Natural killer cells promote neutrophil extracellular traps and restrain macular degeneration in mice.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly population. Although it is known that nvAMD is associated with focal inflammation, understanding of the precise immune components governing this process remains limited. Here, we identified natural killer (NK) cells as a prominent lymphocyte population infiltrating the perivascular space of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) lesions in patients with nvAMD and in mouse models. Olink proteomic analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing combined with knockout studies demonstrated the involvement of C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) in NK cell recruitment and extravasation at the CNV sites of mice. Depletion of NK cells or inhibition of activating receptor NK group 2, member D (NKG2D) inhibited the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps, increased vascular leakage, and exacerbated pathological angiogenesis, indicating that NK cells restrain pathogenesis in this mouse model. Age is the strongest risk factor for AMD, and we show that NK cells from aged human donors exhibited a less cytotoxic phenotype. NK cells from old mice exhibited compromised protective effects in the CNV mouse model. In addition, interleukin-2 complex-mediated expansion of NK cells improved CNV formation in mice. Collectively, our study highlights NK cells as a potential therapeutic target for patients with nvAMD.

CD4+ T cells aggravate hemorrhagic brain injury.

Leukocyte infiltration accelerates brain injury following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Yet, the involvement of T lymphocytes in this process has not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that CD4+ T cells accumulate in the perihematomal regions in the brains of patients with ICH and ICH mouse models. T cells activation in the ICH brain is concurrent with the course of perihematomal edema (PHE) development, and depletion of CD4+ T cells reduced PHE volumes and improved neurological deficits in ICH mice. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed that brain-infiltrating T cells exhibited enhanced proinflammatory and proapoptotic signatures. Consequently, CD4+ T cells disrupt the blood-brain barrier integrity and promote PHE progression through interleukin-17 release; furthermore, the TRAIL-expressing CD4+ T cells engage DR5 to trigger endothelial death. Recognition of T cell contribution to ICH-induced neural injury is instrumental for designing immunomodulatory therapies for this dreadful disease.

Plasma Neurofilament Light Chain Predicts Mortality and Long-Term Neurological Outcomes in Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) often suffer from heterogeneous long-term neurological deficits, such as cognitive decline. Our ability to measure secondary brain injury to predict the long-term outcomes of these patients is limited. We investigated whether the blood neurofilament light chain (NfL) can monitor brain injury and predict long-term outcomes in patients with ICH. We enrolled 300 patients with first-episode ICH within 24 h recruited in the Chinese Cerebral Hemorrhage Mechanisms and Intervention study cohort from January 2019 to June 2020. Patients were prospectively followed up for 12 months. Blood samples were collected from 153 healthy participants. Plasma NfL levels determined using a single-molecule array revealed a biphasic increase in plasma NfL in ICH patients compared to healthy controls, with the first peak at around 24 h and a second elevation from day 7 through day 14 post-ICH. Plasma NfL levels were positively correlated with hemorrhage volume, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, and Glasgow Coma Scale scores of ICH patients. Higher NfL concentration within 72 h after ictus was independently associated with 6- and 12-month worsened functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale ≥ 3) and higher all-cause mortality. Magnetic resonance imaging and cognitive function evaluation were available for 26 patients at 6 months post-ICH, and NfL levels measured 7 days post-ictus correlated with decreased white matter fiber integrity and poor cognitive function at 6 months after stroke. These findings suggest that blood NfL is a sensitive marker for monitoring axonal injury post-ICH and can predict long-term functional ability and survival.

T-Lymphocyte Interactions with the Neurovascular Unit: Implications in Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

In the pathophysiology of hemorrhagic stroke, the perturbation of the neurovascular unit (NVU), a functional group of the microvascular and brain intrinsic cellular components, is implicated in the progression of secondary injury and partially informs the ultimate patient outcome. Given the broad NVU functions in maintaining healthy brain homeostasis through its maintenance of nutrients and energy substrates, partitioning central and peripheral immune components, and expulsion of protein and metabolic waste, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH)-induced dysregulation of the NVU directly contributes to numerous destructive processes in the post-stroke sequelae. In ICH, the damaged NVU precipitates the emergence and evolution of perihematomal edema as well as the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier structural coherence and function, which are critical facets during secondary ICH injury. As a gateway to the central nervous system, the NVU is among the first components to interact with the peripheral immune cells mobilized toward the injured brain. The release of signaling molecules and direct cellular contact between NVU cells and infiltrating leukocytes is a factor in the dysregulation of NVU functions and further adds to the acute neuroinflammatory environment of the ICH brain. Thus, the interactions between the NVU and immune cells, and their reverberating consequences, are an area of increasing research interest for understanding the complex pathophysiology of post-stroke injury. This review focuses on the interactions of T-lymphocytes, a major cell of the adaptive immunity with expansive effector function, with the NVU in the context of ICH. In cataloging the relevant clinical and experimental studies highlighting the synergistic actions of T-lymphocytes and the NVU in ICH injury, this review aimed to feature emergent knowledge of T cells in the hemorrhagic brain and their diverse involvement with the neurovascular unit in this disease.

Delayed rFGF21 Administration Improves Cerebrovascular Remodeling and White Matter Repair After Focal Stroke in Diabetic Mice.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major comorbidity exacerbating ischemic brain injury and impairing post-stroke recovery. Our previous study suggested that recombinant human fibroblast growth factor (rFGF) 21 might be a potent therapeutic targeting multiple aspects of pathophysiology in T2DM stroke. This study aims to evaluate the potential effects of rFGF21 on cerebrovascular remodeling after T2DM stroke. Permanent distal middle cerebral artery occlusion was performed in heterozygous non-diabetic db/ + and homozygous diabetic db/db mice. Daily rFGF21 administration was initiated 1 week after stroke induction and maintained for up to 2 weeks thereafter. Multiple markers associated with post-stroke recovery, including angiogenesis, oligodendrogenesis, white matter integrity, and neurogenesis, were assessed up to 3 weeks after stroke. Our results showed an impairment in post-stroke vascular remodeling under T2DM condition, reflected by the decreased expression of trophic factors in brain microvessels and impairments of angiogenesis. The defected cerebrovascular remodeling was accompanied by the decreased oligodendrogenesis and neurogenesis. However, delayed rFGF21 administration normalized post-stroke hyperglycemia and improved neurological outcomes, which may partially be via the promotion of pro-angiogenic trophic factor expression in brain microvessels and cerebrovascular remodeling. The better cerebrovascular remodeling may also contribute to oligodendrogenesis, white matter integrity, and neurogenesis after T2DM stroke. Therefore, delayed rFGF21 administration may improve neurological outcomes in T2DM stroke mice, at least in part by normalizing the metabolic abnormalities and promoting cerebrovascular remodeling and white matter repair.

Caveolae-Mediated Endothelial Transcytosis across the Blood-Brain Barrier in Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption following ischemic stroke (IS) contributes to hemorrhagic transformation, brain edema, increased neural dysfunction, secondary injury, and mortality. Brain endothelial cells form a para and transcellular barrier to most blood-borne solutes via tight junctions (TJs) and rare transcytotic vesicles. The prevailing view attributes the destruction of TJs to the resulting BBB damage following IS. Recent studies define a stepwise impairment of the transcellular barrier followed by the paracellular barrier which accounts for the BBB leakage in IS. The increased endothelial transcytosis that has been proven to be caveolae-mediated, precedes and is independent of TJs disintegration. Thus, our understanding of post stroke BBB deficits needs to be revised. These recent findings could provide a conceptual basis for the development of alternative treatment strategies. Presently, our concept of how BBB endothelial transcytosis develops is incomplete, and treatment options remain limited. This review summarizes the cellular structure and biological classification of endothelial transcytosis at the BBB and reviews related molecular mechanisms. Meanwhile, relevant transcytosis-targeted therapeutic strategies for IS and research entry points are prospected.

Recombinant annexin A2 inhibits peripheral leukocyte activation and brain infiltration after traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of death and disability worldwide. The TLR4-NFκB signaling cascade is the critical pro-inflammatory activation pathway of leukocytes after TBI, and modulating this signaling cascade may be an effective therapeutic target for treating TBI. Previous studies indicate that recombinant annexin A2 (rA2) might be an interactive molecule modulating the TLR4-NFκB signaling; however, the role of rA2 in regulating this signaling pathway in leukocytes after TBI and its subsequent effects have not been investigated. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were subjected to TBI and randomly divided into groups that received intraperitoneal rA2 or vehicle at 2 h after TBI. The peripheral leukocyte activation and infiltrating immune cells were examined by flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, and immunostaining. The neutrophilic TLR4 expression on the cell membrane was examined by flow cytometry and confocal microscope, and the interaction of annexin A2 with TLR4 was assessed by co-immunoprecipitation coupled with Western blotting. Neuroinflammation was measured via cytokine proteome profiler array and RT-qPCR. Neurodegeneration was determined by Western blotting and immunostaining. Neurobehavioral assessments were used to monitor motor and cognitive function. Brain tissue loss was assessed via MAP2 staining. RESULTS: rA2 administration given at 2 h after TBI significantly attenuates neutrophil activation and brain infiltration at 24 h of TBI. In vivo and in vitro data show that rA2 binds to and reduces TLR4 expression on the neutrophil surface and suppresses TLR4/NFκB signaling pathway in neutrophils at 12 h after TBI. Furthermore, rA2 administration also reduces pro-inflammation of brain tissues within 24 h and neurodegeneration at 48 h after TBI. Lastly, rA2 improves long-term sensorimotor ability and cognitive function, and reduces brain tissue loss at 28 days after TBI. CONCLUSIONS: Systematic rA2 administration at 2 h after TBI significantly inhibits activation and brain infiltration of peripheral leukocytes, especially neutrophils at the acute phase. Consequently, rA2 reduces the detrimental brain pro-inflammation-associated neurodegeneration and ultimately ameliorates neurological deficits after TBI. The underlying molecular mechanism might be at least in part attributed to rA2 bindings to pro-inflammatory receptor TLR4 in peripheral leukocytes, thereby blocking NFκB signaling activation pathways following TBI.

Brain injury instructs bone marrow cellular lineage destination to reduce neuroinflammation.

Acute brain injury mobilizes circulating leukocytes to transmigrate into the perivascular space and brain parenchyma. This process amplifies neural injury. Bone marrow hematopoiesis replenishes the exhausted peripheral leukocyte pools. However, it is not known whether brain injury influences the development of bone marrow lineages and how altered hematopoietic cell lineages affect neurological outcome. Here, we showed that bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) can be swiftly skewed toward the myeloid lineage in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and experimental ICH models. Lineage tracing revealed a predominantly augmented hematopoiesis of Ly6Clow monocytes infiltrating the ICH brain, where they generated alternatively activated macrophages and suppressed neuroinflammation and brain injury. The ICH brain uses ß3-adrenergic innervation that involves cell division cycle 42 to promote bone marrow hematopoiesis of Ly6Clow monocytes, which could be further potentiated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved ß3-adrenergic agonist mirabegron. Our results suggest that brain injury modulates HSC lineage development to curb distal brain inflammation, implicating the bone marrow as a unique niche for self-protective neuroimmune interaction that might be exploited to obtain therapeutic effects.

Brain transforms natural killer cells that exacerbate brain edema after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Perihematomal edema (PHE) occurs within hours after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), leading to secondary injury manifested by impaired blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and destruction of adjacent tissue. To dissect the mechanisms underlying PHE formation, we profiled human and mouse perihematomal tissues and identified natural killer (NK) cells as the predominant immune cell subset that outnumbers other infiltrating immune cell types during early stages of ICH. Unbiased clustering of single-cell transcriptional profiles revealed two major NK cell subsets that respectively possess high cytotoxicity or robust chemokine production features in the brain after ICH, distinguishing them from NK cells of the periphery. NK cells exacerbate BBB disruption and brain edema after ICH via cytotoxicity toward cerebral endothelial cells and recruitment of neutrophils that augment focal inflammation. Thus, brain-bound NK cells acquire new features that contribute to PHE formation and neurological deterioration following ICH.

Targeted role for sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 in cerebrovascular integrity and inflammation during acute ischemic stroke.

Endothelial sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors are emerging as relevant therapeutic targets during acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Physiologically, the cerebrovascular endothelium plays a vital role in maintaining barrier integrity and cerebrovascular homeostasis. During a cerebral ischemic event, products from parenchymal cell death are released and trigger vascular endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation leading to barrier integrity disruption. Endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and a breach in barrier property play a significant role in contributing to a vicious cycle which promotes brain edema formation and exacerbates neuronal injury post stroke. Data from experimental stroke models and clinical trials suggest that selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor type 1 (S1PR1) modulation improves endothelial health and function and, as a result, contributes to improved neurological outcome post ischemic injury. This review highlights the impact of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)/S1PR1 signaling involved in blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity and cerebrovascular inflammation following AIS. We focus on the beneficial actions of S1PR1 signaling during ischemic injury including barrier protection to lessen brain edema formation and reduction in the development and progression of vascular inflammation by attenuating endothelial cell activation resulting in reduced neurovascular inflammation. Potential gaps and future directions related to the role of S1PR during AIS are also discussed.

IL (Interleukin)-15 Bridges Astrocyte-Microglia Crosstalk and Exacerbates Brain Injury Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Background and Purpose- Microglia are among the first cells to respond to intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), but the mechanisms that underlie their activity following ICH remain unclear. IL (interleukin)-15 is a proinflammatory cytokine that orchestrates homeostasis and the intensity of the immune response following central nervous system inflammatory events. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of IL-15 in ICH injury. Methods- Using brain slices of patients with ICH, we determined the presence and cellular source of IL-15. A transgenic mouse line with targeted expression of IL-15 in astrocytes was generated to determine the role of astrocytic IL-15 in ICH. The expression of IL-15 was controlled by a glial fibrillary acidic protein promoter (GFAP-IL-15tg). ICH was induced by intraparenchymal injection of collagenase or autologous blood. Results- In patients with ICH and wild-type mice subjected to experimental ICH, we found a significant upregulation of IL-15 in astrocytes. In GFAP-IL-15tg mice, we found that astrocyte-targeted expression of IL-15 exacerbated brain edema and neurological deficits following ICH. This aggravated ICH injury in GFAP-IL-15tg mice is accompanied by increased microglial accumulation in close proximity to astrocytes in perihematomal tissues. Additionally, microglial expression of CD86, IL-1ß, and TNF-α is markedly increased in GFAP-IL-15tg mice following ICH. Furthermore, depletion of microglia using a colony stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor diminishes the exacerbation of ICH injury in GFAP-IL-15tg mice. Conclusions- Our findings identify IL-15 as a mediator of the crosstalk between astrocytes and microglia that exacerbates brain injury following ICH.

Interleukin-7 expression and its effect on natural killer cells in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Decreased NK cell numbers and impairment of NK cell function are reported in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a member of the common gamma-chain (γc) cytokine superfamily that has well documented roles in lymphocyte development and homeostasis. The interleukin-7 receptor α chain (IL-7Rα) gene was identified as a top non-major histocompatibility complex-linked risk locus for MS. The objective of this study was to test biological function of IL-7/IL-7Rα on NK cells in MS patients. We observed markedly lower IL-7 levels in MS sera, and relatively higher IL-7Rα expression in NK cells of MS. Upon IL-7 stimulation, IL-7Rα on NK cells from MS patients was significantly down-regulated compared with healthy controls (HCs). IL-7 induced a higher increase of IFN-γ production in CD56(bright) NK cells and a pronounced enhancement of cytotoxicity in NK cells from MS. IL-7 did not impact the proliferation of NK cells differently in MS and HC. In contrast, IL-7 promoted a higher survival of CD56(bright) NK cells in MS and inhibited their apoptosis by increasing Bcl-2 expression, but had no effect on CD56(dim) NK cell survival in MS. In conclusion, MS patients have lower serum IL-7 and a higher membrane IL-7Rα expression on CD56(bright) NK cells. The skew at the IL-7 and IL-7Rα level influences functional responsiveness of NK cells in MS.

Nicotinic receptor ß2 determines NK cell-dependent metastasis in a murine model of metastatic lung cancer.

Cigarette smoke exposure markedly compromises the ability of the immune system to protect against invading pathogens and tumorigenesis. Nicotine is a psychoactive component of tobacco products that acts as does the natural neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, on nicotinic receptors (nAChRs). Here we demonstrate that natural killer (NK) cells strongly express nAChR ß2. Nicotine exposure impairs the ability of NK cells to kill target cells and release cytokines, a process that is largely abrogated by nAChR ß2 deficiency. Further, nicotinic suppression of NF-κB-induced transcriptional activity in NK cells is dependent on nAChR ß2. This nAChR subtype also plays a large role in the NK cell-mediated control of melanoma lung metastasis, in a murine lung metastasis model exposed to nicotine. Our findings suggest nAChR ß2 as a prominent pathway for nicotine induced impairment of NK cell functions which contributes to the occurrence of smoking-related pathologies.