Construction of β2m knockout mice / 生物工程学报

The β2m (Beta-2-microglobin) gene encodes a non-glycosylated protein that functions as an important component of major histocompatibility complexⅠ(MHCⅠ) for antigen presentation. To evade immune mediated clearance, human tumors and pathogens have adopted different strategies, including loss of MHCⅠexpression. Appropriate animal models are essential for understanding the mechanisms underpinning the clinical treatment of tumor and other human diseases. We constructed β2m knockout mice using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing tool through embryo microinjection. Subsequently, genotyping and phenotyping of knockout mice were performed by PCR, qPCR, and flow cytometry. Mice genotyping showed that the coding region of the target gene was absent in the knockout mice. Real time PCR showed that mRNA level of β2m was significantly downregulated. Flow cytometry showed that the proportions of CD8+ killer T cells was significantly reduced in a variety of tissues and organs of the immune system. Taken together, we have successfully constructed a strain of β2m knockout mice, which will facilitate subsequent in vivo study on the function and mechanism of the β2m gene.

Effect of IL-15 addition on asbestos-induced suppression of human cytotoxic T lymphocyte induction

BACKGROUND@#Asbestos fibers possess tumorigenicity and are thought to cause mesothelioma. We have previously reported that exposure to asbestos fibers causes a reduction in antitumor immunity. Asbestos exposure in the mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) showed suppressed induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), accompanied by a decrease in proliferation of CD8@*METHODS@#For MLR, human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were cultured with irradiated allogenic PBMCs upon exposure to chrysotile B asbestos at 5 μg/ml for 7 days. After 2 days of culture, IL-15 was added at 1 ng/ml. After 7 days of MLR, PBMCs were collected and analyzed for phenotypic and functional markers of CD8@*RESULTS@#IL-15 addition partially reversed the decrease in CD3@*CONCLUSION@#These findings indicate that CTLs induced upon exposure to asbestos possess dysfunctional machinery that can be partly compensated by IL-15 supplementation, and that IL-15 is more effective in the recovery of proliferation and granzyme B levels from asbestos-induced suppression of CTL induction compared with IL-2.

The influence of HLA/HIV genetics on the occurrence of elite controllers and a need for therapeutics geotargeting view

The interaction of HIV-1, human leukocyte antigen (HLA), and elite controllers (EC) compose a still intricate triad. Elite controllers maintain a very low viral load and a normal CD4 count, even without antiretrovirals. There is a lot of diversity in HIV subtypes and HLA alleles. The most common subtype in each country varies depending on its localization and epidemiological history. As we know EC appears to maintain an effective CD8 response against HIV. In this phenomenon, some alleles of HLAs are associated with a slow progression of HIV infection, others with a rapid progression. This relationship also depends on the virus subtype. Epitopes of Gag protein-restricted by HLA-B*57 generated a considerable immune response in EC. However, some mutations allow HIV to escape the CD8 response, while others do not. HLA protective alleles, like HLA-B*27, HLA-B*57 and HLA-B*58:01, that are common in Caucasians infected with HIV-1 Clade B, do not show the same protection in sub-Saharan Africans infected by HIV-1 Clade C. Endogenous pathway of antigen processing and presentation is used to present intracellular synthesized cellular peptides as well as viral protein fragments via the MHC class I molecule to the cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). Some epitopes are immunodominant, which means that they drive the immune reaction to some virus. Mutation on an anchor residue of epitope necessary for binding on MHC class I is used by HIV to escape the immune system. Mutations inside or flanking an epitope may lead to T cell lack of recognition and CTL escape. Studying how immunodominance at epitopes drives the EC in a geographically dependent way with genetics and immunological elements orchestrating it may help future research on vaccines or immunotherapy for HIV. 2021 Sociedade Brasileira de Infectologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license

LMP2-DC Vaccine Elicits Specific EBV-LMP2 Response to Effectively Improve Immunotherapy in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Cancer / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a vaccine based on latent membrane protein 2 (LMP2) modified dendritic cells (DCs) that boosts specific responses of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to LMP2 before and after intradermal injection in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).@*Methods@#DCs were derived from peripheral blood monocytes of patients with NPC. We prepared LMP2-DCs infected by recombinant adenovirus vector expressing LMP2 (rAd-LMP2). NPC patients were immunized with 2 × 10 @*Results@#We demonstrated that DCs derived from monocytes displayed typical DC morphologies; the expression of LMP2 in the LMP2-DCs vaccine was confirmed by immunocytochemical assay. Twenty-nine patients with NPC were enrolled in this clinical trial. The LMP2-DCs vaccine was well tolerated in all of the patients. Boosted responses to LMP2 peptide sub-pools were observed in 18 of the 29 patients with NPC. The follow-up data of 29 immunized patients from April, 2010 to April 2015 indicated a five-year survival rate of 94.4% in responders and 45.5% in non-responders.@*Conclusion@#In this pilot study, we demonstrated that the LMP2-DCs vaccine is safe and effective in patients with NPC. Specific CTLs responses to LMP2 play a certain role in controlling and preventing the recurrence and metastasis of NPC, which warrants further clinical testing.

Linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica en trasplante renal / Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in kidney transplant recipients

RESUMEN La linfohistiocitosis hemofagocítica (LHH) posterior al trasplante renal hace referencia a un estado hiperinflamatorio grave, asociado a la activación no controlada de los linfocitos T citotóxicos y macrófagos por causa infecciosas y/o secundaria al tratamiento inmunosupresor. Las causas más prevalentes dentro de las infecciones son la histoplasmosis, la tuberculosis y las infecciones por virus herpes. Se caracteriza por fiebre, organomegalias, citopenias, hiperferritinemia, hipertrigliceridemia y/o hipofibrinogenemia; puede acompañarse con hemofagocitosis documentada en la médula ósea, el hígado u otros órganos. Su curso puede ser fulminante con progresión a falla multisistémica y la muerte. El tratamiento va enfocado a controlar tempranamente la causa desencadenante, reducir la inmunosupresión y controlar la inflamación. En pocos casos es necesario el uso de otros inmunosupresores, quimioterapia o, en situaciones muy seleccionadas, se puede requerir el trasplante de médula ósea.

SUMMARY Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in renal transplant recipients is a life-threatening hyper-inflammatory syndrome; associated with uncontrolled activation of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and macrophages due to infections or immunosuppressive therapy. Histoplasmosis, tuberculosis and herpes virus infection are among the leading infectious causes. It is characterized by fever, organomegaly, cytopenia, hyperferritinemia, hypertrigiceridemia and/or hypofibrinogenemia; which may be accompanied by hemophagocytosis in bone marrow, liver or other organs. HLH can follow a rapidly fatal course, with progression to multisystemic failure and death. The treatment is based on early control of the triggering cause, reducing immunosuppression and stop the inflammatory process. In some cases, is necessary to use other immunosuppressant, chemotherapy and in a very few cases, a bone marrow transplant may be required.

Las células dendríticas plasmacitoides evocan la respuesta efectora de los linfocitos T citotóxicos específicos para Salmonella / The plasmacytoid dendritic cells evoke Salmonella-specific CTL effector response

Resumen Introducción. La función inmunológica de las células dendríticas plasmacitoides durante las infecciones bacterianas, como la de Salmonella spp., es poco conocida. En ese contexto, se analizó su función efectora para presentar antígenos de Salmonella Typhimurium ante linfocitos T citotóxicos. Objetivo. Analizar la respuesta de los linfocitos T citotóxicos específicos para Salmonella evocada por las células dendríticas plasmacitoides. Materiales y métodos. Se usaron células dendríticas plasmacitoides marcadas con éster de succinimidil-carboxifluoresceína, pulsadas con el epítopo de Salmonella OmpC73 Kb- restringido o infectadas con S. Typhimurium como blanco en ensayos de citotoxicidad. Resultados. La lisis específica tuvo significación estadística usando células dendríticas plasmacitoides positivas pulsadas con OmpC73 en todas las relaciones de células efectoras y blanco (E:B) (p≤0,05); en cuanto a las células dendríticas plasmacitoides positivas para S. Typhimurium, solo se observó significación estadística en la relación de 1:100 (p≤0,05) usando las células efectoras OmpC73. Conclusión. Las células dendríticas plasmacitoides pueden evocar la respuesta de los linfocitos T citotóxicos durante la infección con S. Typhimurium.

Abstract Introduction: The immunological role of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) in bacterial infections such as Salmonella has been poorly documented. Therefore, we analyzed the effector function of these cells by presenting cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) with Salmonella Typhimurium antigens. Objective: To analyze the Salmonella-specific CTL response evoked by pDCs. Materials and methods: We used plasmacytoid dendritic cells stained with carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE) and pulsed with OmpC73, Salmonella Kb- restricted epitopes or S. Typhimurium as targets for cytotoxicity assays. Results: Specific lysis was shown to be statistically significant in pDC + OmpC73 for all effector:target ratios (p≤0.05). For pDC + S. Typhimurium, statistical significance was only observed at a 1:100 ratio (p≤0.05) using OmpC73. Conclusion: Plasmacytoid dendritic cells evoke CTL response during S. Typhimurium infection.

Nucleoprotein vaccine induces cross-protective cytotoxic T lymphocytes against both lineages of influenza B virus

PURPOSE: The influenza B virus diverges into two antigenically distinct lineages: B/Yamagata and B/Victoria. Influenza B is the dominant circulating virus during some influenza seasons, and recent data demonstrated that influenza A and B infection similarly cause severe clinical symptoms in hospitalized patients. Nucleoprotein (NP) is a good target for a universal influenza vaccine. This study investigated whether NP epitope variation within two lineages affects the dominant cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses induced by vaccination and the resultant protective immunity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The NP of B/Yamagata/16/1988, the representative strain of the Yamagata lineage, includes a dominant CTL epitope, FSPIRITFL, while B/Shangdong/7/1997 from the Victoria lineage has one amino acid difference in this sequence, FSPIRVTFL. Two recombinant replication-deficient adenovirus (rAd)-vectored vaccines expressing either NP were prepared (rAd/B-NP(I) and rAd/B-NP(V), respectively) and administered to BALB/c mice intranasally. To examine the efficacy of vaccination, antibody responses, CTL responses, and morbidity/mortality after challenge were measured. RESULTS: Both vaccines induce similar antibody and CD8 T-cell responses cross-reacting to both epitopes, and also confer cross-protection against both lineages regardless of amino acid difference. CONCLUSION: The rAd-vectored vaccine expressing the NP could be developed as universal influenza B vaccine which provides broader protection.

Estudo do microambiente tumoral e da infecção pelo EBV no Linfoma de Hodgkin clássico no Nordeste e Sudeste brasileiro / A tumoral microenvironment and EBV infection study in classic Hodgkin Lymphoma in Northeastern and Southeastern Brazil

O linfoma de Hodgkin é uma neoplasia singular, caracterizada pela escassez de células tumorais, imersas em abundante microambiente inflamatório. Com base nas diferenças histológicas e no fenótipo das células tumorais, divide-se em duas entidades: o linfoma de Hodgkin clássico e o linfoma de Hodgkin predominância linfocitária nodular. A incidência do linfoma de Hodgkin varia de acordo com idade, nível socioeconômico e associação com o vírus EBV. Existem estudos que associam a composição do microambiente tumoral do linfoma de Hodgkin com prognóstico, particularmente o alto índice de macrófagos no microambiente tumoral a pior prognóstico. No Brasil, os estudos publicados foram discordantes com os demais estudos. O presente estudo propõe avaliar a interação entre o linfoma de Hodgkin e seu microambiente, em busca de marcadores prognósticos no infiltrado inflamatório peritumoral, bem como avaliar as diferenças entre a região Sudeste, de melhor nível socioeconômico e a região Nordeste, que tem índice socioeconômico mais baixo. Para tanto, foram identificados retrospectivamente 176 pacientes com diagnóstico de linfoma de Hodgkin clássico, entre 2003 e 2013, provenientes de dois centros oncológicos de referência: o AC Camargo Cancer Center (região Sudeste) e Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba (região Nordeste). A média de idade foi 35±16 anos, sendo 39±15 nos pacientes do A.C.Camargo Cancer Center e 30±17 nos pacientes do HHJ (p<0,001). O LHEN foi o subtipo mais frequente, correspondendo a 89,9% dos casos do A.C.Camargo Cancer Center e 63,2% dos casos do HHJ. Positividade para EBV foi vista em 9,2% dos pacientes do A.C.Camargo Cancer Center e em 35,6% dos pacientes do HHJ. Os pacientes do HHJ apresentaram um microambiente tumoral com maior número células expressando CD 3, CD 4 e CD 8. Para ambas as populações, os linfomas associados a positividade para EBV apresentaram maior número de células CD 8 no microambiente. Para os pacientes do A.C.Camargo Cancer Center o microambiente não influenciou SLE. Para os pacientes do HHJ, na análise univariada um maior percentual de células expressando CD 20 no microambiente mostrou associação com maior SLE. Na análise multivariada, alta expressão de CD 20 mostrou ser fator independente associado a maior SLE. Macrófagos associados ao tumor não mostraram associação com pior prognóstico, quando avaliados por CD68

Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) is a unique neoplasm, characterized by the scarcity of tumor cells which are immersed in an abundant inflammatory microenvironment. Based on histologic and phenotypic differences in tumor cells, HL is divided in two entities: classic Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL) and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma. HL incidence varies upon age, socioeconomic level and EBV association. In addition, some studies have associated tumor microenvironment (TME) features in HL with prognosis, specially a high number of tumor associated macrophages as an adverse prognosis marker. In Brazil, the published studies are not in accordance to the international data. In this study, we evaluated HL interaction with TME and we compared populations from two different geographic regions: Brazilian Southeast, with higher socioeconomic level, and Northeast Brazil with lower socioeconomic level. 176 patients previously diagnosed with cHL from 2003 to 2013 from two referral oncologic centers (A. C. Camargo Cancer Center (AC) ­ Southeast Brazil and Hospital Haroldo Juaçaba (HHJ) ­ Northeast Brazil) were included in this study. The global median age was 35±16, which comprises a median of 30±17 for HHJ patients and 39±15 for AC patients (p<0.001). Nodular scleroris HL was the most frequent subtype, comprising 89.9% and 63.2% of AC and HHJ cases, respectively. EBV positivity was detected in 9.2% of AC patients and in 35.6% of HHJ patients. Patients from the HHJ presented a higher expression of CD3, CD4 and CD8 in the TME. In both populations, EBV-associated lymphoma were associated to a higher CD8 detection in the TME. Event-free survival (EFS) was not influenced by TME constitution in the AC patients. On the other hand, considering HHJ patients, univariate analysis showed an association between a longer EFS to high CD20 expression. In multivariate analysis, high CD20 expression showed to be an independent prognostic factor related to a longer EFS. Tumor associated macrophages showed no association to prognosis when evaluated by CD68 expression

Análise do estresse oxidativo, reparo do DNA e alterações epigenéticas no líquen plano / Analysis of oxidative stress, DNA repair and epigenetic changes in lichen planus

O líquen plano (LP) é uma doença mucocutânea, inflamatória, imunologicamente mediada por linfócitos T citotóxicos (LTCD8+). Enquanto o líquen plano oral (LPO) é considerado uma lesão potencialmente maligna, o líquen plano cutâneo (LPC) é uma condição tipicamente autolimitada, sugerindo que a patogênese destas lesões pode ser distinta. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi, primeiramente, avaliar os níveis de marcadores de estresse oxidativo na saliva de pacientes com LPO e, posteriormente, analisar o perfil de expressão de proteínas de reparo do DNA (XRCC1 e APE1) e da acetilação da histona H3K9 no LPO e LPC. Para o estudo sobre estresse oxidativo, trinta e quatro indivíduos participaram da pesquisa, sendo 22 diagnosticados clínica e histopatologicamente com LPO (reticular e erosivo) e 12 casos controle. A sialometria em repouso foi realizada e, posteriormente, foi realizada a análise de marcadores do estresse oxidativo (MPO, MDA) e ação antioxidante (SOD, GSH), através de estudo colorimétrico. Para realização do estudo sobre reparo do DNA e acetilação da histona H3K9, a amostra total foi composta por 89 casos de LP, sendo 66 de LPO e 23 de LPC. A análise da expressão da APE1 e XRCC1 foi realizada através de imuno-histoquímica, enquanto a análise da acetilação da H3K9 foi realizada através de imunofluorescência. Foram fotografados cinco campos representativos das lesões e as análises foram realizadas de forma quantitativa. A análise estatística foi realizada utilizando os softwares SPSS e GraphPad Prism. No estudo relacionado ao estresse oxidativo, dos 22 pacientes diagnosticados com LPO, a maioria era do sexo feminino (86.4%) e relatava ter entrado na menopausa (63.2%). Em sua maioria, as lesões de LPO encontravam-se na fase ativa (77.3%), havendo predominância do LPO do tipo reticular (68.2%). Quanto aos níveis de estresse oxidativo, não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa ao comparar os valores de SOD, GSH, MPO e MDA entre os grupos caso e controle, como também entre os LPO erosivos e reticulares (p > 0.05). Indivíduos com lesões inativas de LPO apresentaram um nível mais alto de SOD, quando comparados aos que possuíam lesões ativas (p = 0.031). O estudo relacionado ao reparo do DNA e acetilação da histona H3K9, demonstrou que a imunorreatividade para APE1 e XRCC1 foi significativamente maior no LPC do que no LPO (P = 0,003 e P = 0,034, respectivamente). Houve uma correlação positiva significativa e moderada entre APE1 e XRCC1 no grupo do LPO (Rho = 0,544; P <0,0001). A avaliação dos níveis de acetilação da histona H9K3 não revelou resultados significativos comparando o LPO e a LPC, nem comparando LPO erosivo e reticular (P> 0,05). Em conclusão, nossos achados revelaram que os marcadores de estresse oxidativo na saliva de pacientes com LPO foram semelhantes aos casos de controle, o que pode estar relacionado à alta exposição do ambiente da cavidade bucal a diversos estímulos físicos, químicos e microbiológicos, importantes geradores do estresse oxidativo. Além disso, alterações no perfil de expressão das proteínas de reparo do DNA foram mais expressas no LPC do que nos casos de LPO e a acetilação da histona H3K9 é um evento epigenético encontrado em ambas as lesões (AU).

Lichen planus (LP) is a mucocutaneous, inflammatory disease immunologically mediated by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD8+ CTL). While oral lichen planus (OLP) is considered a potentially malignant lesion, cutaneous lichen planus (CLP) is a typically self-limiting condition, suggesting that the pathogenesis of these lesions may be distinct. Thus, the aim of this study was, first, to evaluate the levels of oxidative stress markers in the saliva of patients with OLP and, subsequently, to analyze the expression profile of DNA repair proteins (XRCC1 and APE1) and H3K9 histone acetylation in the OLP and CLP. For the oxidative stress study, 34 individuals participated in the research, of which 22 were clinically and histopathologically diagnosed with OLP (reticular and erosive) and 12 were control cases. Non-stimulated sialometry was performed and, subsequently, oxidative stress (MPO, MDA) and antioxidant action (SOD, GSH) markers were determined. To perform the study on DNA repair and H3K9 histone acetylation, the total sample consisted of 89 cases of LP (66 OLP and 23 CLP). Analysis of APE1 and XRCC1 expression was performed by immunohistochemistry, whereas the analysis of H3K9 acetylation was performed by immunofluorescence. Five representative fields of the lesions were photographed and the analyzes were performed quantitatively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and GraphPad Prism software. In the study related to oxidative stress, among the 22 patients diagnosed with OLP, most were female (n = 19; 86.4%) and reported to have entered menopause (63.2%). In the majority of cases, OLP lesions were in the active phase (77.3%), with a predominance of the reticular OLP (n = 15; 68.2%). Concerning to oxidative stress levels, no statistically significant differences were observed when comparing SOD, GSH, MPO and MDA values between case and control groups, as well as between erosive and reticular OLP (p > 0.05). Individuals with inactive OLP lesions presented higher SOD when compared to those with active lesions (p = 0.031). The study related to DNA repair and H3K9 histone acetylation showed that the immunoreactivity for APE1 and XRCC1 was significantly higher in CLP than in OLP (P = 0.003 and P = 0.034, respectively). There was a significant and moderate positive correlation between APE1 and XRCC1 in the OLP group (Rho=0.544; P<0.0001). Evaluation of H9K3 histone acetylation levels did not reveal significant results comparing OLP to CLP, neither comparing erosive to reticular OLP (P> 0.05). In conclusion, our findings revealed that oxidative stress markers in saliva of patients with OLP was similar to the control cases, which may be related to the high exposure of the oral cavity environment to several physical, chemical and microbiological stimuli, important generators of the oxidative stress. Furthermore, changes in the expression profile of the DNA repair proteins exerted greater influence in the cases of CLP than in the cases of OLP, in addition, H3K9 histone acetylation is an epigenetic event found in both lesions (AU).

Potent and conditional redirected T cell killing of tumor cells using Half DVD-Ig

Novel biologics that redirect cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to kill tumor cells bearing a tumor associated antigen hold great promise in the clinic. However, the ability to safely and potently target CD3 on CTL toward tumor associated antigens (TAA) expressed on tumor cells remains a challenge of both technology and biology. Herein we describe the use of a Half DVD-Ig format that can redirect CTL to kill tumor cells. Notably, Half DVD-Ig molecules that are monovalent for each specificity demonstrated reduced non-specific CTL activation and conditional CTL activation upon binding to TAA compared to intact tetravalent DVD-Ig molecules that are bivalent for each specificity, while maintaining good drug like properties and appropriate PK properties.

A Case of Management for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Extrahepatic Metastasis by Autologous Natural Killer Cells Combined with Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has extremely poor prognosis. Immunotherapy has emerged as a new treatment for a number of cancers. Adoptive immunotherapy is one of the important cancer immunotherapy, which relies on the various lymphocytes including cytotoxic T lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) and cytokine induced killer cells. Also, there has been advance in techniques of NK cell activation to more effectively kill the cancer cells. Of note, recently the blocking antibodies targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) have shown promising results in diverse cancers including HCC. We report our recent experience of a patient accompanying advanced HCC with extrahepatic metastases. Disease progression had occurred after sorafenib administration, while the patient showed local tumor control and tumor marker decrease by NK cell immunotherapy combined with PD-1 inhibitor therapy. Though, there was no definite survival advantage due to impaired liver function, which might be caused by treatment related toxicities as well as cancer progression.

Comparison of immunoadjuvant activities of four bursal peptides combined with H9N2 avian influenza virus vaccine

The bursa of Fabricius (BF) is a central humoral immune organ unique to birds. Four bursal peptides (BP-I, BP-II, BP-III, and BP-IV) have been isolated and identified from the BF. In this study, the immunoadjuvant activities of BPs I to IV were examined in mice immunized with H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) vaccine. The results suggested that BP-I effectively enhanced cell-mediated immune responses, increased the secretion of Th1 (interferon gamma)- and Th2 (interleukin-4)-type cytokines, and induced an improved cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response to the H9N2 virus. BP-II mainly elevated specific antibody production, especially neutralizing antibodies, and increased Th1- and Th2-type cytokine secretion. BP-III had no significant effect on antibody production or cell-mediated immune responses compared to those in the control group. A strong immune response at both the humoral and cellular levels was induced by BP-IV. Furthermore, a virus challenge experiment followed by H&E staining revealed that BP-I and BP-II promoted removal of the virus and conferred protection in mouse lungs. BP-IV significantly reduced viral titers and histopathological changes and contributed to protection against H9N2 AIV challenge in mouse lungs. This study further elucidated the immunoadjuvant activities of BPs I to IV, providing a novel insight into immunoadjuvants for use in vaccine design.

Genome-Wide Association Studies of Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases, Thyroid Function, and Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid diseases, including autoimmune thyroid diseases and thyroid cancer, are known to have high heritability. Family and twin studies have indicated that genetics plays a major role in the development of thyroid diseases. Thyroid function, represented by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (T4), is also known to be partly genetically determined. Before the era of genome-wide association studies (GWAS), the ability to identify genes responsible for susceptibility to thyroid disease was limited. Over the past decade, GWAS have been used to identify genes involved in many complex diseases, including various phenotypes of the thyroid gland. In GWAS of autoimmune thyroid diseases, many susceptibility loci associated with autoimmunity (human leukocyte antigen [HLA], protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 22 [PTPN22], cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 [CTLA4], and interleukin 2 receptor subunit alpha [IL2RA]) or thyroid-specific genes (thyroid stimulating hormone receptor [TSHR] and forkhead box E1 [FOXE1]) have been identified. Regarding thyroid function, many susceptibility loci for levels of TSH and free T4 have been identified through genome-wide analyses. In GWAS of differentiated thyroid cancer, associations at FOXE1, MAP3K12 binding inhibitory protein 1 (MBIP)-NK2 homeobox 1 (NKX2-1), disrupted in renal carcinoma 3 (DIRC3), neuregulin 1 (NRG1), and pecanex-like 2 (PCNXL2) have been commonly identified in people of European and Korean ancestry, and many other susceptibility loci have been found in specific populations. Through GWAS of various thyroid-related phenotypes, many susceptibility loci have been found, providing insights into the pathogenesis of thyroid diseases and disease co-clustering within families and individuals.

Cytotoxic activity in cutaneous leishmaniasis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a chronic disease caused by species of the protozoan Leishmania and characterised by the presence of ulcerated skin lesions. Both parasite and host factors affect the clinical presentation of the disease. The development of skin ulcers in CL is associated with an inflammatory response mediated by cells that control parasite growth but also contribute to pathogenesis. CD8+ T cells contribute to deleterious inflammatory responses in patients with CL through cytotoxic mechanisms. In addition, natural killer cells also limit Leishmania infections by production of interferon-γ and cytotoxicity. In this review, we focus on studies of cytotoxicity in CL and its contribution to the pathogenesis of this disease.

Generation of potent cytotoxic T lymphocytes against in male patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer by dendritic cells loaded with dying T24 bladder cancer cells

ABSTRACT Background In order to induce a potent cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response in dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy for bladder cancer, various tumor antigens can be loaded onto DCs. Objective The aim of this study was to establish a method of immunotherapy for male patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), using bladder cancer-specific CTLs generated in vitro by DCs. Materials and Methods Monocyte-derived DCs from bladder cancer patients were induced to mature in a standard cytokine cocktail (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and PGE2: standard DCs, sDCs) or anα-type 1-polarized DC (αDC1) cocktail (IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-α, IFN-γ, and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid) and loaded with the UVB-irradiated bladder cancer cell line, T24. Antigen-loaded αDC1s were evaluated by morphological and functional assays, and the bladder cancer-specific CTL response was analyzed by cytotoxic assay. Results The αDC1s significantly increased the expression of several molecules pertaining to DC maturation, regardless of whether or not the αDC1s were loaded with tumor antigens, relative to sDCs. The αDC1s demonstrated increased production of interleukin-12 both during maturation and after subsequent stimulation with CD40L that was not significantly affected by loading with tumor antigens as compared to that of sDCs. Bladder cancer-specific CTLs targeting autologous bladder cancer cells were successfully induced by αDC1s loaded with dying T24 cells. Conclusion Autologous αDC1s loaded with an allogeneic bladder cancer cell line resulted in increased bladder cancer-specific CTL responses as compared to that with sDCs, and therefore, may provide a novel source of DC-based vaccines that canbe used in immunotherapy for male patients with NMIBC.

Immune-Checkpoint Inhibitors in the Era of Precision Medicine: What Radiologists Should Know

Over the past five years immune-checkpoint inhibitors have dramatically changed the therapeutic landscape of advanced solid and hematologic malignancies. The currently approved immune-checkpoint inhibitors include antibodies to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4, programmed cell death (PD-1), and programmed cell death ligand (PD-L1 and PD-L2). Response to immune-checkpoint inhibitors is evaluated on imaging using the immune-related response criteria. Activation of immune system results in a unique toxicity profile termed immune-related adverse events. This article will review the molecular mechanism, clinical applications, imaging of immune-related response patterns and adverse events associated with immune-checkpoint inhibitors.

dNP2-ctCTLA-4 inhibits German cockroach extract-induced allergic airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness via inhibition of Th2 responses

German cockroaches are major household allergens that can trigger allergic airway inflammatory diseases with sensitive T-cell responses. Although the use of immune modulatory biologics, such as antibodies, to mediate allergic responses has recently been examined, only systemic administration is available because of the size limitations on intranasal administration. Here we utilized a cell-permeable peptide, dNP2, to deliver the cytoplasmic domain of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (ctCTLA-4) through the airway epithelium to modulate Th2 responses in a German cockroach extract (GCE)-induced allergic airway inflammation model. The intranasal delivery efficiency of the dNP2-dTomato protein to the lungs was higher in GCE-induced asthmatic lung parenchymal cells compared to the sham cells. Intranasal administration of the dNP2-ctCTLA-4 protein inhibited airway hyper-responsiveness and reduced airway inflammation and remodeling, including goblet cell metaplasia and collagen deposition around the bronchi. The number of infiltrated cells, including eosinophils, and the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IFN-γ in the lungs were significantly reduced, presumably owing to inhibition of Th2 differentiation. However, intranasal administration of CTLA4-Ig did not inhibit airway inflammation. These results collectively suggest that dNP2-ctCTLA-4 is an efficient intranasally applicable candidate biologic for treating allergic asthma.

Identificaiton of Novel Immunogenic Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E7-Specific Epitopes Restricted to HLA-A*33;03 for Cervical Cancer Immunotherapy

PURPOSE: To identify new immunogenic HLA-A*33;03-restricted epitopes from the human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 E7 protein for immunotherapy against cervical cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We synthesized fourteen overlapping 15-amino acid peptides and measured intracellular interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production in PBMC and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) after sensitization with these peptides using flow cytometry and ELISpot assay. The immunogenicity of epitopes was verified using a ⁵¹Cr release assay with SNU1299 cells. RESULTS: Among the fourteen 15-amino acid peptides, E7₄₉₋₆₃ (RAHYNIVTFCCKCDS) demonstrated the highest IFN-γ production from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and CD8+ CTLs sensitized with E7₄₉₋₆₃ showed higher cytotoxic effect against SNU1299 cells than did CD8+ CTLs sensitized with other peptides or a negative control group. Thirteen 9- or 10-amino acid overlapping peptides spanning E7₄₉₋₆₃, E7₅₀₋₅₉ (AHYNIVTFCC), and E7₅₂₋₆₁ (YNIVTFCCKC) induced significantly higher IFN-γ production and cytotoxic effects against SNU1299 cells than the other peptides and negative controls, and the cytotoxicity of E7₅₀₋₅₉- and E7₅₂₋₆₁-sensitized PBMCs was induced via the cytolytic effect of CD8+ CTLs. CONCLUSION: We identified E7₅₀₋₅₉ and E7₅₂₋₆₁ as novel HPV 16 E7 epitopes for HLA-A*33;03. CD8+ CTL sensitized with these peptides result in an antitumor effect against cervical cancer cells. These epitopes could be useful for immune monitoring and immunotherapy for cervical cancer and HPV 16-related diseases including anal cancer and oropharyngeal cancer.

Effect of Telbivudine Tablet Combined Jianpi Bushen Recipe on HBV Specific Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte and HBeAg Seroconversion in Patients with HBeAg Positive Chronic Hepatitis B / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of Telbivudine (LDT) Tablet combined with Jianpi Bushen Recipe (JBR) on serum hepatitis B virus (HBV) specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and HBeAg seroconversion in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 90 HBeAg-positive and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 positive CHB patients were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group, 45 cases in each group. Patients in the treatment group took LDT Tablet (600 mg, once per day) combined with JBR granule (twice per day), while those in the control group took LDT Tablet alone. The therapeutic course for all was one year. HBV DNA negative conversion rate, HBeAg seroconversion rate, and level of HBV specific CTL were compared after 1 year treatment; liver function, drug resistance mutations, and adverse reactions were also compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 1 year treatment, HBV DNA negative conversion rate and HBeAg seroconversion rate were 88.89% (40/45) and 40.00% (18/45) in the treatment group, higher than those of the control group [68.89% (31/45) and 20.00% (9/45)], with statistical difference (P < 0.05). Level of HBV specific CTL in the treatment group was 0.78% +/- 0.09% after treatment, higher than that of the control group after 1 year treatment (0.54% +/- 0.11%) and that before treatment (0.36% +/- 0.07%), with statistical difference (P < 0.01). Level of HBV specific CTL in 27 patients with HBeAg seroconversion was 0.81% 0.10%, higher than that of 63 patients without HBeAg seroconversion (0.60% +/- 0.09%), with statistical difference (P < 0.01). ALT returned to normal in 44 cases of the treatment group (97.78%), while it was 42 cases (93.33%) of the control group, with no statistical difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). Total bilirubin (TBil) in the two groups all turned to normal. rtM204I variation occurred in 1 case (2.22%) of the treatment group and 2 cases (4.44%) in the control group. No obvious adverse reaction occurred in the two groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LDT Tablet combined with JBR could elevate levels of HBV specific CTL and HBeAg seroconversion in CHB patients.</p>

Application of Cytotoxic T-Lymphocytes for the Treatment of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / 中国实验血液学杂志

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, a common complication, remains a major risk factor related with patient death after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) which is crucial to control HCMV infection, can prevent or treat HCMV infection safely and effectively after adoptive infusion. Many studies have been focussed on exploring different methods for preparation of CTL. The method of using antigen presenting cells to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells is simple to operate, easy to conduct large-scale clinical trials. Isolation of CTL from donor-derived PBMC by peptide-tetramer or INF-γ antibody requires a large volume of peripheral blood and high cost for preparation. Third-party CTL can provide an "off-the-shelf" product, but the problem of HLA-mismatch still would be solved. In addition, the clinical efficacy and safety of different methods also vary. This article reviews and compares the current methods to generate CTL and efficacy of the cells after infusions.