Immunoregulatory molecule expression on extracellular microvesicles in people living with HIV.

Introduction: People living with HIV (PLWH) now benefit from combined antiviral treatments that durably control viral replication. These antiretroviral treatments decrease mortality and improve quality of life in PLWH, but do not completely control the excessive non-specific activation of the immune system in PLWH. This chronic immune activation is a key element of HIV immunopathology that contributes to the pathophysiology of inflammatory comorbid conditions, such as cardiovascular disorders, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Circulating non-exosomal extracellular vesicles, also known as microparticles (MPs) are detected in these diseases and have been linked to immune activation. The objective of this study was to characterize the MPs present in PLWH and to assess their association with chronic immune activation. Methods: We performed flow cytometry for the complete phenotypic characterization of MPs from fresh plasma from PLWH and from people without HIV as the control group. The absolute number, size and cellular origin of MPs were evaluated. The immunoregulatory profile was determined by cell origin, for MPs derived from platelets (PMPs), monocytes (MMPs) and T lymphocytes (LMPs). Results: PLWH had significantly more circulating MPs than controls, for MPs of all sizes originating from T lymphocytes, red blood cells, neutrophils, dendritic cells, B lymphocytes and endothelial cells. PMPs and MMPs were not more numerous in PLWH, but the immunoregulatory phenotypes of these MPs differed between PLWH and controls. These differences in immunoregulatory molecule expression profile were also observed for LMPs. PDL1, ICOSL, CCR5, TGFß1, MHC classes I and II, TRAIL, CXCR4, OX40, DC-SIGN, CTLA4 and PDL2 were more strongly expressed on the surface of MPs from PLWH than on those from controls. Conclusion: MPs are an important element in intercellular communication, making it possible to transfer phenotypes and functions to immune cells. The significantly higher numbers of MPs expressing diverse immunomodulatory molecules in PLWH may make a major contribution to the maintenance and/or the development of immune-cell activation in these individuals.

Divergent CD4+ T-cell profiles are associated with anti-HLA alloimmunization status in platelet-transfused AML patients.

Introduction: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the commonest hematologic disorders. Due to the high frequency of disease- or treatment-related thrombocytopenia, AML requires treatment with multiple platelet transfusions, which can trigger a humoral response directed against platelets. Some, but not all, AML patients develop an anti-HLA immune response after multiple transfusions. We therefore hypothesized that different immune activation profiles might be associated with anti-HLA alloimmunization status. Methods: We tested this hypothesis, by analyzing CD4+ T lymphocyte (TL) subsets and their immune control molecules in flow cytometry and single-cell multi-omics. Results: A comparison of immunological status between anti-HLA alloimmunized and non-alloimmunized AML patients identified differences in the phenotype and function of CD4+ TLs. CD4+ TLs from alloimmunized patients displayed features of immune activation, with higher levels of CD40 and OX40 than the cells of healthy donors. However, the most notable differences were observed in non-alloimmunized patients. These patients had lower levels of CD40 and OX40 than alloimmunized patients and higher levels of PD1. Moreover, the Treg compartment of non-alloimmunized patients was larger and more functional than that in alloimmunized patients. These results were supported by a multi-omics analysis of immune response molecules in conventional CD4+ TLs, Tfh circulating cells, and Tregs. Discussion: Our results thus reveal divergent CD4+ TL characteristics correlated with anti-HLA alloimmunization status in transfused AML patients. These differences, characterizing CD4+ TLs independently of any specific antigen, should be taken into account when considering the immune responses of patients to infections, vaccinations, or transplantations.

CD27+ microparticle interactions and immunoregulation of CD4+ T lymphocytes.

Introduction: Aplasia and hematological malignancies are treated with platelet transfusions, which can have major immunomodulatory effects. Platelet concentrates (PCs) contain many immunomodulatory elements, including the platelets themselves, residual leukocytes, extracellular vesicles, such as microparticles (MPs), cytokines and other soluble elements. Two of these components, MPs and a soluble form of CD27 (sCD27), have been shown to play a particularly important role in immune system modulation. The loss of CD27 expression is an irreversible marker of terminal effector CD3+ T-lymphocyte (TL) differentiation, and the CD27+ MPs present in PCs may maintain CD27 expression on the surface of TLs, and, thus, the activation of these cells. Methods: In this study, we phenotyped the CD27-expressing MPs present in PCs by microscale flow cytometry and investigated the interaction of these particles with CD4+ TLs. We cocultured MPs and PBMCs and determined the origin of the CD27 expressed on the surface of CD4+ TLs with the aid of two fluorochromes (BV510 for CD27 originating from MPs and BV786 for cellular CD27). Results: We showed that the binding of CD27- expressing MPs involved the CD70 molecule, which was also present on these MPs. Finally, the maintenance of CD27 expression on the surface of TLs by sorted CD27+ MPs led to activation levels lower than those observed with other types of MPs. Discussion: These results for CD27-expressing MPs and their CD70-mediated targeting open up new possibilities for immunotherapy based on the use of MPs to maintain a phenotype or to target immune cells, for example. Moreover, decreasing the levels of CD27-expressing MPs in transfused platelets might also increase the chances of success for anti-CD27 monoclonal immunotherapy.

Autologous blood extracellular vesicles and specific CD4+ T-cell co-activation.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are generated by cell membrane budding in diverse cells, are present in variable numbers in the blood. An immunoregulatory role has been demonstrated principally for heterologous EVs, but the function of the EVs present naturally in blood remains unknown. We hypothesize that these autologous EVs might also modulate the phenotype and function of immune system cells, especially CD4+ T lymphocytes (TLs), as previously described for heterologous EVs. Several membranes and soluble immunoregulatory molecules were studied after the treatment of CD4+ TLs with autologous EVs. No direct activation was detected with autologous EVs, contrasting with the findings for heterologous EVs. However, following treatment with autologous EVs, a soluble form of CD27 (sCD27) was detected. sCD27 is strongly associated with lymphoproliferation. Autologous EVs have been shown to increase TL proliferation only after T-cell receptor (TcR) engagement due to polyclonal or specific-antigen stimulation. Our results therefore suggest that the EVs present in the blood have an immunomodulatory role different from that of heterologous EVs. These findings should be taken into account in future studies, particularly those focusing on infectious diseases, autotransfusion or doping practices.

Whole-blood phenotyping to assess alloimmunization status in transfused sickle cell disease patients.

It is essential to limit hemolytic transfusion reactions in polytransfused individuals, and the prevention of alloimmunization is a key solution. CD4+ T lymphocyte (TL) markers, particularly follicular T helper (Tfh) cells, may differentiate between responder and nonresponder alloimmunization statuses. We tested this hypothesis by studying the phenotype of CXCR5+PD1+ TLs in whole blood. Our results suggest that high levels of CXCR5+PD1+CD4+ TLs in whole blood may be a characteristic of nonalloimmunized patients. However, these cells did not display the phenotypic characteristics of active Tfh cells. Instead, a decrease in blood quiescent Tfh-cell levels was observed in nonalloimmunized polytransfused patients. High levels of CXCR5+PD1+CD4+ TLs may be associated with inhibitory signaling functions of T cells, as reflected by the low levels of PD1+ICOS+ cells in the nonalloimmunized polytransfused group. The description of these particular phenotypes, and their comparison among groups of patients, responders, and nonresponders, suggests that new immunological components should be considered when trying to understand posttransfusion alloimmunization.

Dominant immune response to HLA-B57/B58 molecules after platelet transfusion.

BACKGROUND: Patients with hematologic malignancies require prophylactic or curative platelet transfusions to prevent or treat bleeding. Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation cause persistent thrombocytopenia, necessitating platelet transfusions. However, class I HLA antibodies can cause a serious complication: immune-mediated platelet refractoriness. The mechanisms of alloimmunization are incompletely understood. We explored the immunogenicity of HLA molecules and the phenotype of the HLA-specific CD4+ T cells involved in alloimmunization. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: We investigated the role of HLA molecules in platelet transfusion immunogenicity in a retrospective cohort study on men with specific anti-HLA who had undergone transfusion. We investigated the presence and phenotypic profile of HLA-specific CD4+ T cells in alloimmunized patients included in long-term platelet transfusion programs for hematologic malignancies. RESULTS: More than 50% of the transfused subjects displayed an antibody response against HLA-B57 or -B58. HLA-B57-specific CD4+ T-cell responses were observed in patients alloimmunized against HLA-B57. Following specific stimulation, the patients presented HLA-specific CD4+ T cells producing tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-13, IL-17A, IL-2, IL-10, and IL-21. CONCLUSION: These results shed light on posttransfusion class I anti-HLA alloimmunization mechanisms and constitute a first step toward developing new strategies for reducing refractoriness.

Anti-CD20 Antibody Prevents Red Blood Cell Alloimmunization in a Mouse Model.

Alloimmunization against RBCs can cause life-threatening delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions. Anti-CD20 Ab has recently been used to prevent alloimmunization. However, its effects remain unclear, particularly in lymphoid organs. We investigated the impact of murine anti-CD20 Ab in the blood and spleen. We assessed protocols for preventing primary alloimmunization and for abolishing established alloimmunization. Prophylactic protocols prevented alloimmunization. However, anti-CD20 treatment could only limit the further amplification of established alloimmunization. Residual B cell subtype distribution was disrupted in the spleen, but adoptive transfer studies indicated that these cells were neither plasma nor memory cells. Anti-CD20 Ab had a major effect on alloreactive CD4+ T cells, increasing the expansion of this population and its CD40 expression, while lowering its CD134 expression, thereby confirming its role in alloimmunization. In conclusion, this study shows that anti-CD20 immunotherapy can prevent RBC Ab development. However, this immunotherapy is limited by the increase in alloreactive CD4+ T lymphocytes. Nevertheless, treatment with anti-CD20 Abs should be considered for patients requiring transfusion with a very high risk of alloimmunization and life-threatening complications.

Red blood cell alloimmunization is influenced by the delay between Toll-like receptor agonist injection and transfusion.

Murine models of red blood cell transfusion show that inflammation associated with viruses or methylated DNA promotes red blood cell alloimmunization. In vaccination studies, the intensity of antigen-specific responses depends on the delay between antigen and adjuvant administration, with a short delay limiting immune responses. In mouse models of alloimmunization, the delay between the injection of Toll-like receptor agonists and transfusion is usually short. In this study, we hypothesized that the timing of Toll-like receptor 3 agonist administration affects red blood cell alloimmunization. Poly(I:C), a Toll-like receptor 3 agonist, was administered to B10BR mice at various time points before the transfusion of HEL-expressing red blood cells. For each time point, we measured the activation of splenic HEL-presenting dendritic cells, HEL-specific CD4(+) T cells and anti-HEL antibodies in serum. The phenotype of activated immune cells depended on the delay between transfusion and Toll-like receptor-dependent inflammation. The production of anti-HEL antibodies was highest when transfusion occurred 7 days after agonist injection. The proportion of HEL-presenting CD8α(+) dendritic cells producing interleukin-12 was highest in mice injected with poly(I:C) 3 days before transfusion. Although the number of early-induced HEL-specific CD4(+) T cells was similar between groups, a high proportion of these cells expressed CD134, CD40 and CD44 in mice injected with poly(I:C) 7 days before transfusion. This study clearly shows that the delay between transfusion and Toll-like receptor-induced inflammation influences the immune response to transfused red blood cells.