Differences in Male-Killing Rickettsia Bacteria between Lineages of the Invasive Gall-Causing Pest Leptocybe invasa.

(1) Background: Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) is a global invasive pest that seriously damages eucalyptus plants and has caused serious harm to forestry production in many countries. Two genotypically distinct lineages of L. invasa have been detected outside of Australia, namely, lineage A and lineage B. However, the composition and abundance of endosymbiotic bacteria in L. invasa are still unclear between lineages. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the bacterial communities in female adults of L. invasa of different lineages distributed in the same domain; (2) Methods: The PacBio Sequel II platform was used to compare bacterial community composition between lineages of L. invasa by sequencing the V1-V9 region of the 16S rRNA gene, and fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to compare the relative expression of Rickettsia between lineages of L. invasa; (3) Results: A total of 437 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained. These OTUs were subdivided into 20 phyla, 32 classes, 77 orders, 129 families, and 217 genera. At the genus level, the dominant bacteria in lineage A and lineage B were Rickettsia and Bacteroides, respectively. There were differences in the bacterial community of L. invasa between lineages, and the abundance and relative expression of Rickettsia in lineage A were significantly higher than those in lineage B; (4) Conclusions: There were differences in the bacterial community of L. invasa between lineages, and the abundance and relative expression of Rickettsia in lineage A were significantly higher than those in lineage B.

An Update on Recent Advances of Photodynamic Therapy for Primary Cutaneous Lymphomas.

Primary cutaneous lymphomas are rare non-Hodgkin lymphomas consisting of heterogeneous disease entities. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) utilizing photosensitizers irradiated with a specific wavelength of light in the presence of oxygen exerts promising anti-tumor effects on non-melanoma skin cancer, yet its application in primary cutaneous lymphomas remains less recognized. Despite many in vitro data showing PDT could effectively kill lymphoma cells, clinical evidence of PDT against primary cutaneous lymphomas is limited. Recently, a phase 3 "FLASH" randomized clinical trial demonstrated the efficacy of topical hypericin PDT for early-stage cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. An update on recent advances of photodynamic therapy in primary cutaneous lymphomas is provided.

Bacterial diversity of Leptocybe invasa Fisher & La Salle (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) from different geographical conditions in China.

Insects harbor numerous endosymbionts, including bacteria, fungi, yeast, and viruses, which could affect the ecology and behavior of their hosts. However, data regarding the effect of environmental factors on endosymbiotic bacteria of Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) are quite rare. In this study, we assessed the diversity of endosymbiotic bacteria of L. invasa from 10 different geographic populations collected across China through the Illumina MiSeq platform. A total of 547 OTUs were generated, which were annotated into 19 phyla, 33 classes, 75 orders, 137 families, and 274 genera. The dominant bacteria detected in L. invasa were Rickettsia, and Pantoea, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Bacillus were also annotated among each population. Nevertheless, the endosymbiotic bacterial abundance and diversity varied among different populations, which was related to the local climate (annual mean high temperature). The bacterial function prediction analysis showed that these endosymbiotic bacteria were concentrated in metabolism, such as carbohydrate, amino acid, and energy metabolism. Overall, the results provide a comprehensive description of the endosymbiotic bacteria in 10 different populations of an important eucalyptus pest L. invasa, and help to understand the endosymbiotic bacterial diversity and adaptation of various conditions.

Genetic diversity analysis of the invasive gall pest Leptocybe invasa (Hymenoptera: Apodemidae) from China.

Leptocybe invasa Fisher et LaSalle is a global invasive pest that seriously damages Eucalyptus plants. Studying the genetic diversity, genetic structure and introgression hybridization of L. invasa in China is of great significance for clarifying the breeding strategy, future invasion and diffusion trends of L. invasa in China and developing scientific prevention and control measures. Genetic diversity and phylogenetic analyses of 320 L. invasa female adults from 14 geographic populations in China were conducted using 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci (SSRs) and mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences (COIs). (1) The Bayesian phylogenetic tree and haplotype network diagram showed that only haplotype Hap3 existed in L. invasa lineage B in China, while haplotypes Hap1 and Hap2 existed in lineage A, among which haplotype Hap2 was found for the first time. The nucleotide and haplotype diversities of lineage A were higher than those of lineage B. (2) The SSR genetic diversity of the Wuzhou Guangxi, Ganzhou Jiangxi and Panzhihua Sichuan populations was higher than that of the other 11 populations, and the SSR genetic diversity of lineage A was higher than that of lineage B. (3) The AMOVA analysis of mitochondrial COI data showed that 75.55% of the variation was among populations, and 99.86% of the variation was between lineages, while the AMOVA analysis of nuclear SSR data showed that 35.26% of the variation was among populations, and 47.04% of the variation was between lineages. There were obvious differences in the sources of variation between the COI and SSR data. (4) The optimal K value of COI and SSR data in structure analysis was 2, and PCoA analysis also divided the dataset into two obvious categories. The UPMGA phylogenetic tree based on SSR data clustered 14 geographic species into two groups. The results of genetic structure analysis supported the existence of two lineages, A and B, in China. (5) Structural analysis showed that there was obvious introgressive hybridization in Wuzhou Guangxi, Ganzhou Jiangxi, Panzhihua Sichuan and other populations. These results suggest that lineage introgressive hybridization has occurred in the L. invasa population in China. The introgressive hybridization degree and genetic diversity of lineage A are obviously higher than those of lineage B. Lineage introgressive hybridization may be the driving force for further L. invasa invasion and diffusion in China in the future.

Investigational Treatments for Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a heterogeneous group of rare inherited blistering skin disorders characterized by skin fragility following minor trauma, usually present since birth. EB can be categorized into four classical subtypes, EB simplex, junctional EB, dystrophic EB and Kindler EB, distinguished on clinical features, plane of blister formation in the skin, and molecular pathology. Treatment for EB is mostly supportive, focusing on wound care and patient symptoms such as itch or pain. However, therapeutic advances have also been made in targeting the primary genetic abnormalities as well as the secondary inflammatory footprint of EB. Pre-clinical or clinical testing of gene therapies (gene replacement, gene editing, RNA-based therapy, natural gene therapy), cell-based therapies (fibroblasts, bone marrow transplantation, mesenchymal stromal cells, induced pluripotential stem cells), recombinant protein therapies, and small molecule and drug repurposing approaches, have generated new hope for better patient care. In this article, we review advances in translational research that are impacting on the quality of life for people living with different forms of EB and which offer hope for improved clinical management.

Human CD31 on Swine Endothelial Cells Induces SHP-1 Phosphorylation in Macrophages.

BACKGROUND: Innate immunity by natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages, and neutrophils cause severe rejections in xenotransplantation. Therefore, the development of strategies for suppressing macrophages has considerable potential in practical applications of xenotransplantation. Recently, we found that human CD31 on swine endothelial cells (SECs) suppresses neutrophil-mediated xenogeneic rejection through homophilic binding. Since a significant amount of CD31 is expressed not only on neutrophils but also on macrophages, we studied the function of human CD31 in macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity. METHODS: SECs and hCD31-transfected SECs (SEC/hCD31) were co-cultured with macrophages and cytotoxicity by macrophages was evaluated with water-soluble tetrazolium salt, or WST-8, assay. To confirm whether or not inhibitory signals are induced by hCD31 homophilic binding, the phosphorylation of the enzyme SHP-1 was investigated with Western blotting. RESULTS: No suppression of cytotoxicity was induced in macrophages that had been co-cultured with SEC/CD31. However, phosphorylation of SHP-1 was induced in macrophages that had been co-cultured with SEC/hCD31. CONCLUSIONS: Human CD31 on SEC may induce not only inhibitory signals but also activation signals via the binding to other receptors for hCD31.

A Strategy for Suppressing Macrophage-mediated Rejection in Xenotransplantation.

Although xenografts are one of the most attractive strategies for overcoming the shortage of organ donors, cellular rejection by macrophages is a substantial impediment to this procedure. It is well known that macrophages mediate robust immune responses in xenografts. Macrophages also express various inhibitory receptors that regulate their immunological function. Recent studies have shown that the overexpression of inhibitory ligands on porcine target cells results in the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues on intracellular immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs on macrophages, leading to the suppression of xenogenic rejection by macrophages. It has also been reported that myeloid-derived suppressor cells, a heterogeneous population of immature myeloid cells, suppress not only NK and cytotoxic T lymphocyte cytotoxicity but also macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity. This review is focused on the recent findings regarding strategies for inhibiting xenogenic rejection by macrophages.

Human CD31 on porcine cells suppress xenogeneic neutrophil-mediated cytotoxicity via the inhibition of NETosis.

BACKGROUND: Xenotransplantation is one of the promising strategies for overcoming the shortage of organs available for transplant. However, many immunological obstructions need to be overcome for practical use. Increasing evidence suggests that neutrophils contribute to xenogeneic cellular rejection. Neutrophils are regulated by activation and inhibitory signals to induce appropriate immune reactions and to avoid unnecessary immune reactivity. Therefore, we hypothesized that the development of neutrophil-targeted therapies may have the potential for increased graft survival in xenotransplantation. METHODS: A plasmid containing a cDNA insert encoding the human CD31 gene was transfected into swine endothelial cells (SEC). HL-60 cells were differentiated into neutrophil-like cells by culturing them in the presence of 1.3% dimethyl sulfoxide for 48 hours. The cytotoxicity of the differentiated HL-60 cells (dHL-60) and peripheral blood-derived neutrophils was evaluated by WST-8 assays. To investigate the mechanism responsible for hCD31-induced immunosuppression, citrullinated histone 3 (cit-H3) and phosphorylation of SHP-1 were detected by a cit-H3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: A significant decrease in dHL-60 and neutrophil-mediated cytotoxicity in SEC/hCD31 compared with SEC was seen, as evidenced by a cytotoxicity assay. Furthermore, the suppression of NETosis and the induction of SHP-1 phosphorylation in neutrophils that had been co-cultured with SEC/CD31 were confirmed by cit-H3 ELISA and Western blotting with an anti-phosphorylated SHP-1. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that human CD31 suppresses neutrophil-mediated xenogenic cytotoxicity via the inhibition of NETosis. As CD31 is widely expressed in a variety of inflammatory cells, human CD31-induced suppression may cover the entire xenogeneic cellular rejection, thus making the generation of human CD31 transgenic pigs very attractive for use in xenografts.

A membrane-type surfactant protein D (SP-D) suppresses macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity in swine endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: Surfactant protein D (SP-D), which is secreted mainly in the lung, is an oligometric C type lectin that promotes phagocytosis by binding to carbohydrates on microbial surfaces. SP-D can also bind SIRPα, leading to a decrease in cytokine production by monocytes/macrophages. In the present study, we examined the possibility that SP-D suppresses macrophage-mediated xenogeneic cytotoxicity, by creating a membrane-type SP-D. METHODS: The cDNA for the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) of human SP-D was switched to that of a membrane-type protein, collectin placenta 1 (CL-P1), with a Flag-tag. The cDNA of CD47 was prepared as a control. The suppressive function of the membrane-type protein of the hybrid molecule, CL-SP-D, to monocytes/macrophages was then studied and the results compared with that for CD47. RESULTS: The expression of Flag-tagged CL-SP-D on the transfected SECs and the SIRPα on monocyte-like cells, THP-1 cells, was confirmed by FACS using anti-Flag Ab and anti-CD172a, respectively. The molecular size of the hybrid protein was next assessed by western blot. While significant cytotoxicity against SEC was induced in differentiated THP-1 cells, CL-SP-D significantly reduced THP-1-mediated cytotoxicity. In addition, phosphorylated SHP-1 was clearly detected in SEC/CL-SP-D in western blots. Moreover, IL-10 production was upregulated and IL-1ß production was suppressed in the case of THP-1 and SEC/CL-SP-D, compared with naïve SEC. Next, the cytotoxicity caused by the in vitro generated macrophage was assessed under the same conditions as were used for THP-1. CL-SP-D also showed the significant down-regulation on the macrophage. In addition, changes in IL-10 production by the macrophage confirmed the results. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that the membrane-type SP-D serve as an effective therapeutic strategy for inhibiting macrophage-mediated xenograft rejection in xenotransplantation.

Human CD200 suppresses macrophage-mediated xenogeneic cytotoxicity and phagocytosis.

PURPOSE: Various strategies, such as the generation of alpha-1,3-galactosyltransferase knocked-out pigs and CD55 transgenic pigs, have been investigated to inhibit pig to human xenogeneic rejection. Our aim is to develop strategies to overcome the hurdle of not only hyper acute rejection, but also that of cellular xenogeneic rejection (CXR). Although macrophages have been well known to play a critical role in CXR, monocyte/macrophage-mediated xenogeneic rejection has not been well studied. In this study, we evaluated the effect of CD200 in xenogeneic rejection by macrophages. METHODS: Naïve swine endothelial cells (SEC) and SEC/CD200 were co-cultured with M0 macrophages and the cytotoxicity was measured by a WST-8 assay. The phagocytosis of SEC and SEC/CD200 by macrophages was analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: While CD200 failed to suppress a significant amount of cytotoxicity against SEC by monocytes, M0 macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity was significantly suppressed by human CD200. The phagocytosis by M0 macrophages was also tested. The phagocytosis assay revealed that human CD200 suppresses M0 macrophage-mediated phagocytosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that human CD200 suppresses the xenogeneic rejection by CD200R+ macrophages and that the generation of hCD200 transgenic pigs for use in xenografts is very attractive for preventing the macrophage-mediated rejection.

Correction to: Human CD200 suppresses macrophage-mediated xenogeneic cytotoxicity and phagocytosis.

In the original publication, the fifth author name was erroneously published as "Patmika Jiaravuthiasan". The correct author name should read as, "Patmika Jiaravuthisan". The original article was corrected.