C5aR activation in the absence of C5a: A new disease mechanism of autoimmune hemolytic anemia in mice.

IgG Fc receptors (FcγRs) and the C5a anaphylatoxin receptor (C5aR) were identified as key regulators of type II autoimmune injury in mice. However, and with respect to C5aR, the relative importance of C5a for IgG autoantibody-induced cellular destruction remained unclear. Using an experimental model of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), we here report marked differences in the development of AIHA between mice lacking C5aR and C5-deficient (Hc0 ) strain, indicating a limited role of C5 in this type of C5aR-regulated disease. Ex-vivo-analyses of liver homogenates from anemic Hc0 mice demonstrate C5a-independent C5aR activation, upregulation of FcγR expression and amplification of erythrophagocytosis by macrophages. As assessed by pharmacological inhibition studies, targeting of C5aR, but not of C5, is effective in treating experimental AIHA. Collectively, these results define a previously unrecognized disease mechanism of C5aR activation in AIHA that does not necessarily involve C5 and C5a.

S1P Provokes Tumor Lymphangiogenesis via Macrophage-Derived Mediators Such as IL-1ß or Lipocalin-2.

A pleiotropic signaling lipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), has been implicated in various pathophysiological processes supporting tumor growth and metastasis. However, there are only a few descriptive studies suggesting a role of S1P in tumor lymphangiogenesis, which is critical for tumor growth and dissemination. Corroborating own data, the literature suggests that apoptotic tumor cell-derived S1P alters the phenotype of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) to gain protumor functions. However, mechanistically, the role of TAM-induced lymphangiogenesis has only been poorly described, mostly linked to the production of lymphangiogenic factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and VEGF-D, or transdifferentiation into lymphatic endothelial cells. Recent findings highlight a rather underappreciated role of S1P in tumor lymphangiogenesis, referring to the production of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and lipocalin-2 (LCN2) by a tumor-promoting macrophage phenotype. In this review, we aim to provide to the readers with the current understanding of the molecular mechanism how apoptotic cell-derived S1P triggers TAMs to promote lymphangiogenesis.

Basophils inhibit proliferation of CD4⁺ T cells in autologous and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions and limit disease activity in a murine model of graft versus host disease.

Basophils are known to modulate the phenotype of CD4(+) T cells and to enhance T helper type 2 responses in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we demonstrate that murine basophils inhibit proliferation of CD4(+) T cells in autologous and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions. The inhibition is independent of Fas and MHC class II, but dependent on activation of basophils with subsequent release of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-6. The inhibitory effect of basophils on T-cell proliferation can be blocked with antibodies against IL-4 and IL-6 and is absent in IL-4/IL-6 double-deficient mice. In addition, we show that basophils and IL-4 have beneficial effects on disease activity in a murine model of acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). When basophils were depleted with the antibody MAR-1 before induction of GvHD, weight loss, GvHD score, mortality and plasma tumour necrosis factor levels were increased while injection of IL-4 improved GvHD. Basophil-depleted mice with GvHD also have increased numbers of CD4(+) T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes. Our data show for the first time that basophils suppress autologous and allogeneic CD4(+) T-cell proliferation in an IL-4-dependent manner.

Targeted inhibition of serotonin type 7 (5-HT7) receptor function modulates immune responses and reduces the severity of intestinal inflammation.

Mucosal inflammation in conditions ranging from infective acute enteritis or colitis to inflammatory bowel disease is accompanied by alteration in serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) content in the gut. Recently, we have identified an important role of 5-HT in the pathogenesis of experimental colitis. 5-HT type 7 (5-HT7) receptor is one of the most recently identified members of the 5-HT receptor family, and dendritic cells express this receptor. In this study, we investigated the effect of blocking 5-HT7 receptor signaling in experimental colitis with a view to develop an improved therapeutic strategy in intestinal inflammatory disorders. Colitis was induced with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) or dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (DNBS) in mice treated with selective 5-HT7 receptor antagonist SB-269970, as well as in mice lacking 5-HT7 receptor (5-HT7(-/-)) and irradiated wild-type mice reconstituted with bone marrow cells harvested from 5-HT7(-/-) mice. Inhibition of 5-HT7 receptor signaling with SB-269970 ameliorated both acute and chronic colitis induced by DSS. Treatment with SB-269970 resulted in lower clinical disease, histological damage, and proinflammatory cytokine levels compared with vehicle-treated mice post-DSS. Colitis severity was significantly lower in 5-HT7(-/-) mice and in mice reconstituted with bone marrow cells from 5-HT7(-/-) mice compared with control mice after DSS colitis. 5-HT7(-/-) mice also had significantly reduced DNBS-induced colitis. These observations provide us with novel information on the critical role of the 5-HT7 receptor in immune response and inflammation in the gut, and highlight the potential benefit of targeting this receptor to alleviate the severity of intestinal inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease.

Defective macrophage migration in Gαi2- but not Gαi3-deficient mice.

Various heterotrimeric G(i) proteins are considered to be involved in cell migration and effector function of immune cells. The underlying mechanisms, how they control the activation of myeloid effector cells, are not well understood. To elucidate isoform-redundant and -specific roles for Gα(i) proteins in these processes, we analyzed mice genetically deficient in Gα(i2) or Gα(i3). First, we show an altered distribution of tissue macrophages and blood monocytes in the absence of Gα(i2) but not Gα(i3). Gα(i2)-deficient but not wild-type or Gα(i3)-deficient mice exhibited reduced recruitment of macrophages in experimental models of thioglycollate-induced peritonitis and LPS-triggered lung injury. In contrast, genetic ablation of Gα(i2) had no effect on Gα(i)-dependent peritoneal cytokine production in vitro and the phagocytosis-promoting function of the Gα(i)-coupled C5a anaphylatoxin receptor by liver macrophages in vivo. Interestingly, actin rearrangement and CCL2- and C5a anaphylatoxin receptor-induced chemotaxis but not macrophage CCR2 and C5a anaphylatoxin receptor expression were reduced in the specific absence of Gα(i2). Furthermore, knockdown of Gα(i2) caused decreased cell migration and motility of RAW 264.7 cells, which was rescued by transfection of Gα(i2) but not Gα(i3). These results indicate that Gα(i2), albeit redundant to Gα(i3) in some macrophage activation processes, clearly exhibits a Gα(i) isoform-specific role in the regulation of macrophage migration.

Anti-E. coli Immunoglobulin Yolk (IgY): Reduction of pathogen receptors and inflammation factors could be caused by decrease in E. coli load.

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) remains the major cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic stem cell transplantation, especially for intestinal GVHD, as steroid resistant GVHD results in high mortality. For this reason, new treatments of GVHD are needed. One approach is the reduction of pathogenic bacteria using anti-E. coli Immunoglobulin Yolk (IgY). In a haploidentical murine model, B6D2F1 mice conditioned with total body irradiation (TBI), received bone marrow cells (BM) and splenocytes (SC) from either syngeneic (Syn = B6D2F1) or allogeneic (Allo = C57BL/6) donors. Following this, animals received from day -2 until day +28 chow contained IgY or control chow. Thereafter the incidence and severity of aGVHD, the cytokines, chemokines, IDO1 and different pathogen-recognition receptors (PRR) were analyzed and compared to control animals (received chow without IgY). We found that animals receiving chow with IgY antibody showed reduced GVHD severity compared to control animals. On day28 after alloBMT, IDO, NOD2, TLR2, TLR4 and the inflammatory chemokine CCL3, were reduced in the colon and correlated with a significant decrease in E. coli bacteria. In summary chow containing chicken antibodies (IgY) improved GVHD via decrease in bacterial load of E coli conducting to reduction of pathogen receptors (NOD2, TLR2 and 4), IDO, chemokines and cytokines.

Corrigendum to "Anti- E. coli immunoglobulin yolk (IgY): Reduction of pathogen receptors and inflammation factors could be caused by decrease in E. coli load" [Heliyon 9(3) (February 21, 2023) e13876]>.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13876.].

STIM1 is essential for Fcgamma receptor activation and autoimmune inflammation.

Fcgamma receptors (FcgammaRs) on mononuclear phagocytes trigger autoantibody and immune complex-induced diseases through coupling the self-reactive immunoglobulin G (IgG) response to innate effector pathways, such as phagocytosis, and the recruitment of inflammatory cells. FcRgamma-based activation is critical in the pathogenesis of these diseases, although the contribution of FcgammaR-mediated calcium signaling in autoimmune injury is unclear. Here we show that macrophages lacking the endoplasmic reticulum-resident calcium sensor, STIM1, cannot activate FcgammaR-induced Ca(2+) entry and phagocytosis. As a direct consequence, STIM1 deficiency results in resistance to experimental immune thrombocytopenia and anaphylaxis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and acute pneumonitis. These results establish STIM1 as a novel and essential component of FcgammaR activation and also indicate that inhibition of STIM1-dependent signaling might become a new strategy to prevent or treat IgG-dependent immunologic diseases.

Both FcgammaRIV and FcgammaRIII are essential receptors mediating type II and type III autoimmune responses via FcRgamma-LAT-dependent generation of C5a.

FcgammaRIV is a relatively new IgG Fc receptor (FcgammaR) that is reported to contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, although its specific role in relation to FcgammaRIII, complement and IgG2 subclasses remains uncertain. Here we define FcgammaRIV on macrophages as a receptor for soluble IgG2a/b complexes but not for cellular bound IgG2a and show that simultaneous activation of FcgammaRIV and FcgammaRIII is critical to mediate certain type II/III autoimmune responses. FcgammaRIII-deficient mice display compensatory enhanced FcgammaRIV expression, are protected from lung inflammation after deposition of IgG complexes, and show reduced sensitivity to IgG2a/b-mediated hemolytic anemia, indicating that increased FcgammaRIV alone is not sufficient to trigger these diseases in the absence of FcgammaRIII. Importantly, however, blockade of FcgammaRIV is also effective in inhibiting phagocytosis and cytokine production in IgG2b-induced anemia and acute lung injury, processes that display a further dependence on C5a anaphylatoxin receptor. Using gene deletion and functional inhibition studies, we found that FcgammaRIII and FcgammaRIV are each essential to trigger an FcRgamma-linker for activation of T-cell-dependent signal that drives C5a production in the Arthus reaction. Together, the results demonstrate a combined requirement for FcgammaRIII and FcgammaRIV in autoimmune injury, and identify the linker for activation of T cells adaptor as an integral component of linked FcgammaR and C5a anaphylatoxin receptor activation to generate inflammation.

Tolerizing CTL by Sustained Hepatic PD-L1 Expression Provides a New Therapy Approach in Mouse Sepsis.

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activation contributes to liver damage during sepsis, but the mechanisms involved are largely unknown. Understanding the underlying principle will permit interference with CTL activation and thus, provide a new therapeutic option. Methods: To elucidate the mechanism leading to CTL activation we used the Hepa1-6 cell line in vitro and the mouse model of in vivo polymicrobial sepsis, following cecal-ligation and -puncture (CLP) in wildtype, myeloid specific NOX-2, global NOX2 and NOX4 knockout mice, and their survival as a final readout. In this in vivo setting, we also determined hepatic mRNA and protein expression as well as clinical parameters of liver damage - aspartate- and alanine amino-transaminases. Hepatocyte specific overexpression of PD-L1 was achieved in vivo by adenoviral infection and transposon-based gene transfer using hydrodynamic injection. Results: We observed downregulation of PD-L1 on hepatocytes in the murine sepsis model. Adenoviral and transposon-based gene transfer to restore PD-L1 expression, significantly improved survival and reduced the release of liver damage, as PD-L1 is a co-receptor that negatively regulates T cell function. Similar protection was observed during pharmacological intervention using recombinant PD-L1-Fc. N-acetylcysteine blocked the downregulation of PD-L1 suggesting the involvement of reactive oxygen species. This was confirmed in vivo, as we observed significant upregulation of PD-L1 expression in NOX4 knockout mice, following sham operation, whereas its expression in global as well as myeloid lineage NOX2 knockout mice was comparable to that in the wild type animals. PD-L1 expression remained high following CLP only in total NOX2 knockouts, resulting in significantly reduced release of liver damage markers. Conclusion: These results suggest that, contrary to common assumption, maintaining PD-L1 expression on hepatocytes improves liver damage and survival of mice during sepsis. We conclude that administering recombinant PD-L1 or inhibiting NOX2 activity might offer a new therapeutic option in sepsis.

The Pyrazole Derivative BTP2 Attenuates IgG Immune Complex-induced Inflammation.

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is the most common mode of calcium influx in non-excitable cells, including immune cells. The two STIM isoforms mediate SOCE as well as Fc receptor (FcR)-downstream activation of macrophages and mast cells-which appears to be relevant in vivo, in models of antibody-dependent tissue injury and allergy. Hence, the pathway of SOCE may be a therapeutic target for treatment of immune complex (IC)-mediated autoimmunity and allergic asthma. The pyrazole derivative, BTP2 is an efficient inhibitor of SOCE, which has already been shown to attenuate allergic inflammation. However, its effect on Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) signaling and IC-induced tissue injury had not yet been studied. Here, we show that BTP2 is a potent inhibitor of SOCE in primary macrophages, blocking FcγR-mediated responses. To investigate the effect of inhibition of SOCE in IC-mediated tissue injury, we induced reverse passive Arthus reaction to IgG immune complexes in the skin and lungs of BTP2- or control-treated mice. Treatment with BTP2 resulted in markedly attenuated inflammation in both the skin and the lungs. Our findings indicate the involvement of SOCE in FcγR-mediated responses in vitro and in vivo and suggest that BTP2-mediated inhibition of SOCE may have a therapeutic potential on IC-mediated autoimmunity.

Macrophage NOS2 in Tumor Leukocytes.

SIGNIFICANCE: Leukocytes and especially macrophages are a major cellular constituent of the tumor mass. The tumor microenvironment not only determines their activity but in turn these cells also contribute to tumor initiation and progression. Recent Advances: Proinflammatory stimulated macrophages upregulate inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2) and produce high steady-state NO concentrations. NO provokes tumor cell death by initiating apoptosis and/or necrosis. Mechanisms may comprise p53 accumulation, immunestimulatory activities, and an increased efficacy of chemo- and/or radiotherapy. However, the potential cytotoxic activity of macrophages often is compromised in the tumor microenvironment and instead a protumor activity of macrophages dominates. Contributing factors are signals generated by viable and dying tumor cells, attraction and activation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and hypoxia. Limited oxygen availability not only attenuates NOS2 activity but also causes accumulation of hypoxia-inducible factors 1 and 2 (HIF-1/HIF-2). Activation of the HIF system is tightly linked to NO formation and affects the expression of macrophage phenotype markers that in turn add to tumor progression. CRITICAL ISSUES: To make use of the cytotoxic arsenal of activated macrophages directed against tumor cells, it will be critical to understand how, when, and where these innate immune responses are blocked and whether it will be possible to reinstall their full capacity to kill tumor cells. FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Low-dose irradiation or proinflammatory activation of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment may open options to boost NOS2 expression and activity and to initiate immunestimulatory features of NO that may help to restrict tumor growth. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 26, 1023-1043.

S1PR1 on tumor-associated macrophages promotes lymphangiogenesis and metastasis via NLRP3/IL-1ß.

Metastasis is the primary cause of cancer death. The inflammatory tumor microenvironment contributes to metastasis, for instance, by recruiting blood and lymph vessels. Among tumor-infiltrating immune cells, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) take a center stage in promoting both tumor angiogenesis and metastatic spread. We found that genetic deletion of the S1P receptor 1 (S1pr1) alone in CD11bhi CD206+ TAMs infiltrating mouse breast tumors prevents pulmonary metastasis and tumor lymphangiogenesis. Reduced lymphangiogenesis was also observed in the nonrelated methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma model. Transcriptome analysis of isolated TAMs from both entities revealed reduced expression of the inflammasome component Nlrp3 in S1PR1-deficient TAMs. Macrophage-dependent lymphangiogenesis in vitro was triggered upon inflammasome activation and required both S1PR1 signaling and IL-1ß production. Finally, NLRP3 expression in tumor-infiltrating macrophages correlated with survival, lymph node invasion, and metastasis of mammary carcinoma patients. Conceptually, our study indicates an unappreciated role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in promoting metastasis via the lymphatics downstream of S1PR1 signaling in macrophages.

Cooperative and alternate functions for STIM1 and STIM2 in macrophage activation and in the context of inflammation.

Calcium (Ca(2+)) signaling in immune cells, including macrophages, controls a wide range of effector functions that are critical for host defense and contribute to inflammation and autoimmune diseases. However, receptor-mediated Ca(2+) responses consist of complex mechanisms that make it difficult to identify the pathogenesis and develop therapy. Previous studies have revealed the importance of the Ca(2+) sensor STIM1 and store-operated Ca(2+)-entry (SOCE) for Fcγ-receptor activation and IgG-induced inflammation. Here, we identify the closely related STIM2 as mediator of cell migration and cytokine production downstream of GPCR and TLR4 activation in macrophages and show that mice lacking STIM2 are partially resistant to inflammatory responses in peritonitis and LPS-induced inflammation. Interestingly, STIM2 modulates the migratory behavior of macrophages independent from STIM1 and without a strict requirement for Ca(2+) influx. While STIM2 also contributes in part to FcγR activation, the C5a-induced amplification of IgG-mediated phagocytosis is mainly dependent on STIM1. Blockade of STIM-related functions limits mortality in experimental models of AIHA and LPS-sepsis in normal mice. These results suggest benefits of Ca(2+)-inhibition for suppression of exacerbated immune reactions and illustrate the significance of alternate functions of STIM proteins in macrophage activation and in the context of innate immune inflammation.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinases gamma and delta, linkers of coordinate C5a receptor-Fcgamma receptor activation and immune complex-induced inflammation.

Fcgamma receptors (FcgammaR) and the C5a receptor (C5aR) are key effectors of the acute inflammatory response to IgG immune complexes (IC). Their coordinated activation is critical in IC-induced diseases, although the significance of combined signaling by these two different receptor classes in tissue injury is unclear. Here we used the mouse model of the passive reverse lung Arthus reaction to define their requirements for distinct phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activities in vivo. We show that genetic deletion of class IB PI3Kgamma abrogates C5aR signaling that is crucial for FcgammaR-mediated activation of lung macrophages. Thus, in PI3Kgamma(-/-) mice, IgG IC-induced FcgammaR regulation, cytokine release, and neutrophil recruitment were blunted. Notably, however, C5a production occurred normally in PI3Kgamma(-/-) mice but was impaired in PI3Kdelta(-/-) mice. Consequently, class IA PI3Kdelta deficiency caused resistance to acute IC lung injury. These results demonstrate that PI3Kgamma and PI3Kdelta coordinate the inflammatory effects of C5aR and FcgammaR and define PI3Kdelta as a novel and essential element of FcgammaR signaling in the generation of C5a in IC disease.