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1.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 121(24): e2312837121, 2024 Jun 11.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38838013

Through immune memory, infections have a lasting effect on the host. While memory cells enable accelerated and enhanced responses upon rechallenge with the same pathogen, their impact on susceptibility to unrelated diseases is unclear. We identify a subset of memory T helper 1 (Th1) cells termed innate acting memory T (TIA) cells that originate from a viral infection and produce IFN-γ with innate kinetics upon heterologous challenge in vivo. Activation of memory TIA cells is induced in response to IL-12 in combination with IL-18 or IL-33 but is TCR independent. Rapid IFN-γ production by memory TIA cells is protective in subsequent heterologous challenge with the bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila. In contrast, antigen-independent reactivation of CD4+ memory TIA cells accelerates disease onset in an autoimmune model of multiple sclerosis. Our findings demonstrate that memory Th1 cells can acquire additional TCR-independent functionality to mount rapid, innate-like responses that modulate susceptibility to heterologous challenges.


Immunity, Innate , Immunologic Memory , Interferon-gamma , Th1 Cells , Th1 Cells/immunology , Animals , Immunologic Memory/immunology , Mice , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Interferon-gamma/immunology , Memory T Cells/immunology , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Legionella pneumophila/immunology , Multiple Sclerosis/immunology , Interleukin-12/metabolism , Interleukin-12/immunology
2.
Gut Microbes ; 16(1): 2363020, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38841892

CD4+ T cells play a critical role in regulating autoimmune diseases, and intestinal microbial metabolites control various immune responses. Granzyme B (GzmB)-producing CD4+ T cells have been recently reported to participate in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Here, we found that GzmbB-deficient CD4+ T cells induced more severe colitis in Rag1-/- mice than wild-type (WT) CD4+ T cells. Germ-free (GF) mice exhibited a lower expression of GzmB in intestinal CD4+ T cells compared to specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice. Intestinal microbial metabolite butyrate increased GzmB expression in CD4+ T cells, especially in IL-10-producing Th1 cells, through HDAC inhibition and GPR43, but not GPR41 and GPR109a. Butyrate-treated GzmB-deficient CD4+ T cells demonstrated more severe colitis compared to butyrate-treated WT CD4+ T cells in the T cell transfer model. Butyrate altered intestinal microbiota composition, but altered microbiota did not mediate butyrate induction of intestinal CD4+ T cell expression of GzmB in mice. Blimp1 was involved in the butyrate induction of GzmB in IL-10-producing Th1 cells. Glucose metabolism, including glycolysis and pyruvate oxidation, mediated butyrate induction of GzmB in Th1 cells. In addition, we found that IKZF3 and NR2F6 regulated GzmB expression induced by butyrate. Together, our studies underscored the critical role of GzmB in mediating gut bacterial metabolite butyrate regulation of T cell tolerance at the mucosal surface.


Butyrates , Colitis , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Granzymes , Interleukin-10 , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Th1 Cells , Animals , Interleukin-10/metabolism , Interleukin-10/genetics , Interleukin-10/immunology , Th1 Cells/immunology , Mice , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects , Butyrates/metabolism , Butyrates/pharmacology , Granzymes/metabolism , Colitis/immunology , Colitis/microbiology , Colitis/metabolism , Mice, Knockout , Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1/metabolism , Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1/genetics , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism , Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Immune Tolerance , Homeodomain Proteins
3.
Sci Adv ; 10(23): eadk2693, 2024 Jun 07.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38838155

T helper 1 (TH1) cell identity is defined by the expression of the lineage-specifying transcription factor T-bet. Here, we examine the influence of T-bet expression heterogeneity on subset plasticity by leveraging cell sorting of distinct in vivo-differentiated TH1 cells based on their quantitative expression of T-bet and interferon-γ. Heterogeneous T-bet expression states were regulated by virus-induced type I interferons and were stably maintained even after secondary viral infection. Exposed to alternative differentiation signals, the sorted subpopulations exhibited graded levels of plasticity, particularly toward the TH2 lineage: T-bet quantities were inversely correlated with the ability to express the TH2 lineage-specifying transcription factor GATA-3 and TH2 cytokines. Reprogramed TH1 cells acquired graded mixed TH1 + TH2 phenotypes with a hybrid epigenetic landscape. Continuous presence of T-bet in differentiated TH1 cells was essential to ensure TH1 cell stability. Thus, innate cytokine signals regulate TH1 cell plasticity via an individual cell-intrinsic rheostat to enable T cell subset adaptation to subsequent challenges.


Cell Differentiation , Cell Lineage , Cell Plasticity , T-Box Domain Proteins , Th1 Cells , Th2 Cells , Th1 Cells/immunology , Th1 Cells/metabolism , T-Box Domain Proteins/metabolism , T-Box Domain Proteins/genetics , Animals , Cell Lineage/genetics , Th2 Cells/immunology , Th2 Cells/metabolism , Mice , GATA3 Transcription Factor/metabolism , GATA3 Transcription Factor/genetics , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation , Cytokines/metabolism
4.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1345046, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38827732

Introduction: Recently, more and more research illustrated the importance of inducing CD4+ T helper type (Th)-1 dominant immunity for the success of tumor immunotherapy. Our prior studies revealed the crucial role of CD4+ Th1 cells in orchestrating systemic and durable antitumor immunity, which contributes to the satisfactory outcomes of the novel cryo-thermal therapy in the B16F10 tumor model. However, the mechanism for maintaining the cryo-thermal therapy-mediated durable CD4+ Th1-dominant response remains uncovered. Additionally, cryo-thermal-induced early-stage CD4+ Th1-dominant T cell response showed a correlation with the favorable prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRCLM). We hypothesized that CD4+ Th1-dominant differentiation induced during the early stage post cryo-thermal therapy would affect the balance of CD4+ subsets at the late phase. Methods: To understand the role of interferon (IFN)-γ, the major effector of Th1 subsets, in maintaining long-term CD4+ Th1-prone polarization, B16F10 melanoma model was established in this study and a monoclonal antibody was used at the early stage post cryo-thermal therapy for interferon (IFN)-γ signaling blockade, and the influence on the phenotypic and functional change of immune cells was evaluated. Results: IFNγ at the early stage after cryo-thermal therapy maintained long-lasting CD4+ Th1-prone immunity by directly controlling Th17, Tfh, and Tregs polarization, leading to the hyperactivation of Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) represented by abundant interleukin (IL)-1ß generation, and thereby further amplifying Th1 response. Discussion: Our finding emphasized the key role of early-phase IFNγ abundance post cryo-thermal therapy, which could be a biomarker for better prognosis after cryo-thermal therapy.


Cell Differentiation , Interferon-gamma , Melanoma, Experimental , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Th1 Cells , Animals , Th1 Cells/immunology , Mice , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Melanoma, Experimental/immunology , Melanoma, Experimental/therapy , Cryotherapy/methods , Cell Line, Tumor , Female
5.
J Exp Med ; 221(7)2024 Jul 01.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38829369

Cryptosporidium is an enteric pathogen and a prominent cause of diarrheal disease worldwide. Control of Cryptosporidium requires CD4+ T cells, but how protective CD4+ T cell responses are generated is poorly understood. Here, Cryptosporidium parasites that express MHCII-restricted model antigens were generated to understand the basis for CD4+ T cell priming and effector function. These studies revealed that parasite-specific CD4+ T cells are primed in the draining mesenteric lymph node but differentiate into Th1 cells in the gut to provide local parasite control. Although type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1s) were dispensable for CD4+ T cell priming, they were required for CD4+ T cell gut homing and were a source of IL-12 at the site of infection that promoted local production of IFN-γ. Thus, cDC1s have distinct roles in shaping CD4+ T cell responses to an enteric infection: first, to promote gut homing from the mesLN, and second, to drive effector responses in the intestine.


CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Cryptosporidiosis , Cryptosporidium , Dendritic Cells , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Animals , Dendritic Cells/immunology , Dendritic Cells/parasitology , Cryptosporidiosis/immunology , Cryptosporidiosis/parasitology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/parasitology , Mice , Cryptosporidium/immunology , Cryptosporidium/physiology , Intestines/immunology , Intestines/parasitology , Interleukin-12/metabolism , Interleukin-12/immunology , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Interferon-gamma/immunology , Th1 Cells/immunology , Lymph Nodes/immunology , Lymph Nodes/parasitology
6.
PLoS One ; 19(5): e0301687, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38718078

In the monitoring of human Toxoplasma gondii infection, it is crucial to confirm the development of a specific Th1/Th17 immune response memory. The use of a simple, specific, and sensitive assay to follow the T-cell activation is thus required. Current protocols are not always specific as stimulation with peptides is Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-dependent, while stimulation with total-lysis antigens tends to stimulate seronegative donors resulting to false positives. Here, an improved ELISPOT protocol is reported, using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of T.gondii-infected donors, incubated with the inactivated parasite. The results showed that, contrary to standard protocols, a pre-incubation step at high cell density in presence of the inactivated parasite allowed a specific Th1/Th17 response with the secretion of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-12 and IL-17 cytokines. This protocol allows to evaluate precisely the immune response after a T.gondii infection.


Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay , Th1 Cells , Th17 Cells , Toxoplasma , Toxoplasmosis , Humans , Th1 Cells/immunology , Th17 Cells/immunology , Enzyme-Linked Immunospot Assay/methods , Toxoplasmosis/immunology , Toxoplasma/immunology , Cytokines/immunology , Cytokines/metabolism , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology , Interferon-gamma/immunology , Interferon-gamma/metabolism
7.
Parasite Immunol ; 46(5): e13037, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38720446

The treatment for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) causes toxicity in patients, entails high cost and/or leads to the emergence of resistant strains. No human vaccine exists, and diagnosis presents problems related to the sensitivity or specificity of the tests. Here, we tested two phage clones, B1 and D11, which were shown to be protective against Leishmania infantum infection in a murine model as immunotherapeutics to treat mice infected with this parasite species. The phages were used alone or with amphotericin B (AmpB), while other mice received saline, AmpB, a wild-type phage (WTP) or WTP/AmpB. Results showed that the B1/AmpB and D11/AmpB combinations induced polarised Th1-type cellular and humoral responses, which were primed by high levels of parasite-specific IFN-γ, IL-12, TNF-α, nitrite and IgG2a antibodies, which reflected in significant reductions in the parasite load in distinct organs of the animals when analyses were performed 1 and 30 days after the treatments. Reduced organic toxicity was also found in these animals, as compared with the controls. In conclusion, preliminary data suggest the potential of the B1/AmpB and D11/AmpB combinations as immunotherapeutics against L. infantum infection.


Amphotericin B , Antibodies, Protozoan , Immunotherapy , Leishmania infantum , Leishmaniasis, Visceral , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/immunology , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/drug therapy , Animals , Amphotericin B/therapeutic use , Amphotericin B/administration & dosage , Antibodies, Protozoan/blood , Leishmania infantum/immunology , Leishmania infantum/drug effects , Mice , Immunotherapy/methods , Female , Antiprotozoal Agents/therapeutic use , Antiprotozoal Agents/administration & dosage , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Parasite Load , Disease Models, Animal , Cell Surface Display Techniques , Cytokines/metabolism , Th1 Cells/immunology
8.
Hum Vaccin Immunother ; 20(1): 2346963, 2024 Dec 31.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38745461

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, and meningococcal disease, caused by Neisseria meningitidis, are relevant infectious diseases, preventable through vaccination. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), released from Gram-negative bacteria, such as N. meningitidis, present adjuvant characteristics and may confer protection against meningococcal disease. Here, we evaluated in mice the humoral and cellular immune response to different doses of receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 adjuvanted by N. meningitidis C:2a:P1.5 OMVs and aluminum hydroxide, as a combined preparation for these pathogens. The immunization induced IgG antibodies of high avidity for RBD and OMVs, besides IgG that recognized the Omicron BA.2 variant of SARS-CoV-2 with intermediary avidity. Cellular immunity showed IFN-γ and IL-4 secretion in response to RBD and OMV stimuli, demonstrating immunologic memory and a mixed Th1/Th2 response. Offspring presented transferred IgG of similar levels and avidity as their mothers. Humoral immunity did not point to the superiority of any RBD dose, but the group immunized with a lower antigenic dose (0.5 µg) had the better cellular response. Overall, OMVs enhanced RBD immunogenicity and conferred an immune response directed to N. meningitidis too.


Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19 , Immunoglobulin G , Neisseria meningitidis , SARS-CoV-2 , Animals , Mice , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Neisseria meningitidis/immunology , Female , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage , COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage , Immunity, Cellular , Immunity, Humoral , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Meningococcal Infections/prevention & control , Meningococcal Infections/immunology , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , Adjuvants, Vaccine/administration & dosage , Aluminum Hydroxide/administration & dosage , Aluminum Hydroxide/immunology , Immunization/methods , Antibody Affinity , Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Antibodies, Bacterial/immunology , Meningococcal Vaccines/immunology , Meningococcal Vaccines/administration & dosage , Immunologic Memory , Th1 Cells/immunology
9.
Cells ; 13(10)2024 May 10.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38786036

Inflammation contributes to the onset and exacerbation of numerous age-related diseases, often manifesting as a chronic condition during aging. Given that cellular senescence fosters local and systemic inflammation, senotherapeutic interventions could potentially aid in managing or even reducing inflammation. Here, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of the senotherapeutic Peptide 14 (Pep 14) in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), monocytes, and macrophages. We found that, despite failing to significantly influence T cell activation and proliferation, the peptide promoted a Th2/Treg gene expression and cytokine signature in PBMCs, characterized by increased expression of the transcription factors GATA3 and FOXP3, as well as the cytokines IL-4 and IL-10. These observations were partially confirmed through ELISA, in which we observed increased IL-10 release by resting and PHA-stimulated PBMCs. In monocytes from the U-937 cell line, Pep 14 induced apoptosis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cells and upregulated IL-10 expression. Furthermore, Pep 14 prevented LPS-induced activation and promoted an M2-like polarization in U-937-derived macrophages, evidenced by decreased expression of M1 markers and increased expression of M2 markers. We also showed that the conditioned media from Pep 14-treated macrophages enhanced fibroblast migration, indicative of a functional M2 phenotype. Taken together, our findings suggest that Pep 14 modulates immune cell function towards an anti-inflammatory and regenerative phenotype, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic intervention to alleviate immunosenescence-associated dysregulation.


Macrophages , Monocytes , Th1 Cells , Humans , Monocytes/drug effects , Monocytes/metabolism , Macrophages/drug effects , Macrophages/metabolism , Th1 Cells/drug effects , Th1 Cells/immunology , Th1 Cells/metabolism , Peptides/pharmacology , Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology , Cytokines/metabolism , Interleukin-10/metabolism , Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Apoptosis/drug effects
11.
Int J Med Sci ; 21(6): 1003-1015, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38774754

Objective: Asthma is a chronic heterogeneous airway disease, and imbalanced T-helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cell-mediated inflammation contribute to its pathogenesis. Although it has been suggested that androgen and estrogen were involved in development of asthma, the underlying mechanisms remained largely unclear. Studies have demonstrated that Runx3 could promote naive CD4+ T cells to differentiate into Th1 cells. Hence, our study aimed to explore the potential regulatory mechanism of androgen and estrogen on asthma via modulating Runx3. Methods: First, clinical assessments and pulmonary function tests were conducted on 35 asthma patients and 24 healthy controls. The concentrations of androgen, estrogen, and androgen estrogen ratios were assessed in peripheral blood samples of asthma patients and healthy controls. Then, a murine asthma model was established to explore the effects of estrogen and androgen (alone or in combination) on asthma. Third, an in vitro assay was used to explore the mechanism of combination of androgen and estrogen in asthma. Results: We observed decreased androgen and increased estrogen levels in asthma patients compared with healthy controls. In mice with experimental asthma, there were increased serum concentrations of estrogen and decreased serum concentrations of androgen, intervention with combination of androgen and estrogen alleviated airway inflammations, increased Runx3 expressions and elevated Th1 differentiation. In CD4+ T cells co-cultured with bronchial epithelial cells (BECs), treatment with androgen plus estrogen combination promoted Th1 differentiation, which was mitigated by Runx3 knockdown in BECs and enhanced by Runx3 overexpression. Conclusion: These findings suggest that androgen estrogen combination modulate the Th1/Th2 balance via regulating the expression of Runx3 in BECs, thereby providing experimental evidence supporting androgen and estrogen combination as a novel therapy for asthma.


Androgens , Asthma , Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit , Estrogens , Asthma/drug therapy , Asthma/immunology , Asthma/blood , Humans , Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit/genetics , Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit/metabolism , Animals , Mice , Female , Androgens/blood , Male , Adult , Th1 Cells/immunology , Th1 Cells/drug effects , Disease Models, Animal , Middle Aged , Cell Differentiation/drug effects , Th2 Cells/immunology , Th2 Cells/drug effects , Case-Control Studies
12.
Immunity ; 57(5): 1005-1018.e7, 2024 May 14.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38697116

Cytokine expression during T cell differentiation is a highly regulated process that involves long-range promoter-enhancer and CTCF-CTCF contacts at cytokine loci. Here, we investigated the impact of dynamic chromatin loop formation within the topologically associating domain (TAD) in regulating the expression of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-22 (IL-22); these cytokine loci are closely located in the genome and are associated with complex enhancer landscapes, which are selectively active in type 1 and type 3 lymphocytes. In situ Hi-C analyses revealed inducible TADs that insulated Ifng and Il22 enhancers during Th1 cell differentiation. Targeted deletion of a 17 bp boundary motif of these TADs imbalanced Th1- and Th17-associated immunity, both in vitro and in vivo, upon Toxoplasma gondii infection. In contrast, this boundary element was dispensable for cytokine regulation in natural killer cells. Our findings suggest that precise cytokine regulation relies on lineage- and developmental stage-specific interactions of 3D chromatin architectures and enhancer landscapes.


CCCTC-Binding Factor , Cell Differentiation , Interferon-gamma , Interleukin-22 , Interleukins , Th1 Cells , Animals , CCCTC-Binding Factor/metabolism , CCCTC-Binding Factor/genetics , Th1 Cells/immunology , Mice , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Binding Sites , Interleukins/metabolism , Interleukins/genetics , Enhancer Elements, Genetic/genetics , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Chromatin/metabolism , Toxoplasmosis/immunology , Toxoplasmosis/parasitology , Toxoplasmosis/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation , Toxoplasma/immunology , Cytokines/metabolism , Cell Lineage , Th17 Cells/immunology
13.
Int Immunopharmacol ; 134: 112234, 2024 Jun 15.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38739976

Ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the rectum and colon to varying degrees, is linked to a dysregulated immune response and the microbiota. Sodium (aS,9R)-3-hydroxy-16,17-dimethoxy-15-oxidotricyclo[12.3.1.12,6]nonadeca-1(18),2,4,6(19),14,16-hexene-9-yl sulfate hydrate (SDH) emerges as a novel diarylheptane compound aimed at treating inflammatory bowel diseases. However, the mechanisms by which SDH modulates these conditions remain largely unknown. In this study, we assessed SDH's impact on the clinical progression of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis. Our results demonstrated that SDH significantly mitigated the symptoms of DSS-induced colitis, reflected in reduced disease activity index scores, alleviation of weight loss, shortening of the colorectum, and reduction in spleen swelling. Notably, SDH decreased the proportion of Th1/Th2/Th17 cells and normalized inflammatory cytokine levels in the colon. Furthermore, SDH treatment modified the gut microbial composition in mice with colitis, notably decreasing Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria populations while substantially increasing Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Patescibacteria. In conclusion, our findings suggest that SDH may protect the colon from DSS-induced colitis through the regulation of Th1/Th2/Th17 cells and gut microbiota, offering novel insights into SDH's therapeutic potential.


Colitis, Ulcerative , Dextran Sulfate , Diarylheptanoids , Gastrointestinal Microbiome , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Animals , Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects , Mice , Diarylheptanoids/pharmacology , Colitis, Ulcerative/drug therapy , Colitis, Ulcerative/chemically induced , Colitis, Ulcerative/immunology , Colitis, Ulcerative/microbiology , Colon/drug effects , Colon/immunology , Colon/pathology , Colon/microbiology , Cytokines/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Colitis/chemically induced , Colitis/drug therapy , Colitis/immunology , Colitis/microbiology , Male , Th1 Cells/immunology , Th1 Cells/drug effects , Th17 Cells/immunology , Th17 Cells/drug effects , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Th2 Cells/immunology , Th2 Cells/drug effects , Humans
14.
JCI Insight ; 9(9)2024 Apr 11.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38716729

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin condition with a childhood prevalence of up to 25%. Microbial dysbiosis is characteristic of AD, with Staphylococcus aureus the most frequent pathogen associated with disease flares and increasingly implicated in disease pathogenesis. Therapeutics to mitigate the effects of S. aureus have had limited efficacy and S. aureus-associated temporal disease flares are synonymous with AD. An alternative approach is an anti-S. aureus vaccine, tailored to AD. Experimental vaccines have highlighted the importance of T cells in conferring protective anti-S. aureus responses; however, correlates of T cell immunity against S. aureus in AD have not been identified. We identify a systemic and cutaneous immunological signature associated with S. aureus skin infection (ADS.aureus) in a pediatric AD cohort, using a combined Bayesian multinomial analysis. ADS.aureus was most highly associated with elevated cutaneous chemokines IP10 and TARC, which preferentially direct Th1 and Th2 cells to skin. Systemic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, except for Th2 cells, were suppressed in ADS.aureus, particularly circulating Th1, memory IL-10+ T cells, and skin-homing memory Th17 cells. Systemic γδ T cell expansion in ADS.aureus was also observed. This study suggests that augmentation of protective T cell subsets is a potential therapeutic strategy in the management of S. aureus in AD.


Dermatitis, Atopic , Staphylococcal Skin Infections , Staphylococcus aureus , Dermatitis, Atopic/immunology , Dermatitis, Atopic/microbiology , Humans , Staphylococcus aureus/immunology , Child , Female , Staphylococcal Skin Infections/immunology , Staphylococcal Skin Infections/microbiology , Male , Child, Preschool , Skin/microbiology , Skin/immunology , Skin/pathology , Chemokine CXCL10/immunology , Chemokine CXCL10/metabolism , Th1 Cells/immunology , Th2 Cells/immunology , Th17 Cells/immunology , Bayes Theorem , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Interleukin-10/metabolism , Interleukin-10/immunology , Intraepithelial Lymphocytes/immunology , Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte , Membrane Glycoproteins
15.
Int Immunopharmacol ; 134: 112183, 2024 Jun 15.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38705031

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease substantially affecting the quality of life, with no complete cure owing to its complex pathogenesis. Cornuside, a major bioactive compound present in Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc., which is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine with a variety of biological and pharmacological activities, such as anti-apoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its effects on psoriasis remain unclear. Our preliminary analysis of network pharmacology showed that cornuside may be involved in psoriasis by regulating the inflammatory response and IL-17 signaling pathway. Thus, we investigated the protective role and mechanism of cornuside in the pathogenesis of psoriasis in an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis mouse model. In-vivo experiments demonstrated that cornuside-treated mice had reduced skin erythema, scales, thickness, and inflammatory infiltration. The Psoriasis Area Severity Index score was significantly lower than that of the IMQ group. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that cornuside effectively inhibited Th1- and Th17-cell infiltration and promoted aggregation of Th2 cells in skin tissues. Cornuside also inhibited the infiltration of macrophages to the skin. Furthermore, in-vitro experiments indicated that cornuside also decreased the polarization of M1 macrophages and reduced the levels of associated cytokines. Western blotting demonstrated that cornuside suppressed the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular receptor kinase (ERK) in bone marrow-derived macrophages. Our findings indicate that cornuside has a protective effect against IMQ-induced psoriasis by inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization through the ERK and JNK signaling pathways and modulating the infiltration of immune cells as well as the expression of inflammatory factors.


Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Imiquimod , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Psoriasis , Skin , Th17 Cells , Animals , Psoriasis/drug therapy , Psoriasis/chemically induced , Psoriasis/immunology , Skin/drug effects , Skin/pathology , Skin/immunology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Mice , Th17 Cells/immunology , Th17 Cells/drug effects , Disease Models, Animal , Macrophages/drug effects , Macrophages/immunology , Cornus/chemistry , Humans , Interleukin-17/metabolism , Cytokines/metabolism , Female , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Th1 Cells/immunology , Th1 Cells/drug effects , Male
16.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1396446, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38799456

Ascaris spp. undergo extensive migration within the body before establishing patent infections in the small intestinal tract of humans and pigs. However, whether larval migration is critical for inducing efficient type 2 responses remains poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated systemic versus local adaptive immune responses along the hepato-tracheal migration of Ascaris suum during primary, single infections in conventionally raised pigs. Neither the initial invasion of gut tissue nor migration through the liver resulted in discernable Th2 cell responses. In contrast, lung-stage larvae elicited a Th2-biased pulmonary response, which declined after the larvae had left the lungs. In the small intestine, we observed an accumulation of Th2 cells upon the arrival of fourth-stage larvae (L4) to the small intestinal lumen. In parallel, we noticed robust and increasing Th1 responses in circulation, migration-affected organs, and draining lymph nodes. Phenotypic analysis of CD4+ T cells specifically recognizing A. suum antigens in the circulation and lung tissue of infected pigs confirmed that the majority of Ascaris-specific T cells produced IL-4 (Th2) and, to a much lesser extent, IL-4/IFN-g (Th2/1 hybrids) or IFN-g alone (Th1). These data demonstrate that lung-stage but not the early liver-stage larvae lead to a locally restricted Th2 response. Significant Th2 cell accumulation in the small intestine occurs only when L4 complete the body migration. In addition, Th2 immunity seems to be hampered by the concurrent, nonspecific Th1 bias in growing pigs. Together, the late onset of Th2 immunity at the site of infection and the Th1-biased systemic immunity likely enable the establishment of intestinal infections by sufficiently large L4 stages and pre-adult worms, some of which resist expulsion mechanisms.


Ascariasis , Ascaris suum , Th1 Cells , Th2 Cells , Animals , Ascaris suum/immunology , Ascariasis/immunology , Ascariasis/parasitology , Th2 Cells/immunology , Swine , Th1 Cells/immunology , Swine Diseases/immunology , Swine Diseases/parasitology , Lung/immunology , Lung/parasitology , Larva/immunology , Cytokines/metabolism
17.
Acupunct Med ; 42(3): 123-132, 2024 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38813841

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to improve intestinal motility in mice with postoperative ileus (POI). Previous studies, however, have yielded heterogeneous results regarding the effect of EA on POI. METHODS: Herein, a POI mouse model was constructed by intestinal manipulation. To evaluate the effect of EA treatment on colonic transit, the levels of inflammatory markers (macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); immune cell infiltration was detected by immunohistochemical staining of myeloperoxidase (MPO), ectodysplasin (ED)-1 and ED-2, and the percentage of CD4+ interferon (IFN)-γ+ Th1 cells and IFN-γ secretion levels were determined. Activated Th1 cells and pentoxifylline, a cell differentiation inhibitor, were used to assess the role of Th1 cells in EA treatment of POI. Neostigmine administration and unilateral vagotomy were performed to confirm whether the effects of EA treatment on Th1 cells were mediated by the vagus nerve (VN). RESULTS: The results revealed that EA treatment at ST36 improved POI, as indicated by a decreased level of inflammatory-related markers and immune cell infiltration and shortened colonic transit time. The activated Th1 cells abolished the effects of EA treatment on POI. The effects of EA treatment on POI were enhanced by stimulation of the VN along with a decreased level of Th1 cells, but these effects were abolished by vagotomy along with an increased percentage of Th1 cells; this result indicates that the VN mediates the role of Th1 cells in the effects of EA treatment of POI. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that the effects of EA treatment of POI were mainly mediated by Th1 cells through the stimulation of the VN and inhibition of the inflammatory response.


Electroacupuncture , Ileus , Postoperative Complications , Th1 Cells , Vagus Nerve , Animals , Th1 Cells/immunology , Mice , Ileus/therapy , Ileus/immunology , Vagus Nerve/immunology , Male , Humans , Postoperative Complications/therapy , Postoperative Complications/immunology , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Disease Models, Animal , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Interferon-gamma/immunology , Interleukin-6/metabolism , Interleukin-6/immunology , Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism , Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/genetics , Interleukin-1beta/metabolism , Inflammation/therapy
18.
FASEB J ; 38(10): e23683, 2024 May 31.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38758184

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been shown to modulate the function of various subsets of T cells such as naïve CD4+ T cells and IFNγ+CD4+ Th1 cells; however, mechanisms underlying this regulation have not been fully deciphered. Our in vitro culture assays demonstrate that MSCs suppress the activation and function of CD4+ T cells by secreting interleukin 11, and neutralization of IL11 abrogates MSC-mediated suppression of CD4+ T cell function. Moreover, delayed-type, exogenous supplementation of IL11 significantly suppressed IFNγ+ expression by Th1 cells. Th1 and CD8+ cells play central roles in T cell-mediated tissue damage. Using a murine model of hypersensitivity response to study T cell-mediated tissue damage, we show that silencing IL11 in MSCs significantly abates the capacity of MSCs to suppress the generation of IFNγ-secreting CD4+ and CD8+ cells, failing to prevent T cell-mediated tissue inflammation and tissue damage.


CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Interferon-gamma , Interleukin-11 , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Th1 Cells , Animals , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/immunology , Th1 Cells/immunology , Mice , Interleukin-11/metabolism , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Cells, Cultured , Female
19.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1401738, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38774869

A balance between pro-inflammatory decidual CD4+ T cells and FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (FOXP3+ Tregs) is important for maintaining fetomaternal tolerance. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing and T cell receptor repertoire analysis, we determined that diversity and clonality of decidual CD4+ T cell subsets depend on gestational age. Th1/Th2 intermediate and Th1 subsets of CD4+ T cells were clonally expanded in both early and late gestation, whereas FOXP3+ Tregs were clonally expanded in late gestation. Th1/Th2 intermediate and FOXP3+ Treg subsets showed altered gene expression in preeclampsia (PE) compared to healthy late gestation. The Th1/Th2 intermediate subset exhibited elevated levels of cytotoxicity-related gene expression in PE. Moreover, increased Treg exhaustion was observed in the PE group, and FOXP3+ Treg subcluster analysis revealed that the effector Treg like subset drove the Treg exhaustion signatures in PE. The Th1/Th2 intermediate and effector Treg like subsets are possible inflammation-driving subsets in PE.


Forkhead Transcription Factors , Gestational Age , Pre-Eclampsia , Single-Cell Analysis , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Humans , Female , Pre-Eclampsia/immunology , Pre-Eclampsia/genetics , Pregnancy , Single-Cell Analysis/methods , Adult , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics , Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Sequence Analysis, RNA , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism , Th1 Cells/immunology , Decidua/immunology
20.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1387534, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38650936

For several years, we have been committed to exploring the potential of Bordetella pertussis-derived outer membrane vesicles (OMVBp) as a promising third-generation vaccine against the reemerging pertussis disease. The results of our preclinical trials not only confirm its protective capacity against B. pertussis infection but also set the stage for forthcoming human clinical trials. This study delves into the examination of OMVBp as an adjuvant. To accomplish this objective, we implemented a two-dose murine schedule to evaluate the specific immune response induced by formulations containing OMVBp combined with 3 heterologous immunogens: Tetanus toxoid (T), Diphtheria toxoid (D), and the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein (S). The specific levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a triggered by the different tested formulations were evaluated using ELISA in dose-response assays for OMVBp and the immunogens at varying levels. These assays demonstrated that OMVBp exhibits adjuvant properties even at the low concentration employed (1.5 µg of protein per dose). As this effect was notably enhanced at medium (3 µg) and high concentrations (6 µg), we chose the medium concentration to determine the minimum immunogen dose at which the OMV adjuvant properties are significantly evident. These assays demonstrated that OMVBp exhibits adjuvant properties even at the lowest concentration tested for each immunogen. In the presence of OMVBp, specific IgG levels detected for the lowest amount of antigen tested increased by 2.5 to 10 fold compared to those found in animals immunized with formulations containing adjuvant-free antigens (p<0.0001). When assessing the adjuvant properties of OMVBp compared to the widely recognized adjuvant alum, we detected similar levels of specific IgG against D, T and S for both adjuvants. Experiments with OMVs derived from E. coli (OMVE.coli) reaffirmed that the adjuvant properties of OMVs extend across different bacterial species. Nonetheless, it's crucial to highlight that OMVBp notably skewed the immune response towards a Th1 profile (p<0.05). These collective findings emphasize the dual role of OMVBp as both an adjuvant and modulator of the immune response, positioning it favorably for incorporation into combined vaccine formulations.


Adjuvants, Immunologic , Bordetella pertussis , Immunoglobulin G , Th1 Cells , Whooping Cough , Bordetella pertussis/immunology , Animals , Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage , Mice , Th1 Cells/immunology , Whooping Cough/immunology , Whooping Cough/prevention & control , Female , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Pertussis Vaccine/immunology , Pertussis Vaccine/administration & dosage , Antibodies, Bacterial/immunology , Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , Mice, Inbred BALB C , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins/immunology , Humans , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Tetanus Toxoid/immunology
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