared similarly enlarged following immunization, indicating an inflammatory response, the number of FRCs was decreased in immunized IL17Ra−/− LN, corresponding to decreased fibronectin. Taken together, our data suggests that during priming of the immune response, and before migrating to their peripheral target tissue, Th17 cells modulate the local LN environment in which they are activated through production of IL-17 to promote FRCs expansion and induction of ECM. This could have long-term consequences in the host upon future infectious challenge, as well as influencing chronicity of Th17-mediated autoimmune disease.

CD73 is expressed by inflammatory Th17 cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis but does not limit differentiation or pathogenesis

CD73 works together with CD39 to convert extracellular ATP to immunoregulatory adenosine, thus inhibiting inflammation. TGFβ-mediated CD73 expression on ‘regulatory’ Th17 cells limits their ability to eradicate tumors, similar to the immunosuppressive mechanism described for CD73 on Tregs. However, CD73 is also expressed on Th17 cells thought to be inflammatory in Crohn’s disease. CD73 has previously been reported to contribute to inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). In experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we found that inflammatory cytokine-producing Th17 cells showed increased CD73 expression as disease progressed. We therefore hypothesized that CD73 could be important for limiting the expansion or pathogenic function of Th17 cells in autoimmune inflammation of the CNS. Surprisingly, EAE development was not enhanced or inhibited by CD73 deficiency; there was correspondingly no difference in induction of Th17-associated cytokines IL-17, IFNγ or GM-CSF or recruitment of either inflammatory or regulatory cells to the central nervous system. We confirmed that CD73 was similarly not required for differentiation of Th17 cells in vitro. These data show that while CD73 expression is regulated during EAE, this enzyme is not absolutely required to either promote or limit Th17 cell expansion or EAE severity.

The far-reaching scope of neuroinflammation after traumatic brain injury

The 'silent epidemic' of traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been placed in the spotlight as a result of clinical investigations and popular press coverage of athletes and veterans with single or repetitive head injuries. Neuroinflammation can cause acute secondary injury after TBI, and has been linked to chronic neurodegenerative diseases; however, anti-inflammatory agents have failed to improve TBI outcomes in clinical trials. In this Review, we therefore propose a new framework of targeted immunomodulation after TBI for future exploration. Our framework incorporates factors such as the time from injury, mechanism of injury, and secondary insults in considering potential treatment options. Structuring our discussion around the dynamics of the immune response to TBI - from initial triggers to chronic neuroinflammation - we consider the ability of soluble and cellular inflammatory mediators to promote repair and regeneration versus secondary injury and neurodegeneration. We summarize both animal model and human studies, with clinical data explicitly defined throughout this Review. Recent advances in neuroimmunology and TBI-responsive neuroinflammation are incorporated, including concepts of inflammasomes, mechanisms of microglial polarization, and glymphatic clearance. Moreover, we highlight findings that could offer novel therapeutic targets for translational and clinical research, assimilate evidence from other brain injury models, and identify outstanding questions in the field.

CCAAT/Enhancer-binding protein β promotes pathogenesis of EAE

The CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein β (C/EBPβ) transcription factor is activated by multiple inflammatory stimuli, including IL-17 and LPS, and C/EBPβ itself regulates numerous genes involved in inflammation. However, the role of C/EBPβ in driving autoimmunity is not well understood. Here, we demonstrate that Cebpb^-/- mice are resistant to EAE. Cebpb^-/- mice exhibited reduced lymphocyte and APC infiltration into CNS following EAE induction. Furthermore, MOG-induced Th17 cytokine production was impaired in draining LN, indicating defects in Th17 cell priming. In vitro Th17 polarization studies indicated that T cell responses are not inherently defective, instead supporting the known roles for C/EBPβ in myeloid lineage cell activation as the likely mechanism for defective Th17 priming in vivo. However, we did uncover an unexpected role for C/EBPβ in regulating ll23r expression in APCs. ChIP assays confirmed that C/EBPβ binds directly to the Il23r gene promoter in dendritic cells and Th17 cells. These data establish C/EBPβ as a key driver of autoimmune inflammation in EAE, and propose a novel role for C/EBPβ in regulation of IL-23R expression.

Analysis of CXCR5+Th17 cells in relation to disease activity and TNF inhibitor therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Th17 and TfH cells are thought to promote tissue inflammation and autoantibody production, respectively, in autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). TfH cells that co-express Th17 markers (CXCR5⁺Th17) encompass both of these pathogenic functions, and are increased in some human autoimmune settings including juvenile dermatomyositis. We investigated CXCR5⁺Th17 cells in RA subjects with stable or active disease and before and after TNF inhibitor therapy. CXCR5⁺Th17 cell frequency was increased in RA compared to healthy controls, but other helper T cell subsets were not different. CXCR5⁺Th17 cells correlated with disease activity in subjects with active RA prior to initiation of TNF inhibitor therapy. Baseline CXCR5⁺Th17 cells also correlated with numbers of swollen joints as late as one year post-therapy. CXCR5⁺Th17 cell frequencies were unaltered by TNF blockade and in fact remained remarkably stable within individuals. We conclude that CXCR5⁺Th17 cells are not a direct target of TNF blockade and therefore cannot serve as a biomarker of current disease activity. However, basal CXCR5⁺Th17 cell frequency may indicate underlying differences in disease phenotype between patients and predict ultimate success of TNF inhibitor therapy.

Inflammatory Th17 Cells Express Integrin αvβ3 for Pathogenic Function

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is required for inflammatory Th17 cell function in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), and IL-23 blockade reduces the number of effector Th17 cells in the CNS. We report that pro-inflammatory Th17 cells express high integrin β3 that is IL-23 dependent. Integrin β3 was not upregulated on all activated T cells; rather, integrin β3 was upregulated along with its functional partner integrin αv on effector Th17 cells and "ex-Th17" cells, and αvβ3(hi) RORγt(+) cells expanded during EAE. Integrin αvβ3 inhibitors ameliorated clinical signs of EAE, and integrin β3 deficiency on CD4(+) T cells alone was sufficient to block EAE induction. Furthermore, integrin-β3-deficient Th17 cells, but not Th1 cells, were impaired in their ability to induce EAE. Integrin β3(-/-) T cells induced smaller demyelinated lesions and showed reduced spread and accumulation within the CNS, corresponding with impaired extracellular-matrix-mediated migration. Hence, integrin β3 is required for Th17 cell-mediated autoimmune CNS inflammation.

Th17/TfH cells in rheumatoid arthritis: correlations with disease activity and therapy response

Th17 and TfH cells are thought to promote tissue inflammation (Th17) and autoantibody production (TfH) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune diseases. TfH cells that co-express Th17 markers (Th17/TfH) correlate with disease activity in juvenile dermatomyositis. However, Th17/TfH cells have not been detailed in RA subjects in context of therapy response. Blood T cell and B cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry in 16 subjects with active RA, before and after TNF inhibitor therapy. Proportions of CXCR5+ TfH cells that co-expressed the Th17 marker CCR6 (Th17/TfH cells) directly correlated with disease activity at baseline. In contrast, there were no correlations between disease activity and other T cell subsets including total Th17 (CCR6+), TfH (CXCR5+) or Th1 (CXCR3+) cells, or with CXCR3-expressing TfH cells. Th17/TfH cell frequencies were unchanged by TNF inhibition, fitting with no effect of TNF on stimulation of IL-17 or IL-21 in vitro. In fact, Th17/TfH cell proportions showed remarkable stability within individuals over time despite changes in disease activity. Activated class-switched B cells were increased in subjects with high autoantibody, but B cell subsets did not correlate with disease activity or with Th17/TfH cells. Finally, baseline Th17/TfH cells correlated with numbers of swollen joints at baseline and following one year of stable therapy. These data demonstrate the stability of chemokine receptors as markers of blood T cell phenotypes within individuals, and point to differences in underlying T cell phenotypes as drivers of autoimmune joint disease activity and response to TNF inhibitor therapy.

BACE1: a novel player in the pathogenesis of Th17 cells in EAE

Th17 cells are implicated in autoimmune disease, including attack of the central nervous system (CNS) in multiple sclerosis. β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) is a membrane protease expressed in neurons and astrocytes. BACE1 is most well known for its role in promoting neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease by cleaving amyloid precursor protein, although it also plays a role in central nervous system myelination. BACE1 has also been reported to contribute to lesion severity following brain injury, as has IL-17, although these two molecules have not previously been linked. We observed that BACE1 is upregulated in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) lesions, a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, suggesting a role in autoimmune CNS damage. Surprisingly, we discovered that Bace1-deficient MOG-reactive T cells were defective in IL-17A production. In vitro differentiated Th17 cells were similarly defective in IL-17A. Conversely, overexpression of Bace1 increased IL-17A production. Transfer experiments demonstrated that BACE1 deficiency in T cells impairs their pathogenic function and confers resistance in EAE. Although the impact on IL-17A production was dramatic, there was only a mild defect in expression of RORγt, IL-23R and other prototypic Th17-associated molecules such as IL-17F. This was confirmed by RNA-Seq, which revealed other potential Bace1 targets outside the classic Th17 armory. Therefore, we propose that Bace1 is a novel modulator of the effector function of Th17 cells, particularly IL-17A production.

Interleukin-23-Induced Transcription Factor Blimp-1 Promotes Pathogenicity of T Helper 17 Cells

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine required for the pathogenicity of T helper 17 (Th17) cells but the molecular mechanisms governing this process remain unclear. We identified the transcription factor Blimp-1 (Prdm1) as a key IL-23-induced factor that drove the inflammatory function of Th17 cells. In contrast to thymic deletion of Blimp-1, which causes T cell development defects and spontaneous autoimmunity, peripheral deletion of this transcription factor resulted in reduced Th17 activation and reduced severity of autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Furthermore, genome-wide occupancy and overexpression studies in Th17 cells revealed that Blimp-1 co-localized with transcription factors RORγt, STAT-3, and p300 at the Il23r, Il17a/f, and Csf2 cytokine loci to enhance their expression. Blimp-1 also directly bound to and repressed cytokine loci Il2 and Bcl6. Taken together, our results demonstrate that Blimp-1 is an essential transcription factor downstream of IL-23 that acts in concert with RORγt to activate the Th17 inflammatory program.

Delinking CARD9 and IL-17: CARD9 Protects against Candida tropicalis Infection through a TNF-α-Dependent, IL-17-Independent Mechanism

Candida is the third most common cause of bloodstream infections in hospitalized patients. Immunity to C. albicans, the most frequent species to be isolated in candidiasis, involves a well-characterized Dectin-1/caspase-associated recruitment domain adaptor 9 (CARD9)/IL-17 signaling axis. Infections caused by non-albicans Candida species are on the rise, but surprisingly little is known about immunity to these pathogens. In this study, we evaluated a systemic infection model of C. tropicalis, a clinically relevant, but poorly understood, non-albicans Candida. Mice lacking CARD9 were profoundly susceptible to C. tropicalis, displaying elevated fungal burdens in visceral organs and increased mortality compared with wild-type (WT) controls. Unlike C. albicans, IL-17 responses were induced normally in CARD9(-/-) mice following C. tropicalis infection. Moreover, there was no difference in susceptibility to C. tropicalis infection between WT and IL-23p19(-/-), IL-17RA(-/-), or Act1(-/-) mice. However, TNF-α expression was markedly impaired in CARD9(-/-) mice. Consistently, WT mice depleted of TNF-α were more susceptible to C. tropicalis, and CARD9-deficient neutrophils and monocytes failed to produce TNF-α following stimulation with C. tropicalis Ags. Both neutrophils and monocytes were necessary for defense against C. tropicalis, because their depletion in WT mice enhanced susceptibility to C. tropicalis. Disease in CARD9(-/-) mice was not due to defective neutrophil or monocyte recruitment to infected kidneys. However, TNF-α treatment of neutrophils in vitro enhanced their ability to kill C. tropicalis. Thus, protection against systemic C. tropicalis infection requires CARD9 and TNF-α, but not IL-17, signaling. Moreover, CARD9-dependent production of TNF-α enhances the candidacidal capacity of neutrophils, limiting fungal disease during disseminated C. tropicalis infection.

MCPIP1 Endoribonuclease Activity Negatively Regulates Interleukin-17-Mediated Signaling and Inflammation

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) induces pathology in autoimmunity and infections; therefore, constraint of this pathway is an essential component of its regulation. We demonstrate that the signaling intermediate MCPIP1 (also termed Regnase-1, encoded by Zc3h12a) is a feedback inhibitor of IL-17 receptor signal transduction. MCPIP1 knockdown enhanced IL-17-mediated signaling, requiring MCPIP1's endoribonuclease but not deubiquitinase domain. MCPIP1 haploinsufficient mice showed enhanced resistance to disseminated Candida albicans infection, which was reversed in an Il17ra(-/-) background. Conversely, IL-17-dependent pathology in Zc3h12a(+/-) mice was exacerbated in both EAE and pulmonary inflammation. MCPIP1 degraded Il6 mRNA directly but only modestly downregulated the IL-6 promoter. However, MCPIP1 strongly inhibited the Lcn2 promoter by regulating the mRNA stability of Nfkbiz, encoding the IκBζ transcription factor. Unexpectedly, MCPIP1 degraded Il17ra and Il17rc mRNA, independently of the 3' UTR. The cumulative impact of MCPIP1 on IL-6, IκBζ, and possibly IL-17R subunits results in a biologically relevant inhibition of IL-17 signaling.

mTORC2 Deficiency in Myeloid Dendritic Cells Enhances Their Allogeneic Th1 and Th17 Stimulatory Ability after TLR4 Ligation In Vitro and In Vivo

The mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a key integrative kinase that functions in two independent complexes, mTOR complex (mTORC) 1 and mTORC2. In contrast to the well-defined role of mTORC1 in dendritic cells (DC), little is known about the function of mTORC2. In this study, to our knowledge, we demonstrate for the first time an enhanced ability of mTORC2-deficient myeloid DC to stimulate and polarize allogeneic T cells. We show that activated bone marrow-derived DC from conditional Rictor(-/-) mice exhibit lower coinhibitory B7-H1 molecule expression independently of the stimulus and enhanced IL-6, TNF-α, IL-12p70, and IL-23 production following TLR4 ligation. Accordingly, TLR4-activated Rictor(-/-) DC display augmented allogeneic T cell stimulatory ability, expanding IFN-γ(+) and IL-17(+), but not IL-10(+) or CD4(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells in vitro. A similar DC profile was obtained by stimulating Dectin-1 (C-type lectin family member) on Rictor(-/-) DC. Using novel CD11c-specific Rictor(-/-) mice, we confirm the alloreactive Th1 and Th17 cell-polarizing ability of endogenous mTORC2-deficient DC after TLR4 ligation in vivo. Furthermore, we demonstrate that proinflammatory cytokines produced by Rictor(-/-) DC after LPS stimulation are key in promoting Th1/Th17 responses. These data establish that mTORC2 activity restrains conventional DC proinflammatory capacity and their ability to polarize T cells following TLR and non-TLR stimulation. Our findings provide new insight into the role of mTORC2 in regulating DC function and may have implications for emerging therapeutic strategies that target mTOR in cancer, infectious diseases, and transplantation.

Integrating p38α MAPK immune signals in nonimmune cells

A study by Huang et al. in this issue of Science Signaling highlights key roles for the mitogen-activated protein kinase p38α and the phosphatase MK1 in mediating interleukin-17-dependent pathology in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.

Oral-resident natural Th17 cells and γδ T cells control opportunistic Candida albicans infections

Conti et al. show that IL-17 is produced by tongue-resident populations of γδ T cells and nTh17 cells in response to oropharyngeal candidiasis in mice.

Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is an opportunistic fungal infection caused by Candida albicans. OPC is frequent in HIV/AIDS, implicating adaptive immunity. Mice are naive to Candida, yet IL-17 is induced within 24 h of infection, and susceptibility is strongly dependent on IL-17R signaling. We sought to identify the source of IL-17 during the early innate response to candidiasis. We show that innate responses to Candida require an intact TCR, as SCID, IL-7Rα^−/−, and Rag1^−/− mice were susceptible to OPC, and blockade of TCR signaling by cyclosporine induced susceptibility. Using fate-tracking IL-17 reporter mice, we found that IL-17 is produced within 1–2 d by tongue-resident populations of γδ T cells and CD3⁺CD4⁺CD44^hiTCRβ⁺CCR6⁺ natural Th17 (nTh17) cells, but not by TCR-deficient innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) or NK cells. These cells function redundantly, as TCR-β^−/− and TCR-δ^−/− mice were both resistant to OPC. Whereas γδ T cells were previously shown to produce IL-17 during dermal candidiasis and are known to mediate host defense at mucosal surfaces, nTh17 cells are poorly understood. The oral nTh17 population expanded rapidly after OPC, exhibited high TCR-β clonal diversity, and was absent in Rag1^−/−, IL-7Rα^−/−, and germ-free mice. These findings indicate that nTh17 and γδ T cells, but not ILCs, are key mucosal sentinels that control oral pathogens.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients exhibit impaired Candida albicans-specific Th17 responses

Introduction

Accumulating data implicate the CD4+ T cell subset (Th17 cells) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). IL-17 is an inflammatory cytokine that induces tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, IL-1β and IL-6, all of which are targets of biologic therapies used to treat RA. RA patients are well documented to experience more infections than age-matched controls, and biologic therapies further increase the risk of infection. The Th17/IL-17 axis is vital for immunity to fungi, especially the commensal fungus Candida albicans. Therefore, we were prompted to examine the relationship between RA and susceptibility to C. albicans because of the increasing interest in Th17 cells and IL-17 in driving autoimmunity, and the advent of new biologics that target this pathway.

Methods

We analyzed peripheral blood and saliva from 48 RA and 33 healthy control subjects. To assess C. albicans-specific Th17 responses, PBMCs were co-cultured with heat-killed C. albicans extract, and IL-17A levels in conditioned supernatants were measured by ELISA. The frequency of Th17 and Th1 cells was determined by flow cytometry. As a measure of IL-17A-mediated effector responses, we evaluated C. albicans colonization rates in the oral cavity, salivary fungicidal activity and levels of the antimicrobial peptide β-defensin 2 (BD2) in saliva.

Results

Compared to controls, PBMCs from RA subjects exhibited elevated baseline production of IL-17A (P = 0.004), although they had similar capacity to produce IL-17A in response to Th17 cell differentiating cytokines (P = 0.91). However RA PBMCs secreted less IL-17A in response to C. albicans antigens (P = 0.006). Significantly more RA patients were colonized with C. albicans in the oral cavity than healthy subjects (P = 0.02). Concomitantly, RA saliva had reduced concentrations of salivary BD2 (P = 0.02). Nonetheless, salivary fungicidal activity was preserved in RA subjects (P = 0.70).

Conclusions

RA subjects exhibit detectable impairments in oral immune responses to C. albicans, a strongly Th17-dependent opportunistic pathogen, despite an overall elevated baseline production of IL-17A.

Th17 memory cells: live long and proliferate

The development of immune memory is a double-edged sword, helping to maintain health by preventing repeated infections but also driving chronic inflammation when dysregulated. Th17 cells are now well-known as major drivers of autoimmune disease but also play roles in protective immune responses against pathogens. This mini-review will focus on the recent evidence for long-lived, robust Th17 memory cell populations in mouse models and humans, and their functional roles in mediating host protection and chronic disease states.

Autoimmune memory T helper 17 cell function and expansion are dependent on interleukin-23

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is essential for the differentiation of pathogenic effector T helper 17 (Th17) cells, but its role in memory Th17 cell responses is unclear. Using the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, we report that memory Th17 cells rapidly expanded in response to rechallenge and migrated to the CNS in high numbers, resulting in earlier onset and increased severity of clinical disease. Memory Th17 cells were generated from IL-17+ and RORγt+ precursors, and the stability of the Th17 cell phenotype depended on the amount of time allowed for the primary response. IL-23 was required for this enhanced recall response. IL-23 receptor blockade did not directly impact IL-17 production, but did impair the subsequent proliferation and generation of effectors coexpressing the Th1 cell-specific transcription factor T-bet. In addition, many genes required for cell-cycle progression were downregulated in Th17 cells that lacked IL-23 signaling, showing that a major mechanism for IL-23 in primary and memory Th17 cell responses operates via regulation of proliferation-associated pathways.