CD96 Blockade Ameliorates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-like Dermatitis via Suppression of IL-17A Production by Dermal γδ T Cells.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. IL-23 plays a critical role in its pathogenesis by inducing production of IL-17A from pathological Th17 cells and IL-17A-producing γδ T cells. However, the mechanisms regulating the IL-23/IL-17 axis in psoriasis are incompletely understood. In this study, we show that, in comparison with wild-type mice, those deficient in the CD96 immunoreceptor had lower production of IL-17A in their dermal γδ T cells and milder psoriasis-like dermatitis after topical application of imiquimod (IMQ). Moreover, transfer of CD96-deficient dermal γδ T cells into the skin of Rag1-deficient mice resulted in them developing milder IMQ-induced dermatitis compared with Rag1-deficient mice transferred with wild-type dermal γδ T cells. In γδ T cells in vitro, CD96 provides a costimulatory signal for the production of IL-23-induced IL-17A. In mice given an anti-CD96 neutralizing Ab, IL-17A production from dermal γδ T cells decreased and IMQ-induced dermatitis was milder compared with mice given a control Ab. These results suggest that CD96 is a potential molecular target for the treatment of psoriasis.

CD96 Blockade Ameliorates Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis-like Dermatitis via Suppression of IL-17A Production by Dermal γδ T Cells.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. IL-23 plays a critical role in its pathogenesis by inducing production of IL-17A from pathological Th17 cells and IL-17A-producing γδ T cells. However, the mechanisms regulating the IL-23/IL-17 axis in psoriasis are incompletely understood. In this study, we show that, in comparison with wild-type mice, those deficient in the CD96 immunoreceptor had lower production of IL-17A in their dermal γδ T cells and milder psoriasis-like dermatitis after topical application of imiquimod (IMQ). Moreover, transfer of CD96-deficient dermal γδ T cells into the skin of Rag1-deficient mice resulted in them developing milder IMQ-induced dermatitis compared with Rag1-deficient mice transferred with wild-type dermal γδ T cells. In γδ T cells in vitro, CD96 provides a costimulatory signal for the production of IL-23-induced IL-17A. In mice given an anti-CD96 neutralizing Ab, IL-17A production from dermal γδ T cells decreased and IMQ-induced dermatitis was milder compared with mice given a control Ab. These results suggest that CD96 is a potential molecular target for the treatment of psoriasis.

DNAM-1 regulates Foxp3 expression in regulatory T cells by interfering with TIGIT under inflammatory conditions.

Regulatory T (Treg) cells that express forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) are pivotal for immune tolerance. Although inflammatory mediators cause Foxp3 instability and Treg cell dysfunction, their regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that the transfer of Treg cells deficient in the activating immunoreceptor DNAM-1 ameliorated the development of graft-versus-host disease better than did wild-type Treg cells. We found that DNAM-1 competes with T cell immunoreceptor with Ig and ITIM domains (TIGIT) in binding to their common ligand CD155 and therefore regulates TIGIT signaling to down-regulate Treg cell function without DNAM-1-mediated intracellular signaling. DNAM-1 deficiency augments TIGIT signaling; this subsequently inhibits activation of the protein kinase B-mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 pathway, resulting in the maintenance of Foxp3 expression and Treg cell function under inflammatory conditions. These findings demonstrate that DNAM-1 regulates Treg cell function via TIGIT signaling and thus, it is a potential molecular target for augmenting Treg function in inflammatory diseases.

Identification and isolation of splenic tissue-resident macrophage sub-populations by flow cytometry.

Tissue-resident macrophages in the spleen, including red pulp and white pulp macrophages, marginal zone macrophages (MZMs) and marginal zone metallophilic macrophages (MMMs), are highly heterogeneous as a consequence of adaptation to tissue-specific environments. Each macrophage sub-population in the spleen is usually identified based on the localization, morphology and membrane antigen expression by immunohistochemistry. However, their phenotypical and functional characteristics remain incompletely understood due to the difficulty of identification and isolation by flow cytometry. We used a cocktail of three enzymes (Collagenase D, Dispase I and DNase I), rather than traditional mechanical grinding, for isolation of each sub-population, which resulted in significant improvement of isolation of these macrophage sub-populations, particularly MZMs and MMMs, as determined by CD11bhiF4/80medTim4hi and CD11bhiF4/80medTim4med, respectively. This method should be helpful for molecular and functional characterization of each splenic resident macrophage sub-population.

[Preparation of dealcholized onetaxotere®, docetaxel injection formulation and its pharmacokinetics in rats].

Onetaxotere®(OTAX)injection, which is a docetaxel(DOC)injection formulation, cannot be administered to those patients with alcohol intolerance or hypersensitivity, because it contains ethanol as a dissolving agent. To broaden treatment options for those patients, we tried to eliminate ethanol from OTAX injection. Under sterile conditions, dealcoholization was carried out using nitrogen gas in a hot water bath at 50°C. By this method, the ethanol included in OTAX injection was almost completely removed and DOC in the formulation was stable for 28 days. When the dealcoholized or untreated OTAX injection was intravenously injected in rats, no significant differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters of DOC were observed between those with dealcoholized and untreated OTAX injections. It is expected that dealcoholized OTAX may be useful in patients with alcohol-related difficulties.

Pre-implantation evaluation of a small-diameter, long vascular graft (Biotube®) for below-knee bypass surgery in goats.

There are no small-diameter, long artificial vascular grafts for below-knee bypass surgery in chronic limb-threatening ischemia. We have developed tissue-engineered vascular grafts called "Biotubes®" using a completely autologous approach called in-body tissue architecture (iBTA). This study aimed at pre-implantation evaluation of Biotube and its in vivo preparation device, Biotube Maker, for use in below-knee bypass surgery. Forty nine makers were subcutaneously embedded into 17 goats for predetermined periods (1, 2, or 3 months). All makers produced Biotubes as designed without inflammation over all periods, with the exception of a few cases with minor defects (success rate: 94%). Small hole formation occurred in only a few cases. All Biotubes obtained had an inner diameter of 4 mm and a length of 51 to 52 cm with a wall thickness of 594 ± 97 µm. All Biotubes did not kink when completely bent under an internal pressure of 100 mmHg and did not leak without any deformation under a water pressure of 200 mmHg. Their burst strength was 2409 ± 473 mmHg, and suture retention strength was 1.75 ± 0.27 N, regardless of the embedding period, whereas tensile strength increased from 7.5 ± 1.3 N at 1 month to 9.7 ± 2.0 N at 3 months with the embedding period. The amount of water leakage from the needle holes prepared in the Biotube wall was approximately 1/7th of that in expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vascular grafts. The Biotubes could be easily connected to each other without cutting or anastomosis leaks. They could be stored for at least 1 year at room temperature. This study confirmed that even Biotubes formed 1 month after embedding of Biotube Makers had properties comparable to arteries.

Endotoxin does not alter the pharmacokinetics of micafungin, but it impairs biliary excretion of micafungin via multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (ABCC2/Mrp2) in rats.

Micafungin, a newly developed echinocandin-type antifungal agent, is widely used for the treatment of deep-seated fungal infections including those of Candida species and Aspergillus species. In the present study, the possible alterations in the pharmacokinetics and biliary excretion of micafungin were investigated in endotoxemic rats induced by Klebsiella pneumoniae endotoxin. Endotoxin (2 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 24 h before an intravenous injection of micafungin (1 mg/kg). No significant differences in the plasma concentration-time curves and pharmacokinetic parameters of micafungin were observed between endotoxin-treated and endotoxin-untreated rats. When endotoxin-treated rats received a constant-rate infusion of micafungin, the biliary clearance of micafungin was significantly decreased, whereas the steady-state plasma concentration did not change. By protein immunoblot analysis, a significant decrease in the expression of hepatic multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (ABCC2/Mrp2), which is an efflux protein for micafungin, was observed in endotoxin-treated rats. These results suggest that endotoxin-induced decrease in the hepatobiliary excretion of micafungin is caused, at least in part, by the reduction of Mrp2-mediated hepatobiliary transport ability. The present study may provide information suggesting that micafungin can be used for patients with endotoxemia without the need for dosage adjustment.

Involvement of sulfate conjugation and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2) in sex-related differences in the pharmacokinetics of garenoxacin in rats.

In this study, the involvement of sulfate conjugation and drug efflux transporter multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2) in sex-related differences in the pharmacokinetics of a new quinolone antimicrobial agent, garenoxacin, was investigated in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rats (EHBRs) lacking Mrp2. The disappearance of garenoxacin from plasma in female SD rats was significantly faster than that in male SD rats after a single intravenous injection of garenoxacin (5 mg/kg). The systemic clearance of garenoxacin in female rats was approximately threefold larger than that of male rats (2.43 ± 0.31 and 0.87 ± 0.06 l/h/kg, respectively), suggesting the existence of sex-related differences in the pharmacokinetics of garenoxacin. When rats received a constant-rate infusion of garenoxacin, the contribution of biliary and renal excretion of garenoxacin was small, and no significant difference in the biliary (CL(BILE)) clearance of garenoxacin was observed between male and female SD rats. The metabolic clearance [CL(M (SULF))] of garenoxacin to garenoxacin sulfate conjugate (which is mainly excreted into the bile) in female SD rats was 8.5-fold larger than that in male SD rats (27.9 ± 2.94 and 3.28 ± 0.07 ml/h/kg, respectively). The CL(BILE) of garenoxacin was decreased in male and female EHBRs by approximately 50% compared with that in male and female SD rats. These results suggest that sulfate conjugation, but not Mrp2, is mainly involved in the sex-related differences in the pharmacokinetics of garenoxacin.

Suppression of Th1 and Th17 Proinflammatory Cytokines and Upregulation of FOXP3 Expression by a Humanized Anti-DNAM-1 Monoclonal Antibody.

DNAM-1 is an activating immunoreceptor expressed on hematopoietic cells, including both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, natural killer cells, and platelets. Since DNAM-1 is involved in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases and cancers in humans as well as mouse models, it is a potential target for immunotherapy for these diseases. In this study, we generated a humanized neutralizing antihuman DNAM-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb), named TNAX101A, which contains an engineered Fc portion of human IgG1 to reduce Fc-mediated effector functions. We show that TNAX101A efficiently interfered the binding of DNAM-1 to its ligand CD155 and showed unique functions; it decreased production of the inflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17A, and IL-17F by anti-CD3 antibody-stimulated or alloantigen-stimulated T cells and increased FOXP3 expression in anti-CD3-stimulated regulatory T (Treg) cells. These dual functions of TNAX101A may be advantageous for the treatment of T cell-mediated inflammatory diseases through both downregulation of effector T cell function and upregulation of Treg cell function.

CD300a blockade enhances efferocytosis by infiltrating myeloid cells and ameliorates neuronal deficit after ischemic stroke.

Immune responses contribute to tissue injury and repair during and after ischemic stroke. However, the spatiotemporal and initiating molecular events remain incompletely understood. Here, we show that mice deficient in the phosphatidylserine receptor CD300a, which is highly expressed on brain myeloid cells including Ly6Chi monocytes, exhibited ameliorated neurological deficit after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). CD300a inhibited signaling through the CD300b-DNAX-activation protein 12 (DAP12) signaling pathway to prevent efferocytosis of apoptotic cells. Deficiency of CD300a enhanced efferocytosis by myeloid cells infiltrating the brain as early as 1 hour after MCAO and reduced release of damage-associated molecular patterns from dead cells, resulting in milder inflammation in the penumbral region. Treatment with an anti-CD300a neutralizing antibody ameliorated the neurological deficit after MCAO. These findings reveal an important role of efferocytosis in the super-acute phase of ischemic stroke pathology and identified CD300a as a target for immunotherapy in treating ischemic stroke.

Heme oxygenase-1 mediates the anti-allergic actions of quercetin in rodent mast cells.

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: We investigated the involvement of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in the anti-allergic action of quercetin against degranulation of rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells, rat peritoneal mast cells, and mouse bone marrow-derived mast cells. METHODS: The strength of allergic reaction was evaluated by the extent of degranulation in mast cells sensitized with various stimulants. The levels of HO-1, HO-2, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expressions were determined by quantitative RT-PCR, western blotting, or immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Heme oxygenase activity was upregulated after short exposure to quercetin, followed by the induction of HO-1 expression after long exposure to quercetin. The inhibition of degranulation by quercetin was reversed using tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP), an HO-1 inhibitor. HO-1 metabolites, bilirubin and CO, led to inhibit degranulation, and quercetin translocated Nrf2 from cytoplasm into nucleus in RBL-2H3 cells. CONCLUSION: These results strongly suggest that quercetin exerted anti-allergic actions via activation of Nrf2-HO-1 pathway.

Role of plasma proteins in pharmacokinetics of micafungin, an antifungal antibiotic, in analbuminemic rats.

There were no significant differences in the pharmacokinetics of micafungin and expression of hepatic multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (ABCC2/Mrp2) between analbuminemic and Sprague-Dawley rats. Micafungin bound strongly to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and moderately to gamma globulin. These results suggest that HDL and gamma globulin contribute to the pharmacokinetics of micafungin.

Involvement of multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (ABCC2/Mrp2) in biliary excretion of micafungin in rats.

The drug transporter, multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (ABCC2/Mrp2), is known to play important roles in excretion of various drugs. In the present study, we investigated whether Mrp2 is involved in the transport of micafungin, a newly developed antifungal agent. When Sprague-Dawley rats received an intravenous injection of micafungin (1 mg/kg) in combination with cyclosporine, the cyclosporine significantly delayed the disappearance of micafungin from plasma and decreased the systemic clearance and volume of distribution at steady-state of micafungin to 54% and 65% of the corresponding control values, respectively. When Sprague-Dawley rats received a constant-rate infusion of micafungin, cyclosporine significantly decreased the steady-state biliary clearance of micafungin (approximately 80%). A significant decrease in the biliary clearance of micafungin (~60%) was observed in Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rats, which have a hereditary deficiency in Mrp2. The present findings at least suggest that Mrp2 is involved mainly in the hepatobiliary excretion of micafungin in rats.

Glycoprotein nmb Is Exposed on the Surface of Dormant Breast Cancer Cells and Induces Stem Cell-like Properties.

Glycoprotein nmb (GPNMB) is a type I transmembrane protein that contributes to the initiation and malignant progression of breast cancer through induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Although it is known that EMT is associated with not only cancer invasion but also acquisition of cancer stem cell (CSC) properties, the function of GPNMB in this acquisition of CSC properties has yet to be elucidated. To address this issue, we utilized a three-dimensional (3D) sphere culture method to examine the correlation between GPNMB and CSC properties in breast cancer cells. Three-dimensional sphere cultures induced higher expression of CSC genes and EMT-inducing transcription factor (EMT-TF) genes than the 2D monolayer cultures. Three-dimensional culture also induced cell surface expression of GPNMB on limited numbers of cells in the spheres, whereas the 2D cultures did not. Therefore, we isolated cell surface-GPNMBhigh and -GPNMBlow cells from the spheres. Cell surface-GPNMBhigh cells expressed high levels of CSC genes and EMT-TF genes, had significantly higher sphere-forming frequencies than the cell surface-GPNMBlow cells, and showed no detectable levels of proliferation marker genes. Similar results were obtained from transplanted breast tumors. Furthermore, wild-type GPNMB, but not mutant GPNMB (YF), which lacks tumorigenic activity, induced CSC-like properties in breast epithelial cells. These findings suggest that GPNMB is exposed on the surface of dormant breast cancer cells and its activity contributes to the acquisition of stem cell-like properties.Significance: These findings suggest that cell surface expression of GPNMB could serve as a marker and promising therapeutic target of breast cancer cells with stem cell-like properties. Cancer Res; 78(22); 6424-35. ©2018 AACR.

Possible involvement of organic anion and cation transporters in renal excretion of xanthine derivatives, 3-methylxanthine and enprofylline.

Whether organic anion and cation transporters are involved in the renal excretion of xanthine derivatives, 3-methylxanthie and enprofylline, remains unclear. In this study, we have investigated the effects of typically predominant substrates for organic anion and cation transporters on the tubular secretion of 3-methylxanthine and enprofylline in rats. In the renal clearance experiments using typical substrates for organic anion transporters, probenecid and p-aminohippurate, probenecid (20 mg/kg), but not p-aminohippurate (100 mg/kg), significantly decreased the renal clearance and clearance ratio of 3-methylxanthine and enprofylline. The typical substrates for organic cation transport systems, tetraethylammonium (30.6 mg/kg) and cimetidine (50 or 100 mg/kg), significantly decreased the renal clearance and clearance ratio of 3-methylxanthine and enprofylline. These results suggest that the renal secretory transport of 3-methylxanthine and enprofylline are mediated by probenecid-, cimetidine- and tetraethylammonium-sensitive transport systems. Uric acid, an organic anion, significantly inhibited the renal secretion of 3-methylxanthine, but not enprofylline, suggesting that the renal tubular transport of 3-methylxanthine is also mediated via uric acid-sensitive transport system. These findings suggest the possibility that both organic anion and cation transporters are, at least, involved in the renal tubular transport of 3-methylxanthine and enprofylline in rats.

Development and Characterization of Novel Monoclonal Antibodies Against Human DNAM-1.

DNAM-1 (CD226) is an activating immunoreceptor expressed on lymphocytes and myeloid cells. CD155 and CD112 are the ligands for DNAM-1. DNAM-1 plays an important role in tumor immunity mediated by CD8+ T cells and NK cells. Moreover, the interaction of DNAM-1 with the ligands contributed to the development of acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) and treatment with anti-DNAM-1 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) dramatically improved acute GVHD in a mouse model, suggesting that DNAM-1 may be a good molecular target for therapy to acute GVHD in human. In this study, we generated and characterized five novel clones of anti-human DNAM-1 mAbs, named TX94, TX95, TX96, TX107, and TX108. Among these mAbs, TX94 is a unique neutralizing mAb that most efficiently blocked the interaction between DNAM-1 and CD155. Furthermore, TX94 inhibited NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against a tumor cell line and suppressed CD8+ T cell proliferation mediated by allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reaction. Thus, TX94 may be useful for molecular therapy targeting DNAM-1.

FR209602 and related compounds, novel antifungal lipopeptides from coleophoma crateriformis no. 738. II. In vitro and in vivo antifungal activity.

The biological activities of the novel echinocandin-like lipopeptides, FR209602, FR209603 and FR209604, were evaluated. These compounds showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus attributed to inhibition of 1,3-beta-glucan synthesis. The minimum effective concentrations of these compounds against C. albicans and A1. fumigatus ranged from 0.02 to 0.04 microg/ml by microbroth dilution assay, and the IC50 values on C. albicans 1,3-beta-glucan synthase were 0.49, 0.64 and 0.72 microg/ml, respectively. FR209602 and FR209603 showed good efficacy by subcutaneous injection against C. albicans in a murine systemic infection model, with ED50 values of 2.0 and 1.9 mg/kg, respectively.

FR220897 and FR220899, novel antifungal lipopeptides from Coleophoma empetri no. 14573.

Novel antifungal lipopeptides, FR220897 and FR220899, were isolated from the fermentation broth of a fungal strain No. 14573. This strain was identified as Coleophoma empetri No. 14573 from morphological and physiological characteristics. FR220897 and FR220899 showed antifungal activities against Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans attributed to inhibition of 1,3-beta-glucan synthesis. Furthermore, FR220897 was effective in a murine model of systemic candidiasis.

FR252921, a novel immunosuppressive agent isolated from Pseudomonas fluorescens no. 408813 II. In vitro property and mode of action.

A novel immunosuppressive agent, FR252921 was isolated from the cultured broth of a species of Pseudomonas fluorescens. We have shown that FR252921 inhibited splenic proliferation stimulated with LPS, insensitive to calcinuerin inhibitor. In this study, FR252921 was found to inhibit IL-2 and IL-12 production as well as proliferaion of splenocyte. Analysis of transcription activity revealed that FR252921 inhibited activating protein-1 (AP-1). Exposures of antigen presenting cells (APC) to FR252921 attenuated proliferation supplemented by naïve T cells. Further, FR252921 strongly suppressed splenic dendritic cell proliferation stimulated with LPS and anti-CD40 mAb, while it did not inhibit purified T cell activation, including CD154 expression and IL-2 production. These results suggest that APC is dominant target cell population.

FR235222, a fungal metabolite, is a novel immunosuppressant that inhibits mammalian histone deacetylase (HDAC) II. Biological activities in animal models.

FR235222, a novel immunosuppressant which possesses potent inhibitory effects on the activity of mammalian histone deacetylases (HDACs), has been isolated from the fermentation broth of a fungus, Acremonium sp. No. 27082. FR235222 exhibited marked immunosuppressive effects on mouse ex vivo splenic T-lymphocyte proliferation, mouse delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, rat adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) and rat heterotopic cardiac transplantation. These results showed potential clinical use of this compound as a new type immunosuppressant in the fields of autoimmune diseases and organ transplantations.