Inactivation of the interleukin-22 pathway in the airways of cystic fibrosis patients.

Interleukin (IL)-22 plays a critical role in regulating the maintenance of the mucosal barrier. As airway epithelial regeneration is abnormal in cystic fibrosis (CF), we investigated IL-22 integrity in CF. We first demonstrated, using Il-22-/- mice, that IL-22 is important to prevent lung damage induced by the CF pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Next, IL-22 receptor was found normally expressed at the airway epithelial surfaces of CF patients. In wound-healing assays, IL-22-treated CF cultures had higher wound-closure rate than controls, suggesting that IL-22 signaling per se could be functional in a CF context. However, persistence of neutrophil-derived serine-proteases is a major feature of CF airways. Remarkably, IL-22 was found altered in this protease-rich inflammatory microenvironment; the serine protease-3 being the most prone to fully degrade IL-22. Consequently, we suspect an acquired deficiency of the IL-22 pathway in the lungs of CF patients due to IL-22 cleavage by the surrounding neutrophil serine-proteases.

Cytokine Profile Associated with Selective Removal of Natural Anti-αGal Antibodies in a Sepsis Model in Gal-KO Mice.

Selective depletion of natural anti-Galα1-3Galß1-4GlcNAc (so-called anti-αGal) antibodies is achieved in α1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (Gal-KO) mice by administration of the soluble glycoconjugate of αGal GAS914. This molecule removed up to 90% of natural circulating anti-αGal antibodies without causing unspecific production of cytokines in wild-type (CBA) and Gal-KO mice. However, the removal of anti-αGal antibodies in Gal-KO mice with GAS914 in the context of sepsis after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was associated with a significant increase in the production of leptin, CXLC1, CXLC13, and TIMP-1 cytokines compared to vehicle (PBS)-treated controls. Despite the current lack of understanding of the underlying mechanism, our data suggest a putative role of natural anti-αGal antibodies in the regulation of some cytokines during sepsis.

Regulatory T cells use heparanase to access IL-2 bound to extracellular matrix in inflamed tissue.

Although FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) depend on IL-2 produced by other cells for their survival and function, the levels of IL-2 in inflamed tissue are low, making it unclear how Treg access this critical resource. Here, we show that Treg use heparanase (HPSE) to access IL-2 sequestered by heparan sulfate (HS) within the extracellular matrix (ECM) of inflamed central nervous system tissue. HPSE expression distinguishes human and murine Treg from conventional T cells and is regulated by the availability of IL-2. HPSE-/- Treg have impaired stability and function in vivo, including in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Conversely, endowing monoclonal antibody-directed chimeric antigen receptor (mAbCAR) Treg with HPSE enhances their ability to access HS-sequestered IL-2 and their ability to suppress neuroinflammation in vivo. Together, these data identify a role for HPSE and the ECM in immune tolerance, providing new avenues for improving Treg-based therapy of autoimmunity.

Removal of natural anti-αGal antibodies elicits protective immunity against Gram-negative bacterial infections.

Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of bacterial infections occurs when blocking or inhibitory antibodies facilitate the infectivity of pathogens. In humans, antibodies involved in ADE of bacterial infections may include those naturally produced against Galα1-3Galß1-4GlcNAcß (αGal). Here, we investigate whether eliminating circulating anti-αGal antibodies using a soluble αGal glycopolymer confers protection against Gram-negative bacterial infections. We demonstrated that the in vivo intra-corporeal removal of anti-αGal antibodies in α1,3-galactosyltransferase knockout (GalT-KO) mice was associated with protection against mortality from Gram-negative sepsis after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). The improved survival of GalT-KO mice was associated with an increased killing capacity of serum against Escherichia coli isolated after CLP and reduced binding of IgG1 and IgG3 to the bacteria. Additionally, inhibition of anti-αGal antibodies from human serum in vitro increases the bactericidal killing of E. coli O86:B7 and multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In the case of E. coli O86:B7, there was also an improvement in bacteria opsonophagocytosis by macrophages. Both lytic mechanisms were related to a decreased binding of IgG2 to the bacteria. Our results show that protective immunity against Gram-negative bacterial pathogens can be elicited, and infectious diseases caused by these bacteria can be prevented by removing natural anti-αGal antibodies.

FOXP3+ regulatory T cells use heparanase to access IL-2 bound to ECM in inflamed tissues.

FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) depend on exogenous IL-2 for their survival and function, but circulating levels of IL-2 are low, making it unclear how Treg access this critical resource in vivo. Here, we show that Treg use heparanase (HPSE) to access IL-2 sequestered by heparan sulfate (HS) within the extracellular matrix (ECM) of inflamed central nervous system tissue. HPSE expression distinguishes human and murine Treg from conventional T cells and is regulated by the availability of IL-2. HPSE-/- Treg have impaired stability and function in vivo, including the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Conversely, endowing Treg with HPSE enhances their ability to access HS-sequestered IL-2 and their tolerogenic function in vivo. Together, these data identify novel roles for HPSE and the ECM in immune tolerance, providing new avenues for improving Treg-based therapy of autoimmunity.

Immunoregulatory effects of RGMb in gut inflammation.

Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a major complication after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Current strategies to prevent GvHD with immunosuppressive drugs carry significant morbidity and may affect the graft-versus-tumor (GVT) effect. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an intestinal inflammatory condition that affects more than 2 million people in the United States. Current strategies to prevent colitis with immunosuppressive drugs carry significant morbidity. Recently, Repulsive Guidance Molecule b (RGMb) has been identified as part of a signaling hub with neogenin and BMP receptors in mice and humans. In addition, RGMb binds BMP-2/4 in mice and humans as well as PD-L2 in mice. RGMb is expressed in the gut epithelium and by antigen presenting cells, and we found significantly increased expression in mouse small intestine after total body irradiation HCT conditioning. We hypothesized that RGMb may play a role in GvHD and IBD pathogenesis by contributing to mucosal inflammation. Using major-mismatched HCT mouse models, treatment with an anti-RGMb monoclonal antibody (mAb) that blocks the interaction with BMP-2/4 and neogenin prevented GvHD and improved survival compared to isotype control (75% versus 30% survival at 60 days after transplantation). The GVT effect was retained in tumor models. Using an inflammatory bowel disease dextran sulfate sodium model, treatment with anti-RGMb blocking monoclonal antibody but not isotype control prevented colitis and improved survival compared to control (73% versus 33% at 21 days after treatment) restoring gut homeostasis. Anti-RGMb mAb (9D1) treatment decreased IFN-γ and significantly increased IL-5 and IL-10 in the gut of the treated mice compared to the isotype control treated mice.

The Toll-Like Receptor 5 agonist flagellin prevents Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae-induced infection in cigarette smoke-exposed mice.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The major bacterial cause of COPD exacerbations is non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi). 25 to over 80% of cases are associated with NTHi. This susceptibility to infection involves a defective production of interleukin (IL)-22 which plays an important role in mucosal defense. Prophylactic administration of flagellin, a Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) agonist, protects healthy mice against respiratory pathogenic bacteria. We hypothesized that TLR5-mediated stimulation of lung immunity might prevent COPD exacerbations. Mice chronically exposed to cigarette smoke (CS), which presented COPD symptoms, were infected with NTHi and intraperitoneally treated with recombinant flagellin following a prophylactic or therapeutic protocol. Compared with control, cigarette smoke-exposed mice treated with flagellin showed a lower bacterial load in the airways, the lungs and the blood. This protection was associated with an early neutrophilia, a lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and an increased IL-22 production. Flagellin treatment decreased the recruitment of inflammatory cells and the lung damages related to exacerbation. Morover, the protective effect of flagellin against NTHi was altered by treatment with anti-IL-22 blocking antibodies in cigarette smoke-exposed mice and in Il22-/- mice. The effect of flagellin treatment did not implicated the anti-bacterial peptides calgranulins and defensin-ß2. This study shows that stimulation of innate immunity by a TLR5 ligand is a potent antibacterial treatment in CS-exposed mice, suggesting innovative therapeutic strategies against acute exacerbation in COPD.

Calibration of cell-intrinsic interleukin-2 response thresholds guides design of a regulatory T cell biased agonist.

Interleukin-2 is a pleiotropic cytokine that mediates both pro- and anti-inflammatory functions. Immune cells naturally differ in their sensitivity to IL-2 due to cell type and activation state-dependent expression of receptors and signaling pathway components. To probe differences in IL-2 signaling across cell types, we used structure-based design to create and profile a series of IL-2 variants with the capacity to titrate maximum signal strength in fine increments. One of these partial agonists, IL-2-REH, specifically expanded Foxp3+ regulatory T cells with reduced activity on CD8+ T cells due to cell type-intrinsic differences in IL-2 signaling. IL-2-REH elicited cell type-dependent differences in gene expression and provided mixed therapeutic results: showing benefit in the in vivo mouse dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) model of colitis, but no therapeutic efficacy in a transfer colitis model. Our findings show that cytokine partial agonists can be used to calibrate intrinsic differences in response thresholds across responding cell types to narrow pleiotropic actions, which may be generalizable to other cytokine and growth factor systems.

Rat Model of Intra-articular Chondrocyte Xenotransplantation.

Current treatment options are not providing an adequate solution for cartilage defects. Articular cartilage lesions in particular are not able to repair spontaneously and progressively degenerate with an arthrosic pattern. Aiming to solve this pressing medical need, xenotransplantation of porcine chondrocytes could be developed as a new therapeutic approach. Xenotransplantation is gaining much attention, thanks to the advances in animal genetic engineering and progress in the characterization of the rejection mechanisms that prevent long-term graft survival. In this regard, our team has identified various targets for intervention that should be tested in a meaningful animal model to prove their relevance in rejection of xenogeneic cartilage. To this end, we have recently established a discordant xenotransplantation model by injecting three million porcine articular chondrocytes (PAC) into the femorotibial joint of Lewis rats. This chapter describes this new model, which can be used to assess the immunoregulatory effect of a variety of strategies designed to inhibit rejection of xenogeneic PAC both at the humoral and cellular levels.

Cell-Based Assays for Modeling Xenogeneic Immune Responses.

Research in xenotransplantation implies a high experimental complexity comprising molecular, cellular, and in vivo studies to investigate the mechanisms of xenograft immune rejection and functional failure, as well as the strategies to counteract them. After major advances associated with the identification of the carbohydrate xenoantigens and their elimination through genomic edition of the source pigs, the study of the cellular immune response against the xenograft is gaining particular attention. Xenogeneic cell-based assays that put together pig cells and human leukocytes such as monocytes, NK cells, and T cells are relevant to address this hurdle. Thus, we describe here coculture, co-stimulatory, and cytotoxicity assays for investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of xenograft rejection. These techniques allow elucidating the key pathways that take place during the xenogeneic immune response in a simplified setting. Treatment with either pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines can be used for studying the regulation of adhesion, co-stimulatory molecules, and receptors involved in triggering the immune response under various conditions. Furthermore, these assays can be used for the follow-up of the immune response of in vivo studies as well as for the development of tolerogenic approaches that promote xenograft survival.

Optimization and Characterization of Calcium Phosphate Transfection in Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

IMPACT STATEMENT: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising tool for cell therapy, and gene-modified MSCs further expand their applications. To take full advantage of MSCs as a therapeutic approach, developing effective gene transfer methods is critical. Calcium phosphate transfection is well-established and safe, but the protocols need to be optimized according to different cell types. Currently, there is no optimized protocol for MSCs. This study optimized the protocol of calcium phosphate transfection for MSCs and highlighted the importance of serum during the process of transfection. More interestingly, the behavior of gene overexpression in MSCs in the in vivo environment was verified.

The Formation of Glycan-Specific Natural Antibodies Repertoire in GalT-KO Mice Is Determined by Gut Microbiota.

Gut commensal bacteria are known to have a significant role in regulating the innate and adaptive immune homeostasis. Alterations in the intestinal microbial composition have been associated with several disease states, including autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. However, it is not entirely clear how commensal gut microbiota modulate and contribute to the systemic immunity, and whether circulating elements of the host immune system could regulate the microbiome. Thus, we have studied the diversity and abundance of specific taxons in the gut microbiota of inbred GalT-KO mice during 7 months of animal life by metagenetic high-throughput sequencing (16S rRNA gene, variable regions V3-V5). The repertoire of glycan-specific natural antibodies, obtained by printed glycan array technology, was then associated with the microbial diversity for each animal by metagenome-wide association studies (MWAS). Our data show that the orders clostridiales (most abundant), bacteriodales, lactobacillales, and deferribacterales may be associated with the development of the final repertoire of natural anti-glycan antibodies in GalT-KO mice. The main changes in microbiota diversity (month-2 and month-3) were related to important changes in levels and repertoire of natural anti-glycan antibodies in these mice. Additionally, significant positive and negative associations were found between the gut microbiota and the pattern of specific anti-glycan antibodies. Regarding individual features, the gut microbiota and the corresponding repertoire of natural anti-glycan antibodies showed differences among the examined animals. We also found redundancy in different taxa associated with the development of specific anti-glycan antibodies. Differences in microbial diversity did not, therefore, necessarily influence the overall functional output of the gut microbiome of GalT-KO mice. In summary, the repertoire of natural anti-carbohydrate antibodies may be partially determined by the continuous antigenic stimulation produced by the gut bacterial population of each GalT-KO mouse. Small differences in gut microbiota diversity could determine different repertoire and levels of natural anti-glycan antibodies and consequently might induce different immune responses to pathogens or other potential threats.

Blockade of TIM-1 on the donor graft ameliorates graft-versus-host disease following hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a leading cause of mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) mediated by dysregulated T-cell immune reconstitution. Given the role of the T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin 1 (TIM-1) surface protein in many immune processes, including organ transplantation tolerance, we asked if TIM-1 might drive post-transplant inflammation and acute GVHD. TIM-1 binds to phosphatidylserine (PtdSer), and agonism of TIM1 on immune cells is proinflammatory. HCT conditioning results in a significant supply of PtdSer from apoptosis and cellular debris. Using murine models, treatment with an antagonistic anti-TIM-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) protects against acute GVHD while maintaining graft-versus-tumor effects. In contrast, the addition of exogenous free PtdSer worsened GVHD in a TIM-1-dependent manner. Importantly, TIM-1 blockade did not alter the expansion of donor T cells in vitro or in vivo. Instead, TIM-1 blockade reduces proinflammatory cytokines and promotes anti-inflammatory factors like carbonic anhydrase 1 and serum amyloid A1 in the gut tissue. This is mediated by TIM-1 on donor cells, as HCT of wild-type (WT) bone marrow (BM) and conventional T (Tcon) cells into TIM-1-/- knockout (KO) recipient mice showed little survival advantage compared with WT recipients, whereas WT recipients of TIM-1-/- KO Tcon cells or TIM1-/- KO BM had improved survival, in part due to the expression of TIM-1 on donor invariant natural killer T cells, which drives inflammation. Finally, in a humanized mouse xenograft GVHD model, treatment with anti-human TIM-1 antagonist mAb reduced GVHD disease burden and mortality. This supports TIM-1 as important for GVHD pathogenesis and as a target for the prevention of GVHD.

Biodistribution and Immunogenicity of Allogeneic Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Rat Model of Intraarticular Chondrocyte Xenotransplantation.

Xenogeneic chondrocytes and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are considered a potential source of cells for articular cartilage repair. We here assessed the immune response triggered by xenogeneic chondrocytes when injected intraarticularly, as well as the immunoregulatory effect of allogeneic bone marrow-derived MSC after systemic administration. To this end, a discordant xenotransplantation model was established by injecting three million porcine articular chondrocytes (PAC) into the femorotibial joint of Lewis rats and monitoring the immune response. First, the fate of MSC injected using various routes was monitored in an in vivo imaging system. The biodistribution revealed a dependency on the injection route with MSC injected intravenously (i.v.) succumbing early after 24 h and MSC injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) lasting locally for at least 5 days. Importantly, no migration of MSC to the joint was detected in rats previously injected with PAC. MSC were then administered either i.v. 1 week before PAC injection or i.p. 3 weeks after to assess their immunomodulatory function on humoral and adaptive immune parameters. Anti-PAC IgM and IgG responses were detected in all PAC-injected rats with a peak at week 2 postinjection and reactivity remaining above baseline levels by week 18. IgG2a and IgG2b were the predominant and long-lasting IgG subtypes. By contrast, no anti-MSC antibody response was detected in the cohort injected with MSC only, but infusion of MSC before PAC injection temporarily augmented the anti-PAC antibody response. Consistent with a cellular immune response to PAC in PAC-injected rats, cytokine/chemokine profiling in serum by antibody array revealed a distinct pattern relative to controls characterized by elevation of multiple markers at week 2, as well as increases in proliferation in draining lymph nodes. Notably, systemic administration of allogeneic MSC under the described conditions did not diminish the immune response. IL-2 measurements in cocultures of rat peripheral blood lymphocytes with PAC indicated that PAC injection induced some T-cell hyporesponsiveness that was not enhanced in the cohorts additionally receiving MSC. Thus, PAC injected intraarticularly in Lewis rats induced a cellular and humoral immune response that was not counteracted by the systemic administration of allogeneic MSC under the described conditions.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa proteolytically alters the interleukin 22-dependent lung mucosal defense.

The IL-22 signaling pathway is critical for regulating mucosal defense and limiting bacterial dissemination. IL-22 is unusual among interleukins because it does not directly regulate the function of conventional immune cells, but instead targets cells at outer body barriers, such as respiratory epithelial cells. Consequently, IL-22 signaling participates in the maintenance of the lung mucosal barrier by controlling cell proliferation and tissue repair, and enhancing the production of specific chemokines and anti-microbial peptides. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major pathogen of ventilator-associated pneumonia and causes considerable lung tissue damage. A feature underlying the pathogenicity of this bacterium is its capacity to persist and develop in the host, particularly in the clinical context of nosocomial lung infections. We aimed to investigate the ability of P. auruginosa to disrupt immune-epithelial cells cross-talk. We found that P. aeruginosa escapes the host mucosal defenses by degrading IL-22, leading to severe inhibition of IL-22-mediated immune responses. We demonstrated in vitro that, protease IV, a type 2 secretion system-dependent serine protease, is responsible for the degradation of IL-22 by P. aeruginosa. Moreover, the major anti-proteases molecules present in the lungs were unable to inhibit protease IV enzymatic activity. In addition, tracheal aspirates of patients infected by P. aeruginosa contain protease IV activity which further results in IL-22 degradation. This so far undescribed cleavage of IL-22 by a bacterial protease is likely to be an immune-evasion strategy that contributes to P. aeruginosa-triggered respiratory infections.

T cells expressing chimeric antigen receptor promote immune tolerance.

Cellular therapies based on permanent genetic modification of conventional T cells have emerged as a promising strategy for cancer. However, it remains unknown if modification of T cell subsets, such as Tregs, could be useful in other settings, such as allograft transplantation. Here, we use a modular system based on a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) that binds covalently modified mAbs to control Treg activation in vivo. Transient expression of this mAb-directed CAR (mAbCAR) in Tregs permitted Treg targeting to specific tissue sites and mitigated allograft responses, such as graft-versus-host disease. mAbCAR Tregs targeted to MHC class I proteins on allografts prolonged islet allograft survival and also prolonged the survival of secondary skin grafts specifically matched to the original islet allograft. Thus, transient genetic modification to produce mAbCAR T cells led to durable immune modulation, suggesting therapeutic targeting strategies for controlling alloreactivity in settings such as organ or tissue transplantation.

Divergence of the response induced by xenogenic immunization in the sepsis survival of rats.

We have previously described that boosted natural xenoantibodies in rats cross-react to bacteria by targeting carbohydrate antigens. This type of immunization is associated with reduced survival after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). In the present study, we investigated further this phenomenon by immunizing Lewis rats with three intraperitoneal injections, every other day, of hamster blood compared to saline-injected control animals. One day after the last injection, CLP was performed to produce a low-grade sepsis. Induction of xenoantibodies was associated with a reduction in animal survival after CLP relative to controls (45% vs. 90%, p<0.01). No bacterial blood load was observed after CLP in this model either with or without xenoantibody enhancement, indicating that the augmented mortality was not mediated by a direct effect of boosted xenoantibodies over blood bacteria. Nevertheless, the xenoimmunization produced a systemic inflammatory response in all rats. Additionally, a lack of weight gain at the time of CLP was present in animals that died after the procedure, which was not observed in surviving rats and controls. The cytokine profile at the time of CLP in animals that died after the procedure was characterized by an increase in the serum level of several cytokines, particularly adipokines. In contrast, the cytokine profile at CLP of xenoimmunized rats that survived the procedure was characterized by a reduction in the level of cytokines. In conclusion, this study failed to show a direct effect of boosted xenoantibodies over blood bacterial isolates as cause for the decreased survival after CLP. However, it evidenced that non-infectious systemic inflammation may lead to a pattern of augmented cytokines, particularly adipokines, which impairs survival after subsequent CLP. Therefore, the profile of cytokines existing before the infectious insult appears more crucial than that resulting from the condition for the outcome of sepsis.

Regulation of the Immune Response to α-Gal and Vector-borne Diseases.

Vector-borne diseases (VBD) challenge our understanding of emerging diseases. Recently, arthropod vectors have been involved in emerging anaphylactic diseases. In particular, the immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody response to the carbohydrate Galα1-3Galß1-(3)4GlcNAc-R (α-gal) following a tick bite was associated with allergies to red meat, cetuximab, and gelatin. By contrast, an anti-α-gal IgM antibody response was shown to protect against mosquito-borne malaria. Herein, we highlight the interplay between the gut microbiota, vectors, transmitted pathogens, and the regulation of the immune response as a model to understand the protective or allergic effect of α-gal. Establishing the source of α-gal in arthropod vectors and the immune response to vector bites and transmitted pathogens will be essential for diagnosing, treating, and ultimately preventing these emerging anaphylactic and other vector-borne diseases.

IL-22 Defect During Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection Triggers Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is linked to episodes of exacerbations caused by bacterial infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Our objective was to identify during COPD, factors of susceptibility to bacterial infections among cytokine network and their role in COPD exacerbations. S. pneumoniae was used to sub-lethally challenge mice chronically exposed to air or cigarette smoke (CS) and to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from non-smokers, smokers and COPD patients. The immune response and the cytokine production were evaluated. Delayed clearance of the bacteria and stronger lung inflammation observed in infected CS-exposed mice were associated with an altered production of IL-17 and IL-22 by innate immune cells. This defect was related to a reduced production of IL-1ß and IL-23 by antigen presenting cells. Importantly, supplementation with recombinant IL-22 restored bacterial clearance in CS-exposed mice and limited lung alteration. In contrast with non-smokers, blood NK and NKT cells from COPD patients failed to increase IL-17 and IL-22 levels in response to S. pneumoniae, in association with a defect in IL-1ß and IL-23 secretion. This study identified IL-17 and IL-22 as susceptibility factors in COPD exacerbation. Therefore targeting such cytokines could represent a potent strategy to control COPD exacerbation.

•Increased bacterial susceptibility during COPD is related to a defect in Th17 cytokines.•Cigarette smoke alters the production of immunoregulatory cytokines by lung APC.•Immunotherapy restoring the defective IL-22 response could represent an ideal therapy to prevent exacerbation in COPD patients.The progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is linked to episodes of exacerbations mostly due to bacterial infections. It is not well understood why COPD patients are more susceptible to infections. In our experimental model of COPD as well as in COPD patients, we identified a defect in the IL-17/IL-22 response to S. pneumoniae, leading to the bacterial outgrowth. This was mainly due to the alteration of lung antigen-presenting cells by cigarette smoke. Restoring the defective IL-22 response represents a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment and/or the prevention of COPD exacerbations.

Boosted rat natural xenoantibodies cross-react with Enterococcus faecalis by targeting melibiose and L-rhamnose.

Natural antibodies include a subset described as xenoantibodies considered to be directed at microorganisms and also cross-react with antigens of unrelated species. In this study, we generated T-cell-independent (TI) and T-cell-dependent (TD) xenoantibodies in Lewis rats with hamster and pig blood injections. TI anti-hamster and anti-pig IgM and IgG xenoantibodies cross-reacted with Enterococcus faecalis but not with Escherichia coli isolated from the blood of Lewis rats after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). TI anti-pig IgM xenoantibodies also showed some reactivity with two human blood isolates of E. faecalis. In contrast, TD xenoantibodies did not show any reactivity with rat or human bacteria. TI and TD anti-hamster and anti-pig IgM and IgG xenoantibodies showed cross-reactivity with lymphocytes and endothelial cells from species distinct to that used for immunization. Glycan array analysis and inhibition assays identified antibodies against melibiose and L-rhamnose as mediators of anti-hamster and anti-porcine xenoantibody cross-reactivity with E. faecalis. A rise in TI anti-hamster and anti-pig xenoantibodies was accompanied by decreased survival of Lewis rats in a low-severity sepsis model of CLP. Therefore, TI xenoantibodies in the rat include anti-carbohydrate antibodies reactive to bacteria of endogenous flora. Enhancement of these antibodies may result in more severe infectious diseases caused by these microorganisms.