Sialyl Lewis X Defines an Activated and Functional Regulatory T Cell Subpopulation in Mice.

Attempts have been made to elucidate the functional markers of regulatory T cells (Tregs), CD4+Foxp3+ T cells with an immunosuppressive function. Sialyl Lewis X (sLex), a tetrasaccharide Ag, is involved in leukocyte trafficking as selectin ligands and is a marker of highly differentiated Tregs in humans. However, the importance of sLex in murine Tregs remains unknown. In this study, we report that sLex defines the activated and functional subset of murine Tregs. The contact hypersensitivity model showed that murine Tregs strongly express sLex upon activation, accompanied by functional Treg marker elevation, such as Foxp3, CD25, CD103, CD39, and granzyme B. RNA sequencing analysis revealed sLex-positive (sLex+) Tregs expressed genes involved in Treg function at a higher level than sLex-negative (sLex-) Tregs. Using an in vitro suppression assay, we found that sLex+ Tregs could more efficiently suppress naive CD4+ T cell proliferation than sLex- Tregs. In the murine contact hypersensitivity elicitation model, the topical sLex+ Treg injection into the ears suppressed ear inflammation more efficiently than that of sLex- Tregs. Our results indicate that sLex could serve as a unique surface marker of activated and functional Tregs with immunosuppressive functions in mice.

Prevention of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by targeting 6-sulfo sialyl Lewis X glycans involved in lymphocyte homing.

Lymphocyte homing to peripheral lymph nodes (PLN) is critical for immune surveillance. However, autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) can occur due to excessive immune responses in the PLN. Here we show that 6-sulfo sialyl Lewis X (6-sulfo sLex) glycans on high endothelial venules that function as ligands for l-selectin on lymphocytes play a critical role in the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS. In N-acetylglucosamine-6-O-sulfotransferase (GlcNAc6ST)-1 and GlcNAc6ST-2 double-knockout mice lacking the expression of 6-sulfo sLeX glycans, the EAE symptoms and the numbers of effector Th1 and Th17 cells in the draining lymph nodes (dLN) and spinal cords (SC) were significantly reduced. To determine whether 6-sulfo sLeX could serve as a target for MS, we also examined the effects of anti-glycan monoclonal antibody (mAb) SF1 against 6-sulfo sLeX in EAE. Administration of mAb SF1 significantly reduced EAE symptoms and the numbers of antigen-specific effector T cells in the dLN and SC in association with suppression of critical genes including Il17a and Il17f that are involved in the pathogenesis of EAE. Taken together, these results suggest that 6-sulfo sLeX glycan would serve as a novel target for MS.

Dual function of angiogenin-4 inducing intestinal stem cells and apoptosis.

The intestinal epithelium is the first line of host defense, and its homeostasis is dependent on soluble factors that comprise the crypt niche. Antimicrobial proteins are one of the mediators to maintain gut homeostasis. Angiogenin-4 (Ang4) is a member of the ribonuclease A superfamily and plays a pivotal role in antimicrobial activity against gut microbiota. However, the functions of Ang4 within the intestinal crypt niche, particularly its involvement in the development of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Ang4 plays a significant role in maintaining Lgr5+ intestinal stem cells (ISCs) and induces apoptosis of IECs in a concentration-dependent manner. We revealed that Ang4 is highly expressed by Paneth cells in the small intestine, as well as regenerating islet-derived family member-4 (Reg4) expressing goblet cells in the colon, and both cell subsets highly contribute to ISC maintenance. Functional analysis using intestinal organoids revealed that Ang4 induces Wnt and Notch signaling, increases Lgr5+ stem cell expansion, and promotes organoid growth. Furthermore, high concentrations of Ang4 induced apoptosis in the IEC cell line and organoids. Collectively, we propose that Ang4 is a dual functional protein and is a novel member of the crypt niche factor that promotes the expansion of ISCs and induces apoptosis.

Protocol for acquiring samples to assess the impact of microplastics on immune microenvironments in the mouse intestine.

Environmental nano- and microplastics (NMPs) pose serious environmental issues, yet there is no established technique to assess their impact on health through oral ingestion. Here, we present a protocol to assess the impact of NMPs in the intestinal immune microenvironments by employing chronic exposure to NMPs in a mouse model. We describe steps for administration of NMPs, feces and tissue collection, and colonic gut digestion. We then detail procedures for isolation of intestinal immune cells and RNA isolation. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Harusato et al.1.

N-acetylglucosamine-6-O sulfation on intestinal mucins prevents obesity and intestinal inflammation by regulating gut microbiota.

Intestinal mucins play an essential role in the defense against bacterial invasion and the maintenance of gut microbiota, which is instrumental in the regulation of host immune systems; hence, its dysregulation is a hallmark of metabolic disease and intestinal inflammation. However, the mechanism by which intestinal mucins control the gut microbiota as well as disease phenotypes remains nebulous. Herein, we report that N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)-6-O sulfation of O-glycans on intestinal mucins performs a protective role against obesity and intestinal inflammation. Chst4-/- mice, lacking GlcNAc-6-O sulfation of the mucin O-glycans, showed significant weight gain and increased susceptibility to dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis as well as colitis-associated cancer accompanied by significantly reduced immunoglobulin A (IgA) production caused by an impaired T follicular helper cell-mediated IgA response. Interestingly, the protective effects of GlcNAc-6-O sulfation against obesity and intestinal inflammation depend on the gut microbiota, evidenced by the modulation of the gut microbiota by cohousing or microbiota transplantation reversing disease phenotypes and IgA production. Collectively, our findings provide insight into the significance of host glycosylation, more specifically GlcNAc-6-O sulfation on intestinal mucins, in protecting against obesity and intestinal inflammation via regulation of the gut microbiota.

Impact of particulate microplastics generated from polyethylene terephthalate on gut pathology and immune microenvironments.

Environmental microplastics have emerged as a critical issue in maintaining the planetary ecosystem. In this study, we generated particulate microplastics from polyethylene terephthalate (PM-PET) and investigated their impact in the gut by using mouse models and implementing histological examinations, as well as multi-omics analysis for colonic immune cells and microbiota. As a result, histological approaches showed that chronic and physiological low dose exposure of PM-PET did not affect intestinal pathology and mucin barriers, respectively. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the numbers of T cells, B cells, macrophages, and granulocytes were not affected by the exposure to PM-PET. However, RNA-seq analysis revealed that PM-PET had a substantial impact on the transcriptome in gut immune cells and their metabolisms, while 16s rRNA metagenomic analysis showed that the composition of microbiota was modestly affected. These results suggest an unexpected role played by the PM-PET in affecting gut immune homeostasis without detectable inflammation.

Therapeutic Effects of an Anti-Sialyl Lewis x Antibody in a Murine Model of Acute Lung Injury.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is a life-threatening acute lung injury (ALI) characterized by the destruction of alveoli leading to pulmonary edema. The infiltration and activation of inflammatory cells and production of inflammatory cytokines are both involved in the pathogenesis of ALI. Here, we show that the infiltration of neutrophils, major inflammatory cells causing ALI, into the lung is mediated by sialyl Lewis x (sLex) glycans, which can be efficiently suppressed by a monoclonal antibody (mAb) against these glycans. In fucosyltransferase-IV and -VII double-deficient mice lacking sLex expression, neutrophil infiltration into the lung was significantly suppressed compared with that observed in wild-type mice in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI model. Administration of a highly specific anti-sLex mAb F2 3 hours after LPS administration significantly suppressed pulmonary neutrophil infiltration, accompanied by the reduced induction of inflammatory cytokines. It was consistently indicated from ex vivo cell rolling assay that mAb F2 blocked the rolling of mouse neutrophils on P-selectin-expressing cells. Overall, these results indicate that the sLex glycan could serve as a therapeutic target against ALI, and also that mAb F2 would be useful for specific targeting of this glycan.

Human and mouse angiogenins: Emerging insights and potential opportunities.

Angiogenin, a well-known angiogenic factor, is crucial to the angiogenesis in gastrointestinal tumors. Human angiogenin has only one gene, whereas the murine angiogenin family has extended to incorporate six genes. Evolutionary studies have suggested functional variations among murine angiogenin paralogs, even though the three-dimensional structures of angiogenin proteins are remarkably similar. In addition to angiogenesis, the ubiquitous pattern of angiogenin expression suggests a variety of functions, such as tumorigenesis, neuroprotective, antimicrobial activity, and innate immunity. Here, we comprehensively reviewed studies on the structures and functions of human and mouse angiogenins. Understanding the structure and function of angiogenins from a broader perspective could facilitate future research related to development of novel therapeutics on its biological processes, especially in gastrointestinal cancers.

Tumor-associated neutrophils and macrophages exacerbate antidrug IgG-mediated anaphylactic reaction against an immune checkpoint inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: With the increased use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), side effects and toxicity are a great concern. Anaphylaxis has been identified as a potential adverse event induced by ICIs. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening medical emergency. However, the mechanisms and factors that can potentially influence the incidence and severity of anaphylaxis in patients with cancer remain unclear. METHODS: Healthy, murine colon 26, CT26, breast 4T1, EMT6, and renal RENCA tumor-bearing mice were treated with an anti-PD-L1 antibody (clone 10F.9G2). Symptoms of anaphylaxis were evaluated along with body temperature and mortality. The amounts of antidrug antibody and platelet-activating factor (PAF) in the blood were quantified via ELISA and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Immune cells were analyzed and isolated using a flow cytometer and magnetic-activated cell sorting, respectively. RESULTS: Repeated administration of the anti-PD-L1 antibody 10F.9G2 to tumor-bearing mice caused fatal anaphylaxis, depending on the type of tumor model. After administration, antidrug immunoglobulin G (IgG), but not IgE antibodies, were produced, and PAF was released as a chemical mediator during anaphylaxis, indicating that anaphylaxis was caused by an IgG-dependent pathway. Anaphylaxis induced by 10F.9G2 was treated with a PAF receptor antagonist. We identified that neutrophils and macrophages were PAF-producing effector cells during anaphylaxis, and the tumor-bearing models with increased numbers of neutrophils and macrophages showed lethal anaphylaxis after treatment with 10F.9G2. Depletion of both neutrophils and macrophages using clodronate liposomes prevented anaphylaxis in tumor-bearing mice. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, increased numbers of neutrophils and macrophages associated with cancer progression may be risk factors for anaphylaxis. These findings may provide useful insights into the mechanism of anaphylaxis following the administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors in human subjects.

Identification of Crucial Amino Acid Residues for Antimicrobial Activity of Angiogenin 4 and Its Modulation of Gut Microbiota in Mice.

Angiogenin 4 bearing ribonuclease activity is an endogenous antimicrobial protein expressed in small and large intestine. However, the crucial amino acid residues responsible for the antibacterial activity of Ang4 and its impact on gut microbiota remain unknown. Here, we report the contribution of critical amino acid residues in the functional regions of Ang4 to its activity against Salmonella typhimurium LT2 and the effect of Ang4 on gut microbiota in mice. We found that Ang4 binds S. typhimurium LT2 through two consecutive basic amino acid residues, K58 and K59, in the cell-binding segment and disrupts the bacterial membrane integrity at the N-terminal α-helix containing residues K7 and K30, as evidenced by the specific mutations of cationic residues of Ang4. We also found that the RNase activity of Ang4 was not involved in its bactericidal activity, as shown by the H12 mutant, which lacks RNase activity. In vivo administration of Ang4 through the mouse rectum and subsequent bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing analyses demonstrated that administration of Ang4 not only increased beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Akkermansia, Dubosiella, Coriobacteriaceae UCG-002, and Adlercreutzia, but also decreased certain pathogenic bacteria, including Alistipes and Enterohabdus, indicating that Ang4 regulates the shape of gut microbiota composition. We conclude that Ang4 kills bacteria by disrupting bacterial membrane integrity through critical basic amino acid residues with different functionalities rather than overall electrostatic interactions and potentially maintains gut microflora in vivo under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

Disaccharide-tag for highly sensitive identification of O-GlcNAc-modified proteins in mammalian cells.

O-GlcNAcylation is the only sugar modification for proteins present in the cytoplasm and nucleus and is thought to be involved in the regulation of protein function and localization. Currently, several methods are known for detecting O-GlcNAcylated proteins using monoclonal antibodies or wheat germ agglutinin, but these methods have some limitations in their sensitivity and quantitative comparison. We developed a new disaccharide-tag method to overcome these problems. This is a method in which a soluble GalNAc transferase is expressed intracellularly, extended to a disaccharide of GalNAc-GlcNAc, and detected using a Wisteria japonica agglutinin specific to this disaccharide. We verified the method using human c-Rel protein and also highly sensitively compared the difference in O-GlcNAc modification of intracellular proteins associated with differentiation from embryonic stem cell (ESC) to epiblast-like cells (EpiLC). As one example of such a modification, a novel O-GlcNAc modification was found in the transcription factor Sox2 at residue Ser263, and the modification site could be identified by nano liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Establishment of a novel monoclonal antibody against truncated glycoforms of α-dystroglycan lacking matriglycans.

α-Dystroglycan (α-DG) is a glycoprotein specifically modified with O-mannosyl glycans bearing long polysaccharides, termed matriglycans, which comprise repeating units of glucuronic acid and xylose. The matriglycan is linked to the O-mannosyl glycan core through two ribitol phosphate units that can be replaced with glycerol phosphate (GroP) units synthesized by fukutin and fukutin-related protein that transfer GroP from CDP-Gro. Here, we found that forced expression of the bacterial CDP-Gro synthase, TagD, from Bacillus subtilis could result in the overproduction of CDP-Gro in human colon carcinoma HCT116 cells. Western blot and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analyses indicated that α-DG prepared from the TagD-expressing HCT116 cells contained abundant GroP and lacked matriglycans. Using the GroP-containing recombinant α-DG-Fc, we developed a novel monoclonal antibody, termed DG2, that reacts with several truncated glycoforms of α-DG, including GroP-terminated glycoforms lacking matriglycans; we verified the reactivity of DG2 against various types of knockout cells deficient in the biosynthesis of matriglycans. Accordingly, forced expression of TagD in HCT116 cells resulted in the reduction of matriglycans and an increase in DG2 reactivity. Collectively, our results indicate that DG2 could serve as a useful tool to determine tissue distribution and function of α-DG lacking matriglycans under physiological and pathophysiological conditions.

IL-36R signaling integrates innate and adaptive immune-mediated protection against enteropathogenic bacteria.

Enteropathogenic bacterial infections are a global health issue associated with high mortality, particularly in developing countries. Efficient host protection against enteropathogenic bacterial infection is characterized by coordinated responses between immune and nonimmune cells. In response to infection in mice, innate immune cells are activated to produce interleukin (IL)-23 and IL-22, which promote antimicrobial peptide (AMP) production and bacterial clearance. IL-36 cytokines are proinflammatory IL-1 superfamily members, yet their role in enteropathogenic bacterial infection remains poorly defined. Using the enteric mouse pathogen, C.rodentium, we demonstrate that signaling via IL-36 receptor (IL-36R) orchestrates a crucial innate-adaptive immune link to control bacterial infection. IL-36R-deficient mice (Il1rl2-/- ) exhibited significant impairment in expression of IL-22 and AMPs, increased intestinal damage, and failed to contain C. rodentium compared to controls. These defects were associated with failure to induce IL-23 and IL-6, two key IL-22 inducers in the early and late phases of infection, respectively. Treatment of Il1rl2-/- mice with IL-23 during the early phase of C. rodentium infection rescued IL-22 production from group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), whereas IL-6 administration during the late phase rescued IL-22-mediated production from CD4+ T cell, and both treatments protected Il1rl2-/- mice from uncontained infection. Furthermore, IL-36R-mediated IL-22 production by CD4+ T cells was dependent upon NFκB-p65 and IL-6 expression in dendritic cells (DCs), as well as aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression by CD4+ T cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate that the IL-36 signaling pathway integrates innate and adaptive immunity leading to host defense against enteropathogenic bacterial infection.

Erythroid differentiation regulator-1 induced by microbiota in early life drives intestinal stem cell proliferation and regeneration.

Gut microbiota and their metabolites are instrumental in regulating intestinal homeostasis. However, early-life microbiota associated influences on intestinal development remain incompletely understood. Here we demonstrate that co-housing of germ-free (GF) mice with specific-pathogen free (SPF) mice at weaning (exGF) results in altered intestinal gene expression. Our results reveal that one highly differentially expressed gene, erythroid differentiation regulator-1 (Erdr1), is induced during development in SPF but not GF or exGF mice and localizes to Lgr5+ stem cells and transit amplifying (TA) cells. Erdr1 functions to induce Wnt signaling in epithelial cells, increase Lgr5+ stem cell expansion, and promote intestinal organoid growth. Additionally, Erdr1 accelerates scratch-wound closure in vitro, increases Lgr5+ intestinal stem cell regeneration following radiation-induced injury in vivo, and enhances recovery from dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colonic damage. Collectively, our findings indicate that early-life microbiota controls Erdr1-mediated intestinal epithelial proliferation and regeneration in response to mucosal damage.

Combined IL-2 Immunocomplex and Anti-IL-5 mAb Treatment Expands Foxp3+ Treg Cells in the Absence of Eosinophilia and Ameliorates Experimental Colitis.

Interleukin (IL)-2 is expressed during T cell activation and induces the proliferation and differentiation of T cells. CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) constitutively express the high affinity IL-2 receptor (CD25/IL-2Rα) and rapidly respond to IL-2 to elaborate numerous suppressive mechanisms that limit immune-mediated pathologies. Accumulating evidence supports the concept that an aberrant balance between Tregs and Teff contribute to the pathology of intestinal inflammation and that the IL-2/Treg axis is a potential pathway to exploit for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Here, we show that treatment of mice with IL-2/IL-2 antibody (JES6-1) immunocomplex during DSS-induced colitis induced Foxp3+ Treg expansion, but also potently stimulated GATA3+ type 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) proliferation and high-level expression of IL-5. Furthermore, IL-2/JES6-1 treatment resulted in massive eosinophil accumulation and activation in the inflamed colon, and afforded only modest protection from colitis. In light of these findings, we observed that combined IL-2/JES6-1 and anti-IL-5 mAb treatment was most effective at ameliorating DSS-induced colitis compared to either treatment alone and that this regimen allowed for Foxp3+ Treg expansion without concomitant eosinophilia. Collectively, our findings provide insight into how blockade of IL-5 may aid in optimizing IL-2 immunotherapy for the treatment of intestinal inflammation.

Early-Life Microbiota Exposure Restricts Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cell-Driven Colonic Tumorigenesis.

Gut microbiota and their metabolites are instrumental in regulating homeostasis at intestinal and extraintestinal sites. However, the complex effects of prenatal and early postnatal microbial exposure on adult health and disease outcomes remain incompletely understood. Here, we showed that mice raised under germ-free conditions until weaning and then transferred to specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions harbored altered microbiota composition, augmented inflammatory cytokine and chemokine expression, and were hyper-susceptible to colitis-associated tumorigenesis later in adulthood. Increased number and size of colon tumors and intestinal epithelial cell proliferation in recolonized germ-free mice were associated with augmented intratumoral CXCL1, CXCL2, and CXCL5 expression and granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell (G-MDSC) accumulation. Consistent with these findings, CXCR2 neutralization in recolonized germ-free mice completely reversed the exacerbated susceptibility to colitis-associated tumorigenesis. Collectively, our findings highlight a crucial role for early-life microbial exposure in establishing intestinal homeostasis that restrains colon cancer in adulthood.

A cytokine network involving IL-36γ, IL-23, and IL-22 promotes antimicrobial defense and recovery from intestinal barrier damage.

The gut epithelium acts to separate host immune cells from unrestricted interactions with the microbiota and other environmental stimuli. In response to epithelial damage or dysfunction, immune cells are activated to produce interleukin (IL)-22, which is involved in repair and protection of barrier surfaces. However, the specific pathways leading to IL-22 and associated antimicrobial peptide (AMP) production in response to intestinal tissue damage remain incompletely understood. Here, we define a critical IL-36/IL-23/IL-22 cytokine network that is instrumental for AMP production and host defense. Using a murine model of intestinal damage and repair, we show that IL-36γ is a potent inducer of IL-23 both in vitro and in vivo. IL-36γ-induced IL-23 required Notch2-dependent (CD11b+CD103+) dendritic cells (DCs), but not Batf3-dependent (CD11b-CD103+) DCs or CSF1R-dependent macrophages. The intracellular signaling cascade linking IL-36 receptor (IL-36R) to IL-23 production by DCs involved MyD88 and the NF-κB subunits c-Rel and p50. Consistent with in vitro observations, IL-36R- and IL-36γ-deficient mice exhibited dramatically reduced IL-23, IL-22, and AMP levels, and consequently failed to recover from acute intestinal damage. Interestingly, impaired recovery of mice deficient in IL-36R or IL-36γ could be rescued by treatment with exogenous IL-23. This recovery was accompanied by a restoration of IL-22 and AMP expression in the colon. Collectively, these data define a cytokine network involving IL-36γ, IL-23, and IL-22 that is activated in response to intestinal barrier damage and involved in providing critical host defense.

Mutated Leguminous Lectin Containing a Heparin-Binding like Motif in a Carbohydrate-Binding Loop Specifically Binds to Heparin.

We previously introduced random mutations in the sugar-binding loops of a leguminous lectin and screened the resulting mutated lectins for novel specificities using cell surface display. Screening of a mutated peanut agglutinin (PNA), revealed a mutated PNA with a distinct preference for heparin. Glycan microarray analyses using the mutated lectin fused to the Fc region of human immunoglobulin, revealed that a particular sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG), heparin, had the highest binding affinity for mutated PNA among 97 glycans tested, although wild-type PNA showed affinity towards Galß1-3GalNAc and similar galactosylated glycans. Further analyses of binding specificity using an enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay demonstrated that the mutated PNA specifically binds to heparin, and weakly to de-2-O-sulfated heparin, but not to other GAG chains including de-6-O-sulfated and de-N-sulfated heparins. The mutated PNA had six amino acid substitutions within the eight amino acid-long sugar-binding loop. In this loop, the heparin-binding like motif comprised three arginine residues at positions 124, 128, and 129, and a histidine at position 125 was present. Substitution of each arginine or histidine residue to alanine reduced heparin-binding ability, indicating that all of these basic amino acid residues contributed to heparin binding. Inhibition assay demonstrated that heparin and dextran sulfate strongly inhibited mutated PNA binding to heparin in dose-dependent manner. The mutated PNA could distinguish between CHO cells and proteoglycan-deficient mutant cells. This is the first report establishing a novel leguminous lectin that preferentially binds to highly sulfated heparin and may provide novel GAG-binding probes to distinguish between heterogeneous GAG repeating units.