Plitidepsin as an Immunomodulator against Respiratory Viral Infections.

Plitidepsin is a host-targeted compound known for inducing a strong anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity, as well as for having the capacity of reducing lung inflammation. Because IL-6 is one of the main cytokines involved in acute respiratory distress syndrome, the effect of plitidepsin in IL-6 secretion in different in vitro and in vivo experimental models was studied. A strong plitidepsin-mediated reduction of IL-6 was found in human monocyte-derived macrophages exposed to nonproductive SARS-CoV-2. In resiquimod (a ligand of TLR7/8)-stimulated THP1 human monocytes, plitidepsin-mediated reductions of IL-6 mRNA and IL-6 levels were also noticed. Additionally, although resiquimod-induced binding to DNA of NF-κB family members was unaffected by plitidepsin, a decrease in the regulated transcription by NF-κB (a key transcription factor involved in the inflammatory cascade) was observed. Furthermore, the phosphorylation of p65 that is required for full transcriptional NF-κB activity was significantly reduced by plitidepsin. Moreover, decreases of IL-6 levels and other proinflammatory cytokines were also seen in either SARS-CoV-2 or H1N1 influenza virus-infected mice, which were treated at low enough plitidepsin doses to not induce antiviral effects. In summary, plitidepsin is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of viral infections, not only because of its host-targeted antiviral effect, but also for its immunomodulatory effect, both of which were evidenced in vitro and in vivo by the decrease of proinflammatory cytokines.

Early production of IL-17A by γδ T cells in the trachea promotes viral clearance during influenza infection in mice.

The innate immune response generated against influenza infection is critical for the inhibition of viral dissemination. The trachea contains different types of innate immune cells that protect the respiratory tract from pathogen invasion. Among them, γδ T cells have the ability to rapidly generate large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines to preserve mucosal barrier homeostasis during infection. However, little is known about their role during the early phase of influenza infection in the airways. In this study, we found that, early after infection, γδ T cells are recruited and activated in the trachea and outnumber αß T cells during the course of the influenza infection that follows. We also showed that the majority of the recruited γδ T cells express the Vγ4 TCR chain and infiltrate in a process that involves the chemokine receptor CXCR3. In addition, we demonstrated that γδ T cells promote the recruitment of protective neutrophils and NK cells to the tracheal mucosa. Altogether, our results highlight the importance of the immune responses mediated by Î³Î´ T cells.

Stealth mRNA nanovaccines to control lymph node trafficking.

mRNA-based vaccines symbolize a new paradigm shift in personalized medicine for the treatment of infectious and non-infectious diseases. However, the reactogenicity associated with the currently approved formulations limits their applicability in autoinflammatory disorders, such as tumour therapeutics. In this study, we present a delivery system showing controlled immunogenicity and minimal non-specific inflammation, allowing for selective delivery of mRNA to antigen presenting cells (APCs) within the medullary region of the lymph nodes. Our platform offers precise control over the trafficking of nanoparticles within the lymph nodes by optimizing stealth and targeting properties, as well as the subsequent opsonization process. By targeting specific cells, we observed a potent adaptive and humoral immune response, which holds promise for preventive and therapeutic anti-tumoral vaccines. Through spatial programming of nanoparticle distribution, we can promote robust immunization, thus improving and expanding the utilization of mRNA vaccines. This innovative approach signifies a remarkable step forward in the field of targeted nanomedicine.

Subcapsular Sinus Macrophages Promote Melanoma Metastasis to the Sentinel Lymph Nodes via an IL1α-STAT3 Axis.

During melanoma metastasis, tumor cells originating in the skin migrate via lymphatic vessels to the sentinel lymph node (sLN). This process facilitates tumor cell spread across the body. Here, we characterized the innate inflammatory response to melanoma in the metastatic microenvironment of the sLN. We found that macrophages located in the subcapsular sinus (SS) produced protumoral IL1α after recognition of tumoral antigens. Moreover, we confirmed that the elimination of LN macrophages or the administration of an IL1α-specific blocking antibody reduced metastatic spread. To understand the mechanism of action of IL1α in the context of the sLN microenvironment, we applied single-cell RNA sequencing to microdissected metastases obtained from animals treated with the IL1α-specific blocking antibody. Among the different pathways affected, we identified STAT3 as one of the main targets of IL1α signaling in metastatic tumor cells. Moreover, we found that the antitumoral effect of the anti-IL1α was not mediated by lymphocytes because Il1r1 knockout mice did not show significant differences in metastasis growth. Finally, we found a synergistic antimetastatic effect of the combination of IL1α blockade and STAT3 inhibition with stattic, highlighting a new immunotherapy approach to preventing melanoma metastasis.

Characterization of the Dynamic Behavior of Neutrophils Following Influenza Vaccination.

Neutrophils are amongst the first cells to respond to inflammation and infection. Although they play a key role in limiting the dissemination of pathogens, the study of their dynamic behavior in immune organs remains elusive. In this work, we characterized in vivo the dynamic behavior of neutrophils in the mouse popliteal lymph node (PLN) after influenza vaccination with UV-inactivated virus. To achieve this, we used an image-based systems biology approach to detect the motility patterns of neutrophils and to associate them to distinct actions. We described a prominent and rapid recruitment of neutrophils to the PLN following vaccination, which was dependent on the secretion of the chemokine CXCL1 and the alarmin molecule IL-1α. In addition, we observed that the initial recruitment occurred mainly via high endothelial venules located in the paracortical and interfollicular regions of the PLN. The analysis of the spatial-temporal patterns of neutrophil migration demonstrated that, in the initial stage, the majority of neutrophils displayed a patrolling behavior, followed by the formation of swarms in the subcapsular sinus of the PLN, which were associated with macrophages in this compartment. Finally, we observed using multiple imaging techniques, that neutrophils phagocytize and transport influenza virus particles. These processes might have important implications in the capacity of these cells to present viral antigens.

Influenza Vaccination Induces NK-Cell-Mediated Type-II IFN Response that Regulates Humoral Immunity in an IL-6-Dependent Manner.

The role of natural killer (NK) cells in the immune response against vaccines is not fully understood. Here, we examine the function of infiltrated NK cells in the initiation of the inflammatory response triggered by inactivated influenza virus vaccine in the draining lymph node (LN). We observed that, following vaccination, NK cells are recruited to the interfollicular and medullary areas of the LN and become activated by type I interferons (IFNs) produced by LN macrophages. The activation of NK cells leads to their early production of IFNγ, which in turn regulates the recruitment of IL-6+ CD11b+ dendritic cells. Finally, we demonstrate that the interleukin-6 (IL-6)-mediated inflammation is important for the development of an effective humoral response against influenza virus in the draining LN.

Protection against influenza infection requires early recognition by inflammatory dendritic cells through C-type lectin receptor SIGN-R1.

The early phase of influenza infection occurs in the upper respiratory tract and the trachea, but little is known about the initial events of virus recognition and control of viral dissemination by the immune system. Here, we report that inflammatory dendritic cells (IDCs) are recruited to the trachea shortly after influenza infection through type I interferon-mediated production of the chemokine CCL2. We further show that recruited IDCs express the C-type lectin receptor SIGN-R1, which mediates direct recognition of the virus by interacting with N-linked glycans present in glycoproteins of the virion envelope. Activation of IDCs via SIGN-R1 triggers the production of the chemokines CCL5, CXCL9 and CXCL10, which initiate the recruitment of protective natural killer (NK) cells in the infected trachea. In the absence of SIGN-R1, the recruitment and activation of NK cells is impaired, leading to uncontrolled viral proliferation. In sum, our results provide insight into the orchestration of the early cellular and molecular events involved in immune protection against influenza.