ABSTRACT
Chronic infections induce CD4+ T-cells with cytotoxic functions (CD4 CTLs); at present, it is still unknown whether latent tuberculosis (LTB) and active tuberculosis (ATB) induce CD4 CTLs. Plasma and cells from four patient groups-uninfected contact (UC), LTB, and ATB (divided as sensitive [DS-TB]- or resistant [DR-TB]-drug)-were evaluated by flow cytometry, q-PCR, and proteomics. The data showed that ATB patients had an increased frequency of CD4+ T-cells and a decreased frequency of CD8+ T-cells. The latter displays an exhausted-like profile characterized by CD39, CD279, and TIM-3 expression. ATB had a high frequency of CD4 + perforin+ cells, suggesting a CD4 CTL profile. The expression (at the transcriptional level) of granzyme A, granzyme B, granulysin, and perforin, as well as the genes T-bet (Tbx21) and NKG2D (Klrk1), in enriched CD4+ T-cells, confirmed the cytotoxic signature of CD4+ T-cells during ATB (which was stronger in DS-TB than in DR-TB). Moreover, proteomic analysis revealed the presence of HSP70 (in DS-TB) and annexin A5 (in DR-TB), which are molecules that have been associated with favoring the CD4 CTL profile. Finally, we found that lipids from Mycobacterium tuberculosis increased the presence of CD4 CTLs in DR-TB patients. Our data suggest that ATB is characterized by exhausted-like CD8+ T-cells, which, together with a specific microenvironment, favor the presence of CD4 CTLs.
Subject(s)
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Granzymes , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 , Perforin , Tuberculosis , Humans , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Male , Granzymes/metabolism , Granzymes/genetics , Granzymes/immunology , Perforin/metabolism , Perforin/genetics , Perforin/immunology , Adult , Female , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/metabolism , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Tuberculosis/immunology , Tuberculosis/microbiology , Latent Tuberculosis/immunology , Latent Tuberculosis/microbiology , Middle Aged , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/metabolism , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/immunology , T-Box Domain Proteins/metabolism , T-Box Domain Proteins/genetics , T-Box Domain Proteins/immunology , Antigens, CD/metabolism , Antigens, CD/immunology , Antigens, CD/genetics , NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K/metabolism , NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K/immunology , NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K/genetics , Proteomics/methods , Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte , ApyraseABSTRACT
Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) are abundant in several tumor types and usually correlate with poor prognosis. Previously, we demonstrated that anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2) inhibit NK cell effector functions. Here, we explored the impact of TAM on NK cells in the context of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that an exhausted NK cell signature strongly correlated with an M2 signature. Analysis of TAM from human ccRCC samples confirmed that they exhibited an M2-skewed phenotype and inhibited IFN-γ production by NK cells. Moreover, human M0 macrophages cultured with conditioned media from ccRCC cell lines generated macrophages with an M2-skewed phenotype (TAM-like), which alike TAM, displayed suppressive activity on NK cells. Moreover, TAM depletion in the mouse Renca ccRCC model resulted in delayed tumor growth and reduced volume, accompanied by an increased frequency of IFN-γ-producing tumor-infiltrating NK cells that displayed heightened expression of T-bet and NKG2D and reduced expression of the exhaustion-associated co-inhibitory molecules PD-1 and TIM-3. Therefore, in ccRCC, the tumor microenvironment polarizes TAM toward an immunosuppressive profile that promotes tumor-infiltrating NK cell dysfunction, contributing to tumor progression. In addition, immunotherapy strategies targeting TAM may result in NK cell reinvigoration, thereby counteracting tumor progression.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Renal Cell , Interferon-gamma , Kidney Neoplasms , Killer Cells, Natural , Tumor-Associated Macrophages , Killer Cells, Natural/immunology , Carcinoma, Renal Cell/immunology , Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Interferon-gamma/immunology , Humans , Animals , Mice , Kidney Neoplasms/immunology , Kidney Neoplasms/pathology , Tumor-Associated Macrophages/immunology , Tumor-Associated Macrophages/metabolism , Disease Progression , Cell Line, Tumor , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily K/metabolism , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/metabolism , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/metabolismABSTRACT
Neglected tropical parasitic diseases (NTD) are prevalent in many countries and cost-effective treatments remain urgently needed. Novel approaches have been proposed to address these diseases through an action on immune co-inhibitory checkpoints which are exploited by parasites to evade the immune system. Among these checkpoints, TIM-3 has been shown to play a key role in antiparasitic immunity via a repression and functional attenuation of CD4+ and/or CD8+ T-cells. The present review discusses the role of the TIM-3/galectin-9 checkpoint in seven major NTD: Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and malaria (3 trypanosomatid infections), schistosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, echinococcosis and filariasis (4 helminth infections). In each case, the role of the checkpoint has been analyzed and the use of anti-TIM-3 antibodies evaluated as a potential therapeutic approach. In general, the parasitic infection is coupled with an upregulation of TIM-3 expressed on T cells, but not necessarily with an exhaustion of those T cells. In several cases, the use of anti-TIM-3 antibodies represent a possible strategy to reinforce the clearance and to reduce the parasite load. Promising data have been reported in cases of leishmaniasis, malaria and schistosomiasis, whereas a similar approach proved much less efficient (if not deleterious) in cases of echinococcosis and the Chagas disease. Nevertheless, the TIM-3 checkpoint warrants further consideration as a potential immune target to combat these pathologies, using antibodies or drugs capable of reducing directly or indirectly the expression and function of the checkpoint, to restore an immune control.
Subject(s)
Galectins , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 , Parasitic Diseases , Animals , Humans , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Galectins/immunology , Parasitic Diseases/immunology , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunologyABSTRACT
Lung cancer is a disease with remarkable heterogeneity. A deep understanding of the tumor microenvironment (TME) offers potential therapeutic strategies against this malignant disease. More and more attention has been paid to the roles of macrophages in the TME. This article briefly summarizes the origin of macrophages, the mutual regulation between anti-tumoral immunity and pro-tumoral statuses derived from macrophage polarization, and the therapeutic opportunities targeting alternately activated macrophages (AAM)-type macrophage polarization. Among them, cellular components including T cells, as well as acellular components represented by IL-4 and IL-13 are key regulators driving the polarization of AAM macrophages. Novel treatments targeting macrophage-associated mechanisms are mainly divided into small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and other therapies to re-acclimate AMM macrophages. Finally, we paid special attention to an immunosuppressive subgroup of macrophages with T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-3 (TIM-3) expression. Based on cellular interactions with cancer cells, TIM3+ macrophages facilitate the proliferation and progression of cancer cells, yet this process exposes targets blocking the ligand-receptor recognition. To sum up, this is a systematic review on the mechanism of tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) polarization, therapeutic strategies and the biological functions of Tim-3 positive macrophages that aims to provide new insights into the pathogenesis and treatment of lung cancer.
Subject(s)
Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 , Lung Neoplasms , Tumor Microenvironment , Tumor-Associated Macrophages , Humans , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/genetics , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/immunology , Lung Neoplasms/pathology , Macrophages/immunology , Tumor Microenvironment/genetics , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , Tumor-Associated Macrophages/immunologyABSTRACT
Chronic viral infections where the antigen persists long-term, induces an exhaustion phenotype in responding T cells. It is now evident that immune checkpoints on T cells including PD-1, CTLA-4, and PSGL-1 (Selplg) are linked with the differentiation of exhausted cells. Chronic T cell receptor signaling induces transcriptional signatures that result in the development of various exhausted T cell subsets, including the stem-like T cell precursor exhausted (Tpex) cells, which can be reinvigorated by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). While PSGL-1 has been shown to inhibit T cell responses in various disease models, the cell-intrinsic function of PSGL-1 in the differentiation, maintenance, and reinvigoration of exhausted T cells is unknown. We found Selplg-/- T cells had increased expansion in melanoma tumors and in early stages of chronic viral infection. Despite their increase, both WT and Selplg-/- T cells eventually became phenotypically and functionally exhausted. Even though virus-specific Selplg-/- CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were increased at the peak of T cell expansion, they decreased to lower levels than WT T cells at later stages of chronic infection. We found that Selplg-/- CD8+ Tpex (SLAMF6hiTIM3lo, PD-1+TIM3+, TOX+, TCF-1+) cell frequencies and numbers were decreased compared to WT T cells. Importantly, even though virus-specific Selplg-/- CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were lower, they were reinvigorated more effectively than WT T cells after anti-PD-L1 treatment. We found increased SELPLG expression in Hepatitis C-specific CD8+ T cells in patients with chronic infection, whereas these levels were decreased in patients that resolved the infection. Together, our findings showed multiple PSGL-1 regulatory functions in exhausted T cells. We found that PSGL-1 is a cell-intrinsic inhibitor that limits T cells in tumors and in persistently infected hosts. Additionally, while PSGL-1 is linked with T cell exhaustion, its expression was required for their long-term maintenance and optimal differentiation into Tpex cells. Finally, PSGL-1 restrained the reinvigoration potential of exhausted CD4+ and CD8+ T cells during ICI therapy. Our findings highlight that targeting PSGL-1 may have therapeutic potential alone or in combination with other ICIs to reinvigorate exhausted T cells in patients with chronic infections or cancer.
Subject(s)
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis , Membrane Glycoproteins , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Humans , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology , Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis/drug therapy , Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis/immunology , Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus/immunology , Membrane Glycoproteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Membrane Glycoproteins/immunology , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/antagonists & inhibitors , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/immunologyABSTRACT
Lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans (LEASO) is a vascular disease that may result in adult limb loss worldwide. CD4+T cell-mediated immunity plays a significant role in LEASO. The T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3) and inhibitory receptor programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) are well-known immune checkpoints that play crucial roles in regulating CD4+T cell activation or tolerance. In this study, blood mononuclear cells were isolated from the blood samples of healthy controls and patients who were diagnosed with LEASO for the first time [stage III or IV according to the Fontaine classification system and had not received drugs (except for heparin) or surgery treatment]. We concluded the higher proportion of Tim-3+PD-1+CD4+T cells in human higher stage LEASO, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein increased Tim-3 and PD-1 co-expression by activating CD4+T cells in a dose- dependent manner. Tim-3+PD-1+CD4+T cells displayed a more active status and produced more anti-atherogenic cytokines compared to Tim-3-PD-1-CD4+T cells. Apart from the increased frequency, the altered function of Tim-3+PD-1+CD4+T cells was also observed in LEASO compared to those from healthy controls. These in vitro results indicated that Tim-3 and PD-1 might be promising early warning targets of higher stage LEASO. In addition, the blockade of Tim-3 and PD-1 signaling pathways aggravated the pro-atherogenic Th1 responses in LEASO, further suggesting that the cardiovascular safety must be a criterion considered in using immune checkpoint inhibitors to reverse T cell exhaustion during tumors and chronic viral infections.
Subject(s)
Arteriosclerosis Obliterans , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor , Adult , Arteriosclerosis Obliterans/immunology , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/metabolism , Humans , Lower Extremity , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/immunologyABSTRACT
T-cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3) plays roles in the functional regulation of both adaptive and innate immune cells and is greatly involved in many diseases. However, the precise roles of Tim-3 on macrophages (Mφs) in pregnancy remain unstated. In the current study, we found the higher frequency of Tim-3+ decidual Mφs (dMφs) in response to trophoblasts. The reduced abundance of Tim-3 on Mφs was accompanied by disordered anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokine profiles in miscarriage. Adoptive transfer of Tim-3+Mφs, but not Tim-3-Mφs, relieved murine embryo absorption induced by Mφ depletion. Our flow cytometry results and the extensive microarray analysis confirmed that Tim-3+ and Tim-3-dMφs were neither precisely pro-inflammatory (M1) nor anti-inflammatory (M2) Mφs. However, with higher CD132 expression, Tim-3+dMφs subset induced Th2 and Treg bias in decidual CD4+T cells and promoted pregnancy maintenance. Blockade of Tim-3 or CD132 pathways leaded to the dysfunction of maternal-fetal tolerance and increased fetal loss. These findings underscored the important roles of Tim-3 in regulating dMφ function and maintaining normal pregnancy, and suggested that Tim-3 on Mφs is a potential biomarker for diagnosis of miscarriage. Our study also emphasized the importance of careful consideration of reproductive safety when choosing immune checkpoint blockade therapies in real world clinical care. Though IL-4 treated Tim-3-Mφs could rescue the fetal resorption induced by Mφ depletion, whether IL-4 represent novel therapeutic strategy to prevent pregnancy loss induced by checkpoint inhibition still needs further research.
Subject(s)
Abortion, Spontaneous , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2 , Macrophages , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Th2 Cells , Animals , Decidua , Female , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Interleukin-4/immunology , Macrophages/immunology , Mice , Pregnancy , Pregnancy Maintenance , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Th2 Cells/immunologyABSTRACT
T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain-containing protein 3 (Tim-3) negatively regulates innate and adaptive immunity in cancer. To identify the mechanisms of Tim-3 in cancer immunity, we evaluated the effects of Tim-3 blockade in human and mouse melanoma. Here, we show that human programmed cell death 1-positive (PD-1+) Tim-3+CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) upregulate phosphatidylserine (PS), a receptor for Tim-3, and acquire cell surface myeloid markers from antigen-presenting cells (APCs) through transfer of membrane fragments called trogocytosis. Tim-3 blockade acted on Tim-3+ APCs in a PS-dependent fashion to disrupt the trogocytosis of activated tumor antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and PD-1+Tim-3+ CD8+ TILs isolated from patients with melanoma. Tim-3 and PD-1 blockades cooperated to disrupt trogocytosis of CD8+ TILs in 2 melanoma mouse models, decreasing tumor burden and prolonging survival. Deleting Tim-3 in dendritic cells but not in CD8+ T cells impeded the trogocytosis of CD8+ TILs in vivo. Trogocytosed CD8+ T cells presented tumor peptide-major histocompatibility complexes and became the target of fratricide T cell killing, which was reversed by Tim-3 blockade. Our findings have uncovered a mechanism Tim-3 uses to limit antitumor immunity.
Subject(s)
Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Melanoma , Animals , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/genetics , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/metabolism , Humans , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating , Melanoma/pathology , Mice , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor , TrogocytosisABSTRACT
In the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), natural killer T (NKT) cells act as primary initiators of immune responses. However, a decrease of circulating NKT cells has been observed in COVID-19 different stages, of which the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Here, by performing single-cell RNA sequencing analysis in three large cohorts of COVID-19 patients, we found that increased expression of Tim-3 promotes depletion of NKT cells during the progression stage of COVID-19, which is associated with disease severity and outcome of patients with COVID-19. Tim-3+ NKT cells also expressed high levels of CD147 and CD26, which are potential SARS-CoV-2 spike binding receptors. In the study, Tim-3+ NKT cells showed high enrichment of apoptosis, higher expression levels of mitochondrial genes and caspase genes, with a larger pseudo time value. In addition, Tim-3+ NKT cells in COVID-19 presented a stronger capacity to secrete IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 compared with healthy individuals, they also demonstrated high expression of co-inhibitory receptors such as PD-1, CTLA-4, and LAG-3. Moreover, we found that IL-12 secreted by dendritic cells (DCs) was positively correlated with up-regulated expression of Tim-3 in NKT cells in COVID-19 patients. Overall, this study describes a novel mechanism by which up-regulated Tim-3 expression induced the depletion and dysfunction of NKT cells in COVID-19 patients. These findings not only have possible implications for the prediction of severity and prognosis in COVID-19 but also provide a link between NKT cells and future new therapeutic strategies in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/immunology , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Natural Killer T-Cells/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Humans , Interferon-gamma/immunology , Interleukin-10/immunology , Interleukin-4/immunology , Signal Transduction/immunologyABSTRACT
Immune-modulatory therapies are widely appreciated to rejuvenate host antitumor immunity and improve mortality in solid-organ cancers. Targeting the exhausted markers such as PD-1, CTLA4, TIM3, LAG3 are particularly attractive owing to the activation of the immune response. However, their role in cutaneous T-cell lymphomas is less defined owing to the expression of those exhausted markers on both nonmalignant and malignant lymphocytes. In a new article of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Han et al. (2021) showed that microRNAs in malignant T cells could regulate the expression of PD-1, CTLA4, TIM3, and LAG3 and simultaneously mediate evasion from immune surveillance. These findings get us one step closer in our further investigation of whether those molecules could be targeted therapeutically.
Subject(s)
Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous , MicroRNAs , Biomarkers , CTLA-4 Antigen , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/genetics , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/metabolism , Humans , MicroRNAs/genetics , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/genetics , Ships , T-Lymphocytes/immunologyABSTRACT
A complete diagnostic autopsy is the gold-standard to gain insight into Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pathogenesis. To delineate the in situ immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 viral infection, here we perform comprehensive high-dimensional transcriptional and spatial immune profiling in 22 COVID-19 decedents from Wuhan, China. We find TIM-3-mediated and PD-1-mediated immunosuppression as a hallmark of severe COVID-19, particularly in men, with PD-1+ cells being proximal rather than distal to TIM-3+ cells. Concurrently, lymphocytes are distal, while activated myeloid cells are proximal, to SARS-CoV-2 viral antigens, consistent with prevalent SARS-CoV-2 infection of myeloid cells in multiple organs. Finally, viral load positively correlates with specific immunosuppression and dendritic cell markers. In summary, our data show that SARS-CoV-2 viral infection induces lymphocyte suppression yet myeloid activation in severe COVID-19, so these two cell types likely have distinct functions in severe COVID-19 disease progression, and should be targeted differently for therapy.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/physiology , Aged , Autopsy , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/genetics , COVID-19/virology , China , Diagnosis , Female , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/genetics , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Humans , Immunosuppression Therapy , Lymphocyte Activation , Lymphocytes/immunology , Male , Middle Aged , Myeloid Cells/immunology , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/genetics , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Viral LoadABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM3) is a crucial immune checkpoint and is considered as an emerging target for cancer treatment. However, the clinical significance and immune-related role of TIM3+ cells in gastric cancer remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of tumour-infiltrating TIM3+ cells and their association with immune contexture in gastric cancer. METHODS: This study enrolled three cohorts, including 436 tumour tissue microarray specimens and 58 fresh tumour tissues of gastric cancer patients from Zhongshan Hospital, and 330 transcriptional data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. TIM3+ cells and their association with CD8+ T cells were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analyses. Kaplan-Meier curves, Cox model and interaction test were performed to assess clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Tumour-infiltrating TIM3+ cells' high subgroups experienced poorer overall survival and disease-free survival and predicted inferior therapeutic responsiveness to fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy. TIM3 indicated CD8+ T cell dysfunction, which impeded chemotherapeutic responsiveness. Besides, HAVCR2 messenger RNA expression was associated with specific molecular characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: The abundance of tumour-infiltrating TIM3+ cells could identify an immunoevasive subtype gastric cancer with CD8+ T cell dysfunction, suggesting that TIM3 might serve as a promising target for immunotherapy in gastric cancer.
Subject(s)
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/metabolism , Stomach Neoplasms/pathology , Tumor Escape , Tumor Microenvironment , Aged , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Computational Biology/methods , Databases, Genetic , Female , Humans , Male , Prognosis , Stomach Neoplasms/immunology , Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism , Survival RateABSTRACT
One biomarker for a better therapeutic effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors is high expression of checkpoint in tumor microenvironment The purpose of this study is to investigate the expression of immune checkpoints in human glioma microenvironment and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. First, single-cell suspension from 20 fresh high-grade glioma (HGG) specimens were obtained, and analyzed for lymphocyte composition, then six co-inhibitory immune checkpoints were analyzed at the same time. Second, 36 PBMC specimens isolated from HGG blood samples were analyzed for the same items. In GME, there were four distinct subtypes of cells, among them, immune cells accounted for an average of 51.3%. The myeloid cell population (CD11b+) was the most common immune cell identified, accounting for 36.14% on average; the remaining were most CD3+CD4+ and CD3+/CD8-/CD4- T lymphocytes. In these cells, we detected the expression of BTLA, LAG3, Tim-3, CTLA-4, and VISTA on varying degrees. While in PBMCs, the result showed that when compared with healthy volunteers, the proportion of NK cells decreased significantly in HGG samples (p < 0.01). Moreover, the expression of BTLA, LAG3, and Tim-3 in CD45+ immune cells in PBMC was more remarkable in glioma samples. In conclusion, the CD11b+ myeloid cells were the predominant immune cells in GME. Moreover, some immune checkpoints displayed a more remarkable expression on the immune cells in GME. And the profile of checkpoint expression in PBMC was partially consistent with that in GME.
Subject(s)
CD11b Antigen/analysis , Glioma , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors , Receptors, Immunologic/analysis , Tumor Microenvironment , Antigens, CD/immunology , Female , Gene Expression Profiling/methods , Glioma/drug therapy , Glioma/immunology , Glioma/pathology , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Humans , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/immunology , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology , Lymphocyte Activation , Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology , Lymphocyte Subsets/pathology , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Grading , Receptors, Immunologic/immunology , Tumor Microenvironment/drug effects , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 ProteinABSTRACT
Background: The incidence of nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease (NTM-LD) is increasing worldwide. Immune exhaustion has been reported in NTM-LD, but T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (TIM3), a co-inhibitory receptor on T cells, has been scarcely studied. Methods: Patients with NTM-LD and healthy controls were prospectively recruited from July 2014 to August 2019 at three tertiary referral centers in Taiwan. We examined TIM3 expression on the T cells from the participants using flow cytometry. TIM3 expression was analyzed for different disease statuses and after treatment. The apoptosis and cytokine profiles were analyzed according to the TIM3 expression. Results: Among enrolled subjects (47 patients and 46 controls), TIM3 on CD4+ cells (6.44% vs. 4.12%, p = 0.028) and CD8+ cells (18.47% vs. 9.13%, p = 0.003) were higher in NTM-LD patients than in the controls. The TIM3 level on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was positively associated with T-cell apoptosis in the NTM-LD patients. In stimulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells using PMA plus ionomycin, a high TIM3 level on T cells correlated with low interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) on CD4+ cells and interferon-gamma and TNF-α on CD8+ T cells. For clinical manifestation, low body mass index (BMI), positive sputum acid-fast smear, and high radiographic score correlated with high TIM3 expression on T cells. After NTM treatment, TIM3+ decreased significantly on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Conclusions: In patients with NTM-LD, TIM3+ expression increased over CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and correlated with cell apoptosis and specific cytokine attenuation. Clinically, TIM3+ T cells increased in patients with low BMI, high disease extent, and high bacilli burden but decreased after treatment.
Subject(s)
Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/immunology , Respiratory Tract Infections/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/pathology , Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous/pathology , Nontuberculous Mycobacteria/immunology , Respiratory Tract Infections/pathologyABSTRACT
Gliomas with chromosome 1p/19q codeletion were considered a specific tumor entity. This study was designed to reveal the biological function alterations tightly associated with 1p/19q codeletion in gliomas. Clinicopathological and RNA sequencing data from glioma patients were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas databases. Gene set variation analysis was performed to explore the differences in biological functions between glioma subgroups stratified by 1p/19q codeletion status. The abundance of immune cells in each sample was detected using the CIBERSORT analytical tool. Single-cell sequencing data from public databases were analyzed using the t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) algorithm, and the findings were verified by in vitro and in vivo experiments and patient samples.We found that the activation of immune and inflammatory responses was tightly associated with 1p/19q codeletion in gliomas. As the most important transcriptional regulator of Galectin-9 in gliomas, the expression level of CCAAT enhancer-binding protein alpha in samples with 1p/19q codeletion was significantly decreased, which led to the downregulation of the immune checkpoints Galectin-9 and TIM-3. These results were validated in three independent datasets. The t-SNE analysis showed that the loss of chromosome 19q was the main reason for the promotion of the antitumor immune response. IHC protein staining, in vitro and in vivo experiments verified the results of bioinformatics analysis. In gliomas, 1p/19q codeletion can promote the antitumor immune response by downregulating the expression levels of the immune checkpoint TIM-3 and its ligand Galectin-9.
Subject(s)
Brain Neoplasms/immunology , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19/genetics , Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1/genetics , Galectins/immunology , Glioma/immunology , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Adult , Animals , Brain Neoplasms/genetics , Brain Neoplasms/metabolism , Chromosome Deletion , Female , Galectins/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/physiology , Glioma/genetics , Glioma/metabolism , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/metabolism , Heterografts , Humans , Male , Mice , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) have revolutionized the treatment of melanoma patients. Based on early studies addressing the mechanism of action, it was assumed that PD-1 blockade mostly influences T cell responses at the tumor site. However, recent work has demonstrated that PD-1 blockade can influence the T cell compartment in peripheral blood. If the activation of circulating, tumor-reactive T cells would form an important mechanism of action of PD-1 blockade, it may be predicted that such blockade would alter either the frequency and/or the breadth of the tumor-reactive CD8 T cell response. To address this question, we analyzed CD8 T cell responses toward 71 melanoma-associated epitopes in peripheral blood of 24 melanoma patients. We show that both the frequency and the breadth of the circulating melanoma-reactive CD8 T cell response was unaltered upon PD-1 blockade. In contrast, a broadening of the circulating melanoma-reactive CD8 T cell response was observed upon CTLA-4 blockade, in concordance with our prior data. Based on these results, we conclude that PD-1 and CTLA-4 blockade have distinct mechanisms of action. In addition, the data provide an argument in favor of the hypothesis that anti-PD-1 therapy may primarily act at the tumor site.
Subject(s)
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/drug effects , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CTLA-4 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Melanoma/drug therapy , Melanoma/immunology , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/antagonists & inhibitors , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cohort Studies , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/blood , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology , Female , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/blood , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Humans , In Vitro Techniques , Kinetics , Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology , Male , Melanoma-Specific Antigens/blood , Melanoma-Specific Antigens/immunology , Middle Aged , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/blood , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/immunology , Receptors, CXCR5/blood , Receptors, CXCR5/immunologyABSTRACT
The tumor immune microenvironment of lung cancer is associated with prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy. Long noncoding RNAs are identified as prognostic biomarkers associated with immune functions. We constructed a signature comprising differentially expressed immune-related lncRNAs to predict the prognosis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. We established the immune-related lncRNA signature by pairing immune-related lncRNAs regardless of expression level and lung adenocarcinoma patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups. The prognosis of patients in the two groups was significantly different; The immune-related lncRNA signature could serve as an independent lung adenocarcinoma prognostic indicator. The signature correlated negatively with B cell, CD4+ T cell, M2 macrophage, neutrophil, and monocyte immune infiltration. Patients with low risk scores had a higher abundance of immune cells and stromal cells around the tumor. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that samples from low-risk group were more active in the IgA production in intestinal immune network and the T and B cell receptor signaling pathway. High-risk groups had significant involvement of the cell cycle, DNA replication, adherens junction, actin cytoskeleton regulation, pathways in cancer, and TGF-ß signaling pathways. High risk scores correlated significantly negatively with high CTLA-4 and HAVCR2 expression and higher median inhibitory concentration of common anti-tumor chemotherapeutics (e.g., cisplatin, paclitaxel, gemcitabine) and targeted therapy (e.g., erlotinib and gefitinib). We identified a reliable immune-related lncRNA lung adenocarcinoma prognosis model, and the immune-related lncRNA signature showed promising clinical prediction value.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma of Lung/genetics , Lung Neoplasms/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , Adenocarcinoma of Lung/immunology , Adenocarcinoma of Lung/mortality , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics , Biomarkers, Tumor/immunology , CTLA-4 Antigen/genetics , CTLA-4 Antigen/immunology , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/genetics , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Humans , Lung Neoplasms/immunology , Lung Neoplasms/mortality , Macrophages/immunology , Prognosis , RNA, Long Noncoding/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/immunologyABSTRACT
Co-signaling receptors for the T cell receptor (TCR) are important therapeutic targets, with blockade of co-inhibitory receptors such as PD-1 now central in immuno-oncology. Advancing additional therapeutic immune modulation approaches requires understanding ligand regulation of other co-signaling receptors. One poorly understood potential therapeutic target is TIM-3 (T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain containing-3). Which of TIM-3's several proposed regulatory ligands is/are relevant for signaling is unclear, and different studies have reported TIM-3 as a co-inhibitory or co-stimulatory receptor in T cells. Here, we show that TIM-3 promotes NF-κB signaling and IL-2 secretion following TCR stimulation in Jurkat cells, and that this activity is regulated by binding to phosphatidylserine (PS). TIM-3 signaling is stimulated by PS exposed constitutively in cultured Jurkat cells, and can be blocked by mutating the PS-binding site or by occluding this site with an antibody. We also find that TIM-3 signaling alters CD28 phosphorylation. Our findings clarify the importance of PS as a functional TIM-3 ligand, and may inform the future exploitation of TIM-3 as a therapeutic target.
Subject(s)
Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/metabolism , Phosphatidylserines/metabolism , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism , Signal Transduction/genetics , T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Antibodies/immunology , Apoptosis/genetics , Binding Sites , CD28 Antigens/metabolism , HEK293 Cells , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/genetics , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Humans , Interleukin-2/biosynthesis , Jurkat Cells , Ligands , Macrophages/metabolism , NF-kappa B/metabolism , Phosphorylation/genetics , Signal Transduction/immunology , TransfectionABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome mainly caused by uncontrolled activation of antigen presenting cells and CD8 T cells. CD8 T cell exhaustion is a known phenomenon in chronic viral infections and cancer. However, the role of T cell exhaustion is not yet identified in HLH in the background of persistent inflammation. So, currently, we have characterized the CD8 T cells using flow cytometry to understand the phenomenon of exhaustion in these cells in HLH. METHODS: We have comprehensively evaluated lymphocyte subsets and characterized CD8 T cells using immunophenotypic markers like PD1, TIM3, LAG3, Ki67, Granzyme B, etc. in a cohort of 21 HLH patients. Effector cytokine secretion and degranulation by CD8 T cells are also studied. RESULTS: Our findings indicate skewed lymphocyte subsets and aberrantly activated CD8 T cells in HLH. CD8 T cells exhibit significantly increased expression of PD1, TIM3, and LAG3 prominently in primary HLH as compared to controls. PD1 + CD8 T cells express elevated levels of Granzyme B and Ki67. Moreover, CD8 T cells are hypofunctional as evidenced by significantly reduced cytokine secretion and compromised CD107a degranulation. CONCLUSION: The study has revealed that CD8 + cytotoxic T lymphocytes from HLH patients exhibited high expression of exhaustion markers with overall impaired function. To the best of our understanding, this is the first report suggesting functional exhaustion of CD8 T cells in both primary and secondary HLH. Future studies to understand the association of exhaustion with disease outcome are needed for its probable therapeutic implementation.
Subject(s)
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Antigens, CD/immunology , Child , Child, Preschool , Cytokines/immunology , Female , Granzymes/immunology , Hepatitis A Virus Cellular Receptor 2/immunology , Humans , Infant , Ki-67 Antigen/immunology , Male , Middle Aged , Phenotype , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/immunology , Young Adult , Lymphocyte Activation Gene 3 ProteinABSTRACT
Alloimmunization is a serious complication in ß-thalassemia major patients as a result of repeated blood transfusion. The immune checkpoint receptors play an important role in regulating immune system homeostasis and the function of the immune cells. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3), and T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein-3 (TIM-3) immune checkpoint molecules in ß-thalassemia major patients with and without alloantibody. For this purpose, 68 ß-thalassemia major patients with (34 patients) and without (34 patients) alloantibody as well as 20 healthy controls were enrolled. The expression of these genes was evaluated in different groups of patients by SYBR Green real-time PCR method. Our results showed that the mean expression of LAG-3 was significantly increased in thalassemia patients compared to the control group (*P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in expression of the CTLA-4 and TIM-3 as well as LAG-3 genes between patients with and without alloantibody (P > 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between the level of LAG-3 expression with markers associated with Treg function including FOXP3 and GDF-15 genes in ß-thalassemia major patients. Taken together, the LAG-3 molecule might have a more prominent role in the abnormality of the immune system in thalassemia patients especially the function of regulatory T cells (Tregs), prior to the CTLA-4 and TIM-3 genes.