CD4+CCR5+ T cells and CCL3+ mast cells are increased in the skin of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Background: The proximity of activated T cells and mast cells in the lesional skin of patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is held to contribute to the development of wheals and angioedema. In a previous study, we demonstrated that increased IL-17 expression in T cells and mast cells in skin lesions of patients with CSU is associated with T/mast cell proximity, but the mechanisms that drive T cell/mast cell co-localization remain unknown. Objectives: To assess if chemokines expressed in lesional CSU skin contribute to T cell/mast cell proximity. Patients and methods: Biopsies from lesional CSU skin were compared to biopsies from healthy skin for expression of CCR5 and its ligand CCL3 by CD4+ T cells and mast cells, respectively. Results: Numbers of CCR5-positive CD4+ T cells in lesional CSU skin were significantly increased as compared to healthy normal skin (p < 0.0001). The number of mast cells expressing CCL3 (ligand for CCR5) in CSU skin was also increased (p < 0.0002) and significant association with T-cell close proximity (p < 0.0001) is noticed. Conclusions: The close proximity of T cells and mast cells in the skin of severe CSU may be driven, at least in part by increased CCR5 and CCL3 expression. Therapies that target CCL3 interaction with CCR5 should be assessed for their effects in CSU.

Causal relationship between circulating levels of cytokines and bone mineral density: A mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have shown that various cytokines are important factors affecting bone mineral density (BMD), but the causality between the two remains uncertain. METHODS: Genetic variants associated with 41 circulating cytokines from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in 8,293 Finns were used as instrumental variables (IVs) for a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) was employed as the primary method to investigate whether the 41 cytokines were causally associated with BMD at five different sites [total body bone mineral density (TB-BMD), heel bone mineral density (HE-BMD), forearm bone mineral density (FA-BMD), femoral neck bone mineral density (FN-BMD), and lumbar spine bone mineral density (LS-BMD)]. Weighted median and MR-Egger were chosen to further confirm the robustness of the results. We performed MR pleiotropy residual sum and outlier test (MR-PRESSO), MR-Egger regression, and Cochran's Q test to detect pleiotropy and sensitivity testing. RESULTS: After Bonferroni correction, two circulating cytokines had a strong causality with BMD at corresponding sites. Genetically predicted circulating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) levels and HE-BMD were negatively correlated [ß (95 % CI) -0.035(-0.055, -0.016), P=0.00038]. Circulating macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) levels and TB-BMD were negatively correlated [ß(95 %CI): -0.058(-0.092, -0.024), P=0.00074]. Weighted median and MR-Egger results were in line with the IVW results. We also found suggestive causal relationship (IVW P<0.05) between seven circulating cytokines and BMD at corresponding sites. No significant pleiotropy or heterogeneity was observed in our study. CONCLUSION: Our MR analyses indicated a causal effect between two circulating cytokines and BMD at corresponding sites (HGF and HE-BMD, MIP-1α and TB-BMD), along with suggestive evidence of a potential causality between seven cytokines and BMD at the corresponding sites. These findings would provide insights into the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, especially immunoporosis.

Flagellin Restricts HIV-1 Infection of Macrophages through Modulation of Viral Entry Receptors and CC Chemokines.

Both bacteria product flagellin and macrophages are implicated in HIV-1 infection/disease progression. However, the impact of their interaction on HIV-1 infection and the associated mechanisms remain to be determined. We thus examined the effect of the flagellins on HIV-1 infection of primary human macrophages. We observed that the pretreatment of macrophages with the flagellins from the different bacteria significantly inhibited HIV-1 infection. The mechanistic investigation showed that the flagellin treatment of macrophages downregulated the major HIV-1 entry receptors (CD4 and CCR5) and upregulated the CC chemokines (MIP-1α, MIP-1ß and RANTES), the ligands of CCR5. These effects of the flagellin could be compromised by a toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) antagonist. Given the important role of flagellin as a vaccine adjuvant in TLR5 activation-mediated immune regulation and in HIV-1 infection of macrophages, future investigations are necessary to determine the in vivo impact of flagellin-TLR5 interaction on macrophage-mediated innate immunity against HIV-1 infection and the effectiveness of flagellin adjuvant-based vaccines studies.

CCL3 Promotes Cutaneous Wound Healing Through Recruiting Macrophages in Mice.

Wound healing is a complex process, which involves three stages: inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Inflammation is the first step; thus, immune factors play an important regulatory role in wound healing. In this study, we focused on a chemokine, C-C motif chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3), which is often upregulated for expression during wound healing. We compared cutaneous wound healing at the histological, morphological, and molecular levels in the presence and absence of CCL3. The results showed that the wound healing rate in the wild-type and CCL3-/- + CCL3 mice was faster than that of CCL3-/- mice (P < 0.01), and application of CCL3 to wounds increased the healing rate. In the process of wound healing, the degree of reepithelialization and the rate of collagen deposition in the wound of CCL3-/- mice were significantly lower than those of wild-type mice (P < 0.01). The number of macrophages and the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 in the wounds of wild-type mice were much higher than those of the CCL3-/- mice. Removal of macrophages and CCL3-/- mice share similar phenotypes. Therefore, we infer that the wound healing requires the participation of macrophages, and CCL3 may play an important regulatory role through recruiting macrophages to the wound sites.

SRGN promotes macrophage recruitment through CCL3 in osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease that affects synovial joints and leads to significant pain and disability, particularly in older adults. Infiltration of macrophages plays a key role in the progression of OA. However, the mechanisms underlying macrophage recruitment in OA are not fully understood. METHODS: The Serglycin (SRGN) expression pattern was analyzed, along with its association with macrophage infiltration in OA, using bioinformatic methods. SRGN expression in chondrocytes was altered by small interfering RNA (siRNA) and plasmids. Conditioned media (CM) was obtained from transfected chondrocytes to establish a co-culture model of chondrocytes and THP-1 derived macrophages. The impact of SRGN on macrophage recruitment was evaluated using a transwell assay. Furthermore, the regulatory effect of SRGN on CCL3 was validated through qPCR, WB, and ELISA experiments. RESULTS: In OA patients, the upregulation of SRGN positively correlated with K-L grade and macrophage infiltration. It was found that SRGN expression and secretion were up-regulated in OA and that it can promote macrophage migration in vitro. Further investigation showed that SRGN affects macrophage migration by regulating the expression of CCL3. CONCLUSION: SRGN in chondrocytes plays a role in promoting the recruitment of THP-1 derived macrophages in vitro by regulating production of CCL3.

Imbalance polarization of M1/M2 macrophages in miscarried uterus.

BACKGROUND: Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) is well known to manifest a miscarriage-inducing effector during early pregnancy and activate macrophage to induce M1 macrophage polarization. However, the role of macrophage polarization in LPS-related miscarriage-inducing effect is not apparent. METHODS: In this work, gene expression changes and the percentage of M1/M2 macrophages and monocytes in LPS-induced miscarried uterus were firstly analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and Flow Cytometry. To explore the origin that contributes to M1/M2 macrophage differentiation, the expression of monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP-1), CCL3, and CCL4, chemokines related to monocyte/macrophage migration, was tested by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: We found that percentage of M1 macrophages rose, while the percentage of M2 macrophages declined down in the injected mice uterus. Meanwhile, the percentage of M1 and M2 macrophages showed no significant difference in the spleens of LPS injected mice compared to PBS injected control mice. Expression of Mcp-1, Ccl3, and Ccl4 and numbers of monocytes were remarkably up-regulated in LPS-induced miscarried mice uterus. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that polarization and proportion changes of macrophage in the uterus may contribute to miscarriage. Our work provides new evidence correlating the aberrant regulation of M1/M2 macrophage polarization with deleterious miscarriage-inducing effects. This will help us understand the roles of critical immune cell differentiation in maintaining normal pregnancy.

The Role of CCL Chemokines in Experimental Staphylococcus aureus Endophthalmitis.

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and CCL3 impact retinal function decline and inflammation during Staphylococcus aureus endophthalmitis. Methods: Experimental endophthalmitis was initiated by intravitreal injection of 5000 colony-forming units of S. aureus into the eyes of C57BL/6J, CCL2-/-, or CCL3-/- mice. At 12 and 24 hours post-infection, retinal function, bacterial load, and myeloperoxidase levels were quantified. Results: During S. aureus endophthalmitis, we observed a significant improvement in retinal function in CCL2-/- mice relative to C57BL/6J mice at 12 hours but not at 24 hours. In CCL3-/- mice, retinal function was significantly improved relative to C57BL/6J mice at 12 and 24 hours. The absence of CCL2 did not alter intraocular S. aureus intraocular concentrations. However, CCL3-/- mice had significantly lower intraocular S. aureus at 12 hours but not at 24 hours. No difference in myeloperoxidase levels was observed between C57BL/6J and CCL2-/- mice at 12 hours. CCL3-/- mice had almost no myeloperoxidase at 12 hours. At 24 hours, increased myeloperoxidase was observed in CCL2-/- and CCL3-/- mice relative to C57BL/6J mice. Conclusions: Although the absence of CCL2 resulted in improved retinal function retention at 12 hours, CCL3 deficiency resulted in improved retinal function at 12 and 24 hours. CCL3 deficiency, but not CCL2 deficiency, resulted in almost no inflammation at 12 hours. However, at 24 hours, the absence of CCL2 or CCL3 resulted in significantly increased inflammation. These results suggest that, although both CCL2 and CCL3 impact intraocular infection outcomes, CCL3 may have a more significant impact in S. aureus endophthalmitis.

Exploring causal correlations between inflammatory cytokines and knee osteoarthritis: a two-sample Mendelian randomization.

Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and certain inflammatory cytokines (such as interleukin 1 [IL-1] and tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-a]) are related; however, the causal relationship remains unclear. Here, we aimed to assess the causal relationship between 41 inflammatory cytokines and KOA using Mendelian randomization (MR). Methods: Two-sample bidirectional MR was performed using genetic variation data for 41 inflammatory cytokines that were obtained from European Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) data (n=8293). KOA-related genetic association data were also obtained from European GWAS data (n=40,3124). Inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR, heterogeneity, sensitivity, and multiple validation analyses were performed. Results: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) or colony-stimulating factor 3 (CSF-3) levels were negatively associated with the risk of developing KOA (OR: 0.93, 95%CI:0.89-0.99, P=0.015). Additionally, macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1A/CCL3) was a consequence of KOA (OR: 0.72, 95%CI:0.54-0.97, P=0.032). No causal relationship was evident between other inflammatory cytokines and KOA development. Conclusion: This study suggests that certain inflammatory cytokines may be associated with KOA etiology. G-CSF exerts an upstream influence on KOA development, whereas MIP-1A (CCL-3) acts as a downstream factor.

KAT7 serves as an oncogenic gene and regulates CCL3 expression via STAT1 signaling in osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma, considered as the primary cause of malignant bone tumors in children, necessitates novel therapeutic strategies to enhance overall survival rates. KAT7, a histone acetyltransferase, exerts pivotal functions in gene transcription and immune modulation. In light of this, our study identified a significant upregulation of KAT7 in the mRNA and protein levels in human osteosarcoma, boosting cell proliferation in vivo and in vitro. In addition, KAT7-mediated H3K14ac activation induced MMP14 transcription, leading to increased expression and facilitation of osteosarcoma cell metastasis. Subsequent bioinformatics analyses highlighted a correlation between KAT7 and adaptive immune responses, indicating CCL3 as a downstream target of KAT7. Mechanistically, STAT1 was found to transcriptionally upregulate CCL3 expression. Furthermore, overexpression of KAT7 suppressed CCL3 secretions, whereas knockdown of KAT7 enhanced its release. Overall, these findings underscore the oncogenic role of KAT7 in regulating immune responses for osteosarcoma treatment.

Molecular cloning and functional analyses of C-C motif chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3) in mandarin fish Siniperca chuatsi.

Chemokines are critical molecules involved in immune reaction and immune system homeostasis, and some chemokines play a role in antiviral immunity. It is not known if the C-C motif chemokine ligand 3 (CCL3), a member of the CC chemokine family, possesses antiviral properties in fish. In this study, a ccl3 was cloned from the mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi), and it has an open reading frame (ORF) of 276 base pairs, which are predicted to encode a 91-amino acid peptide. Mandarin fish CCL3 revealed conserved sequence features with four cysteine residues and closely relationships with the CCL3s from other vertebrates based on the sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis. The transcripts of ccl3 were notably enriched in immune-related organs, such as spleen and gills in healthy mandarin fish, and the ccl3 was induced in the isolated mandarin fish brain (MFB) cells following infection with infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV). Moreover, in MFB cells, overexpression of CCL3 induced immune factors, such as IL1ß, TNFα, MX, IRF1 and IFNh, and exhibited antiviral activity against ISKNV. This study sheds light on the immune role of CCL3 in immune response of mandarin fish, and its antiviral defense mechanism is of interest for further investigation.

Helicobacter pylori disrupts gastric mucosal homeostasis by stimulating macrophages to secrete CCL3.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the predominant etiological agent of gastritis and disrupts the integrity of the gastric mucosal barrier through various pathogenic mechanisms. After H. pylori invades the gastric mucosa, it interacts with immune cells in the lamina propria. Macrophages are central players in the inflammatory response, and H. pylori stimulates them to secrete a variety of inflammatory factors, leading to the chronic damage of the gastric mucosa. Therefore, the study aims to explore the mechanism of gastric mucosal injury caused by inflammatory factors secreted by macrophages, which may provide a new mechanism for the development of H. pylori-related gastritis. METHODS: The expression and secretion of CCL3 from H. pylori infected macrophages were detected by RT-qPCR, Western blot and ELISA. The effect of H. pylori-infected macrophage culture medium and CCL3 on gastric epithelial cells tight junctions were analyzed by Western blot, immunofluorescence and transepithelial electrical resistance. EdU and apoptotic flow cytometry assays were used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis levels. Dual-luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to study CCL3 transcription factors. Finally, gastric mucosal tissue inflammation and CCL3 expression were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: After H. pylori infection, CCL3 expressed and secreted from macrophages were increased. H. pylori-infected macrophage culture medium and CCL3 disrupted gastric epithelial cells tight junctions, while CCL3 neutralizing antibody and receptor inhibitor of CCL3 improved the disruption of tight junctions between cells. In addition, H. pylori-infected macrophage culture medium and CCL3 recombinant proteins stimulated P38 phosphorylation, and P38 phosphorylation inhibitor improved the disruption of tight junctions between cells. Besides, it was identified that STAT1 was a transcription factor of CCL3 and H. pylori stimulated macrophage to secret CCL3 through the JAK1-STAT1 pathway. Finally, after mice were injected with murine CCL3 recombinant protein, the gastric mucosal injury and inflammation were aggravated, and the phosphorylation level of P38 was increased. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our findings demonstrate that H. pylori infection stimulates macrophages to secrete CCL3 via the JAK1-STAT1 pathway. Subsequently, CCL3 damages gastric epithelial tight junctions through the phosphorylation of P38. This may be a novel mechanism of gastric mucosal injury in H. pylori-associated gastritis.

Lumbar instability remodels cartilage endplate to induce intervertebral disc degeneration by recruiting osteoclasts via Hippo-CCL3 signaling.

Degenerated endplate appears with cheese-like morphology and sensory innervation, contributing to low back pain and subsequently inducing intervertebral disc degeneration in the aged population.1 However, the origin and development mechanism of the cheese-like morphology remain unclear. Here in this study, we report lumbar instability induced cartilage endplate remodeling is responsible for this pathological change. Transcriptome sequencing of the endplate chondrocytes under abnormal stress revealed that the Hippo signaling was key for this process. Activation of Hippo signaling or knockout of the key gene Yap1 in the cartilage endplate severed the cheese-like morphological change and disc degeneration after lumbar spine instability (LSI) surgery, while blocking the Hippo signaling reversed this process. Meanwhile, transcriptome sequencing data also showed osteoclast differentiation related gene set expression was up regulated in the endplate chondrocytes under abnormal mechanical stress, which was activated after the Hippo signaling. Among the discovered osteoclast differentiation gene set, CCL3 was found to be largely released from the chondrocytes under abnormal stress, which functioned to recruit and promote osteoclasts formation for cartilage endplate remodeling. Over-expression of Yap1 inhibited CCL3 transcription by blocking its promoter, which then reversed the endplate from remodeling to the cheese-like morphology. Finally, LSI-induced cartilage endplate remodeling was successfully rescued by local injection of an AAV5 wrapped Yap1 over-expression plasmid at the site. These findings suggest that the Hippo signaling induced osteoclast gene set activation in the cartilage endplate is a potential new target for the management of instability induced low back pain and lumbar degeneration.

Dual fluorescence reporter mice for Ccl3 transcription, translation, and intercellular communication.

Chemokines guide immune cells during their response against pathogens and tumors. Various techniques exist to determine chemokine production, but none to identify cells that directly sense chemokines in vivo. We have generated CCL3-EASER (ErAse, SEnd, Receive) mice that simultaneously report for Ccl3 transcription and translation, allow identifying Ccl3-sensing cells, and permit inducible deletion of Ccl3-producing cells. We infected these mice with murine cytomegalovirus (mCMV), where Ccl3 and NK cells are critical defense mediators. We found that NK cells transcribed Ccl3 already in homeostasis, but Ccl3 translation required type I interferon signaling in infected organs during early infection. NK cells were both the principal Ccl3 producers and sensors of Ccl3, indicating auto/paracrine communication that amplified NK cell response, and this was essential for the early defense against mCMV. CCL3-EASER mice represent the prototype of a new class of dual fluorescence reporter mice for analyzing cellular communication via chemokines, which may be applied also to other chemokines and disease models.

Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects of a Macrocyclic Peptide-Peptoid Hybrid in Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated BV2 Microglial Cells.

Inflammation processes of the central nervous system (CNS) play a vital role in the pathogenesis of several neurological and psychiatric disorders like depression. These processes are characterized by the activation of glia cells, such as microglia. Clinical studies showed a decrease in symptoms associated with the mentioned diseases after the treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs. Therefore, the investigation of novel anti-inflammatory drugs could hold substantial potential in the treatment of disorders with a neuroinflammatory background. In this in vitro study, we report the anti-inflammatory effects of a novel hexacyclic peptide-peptoid hybrid in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. The macrocyclic compound X15856 significantly suppressed Interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), c-c motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), CCL3, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CXCL2), and CXCL10 expression and release in LPS-treated BV2 microglial cells. The anti-inflammatory effects of the compound are partially explained by the modulation of the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), p42/44 MAPK (ERK 1/2), protein kinase C (PKC), and the nuclear factor (NF)-κB, respectively. Due to its remarkable anti-inflammatory properties, this compound emerges as an encouraging option for additional research and potential utilization in disorders influenced by inflammation, such as depression.

Stressing the Role of CCL3 in Reversing the Immunosuppressive Microenvironment in Gliomas.

Patients with gliomas often experience mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, that lead to worsening tumor progression and shortened survival. In this issue, Wang and colleagues report a novel mechanism underlying this, finding that chronic stress reduces secretion of the chemokine CCL3, which leads to an immunosuppressive glioma microenvironment. CCL3 administration enhances the infiltration of antitumor immune cells, providing rationale for a potential new therapeutic approach. See related article by Wang et al., p. 516 (4).

Kaempferia parviflora Extracellular Vesicle Loaded with Clarithromycin for the Treatment of Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Purpose: Kaempferia parviflora extracellular vesicles (KPEVs) have been reported as promising nanovesicles for drug delivery. This study aimed to load clarithromycin (CLA) into KPEVs (KPEVS-CLA) and determine the physical properties, drug-releasing efficiency, gastric cell uptake, anti-H. pylori activities, and anti-inflammatory responses in comparison with free CLA and KPEVs. Methods: The size and surface charge of KPEVs-CLA were evaluated using dynamic light scattering and visualized using a transmission electron microscope. The encapsulation efficiency (EE%), loading capacity (LC%), and drug release of KPEVs-CLA were examined using HPLC. Anti-H. pylori growth and anti-adhesion were evaluated. IL-8 gene expression, NF-κB signaling proteins, and anti-inflammatory profiles were examined using qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and Bio-Plex immunoassay, respectively. Anti-chemotaxis was then examined using a Transwell assay. Results: KPEVs-CLA were intact and showed a negative surface charge similar to that of KPEVs. However, slightly enlarged KPEVs were observed. CLA was successfully loaded into KPEVs with EE of 93.45% ± 2.43%, LC of 9.3% ± 3.02%. CLA release in the PBS and gastric mimic buffer with Fickian diffusion (n ≤ 0.43) according to Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model (R2=0.98). KPEVs-CLA was localized in the gastric cells' cytoplasm and perinuclear region. Anti-H. pylori growth and anti-H. pylori adhesion of KPEVs-CLA were compared with those of free CLA with no cytotoxicity to adenocarcinoma gastric cells. KPEVs-CLA significantly reduced IL-8, G-CSF, MIP-1α, and MIP-1ß levels. Moreover, KPEVs-CLA showed a superior effect over CLA in reducing G-CSF, MIP-1α, and NF-κB phosphorylation and monocyte chemotactic activities. Conclusion: KPEVs serve as potential carriers of CLA. They exhibited a higher efficiency in inhibiting gastric cell inflammation mediated by H. pylori infection than free CLA. The establishment of KPEVs-CLA as a nanodrug delivery model for H. pylori treatment could be applied to other plant extracellular vesicles or loaded with other cancer drugs for gastric cancer treatment.

[The functional differences of macrophages derived from murine bone marrow and peritoneal cavity].

Objective To compare the functional differences between bone marrow derived macrophages and peritoneal macrophages, which may provide the basis for the selection of macrophages in immunological research and immunoregulatory drug evaluation. Methods Marophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) was used to induce the differentiation of bone marrow monocytes into macrophages, and thioglycolate medium was used to induce peritonitis to obtain peritoneal macrophages. After both macrophages being stimulated by zymosan, LPS, R848 and CpG respectively, mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), interleukin 6(IL-6), macrophage inflammatory protein 1α(MIP-1α), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1) were measured by Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and the concentrations of secreted TNF-α, IL-6, MIP-1α and MCP-1 were detected by ELISA. In addition, the expression of costimulatory molecules CD80, CD86, CD40 and histocompatibility complex II (MHC II) on the cell surface was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results After inducing by different TLR ligands, mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were increased in both macrophages. The secretion of TNF-α, IL-6, MIP-1α and MCP-1 in peritoneal macrophages and the expression of CD86 and MHC II on the surface of peritoneal macrophages were significantly higher than those of bone marrow derived macrophages. Conclusion There are significant differences in the expression of inflammatory factors, chemokines, costimulatory molecules, and histocompatibility complex between bone marrow derived macrophages and peritoneal macrophages. Peritoneal macrophages have more complete macrophage function and is more suitable for immunological research and immunomodulatory drug evaluation.

Th2-predominant immune response underlies the pathogenesis of Dengue.

BACKGROUND: Dengue is a rapidly emerging pandemic-prone disease, whose manifestations range from asymptomatic infection to life-threatening complications like Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome. This study investigates and compares the immune response in clinically defined cohorts of Dengue with and without warning signs, with the aim of identifying immunological correlates of clinical disease and potential markers of disease severity. METHODS: Blood samples, collected from study participants fulfilling the WHO definition of Dengue with and without warning signs and healthy volunteers, were analyzed using flow cell-based fluorometric methods for cytokines and chemokines. Gene expression analysis, using RT-PCR, was conducted on T helper cell subset-specific transcription factors and cytokines. Demographic details, virological markers, serotype distribution, and hematological parameters were also investigated in all the subjects. RESULTS: The 35 participants recruited in the study, included 11 healthy volunteers and 12 patients each fulfilling the WHO criteria of Dengue with and without warning signs. While the demographic characteristics and serotype distribution was similar in Dengue with and without warning signs cohorts of the disease, platelet counts and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) levels changed significantly between Dengue with and without warning signs patients. Plasma cytokine analysis showed up-regulation of IL-4, IL-10, IP-10, and MCP-1 in Dengue patients compared to healthy volunteers. Disease severity was associated with elevated levels of IL-10, IP-10, IL-4, MCP-1, and MIP-1α. IL-8 and MIP-1α were significantly up-regulated in Dengue with warning sign compared to Dengue without warning signs cases. Transcription factor analysis indicated increased expression of RORα, FoxP3, and GATA3 in Dengue patients. mRNA expression of TGFß and IL-4 was also elevated in Dengue patients. A positive correlation between mRNA expression of IL-4 and plasma IL-4 was observed. CONCLUSION: The study reveals a Th2-predominant immune response in all Dengue patients, regardless of disease severity, with overexpression of IL-8 and MIP-1α being observed in patients with warning signs.

Chronic Stress Exacerbates the Immunosuppressive Microenvironment and Progression of Gliomas by Reducing Secretion of CCL3.

As understanding of cancer has deepened, increasing attention has been turned to the roles of psychological factors, especially chronic stress-induced depression, in the occurrence and development of tumors. However, whether and how depression affects the progression of gliomas are still unclear. In this study, we have revealed that chronic stress inhibited the recruitment of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and other immune cells, especially M1-type TAMs and CD8+ T cells, and decreased the level of proinflammatory cytokines in gliomas, leading to an immunosuppressive microenvironment and glioma progression. Mechanistically, by promoting the secretion of stress hormones, chronic stress inhibited the secretion of the chemokine CCL3 and the recruitment of M1-type TAMs in gliomas. Intratumoral administration of CCL3 reprogrammed the immune microenvironment of gliomas and abolished the progression of gliomas induced by chronic stress. Moreover, levels of CCL3 and M1-type TAMs were decreased in the tumor tissues of glioma patients with depression, and CCL3 administration enhanced the antitumor effect of anti-PD-1 therapy in orthotopic models of gliomas undergoing chronic stress. In conclusion, our study has revealed that chronic stress exacerbates the immunosuppressive microenvironment and progression of gliomas by reducing the secretion of CCL3. CCL3 alone or in combination with an anti-PD-1 may be an effective immunotherapy for the treatment of gliomas with depression. See related Spotlight by Cui and Kang, p. 514.

M1 cholinergic signaling in the brain modulates cytokine levels and splenic cell sub-phenotypes following cecal ligation and puncture.

BACKGROUND: The contribution of the central nervous system to sepsis pathobiology is incompletely understood. In previous studies, administration of endotoxin to mice decreased activity of the vagus anti-inflammatory reflex. Treatment with the centrally-acting M1 muscarinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor (M1AChR) attenuated this endotoxin-mediated change. We hypothesize that decreased M1AChR-mediated activity contributes to inflammation following cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), a mouse model of sepsis. METHODS: In male C57Bl/6 mice, we quantified basal forebrain cholinergic activity (immunostaining), hippocampal neuronal activity, serum cytokine/chemokine levels (ELISA) and splenic cell subtypes (flow cytometry) at baseline, following CLP and following CLP in mice also treated with the M1AChR agonist xanomeline. RESULTS: At 48 h. post-CLP, activity in basal forebrain cells expressing choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was half of that observed at baseline. Lower activity was also noted in the hippocampus, which contains projections from ChAT-expressing basal forebrain neurons. Serum levels of TNFα, IL-1ß, MIP-1α, IL-6, KC and G-CSF were higher post-CLP than at baseline. Post-CLP numbers of splenic macrophages and inflammatory monocytes, TNFα+ and ILß+ neutrophils and ILß+ monocytes were higher than baseline while numbers of central Dendritic Cells (cDCs), CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were lower. When, following CLP, mice were treated with xanomeline activity in basal forebrain ChAT-expressing neurons and in the hippocampus was significantly higher than in untreated animals. Post-CLP serum concentrations of TNFα, IL-1ß, and MIP-1α, but not of IL-6, KC and G-CSF, were significantly lower in xanomeline-treated mice than in untreated mice. Post-CLP numbers of splenic neutrophils, macrophages, inflammatory monocytes and TNFα+ neutrophils also were lower in xanomeline-treated mice than in untreated animals. Percentages of IL-1ß+ neutrophils, IL-1ß+ monocytes, cDCs, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells were similar in xanomeline-treated and untreated post-CLP mice. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that M1AChR-mediated responses modulate CLP-induced alterations in serum levels of some, but not all, cytokines/chemokines and affected splenic immune response phenotypes.