Apremilast interferes with the TGFß1-induced transition of human skin fibroblasts into profibrotic myofibroblasts: in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: Fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and extracellular matrix overproduction represent progressive events in chronic inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, in which TGFß1 is one of the key mediators. Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) acts as a proinflammatory enzyme through the degradation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and it is overexpressed in skin fibroblasts. The study investigated how apremilast (a PDE4 inhibitor) interferes with the intracellular signalling pathways responsible for the TGFß1-induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and profibrotic extracellular matrix protein synthesis. METHODS: Cultured human skin fibroblasts were stimulated with TGFß1 (10 ng/ml) alone or combined with apremilast (1 and 10 µM) for 4, 16 and 24 h. Other aliquots of the same cells were previously stimulated with TGFß1 and then treated with apremilast (1 and 10 µM) for 4, 16 and 24 h, always under stimulation with TGFß1. Gene and protein expression of αSMA, type I collagen (COL1) and fibronectin were evaluated, together with the activation of small mothers against decapentaplegic 2 and 3 (Smad2/3) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk1/2) proteins. RESULTS: Apremilast reduced the TGFß1-induced increase in αSMA, COL1 and fibronectin gene expression at 4 and 16 h, and protein synthesis at 24 h of treatment in cultured fibroblasts, even for cells already differentiated into myofibroblasts by way of a previous stimulation with TGFß1. Apremilast inhibited the TGFß1-induced Smad2/3 and Erk1/2 phosphorylation at 15 and 30 min. CONCLUSION: Apremilast seems to inhibit in vitro the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and the profibrotic activity induced by TGFß1 in cultured human skin fibroblasts by downregulating Smad2/3 and Erk1/2 intracellular signalling pathways.

Correlation between circulating fibrocytes and dermal thickness in limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis patients: a pilot study.

The objective is to detect any possible correlation between the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and dermal thickness (DT) measured by skin high-frequency ultrasound (US) and the percentage of circulating fibrocytes in patients with limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc). Eight lcSSc patients and five healthy subjects (control group, CNT) were enrolled. The skin involvement was evaluated by mRSS and US (18 and 22 MHz probes) in all 13 subjects in the 17 standard skin areas evaluated by mRss. Circulating fibrocytes were isolated from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of all lcSSc patients and the CNT group to analyze their percentage at baseline time (T0) when the experiments started with PBMCs' isolation and collection and after 8 days of culture (T8). Non-parametric tests were used for the statistical analysis. A positive correlation between the percentage of circulating fibrocytes at T0, mRSS (p = 0.04 r = 0.96), and DT-US, evaluated by the 22 MHz and the 18 MHz probes (p = 0.03, r = 0.66 and p = 0.05, r = 0.52, respectively), was observed in lcSSc patients. Conversely, at T8, there was no correlation (p > 0.05) between these parameters in lcSSc group. In the CNT group, no correlations between mRSS or DT-US and the percentage of circulating fibrocytes were observed both at T0 and T8. The study shows the presence of a significant relationship between the percentage of circulating fibrocytes and DT, as evidenced by both mRSS and US, in limited cutaneus SSc. This observation may well suggest the reasonable hypothesis of a crucial contribution of circulating fibrocytes to skin fibrosis progression, which might be considered as further biomarkers.

White matter microstructure alterations correlate with terminally differentiated CD8+ effector T cell depletion in the peripheral blood in mania: Combined DTI and immunological investigation in the different phases of bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: White matter (WM) microstructural abnormalities and, independently, signs of immunological activation were consistently demonstrated in bipolar disorder (BD). However, the relationship between WM and immunological alterations as well as their occurrence in the various phases of BD remain unclear. METHOD: In 60 type I BD patients - 20 in manic, 20 in depressive, 20 in euthymic phases - and 20 controls we investigated: (i) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-derived fractional anisotropy (FA), radial diffusivity (RD) and axial diffusivity (AD) using a tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) approach; (ii) circulating T cell subpopulations frequencies, as well as plasma levels of different cytokines; (iii) potential relationships between WM and immunological data. RESULTS: We found: (i) a significant widespread combined FA-RD alteration mainly in mania, with involvement of the body of corpus callosum (BCC) and superior corona radiata (SCR); (ii) significant increase in CD4+ T cells as well as significant decrease in CD8+ T cells and their subpopulations effector memory (CD8+ CD28-CD45RA-), terminal effector memory (CD8+ CD28-CD45RA+) and CD8+ IFNγ+ in mania; (iii) a significant relationship between WM and immunological alterations in the whole cohort, and a significant correlation of FA-RD abnormalities in the BCC and SCR with reduced frequencies of CD8+ terminal effector memory and CD8+ IFNγ+ T cells in mania only. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show a combined occurrence of WM and immunological alterations in mania. WM abnormalities highly correlated with reduction in circulating CD8+ T cell subpopulations that are terminally differentiated effector cells prone to tissue migration, suggesting that these T cells could play a role in WM alteration in BD.

T-cell immunophenotype correlations with cortical thickness and white matter microstructure in bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation and immunological alterations, such as T-cell and cytokine changes, are implicated in bipolar disorder (BD), with some evidence linking them to brain structural changes (e.g., cortical thickness (CT), gray matter (GM) volume and white matter (WM) microstructure). However, the connection between specific peripheral cell types, such as T-cells, and neuroimaging in BD remains scarcely investigated. AIMS OF THE STUDY: This study aims to explore the link between T-cell immunophenotype and neuroradiological findings in BD. METHODS: Our study investigated 43 type I BD subjects (22 depressive, 21 manic) and 26 healthy controls (HC), analyzing T lymphocyte immunophenotype and employing neuroimaging to assess CT for GM and fractional anisotropy (FA) for WM. RESULTS: In lymphocyte populations, BD patients exhibited elevated CD4+ and CD4+ central memory (TCM) cells frequencies, but lower CD8+ effector memory (TEM) and terminal effector memory (TTEM) cells. Neuroimaging analysis revealed reduced CT in multiple brain regions in BD patients; and significant negative correlations between CD4 + TCM levels and CT of precuneus and fusiform gyrus. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) analysis showed widespread alteration in WM microstructure in BD patients, with negative and positive correlations respectively between FA and radial diffusivity (RD) and CD4 + TCM. Additionally, positive and negative correlations were found respectively between FA and RD and the CD8 + TEM and CD8 + TTEM subsets. CONCLUSIONS: Our research revealed distinct T lymphocyte changes and brain structure alterations in BD, underscoring possible immune-brain interactions, warranting further study and therapeutic exploration.

CD39 is highly involved in mediating the suppression activity of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T regulatory lymphocytes.

CD39 is an ectoenzyme, present on different immune cell subsets, which mediates immunosuppressive functions catalyzing ATP degradation. It is not known whether CD39 is expressed and implicated in the activity of CD8+ regulatory T lymphocytes (Treg). In this study, CD39 expression and function was analyzed in both CD8+ and CD4+CD25(hi) Treg from the peripheral blood of healthy donors as well as from tumor specimens. CD39 was found expressed by both CD8+ (from the majority of healthy donors and tumor patients) and CD4+CD25(hi) Treg, and CD39 expression correlated with suppression activity mediated by CD8+ Treg. Importantly, CD39 counteraction remarkably inhibited the suppression activity of CD8+ Treg (both from peripheral blood and tumor microenvironment) suggesting that CD39-mediated inhibition constitutes a prevalent hallmark of their function. Collectively, these findings, unveiling a new mechanism of action for CD8+ Treg, provide new knowledge on intratumoral molecular pathways related to tumor immune escape, which could be exploited in the future for designing new biological tools for anticancer immune intervention.

Comparative analysis of cancer vaccine settings for the selection of an effective protocol in mice.

BACKGROUND: Cancer vaccines are considered a promising therapeutic approach. However, their clinical results are not yet satisfactory. This may be due to the the difficulty of selection of an efficient tumor associated antigen (TAA) and immunization protocol. Indeed, the weak antigenicity of many TAA impairs the design of robust procedures, therefore a systematic analysis to identify the most efficient TAA is mandatory. Here, we performed a study to compare different gp100 vaccination strategies to identify the best strategy to provide a 100% protection against experimental melanoma in a reproducible manner. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were challenged subcutaneously with B16F10 melanoma cells, after vaccination with: a) mouse or human gp10025-33 peptide plus CpG adjuvant; b) mouse or human gp100 gene; c) mouse or human gp10025-33 peptide-pulsed dendritic cells (DC). Alternatively, a neutralizing anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibody (mAb) was subcutaneously administered at the site of tumor challenge to counteract regulatory cells. Finally, combinatorial treatment was performed associating human gp10025-33 peptide-pulsed DC vaccination with administration of the anti-IL-10 mAb. RESULTS: Vaccination with human gp10025-33 peptide-pulsed DC was the most effective immunization protocol, although not achieving a full protection. Administration of the anti-IL-10 mAb showed also a remarkable protective effect, replicated in mice challenged with a different tumor, Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. When immunization with gp10025-33 peptide-pulsed DC was associated with IL-10 counteraction, a 100% protective effect was consistently achieved. The analysis on the T-cell tumor infiltrates showed an increase of CD4+granzyme+ T-cells and a decreased number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg elements from mice treated with either gp10025-33 peptide-pulsed DC vaccination or anti-IL-10 mAb administration. These data suggest that processes of intratumoral re-balance between effector and regulatory T cell subpopulations may play a critical protective role in immunotherapy protocols. CONCLUSIONS: Here we demonstrate that, in the setting of a cancer vaccine strategy, a comparative analysis of different personalized approaches may favour the unveiling of the most effective protocol. Moreover, our findings suggest that counteraction of IL-10 activity may be critical to revert the intratumoral environment promoting Treg polarization, thus increasing the effects of a vaccination against selected TAA.

The Pleiotropic Effects of Gut Microbiota in Colorectal Cancer Progression: How to Turn Foes into Friends.

Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is one of most frequent malignant cancers, showing high lethality worldwide [...].

The Stockholm Syndrome of Cancer: Fibroblasts as a Powerful Shield against Colorectal Cancer Therapy.

Fibroblasts are incredible cells [...].

Targeting of colorectal cancer organoids with zoledronic acid conjugated to the anti-EGFR antibody cetuximab.

BACKGROUND: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) are essential therapeutic options to treat solid and hematological cancers. The anti-epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGFR) antibody cetuximab (Cet) is used for the therapy of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Anti-CRC Vδ2 cytolytic T lymphocytes can be elicited by the priming of tumor cells with the aminobisphosphonate zoledronic acid (ZA) and consequent presentation of isopentenyl pyrophosphates through butyrophilin (BTN) family members such as BTN3A1 and BTN2A1. A major drawback that impairs the targeting of ZA to CRC is the bone tropism of aminobisphosphonates. METHODS: The phosphoric group of ZA was linked to free amino groups of Cet in the presence of imidazole following the labeling of phosphoric groups of DNA to amino groups of proteins. The generation of Cet-ZA ADC was confirmed by matrix assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis. Thirteen CRC organoids were obtained with a chemically defined serum-free medium in Geltrex domes. Proliferation and activation of cytolytic activity against CRC organoids by Vδ2 T cells was detected with flow cytometry, crystal violet and cytotoxic probe assays and image analysis. Immunohistochemistry and quantification of BTN3A1 or BTN2A1 expression and the number of tumor infiltrating Vδ2 T cells in CRC were performed by automatic immunostaining, whole slide scanning and computerized analysis of digital pathology imaging. RESULTS: The novel ADC Cet-ZA was generated with a drug antibody ratio of 4.3 and displayed a reactivity similar to the unconjugated antibody. More importantly, patient-derived CRC organoids, or CRC tumor cell suspensions, could trigger the expansion of Vδ2 T cells from peripheral blood and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes when primed with Cet-ZA. Furthermore, Cet-ZA triggered Vδ2 T cell-mediated killing of CRC organoids. The expression of BTN3A1 and BTN2A1 was detected not only in CRC organoids but also in CRC specimens, together with a considerable amount of tumor infiltrating Vδ2 T cells. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are proof of concept that the Cet-ZA ADC can be used to target specifically CRC organoids and may suggest a new experimental approach to deliver aminobisphosphonates to EGFR+ solid tumors.

Evidence of alterations of Beta-endorphin levels and Mu-opioid receptor gene expression in bipolar disorder.

Despite the well-recognized effects of endogenous opioids on mood and behavior, research on its role in bipolar disorder (BD) is still limited to small or anecdotal reports. Considering that Beta-endorphins (ß-END) and Mu-opioid receptors (MOR), in particular, have a crucial activity in affective modulation, we hypothesized their alteration in BD. A cross-sectional study was conducted. We compared: (1) BD type I (BD-I) patients (n = 50) vs healthy controls (n = 27), (2) two BD-I subject subgroups: manic (MAN; n = 25) vs depressed (DEP; n = 25) subjects. Plasma levels of ß-END and MOR gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed using ELISA Immunoassay qRT-PCR. We found that subjects with BD exhibited a significant upregulation of MOR gene expression and a decrease of ß-END (p<0.0001 for both). MAN display higher MOR levels than DEP (p<0.001) and HC (p<0.0001). Plasma levels of ß-END were lower in DEP compared to MAN (p<0.05) and HC (p<0.0001). The main limitations are the cross-sectional design and the lack of a group of euthymic subjects. Although preliminary, our results suggest a dysregulation of the endogenous opioid systems in BD. In particular, both MAN and DEP showed a reduction of ß-END levels, whereas MAN was associated with MOR gene overexpression.

Expression of type 1 cannabinoid receptor gene in bipolar disorder.

BACKGROUND: The Endocannabinoid System (ECBs) may have a crucial role in bipolar disorder (BD). Previous reports have not detected abnormalities in the expression of the cannabinoid receptor gene CNR1, encoding for CB1. However, we hypothesized that differentiating between mania and depression may uncover differences in CNR1 expression levels. METHODS: We recruited 44 subjects with BD type I (BD-I), in mania (n = 22) and depression (n = 22) and 25 Healthy Controls (HC). CNR1 gene expression was analyzed using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Data were analyzed using frequentist non-parametric and Bayesian approaches (generalized location-scale model based on lognormal and gamma distributions). RESULTS: Using the frequentist non-parametric approach, the depression group had lower CNR1 expression compared to the mania group (p = 0.004). In addition, there was a negative correlation between CNR1 expression and Hamilton Depression Scale score (rho = -0.37; p = 0.007). Bayesian analyses further revealed that CNR1 expression in the mania group was higher and less variable than among HC (>95% probability), while CNR1 expression in the depression group was lower and more variable than among HC (100% probability). LIMITATIONS: Lack of participants with bipolar disorder in the euthymic phase, lack of toxicology screening and evaluation of CNR1 variants. CONCLUSION: CNR1 expression is higher and less variable in mania than in depression. It is highly probable that these differences also distinguish individuals in different illness phases from healthy controls. Future studies are needed to clarify the role of the endocannabinoid system in bipolar disorder.

CTLA4-Ig treatment induces M1-M2 shift in cultured monocyte-derived macrophages from healthy subjects and rheumatoid arthritis patients.

BACKGROUND: In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), macrophages play an important role in modulating the immunoinflammatory response through their polarisation into "classically" (M1) or "alternatively activated" (M2) phenotypes. In RA, CTLA4-Ig (abatacept) reduces the inflammatory activity of macrophages by interacting with the costimulatory molecule CD86. The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of CTLA4-Ig treatment to induce an M2 phenotype both in M1-polarised monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) obtained from healthy subjects (HS) and in cultured MDMs obtained from active RA patients. METHODS: Cultured MDMs were obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 7 active RA patients and from 10 HS after stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (5 ng/mL) for 24 h. HS-MDMs were then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/mL) for 4 h to induce M1-MDMs. M1-MDMs and RA-MDMs were treated with CTLA4-Ig (100 µM and 500 µM) for 3, 12, 24, and 48 h. The gene expression of CD80, CD86, and TLR4 (M1 markers); CD163, CD204, and CD206 (surface M2 markers); and MerTK (functional M2 marker) was evaluated by qRT-PCR. The protein synthesis of surface M2 markers was investigated by Western blotting. The statistical analysis was performed by the Wilcoxon t-test. RESULTS: In LPS-induced HS-M1-MDMs, CTLA4-Ig 100 µM and 500 µM significantly downregulated the gene expression of M1 markers (3 h p<0.01 for all molecules; 12 h p<0.05 for TLR4 and CD86) and significantly upregulated that of M2 markers, primarily after 12 h of treatment (CD163: p < 0.01 and p < 0.05; CD206: p < 0.05 and p < 0.01; CD204: p < 0.05 by 100 mg/mL). Moreover, in these cells, CTLA4-Ig 500 µM increased the protein synthesis of surface M2 markers (p < 0.05). Similarly, in RA-MDMs, the CTLA4-Ig treatment significantly downregulated the gene expression of M1 markers at both concentrations primarily after 12 h (p < 0.05). Furthermore, both concentrations of CTLA4-Ig significantly upregulated the gene expression of CD206 (after 3 h of treatment; p < 0.05), CD163, and MerTK (after 12 h of treatment, p < 0.05), whereas CD204 gene expression was significantly upregulated by the high concentration of CTLA4-Ig (p < 0.05). The protein synthesis of all surface markers was increased primarily by CTLA4-Ig 500 µM, significantly for CD204 and CD206 after 24 h of treatment (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CTLA4-Ig treatment seems to induce the in vitro shift from M1 to M2 macrophages, of both HS-M1-MDMs and RA-MDMs, as observed by the significant downregulation exerted on selected M1 markers and the upregulation of selected M2 markers suggesting an additional mechanism for its modulation of the RA inflammatory process.

Nintedanib downregulates the transition of cultured systemic sclerosis fibrocytes into myofibroblasts and their pro-fibrotic activity.

BACKGROUND: Circulating fibrocytes are an important source of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, which are involved in fibrotic processes, including systemic sclerosis (SSc). The study aimed to investigate the effect of nintedanib (a tyrosine kinase inhibitor) in inhibiting the in vitro transition of circulating SSc fibrocytes into myofibroblasts and their pro-fibrotic activity. METHODS: Circulating fibrocytes were obtained from 18 SSc patients and 5 healthy subjects (HSs). Cultured SSc fibrocytes were maintained in growth medium (untreated cells) or treated with nintedanib 0.1 and 1 µM for 3 and 24 h. Fibroblast-specific protein-1 (S100A4) and α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), as markers of fibroblast/myofibroblast phenotype, together with type I collagen (COL1) and fibronectin (FN), were investigated by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Non-parametric tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Significantly elevated gene and protein expressions of αSMA, S100A4, COL1, and FN were observed in SSc fibrocytes compared to HS fibrocytes (gene: αSMA p < 0.001; others p < 0.0001; protein: all p < 0.05). Interestingly, an increased gene and protein expression of αSMA and S100A4 was found in fibrocytes from SSc patients positive for anti-Scl70 and with interstitial lung disease (ILD) (Scl70+ILD+) compared to Scl70-ILD- patients (S100A4: gene: p < 0.01; protein: p < 0.05), whereas no differences were observed for COL1 and FN. Nintedanib reduced gene and protein expression of αSMA, S100A4, COL1, and FN in SSc fibrocytes compared to untreated ones with different statistical significance. Noteworthy, nintedanib significantly downregulated gene and protein expression of αSMA, S100A4, COL1, and FN in Scl70+ILD+ fibrocytes (all p < 0.05), whereas only that of S100A4 and FN was significantly downregulated (p < 0.05) in Scl70-ILD- fibrocytes compared to the related untreated cells. CONCLUSIONS: Nintedanib seems to downregulate in vitro the transition of fibrocytes into myofibroblasts and their pro-fibrotic activity, particularly in cells isolated from Scl70+ILD+ SSc patients.

Opioidergic System and Functional Architecture of Intrinsic Brain Activity: Implications for Psychiatric Disorders.

The opioidergic system and intrinsic brain activity, as organized in large-scale networks such as the salience network (SN), sensorimotor network (SMN), and default-mode network (DMN), play core roles in healthy behavior and psychiatric disorders. This work aimed to investigate how opioidergic signaling affects intrinsic brain activity in healthy individuals by reviewing relevant neuroanatomical, molecular, functional, and pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging studies in order to clarify their physiological links and changes in psychiatric disorders. The SN shows dense opioidergic innervations of subcortical structures and high expression levels of opioid receptors in subcortical-cortical areas, with enhanced or reduced activity with low or very high doses of opioids, respectively. The SMN shows high levels of opioid receptors in subcortical areas and functional disconnection caused by opioids. The DMN shows low levels of opioid receptors in cortical areas and inhibited or enhanced activity with low or high doses of opioids, respectively. Finally, we proposed a working model. Opioidergic signaling enhances SN and suppresses SMN (and DMN) activity, resulting in affective excitation with psychomotor inhibition; stronger increases in opioidergic signaling attenuate the SN and SMN while disinhibiting the DMN, dissociating affective and psychomotor functions from the internal states; the opposite occurs with a deficit of opioidergic signaling.

Macrophage M1/M2 polarization and rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease; the clinical manifestations are correlated with continuum multiarticular synovitis, cartilage and bone damage, and defeat of joint function, that causes disability. Involvement of internal organs is also frequent. Between the inflammatory cells involved in RA, macrophages play a key role. These cells can polarize in different phenotype and mediate the immune/inflammatory reaction as well as the reparatory phase when possible. The properties of these cells are mediate by the body's environmental factors. In this systematic review, all English-speaking articles concerning the role of M1 (pro-inflammatory) or M2 (anti-inflammatory) macrophages in RA were systematically reviewed and categorized according to their polarized-function in RA, especially in the synovial tissue. Analyses of the endogenous molecules and the drugs that could modulate M1 and M2 activity in RA were achieved. METHODS: A sensitive search was developed in Pubmed, Web of Science, Ovid Med-Line, Embase Database and Science Direct Database (la both from Elsevier) to identify articles to increase the highlighting on the role of macrophages M1 and M2 in RA using the following terms: ((M1 AND M2) AND Rheumatoid Arthritis). All selected papers were read and discussed by two independent reviewers. The selection process was based on title, abstract and full text level. Relevant data were extracted and analyzed using a standardized template designed for this review. RESULTS: In total 39 resulting articles were selected and categorized according to description of M1/M2's role in RA. Data from humans, mice and rats were subcategorized, thus in every section were highlighted the contribute, in peripheral blood and synovial tissue, of both polarized macrophages; section for endogenous molecules and drugs that favor the switch from M1 to M2 macrophages were carried out. The most evinced relevant results, were that in RA blood and in the synovial tissue, there isn't a clear distinction phase with M1 or M2 macrophages (by membrane marker analysis); rather there is M1 and M2 subset disequilibrium and by deeply analyses of mRNA gene and cytokine produced, it emerged that a non-coherent expression inner marker match with membrane molecules, and also the tissue section can define the marker expressed. CONCLUSION: This systematic review emphasizes that the rigid classical subdivision of M1 and M2 macrophages, as well as the different samples' results comparison, might be questionable. In addition, it is suggested, when taking samples from RA patients, to carefully consider their therapies in order to analyze the M1 and M2 macrophages behavior without drug influence. In line with the advances in M1 and M2 knowledge, and the progression in the single-cell methodologies by identification of individual cell molecular markers, therapeutic approaches seem possible to favor the anti-inflammatory macrophage response in RA (e.g. M2 polarization).

Innovations in the Assessment of Primary and Secondary Raynaud's Phenomenon.

Objectives: Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is characterized by intense vasospasm of the digital arteries that causes characteristic color changes in fingers. There are two main types of RP: Primary RP (PRP) and Secondary RP (SRP). PRP is a benign condition. Whilst SRP is associated with several connective tissue diseases (CTD), in particular systemic sclerosis (SSc). The objectives of this report were: to present a short review on morphological (nailfold videocapillaroscopy, NVC) and functional techniques (laser tools and thermography) that allow for a correct diagnosis and treatment of RP and to investigate blood perfusion (BP) by laser speckle contrast analysis (LASCA) in different skin areas of hands and face in PRP, SRP to SSc, and healthy subjects (CNT). Methods: 31 PRP patients (LeRoy criteria), 70 SRP to SSc (ACR/EULAR criteria) and 68 CNT were enrolled. BP was assessed by LASCA at the level different areas of hands and face. NVC was performed to distinguish between PRP and SRP, and to detect the proper pattern of nailfold microangiopathy in SSc patients. Results: Both PRP and SRP showed a statistically significant lower BP than CNT at the level of fingertips (p < 0.0001), periungual (p < 0.0001), palmar aspect of 3rd finger (p < 0.0001), and palm areas (p < 0.0001). Moreover, BP was significantly lower in PRP than in SRP to SSc with the "Early" pattern of microangiopathy in the same areas as above (p < 0.04). Conclusion: By considering a small cohort of patients, BP of hands was found lower in PRP than in SSc patients with the "Early" NVC pattern of microangiopathy.

Phenotypic Alterations Involved in CD8+ Treg Impairment in Systemic Sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by tissue fibrosis, vasculopathy, and autoimmunity. Although the exact pathogenetic mechanisms behind SSc remain to be fully elucidated, a great deal of evidence suggests the existence of an unbalanced ratio between the effector and regulatory arms of the immune system. With regard to the T regulatory (Treg) compartment, we observed that CD8+ Treg subsets display functional defects in SSc-affected patients. Since CD127 down-modulation and CD39 upregulation have been observed on Treg subsets, the phenotypic expression of these molecules was analyzed on the CD8+CD28- Treg precursors and on CD8+ Treg cells generated in vitro through interleukin-10 commitment. Immunophenotypic data from SSc patients were compared to those obtained from healthy subjects. The analyses performed on ex vivo-isolated CD8+CD28- Treg precursors did not show any significant differences in CD39 or CD127 expression as compared to values obtained from healthy donors. On the contrary, in vitro-generated CD8+ Tregs obtained from SSc patients displayed reduced expression of the CD39 molecule as compared to controls. Moreover, the percentage of CD127+ cells was significantly higher in in vitro-generated CD8+ Tregs from SSc patients compared to CD8+ Tregs obtained from healthy donors. Taken together, these findings may indicate an impairment of maturation processes affecting CD8+ Treg cells in SSc patients. This impairment of maturation involves phenotypic alterations that are mainly characterized by a deficient CD39 upregulation and a lack of down-modulation of the CD127 molecule.

Residual tumor micro-foci and overwhelming regulatory T lymphocyte infiltration are the causes of bladder cancer recurrence.

Bladder cancer has an unexplained, high recurrence rate. Causes of recurrence might include the presence of sporadic tumor micro-foci in the residual urothelial tissue after surgery associated with an inverted ratio between intratumoral effector and regulatory T cell subsets. Hence, surgical specimens of both tumors and autologous, macroscopically/histologically free-of-tumor tissues were collected from 28 and 20 patients affected by bladder or renal cancer, respectively. The frequencies of effector (IFNγ+ and IL17+ T cells) and regulatory (CD4+CD25hiCD127lo and CD8+CD28-CD127loCD39+ Treg) T cell subpopulations among tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were analyzed by immunofluorescence, while the gene expression of MAGE-A1 and MAGE-A2 tumor-associated antigens was studied by RT-PCR. The results show that both the T cell infiltrate and the frequency of MAGE-A1/A2 gene expression were comparable in tumors and in autologous free-of-tumor tissues in bladder cancer, while the autologous free-of-tumor renal tissues showed reduced T cell infiltrate and frequency of MAGE gene expression as compared to the autologous tumors. Importantly, the intra-tumor T effector/Treg cell ratio was consistently <1 in bladder cancer patients (n. 7) who relapsed within two years, while it was always >1 in patients (n. 6) without recurrence (regardless of tumor stage) (P = 0.0006, Odds ratio = 195). These unprecedented findings clarify the pathogenic mechanism of bladder cancer recurrence and suggest that microscopically undetectable micro-foci of tumor may predispose to recurrence when associated with an inverted intratumoral T effector/Treg cell ratio.