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1.
Nat Commun ; 15(1): 4326, 2024 May 21.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38773113

Resolving inflammation is thought to return the affected tissue back to homoeostasis but recent evidence supports a non-linear model of resolution involving a phase of prolonged immune activity. Here we show that within days following resolution of Streptococcus pneumoniae-triggered lung inflammation, there is an influx of antigen specific lymphocytes with a memory and tissue-resident phenotype as well as macrophages bearing alveolar or interstitial phenotype. The transcriptome of these macrophages shows enrichment of genes associated with prostaglandin biosynthesis and genes that drive T cell chemotaxis and differentiation. Therapeutic depletion of post-resolution macrophages, inhibition of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis or treatment with an EP4 antagonist, MF498, reduce numbers of lung CD4+/CD44+/CD62L+ and CD4+/CD44+/CD62L-/CD27+ T cells as well as their expression of the α-integrin, CD103. The T cells fail to reappear and reactivate upon secondary challenge for up to six weeks following primary infection. Concomitantly, EP4 antagonism through MF498 causes accumulation of lung macrophages and marked tissue fibrosis. Our study thus shows that PGE2 signalling, predominantly via EP4, plays an important role during the second wave of immune activity following resolution of inflammation. This secondary immune activation drives local tissue-resident T cell development while limiting tissue injury.


Dinoprostone , Disease Models, Animal , Lung , Macrophages , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Pneumonia, Pneumococcal , Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype , Streptococcus pneumoniae , Animals , Pneumonia, Pneumococcal/immunology , Pneumonia, Pneumococcal/pathology , Pneumonia, Pneumococcal/microbiology , Pneumonia, Pneumococcal/metabolism , Mice , Dinoprostone/metabolism , Streptococcus pneumoniae/immunology , Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype/metabolism , Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype/genetics , Macrophages/immunology , Macrophages/metabolism , Lung/immunology , Lung/pathology , Lung/microbiology , Macrophages, Alveolar/immunology , Macrophages, Alveolar/metabolism , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Integrin alpha Chains/genetics , Female , Antigens, CD/metabolism , Antigens, CD/genetics , T-Lymphocytes/immunology
2.
Commun Biol ; 7(1): 583, 2024 May 16.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38755265

Tumor-associated macrophages of the M2 phenotype promote cancer initiation and progression. Importantly, M2 macrophage-derived exosomes play key roles in the malignancy of cancer cells. Here, we report that circTMCO3 is upregulated in ovarian cancer patients, and its high expression indicates poor survival. M2-derived exosomes promote proliferation, migration, and invasion in ovarian cancer, but these effects are abolished by knockdown of circTMCO3. Furthermore, circTMCO3 functions as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-515-5p to reduce its abundance, thus upregulating ITGA8 in ovarian cancer. miR-515-5p inhibits ovarian cancer malignancy via directly downregulating ITGA8. The decreased oncogenic activity of circTMCO3-silencing exosomes is reversed by miR-515-5p knockdown or ITGA8 overexpression. Exosomal circTMCO3 promotes ovarian cancer progression in nude mice. Thus, M2 macrophage-derived exosomes promote malignancy by delivering circTMCO3 and targeting the miR-515-5p/ITGA8 axis in ovarian cancer. Our findings not only provide mechanistic insights into ovarian cancer progression, but also suggest potential therapeutic targets.


Exosomes , Mice, Nude , MicroRNAs , Ovarian Neoplasms , Female , Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , Ovarian Neoplasms/metabolism , Humans , Exosomes/metabolism , Exosomes/genetics , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Animals , Mice , Cell Line, Tumor , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Macrophages/metabolism , RNA, Circular/genetics , RNA, Circular/metabolism , Cell Proliferation , Integrin alpha Chains/genetics , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Cell Movement
3.
J Immunol Res ; 2024: 5582151, 2024.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38690552

Unlike T cells in other tissues, uterine T cells must balance strong immune defense against pathogens with tolerance to semiallogeneic fetus. Our previous study fully elucidated the characteristics of γδT cells in nonpregnant uterus and the mechanism modulated by estrogen. However, comprehensive knowledge of the immunological properties of αßT (including CD4+T cells and CD8+T) cells in nonpregnancy uterus has not been acquired. In this study, we fully compared the immunological properties of αßT cells between uterus and blood using mouse and human sample. It showed that most of CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells in murine uterus and human endometrium were tissue resident memory T cells which highly expressed tissue residence markers CD69 and/or CD103. In addition, both CD4+T cells and CD8+T cells in uterus highly expressed inhibitory molecular PD-1 and cytokine IFN-γ. Uterine CD4+T cells highly expressed IL-17 and modulated by transcription factor pSTAT3. Moreover, we compared the similarities and differences between human and murine uterine T cell phenotype. Together, uterine CD4+T cells and CD8+ cells exhibited a unique mixed signature of T cell dysfunction, activation, and effector function which enabled them to balance strong immune defense against pathogens with tolerance to fetus. Our study fully elucidated the unique immunologic properties of uterine CD4+T and CD8+T cells and provided a base for further investigation of functions.


Antigens, CD , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Uterus , Female , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Animals , Humans , Mice , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Uterus/immunology , Antigens, CD/metabolism , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/metabolism , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/genetics , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Memory T Cells/immunology , STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Lectins, C-Type/metabolism , Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/metabolism , Interleukin-17/metabolism , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology , Immunologic Memory
4.
Int J Biol Macromol ; 267(Pt 1): 131334, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38582475

Chitin and its derivative chitosan (Q) are abundant structural elements in nature. Q has modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects and also regulates the expression of adhesion molecules. The interaction between cells expressing the αEß7 integrin and E-cadherin facilitates tolerogenic signal transmission and localization of lymphocytes at the frontline for interaction with luminal antigens. In this study we evaluated the ability of orally administered Q to stimulate E-cadherin and CD103 expression in vitro and in vivo. Our findings show that Q promoted epithelial cell migration, accelerated wound healing and increased E-cadherin expression in IEC-18 cells and isolated intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) after Q feeding. The upregulation of E-cadherin was dependent on TLR4 and IFNAR signaling, triggering CD103 expression in lymphocytes. Q reinforced the E-cadherin-αEß7 axis, crucial for intestinal barrier integrity and contributed to the localization of lymphocytes on the epithelium.


Antigens, CD , Cadherins , Chitosan , Integrin alpha Chains , Intestinal Mucosa , Signal Transduction , Toll-Like Receptor 4 , Animals , Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism , Chitosan/pharmacology , Chitosan/chemistry , Cadherins/metabolism , Signal Transduction/drug effects , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Mice , Antigens, CD/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects , Cell Movement/drug effects , Cell Line , Intestines/drug effects , Rats , Male
5.
Nat Immunol ; 25(5): 834-846, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38561495

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, leading to increased interest in utilizing immunotherapy strategies for better cancer treatments. In the past decade, CD103+ T cells have been associated with better clinical prognosis in patients with cancer. However, the specific immune mechanisms contributing toward CD103-mediated protective immunity remain unclear. Here, we show an unexpected and transient CD61 expression, which is paired with CD103 at the synaptic microclusters of T cells. CD61 colocalization with the T cell antigen receptor further modulates downstream T cell antigen receptor signaling, improving antitumor cytotoxicity and promoting physiological control of tumor growth. Clinically, the presence of CD61+ tumor-infiltrating T lymphocytes is associated with improved clinical outcomes, mediated through enhanced effector functions and phenotype with limited evidence of cellular exhaustion. In conclusion, this study identified an unconventional and transient CD61 expression and pairing with CD103 on human immune cells, which potentiates a new target for immune-based cellular therapies.


Antigens, CD , Apyrase , Integrin alpha Chains , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell , Signal Transduction , Animals , Humans , Mice , Antigens, CD/metabolism , Antigens, CD/immunology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cytotoxicity, Immunologic , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism , Neoplasms/immunology , Neoplasms/therapy , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology , Signal Transduction/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
7.
Nature ; 628(8009): 854-862, 2024 Apr.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38570678

The intestinal immune system is highly adapted to maintaining tolerance to the commensal microbiota and self-antigens while defending against invading pathogens1,2. Recognizing how the diverse network of local cells establish homeostasis and maintains it in the complex immune environment of the gut is critical to understanding how tolerance can be re-established following dysfunction, such as in inflammatory disorders. Although cell and molecular interactions that control T regulatory (Treg) cell development and function have been identified3,4, less is known about the cellular neighbourhoods and spatial compartmentalization that shapes microorganism-reactive Treg cell function. Here we used in vivo live imaging, photo-activation-guided single-cell RNA sequencing5-7 and spatial transcriptomics to follow the natural history of T cells that are reactive towards Helicobacter hepaticus through space and time in the settings of tolerance and inflammation. Although antigen stimulation can occur anywhere in the tissue, the lamina propria-but not embedded lymphoid aggregates-is the key microniche that supports effector Treg (eTreg) cell function. eTreg cells are stable once their niche is established; however, unleashing inflammation breaks down compartmentalization, leading to dominance of CD103+SIRPα+ dendritic cells in the lamina propria. We identify and validate the putative tolerogenic interaction between CD206+ macrophages and eTreg cells in the lamina propria and identify receptor-ligand pairs that are likely to govern the interaction. Our results reveal a spatial mechanism of tolerance in the lamina propria and demonstrate how knowledge of local interactions may contribute to the next generation of tolerance-inducing therapies.


Intestinal Mucosa , Mucous Membrane , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Antigens, CD/metabolism , Dendritic Cells/immunology , Dendritic Cells/metabolism , Gene Expression Profiling , Helicobacter hepaticus/immunology , Helicobacter Infections/immunology , Helicobacter Infections/microbiology , Immune Tolerance/immunology , Inflammation/immunology , Inflammation/microbiology , Inflammation/pathology , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/cytology , Intestinal Mucosa/immunology , Macrophages/immunology , Macrophages/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mucous Membrane/cytology , Mucous Membrane/immunology , Receptors, Immunologic/metabolism , Receptors, Immunologic/immunology , Single-Cell Gene Expression Analysis , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/cytology , Transcriptome
8.
Eur J Immunol ; 54(5): e2350839, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38430190

The active vitamin A metabolite, all-trans-retinoic acid (RA), primes precursor dendritic cells (DCs) into a mucosal phenotype with tolerogenic properties characterized by the expression of integrin CD103. CD103+ DCs can counteract pathogenic Th1 and Th17 in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or celiac disease (CD). Tolerogenic manipulation of DCs using nanoparticles carrying tolerogenic adjuvants and disease-specific antigens is a valuable treatment strategy to induce antigen-specific mucosal tolerance in vivo. Here, we investigated the effects of RA-loaded liposomes on human DC phenotype and function, including DC-driven T-cell development, both during the generation of monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) as well as by priming immature moDCs. RA liposomes drove CD103+ DC differentiation as well as ALDH1A2 expression in DCs. Neutrophil-dependent Th17 cell development was reduced by RA-liposome-differentiated and RA-liposome-primed DCs. Moreover, RA liposome treatment shifted T-cell development toward a Th2 cell profile. Importantly, RA liposomes induced the development of IL-10-producing and FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) of various Treg subsets, including ICOS+ Tregs, that were potent inhibitors of bystander memory T-cell proliferation. Taken together, RA-loaded liposomes could be a novel treatment avenue for IBD or CD patients.


Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family , Antigens, CD , Cell Differentiation , Dendritic Cells , Integrin alpha Chains , Liposomes , Retinal Dehydrogenase , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Th17 Cells , Tretinoin , Humans , Tretinoin/pharmacology , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Th17 Cells/immunology , Dendritic Cells/immunology , Dendritic Cells/drug effects , Antigens, CD/immunology , Antigens, CD/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effects , Cell Differentiation/drug effects , Cell Differentiation/immunology , Retinal Dehydrogenase/metabolism , Immune Tolerance/drug effects , Cells, Cultured , Interleukin-10/metabolism , Interleukin-10/immunology , Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/immunology , Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology , Celiac Disease/immunology
9.
Eur J Immunol ; 54(5): e2350873, 2024 May.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38501878

Resident memory T (TRM) cells have been recently established as an important subset of memory T cells that provide early and essential protection against reinfection in the absence of circulating memory T cells. Recent findings showing that TRM expand in vivo after repeated antigenic stimulation indicate that these memory T cells are not terminally differentiated. This suggests an opportunity for in vitro TRM expansion to apply in an immunotherapy setting. However, it has also been shown that TRM may not maintain their identity and form circulating memory T cells after in vivo restimulation. Therefore, we set out to determine how TRM respond to antigenic activation in culture. Using Listeria monocytogenes and LCMV infection models, we found that TRM from the intraepithelial compartment of the small intestine expand in vitro after antigenic stimulation and subsequent resting in homeostatic cytokines. A large fraction of the expanded TRM retained their phenotype, including the expression of key TRM markers CD69 and CD103 (ITGAE). The optimal culture of TRM required low O2 pressure to maintain the expression of these and other TRM-associated molecules. Expanded TRM retained their effector capacity to produce cytokines after restimulation, but did not acquire a highly glycolytic profile indicative of effector T cells. The proteomic analysis confirmed TRM profile retention, including expression of TRM-related transcription factors, tissue retention factors, adhesion molecules, and enzymes involved in fatty acid metabolism. Collectively, our data indicate that limiting oxygen conditions supports in vitro expansion of TRM cells that maintain their TRM phenotype, at least in part, suggesting an opportunity for therapeutic strategies that require in vitro expansion of TRM.


Immunologic Memory , Listeria monocytogenes , Memory T Cells , Animals , Memory T Cells/immunology , Immunologic Memory/immunology , Mice , Listeria monocytogenes/immunology , Antigens, CD/metabolism , Antigens, CD/immunology , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Listeriosis/immunology , Lectins, C-Type/metabolism , Lectins, C-Type/immunology , Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/immunology , Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/metabolism , Cytokines/metabolism , Cytokines/immunology , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology , Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus/immunology , Intestinal Mucosa/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Intestine, Small/immunology , Cells, Cultured
10.
Gastroenterology ; 166(6): 1069-1084, 2024 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38445519

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Although the presence of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) correlates with positive responses to immunotherapy in many solid malignancies, the mechanism by which TLS enhances antitumor immunity is not well understood. The present study aimed to investigate the underlying cross talk circuits between B cells and tissue-resident memory T (Trm) cells within the TLS and to understand their role in the context of immunotherapy. METHODS: Immunostaining and H&E staining of TLS and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 13 (CXCL13)+ cluster of differentiation (CD)103+CD8+ Trm cells were performed on tumor sections from patients with gastric cancer (GC). The mechanism of communication between B cells and CXCL13+CD103+CD8+ Trm cells was determined in vitro and in vivo. The effect of CXCL13+CD103+CD8+ Trm cells in suppressing tumor growth was evaluated through anti-programmed cell death protein (PD)-1 therapy. RESULTS: The presence of TLS and CXCL13+CD103+CD8+ Trm cells in tumor tissues favored a superior response to anti-PD-1 therapy in patients with GC. Additionally, our research identified that activated B cells enhanced CXCL13 and granzyme B secretion by CD103+CD8+ Trm cells. Mechanistically, B cells facilitated the glycolysis of CD103+CD8+ Trm cells through the lymphotoxin-α/tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) axis, and the mechanistic target of rapamycin signaling pathway played a critical role in CD103+CD8+ Trm cells glycolysis during this process. Moreover, the presence of TLS and CXCL13+CD103+CD8+ Trm cells correlated with potent responsiveness to anti-PD-1 therapy in a TNFR2-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: This study further reveals a crucial role for cellular communication between TLS-associated B cell and CXCL13+CD103+CD8+ Trm cells in antitumor immunity, providing valuable insights into the potential use of the lymphotoxin-α/TNFR2 axis within CXCL13+CD103+CD8+ Trm cells for advancing immunotherapy strategies in GC.


Antigens, CD , B-Lymphocytes , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Chemokine CXCL13 , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors , Integrin alpha Chains , Memory T Cells , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor , Stomach Neoplasms , Tertiary Lymphoid Structures , Chemokine CXCL13/metabolism , Humans , Tertiary Lymphoid Structures/immunology , Tertiary Lymphoid Structures/pathology , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/antagonists & inhibitors , Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor/metabolism , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , B-Lymphocytes/metabolism , B-Lymphocytes/drug effects , Stomach Neoplasms/immunology , Stomach Neoplasms/pathology , Stomach Neoplasms/therapy , Stomach Neoplasms/drug therapy , Antigens, CD/metabolism , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Integrin alpha Chains/immunology , Memory T Cells/immunology , Memory T Cells/metabolism , Animals , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use , Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology , Granzymes/metabolism , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/immunology , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/metabolism , Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating/drug effects , Immunologic Memory , Signal Transduction/immunology , Tumor Microenvironment/immunology , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism , TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/antagonists & inhibitors , Mice , Immunotherapy/methods , Cell Line, Tumor
11.
Cancer Cell ; 42(4): 682-700.e12, 2024 Apr 08.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38428409

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) exhibit considerable heterogeneity in advanced cancers; however, the functional annotation and mechanism of CAFs in early-stage cancers remain elusive. Utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomic, we identify a previously unknown PDGFRα+ITGA11+ CAF subset in early-stage bladder cancer (BCa). Multicenter clinical analysis of a 910-case cohort confirms that PDGFRα+ITGA11+ CAFs are associated with lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and poor prognosis in early-stage BCa. These CAFs facilitate LVI and lymph node (LN) metastasis in early-stage BCa, as evidenced in a PDGFRα+ITGA11+ CAFs-specific deficient mouse model. Mechanistically, PDGFRα+ITGA11+ CAFs promote lymphangiogenesis via recognizing ITGA11 surface receptor SELE on lymphatic endothelial cells to activate SRC-p-VEGFR3-MAPK pathway. Further, CHI3L1 from PDGFRα+ITGA11+ CAFs aligns the surrounding matrix to assist cancer cell intravasation, fostering early-stage BCa LVI and LN metastasis. Collectively, our study reveals the crucial role of PDGFRα+ITGA11+ CAFs in shaping metastatic landscape, informing the treatment of early-stage BCa LVI.


Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts , Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha , Animals , Humans , Mice , Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/pathology , Endothelial Cells , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Integrin alpha Chains , Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology , Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/genetics , Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/metabolism
12.
Mol Carcinog ; 63(3): 479-493, 2024 Mar.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38174862

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) represent a major cellular component of the tumor (pre-)metastatic niche and play an essential role in omental dissemination of ovarian cancer. The omentum is rich in adipose, and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) have been identified as a source of CAFs. However, the molecular events driving the phenotype shift of ADSCs remain largely unexplored. In this research, we focus on integrins, transmembrane receptors that have been widely involved in cellular plasticity. We found that integrin α7 (ITGA7) was the only member of the integrin family that positively correlated with both overall survival and progression-free survival in ovarian cancer through GEPIA2. The immunohistochemistry signal of ITGA7 was apparent in the tumor stroma, and a lower omental ITGA7 level was associated with metastasis. Primary ADSCs were isolated from the omentum of patients with ovarian cancer and identified by cellular morphology, biomarkers, and multilineage differentiation. The conditional medium of ovarian cancer cells induced ITGA7 expression decrease and phenotypic changes in ADSCs. Downregulation of ITGA7 in primary omental ADSCs led to decrease in stemness properties and emerge of characteristic morphology and biomarkers of CAFs. Moreover, the conditioned medium of ADSCs with ITGA7 depletion exhibited enhanced abilities to improve the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells in vitro. Overall, these findings indicate that loss of ITGA7 may induce the differentiation of ADSCs to CAFs that contribute to a tumor-supportive niche.


Antigens, CD , Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts , Integrin alpha Chains , Integrins , Mesenchymal Stem Cells , Ovarian Neoplasms , Female , Humans , Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts/pathology , Cell Proliferation , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism , Biomarkers , Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics , Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology , Adipose Tissue/metabolism
13.
Appl Biochem Biotechnol ; 196(1): 245-260, 2024 Jan.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37119505

DNA methylation plays a vital role during the development of tumorigenesis. The purpose of this study is to identify candidate DNA methylation drivers during progression of bladder cancer (BLCA). The methylation spectrum in bladder cancer tissues was detected by CHARM analysis, and methylated ITGA8 was selected for further study due to its low expression. Methylation levels in BLCA tissues and cells were detected with methylated-specific PCR (MSP), while mRNA expression and methylation of ITGA8 were detected by qRT-PCR and MSP. After treatment with 5-Aza-dC (DNA methylation inhibitor), the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of BLCA cells were determined by MTT, wound healing, and transwell assays, respectively. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to evaluate any variance in the cell cycle. In addition, the effect of demethylated ITGA8 on BLCA tumor growth was verified with an in vivo xenograft tumor model. Based on the methylation profiling of BLCA, ITGA8 was identified to be hypermethylated. ITGA8 methylation levels in BLCA tissues and cells were upregulated, and 5-Aza-dC significantly suppressed ITGA8 methylation levels and increased ITGA8 mRNA expression. Furthermore, after treatment with 5-Aza-dC, the propagation, migration, and invasiveness of the cancer cells were inhibited, and more cancer cells were arrested at the G0/G1 phase. In vivo assays further demonstrated that 5-Aza-dC could impede BLCA tumor growth by repressing methylation levels of ITGA8 and increasing ITGA8 mRNA expression. Hypermethylated ITGA8 facilitated BLCA progression, and 5-Aza-dC treatment inhibited BLCA cell propagation and metastasis by decreasing methylation levels of ITGA8 and inducing cell cycle arrest.


DNA Methylation , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms , Humans , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation/genetics , Azacitidine/pharmacology , Azacitidine/metabolism , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/genetics , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/metabolism , Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/pathology , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Cell Movement/genetics , Integrin alpha Chains/genetics , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism
14.
J Invest Dermatol ; 144(6): 1344-1352.e7, 2024 Jun.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38135026

Local immune memory develops at the site of antigen exposure and facilitates a rapid and strong local adaptive defense upon re-exposure. Resident memory T (TRM) cells play a role in local immune memory, and their cell-surface molecules CD69 and CD103 promote their tissue residency. However, the contribution of these molecules to skin immune memory remains unclear. In this study, by inducing contact hypersensitivity (CHS) in CD69KO (CD69-deficient) and CD103-deficient mice, where different degrees of TRM cell contribution are observed by repeated challenges on the right ear and a single challenge on the left ear, we found that the deficiency of CD69 but not CD103 leads to impaired CHS upon repeated antigen challenges, even although TRM cells-like CD8 T cells developed at the challenged site of CD69KO. CHS responses in both ears were diminished in CD69KO by FTY720 or CD8 neutralization, suggesting that CHS in CD69KO is ascribed to circulating CD8 T cells and that the developed TRM cell-like CD8 T cells do not behave as TRM cells. The infiltration of macrophages was reduced in the rechallenged site of CD69KO, along with the downregulation of Cxcl1 and Cxcl2. Thus, CD69 is considered essential for an effective recall response, involving the development of functional TRM cells and the recruitment of macrophages.


Antigens, CD , Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Dermatitis, Contact , Immunologic Memory , Lectins, C-Type , Mice, Knockout , Animals , Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/metabolism , Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/immunology , Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte/genetics , Antigens, CD/metabolism , Mice , Dermatitis, Contact/immunology , Lectins, C-Type/metabolism , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Disease Models, Animal , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Skin/immunology , Skin/pathology
15.
J Pathol ; 261(2): 184-197, 2023 10.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37565309

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. Repeated epicutaneous application of Aldara® (imiquimod) cream results in psoriasiform dermatitis in mice. The Aldara®-induced psoriasiform dermatitis (AIPD) mouse model has been used to examine the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Here, we used a forward genetics approach in which we compared AIPD that developed in 13 different inbred mouse strains to identify genes and pathways that modulated disease severity. Among our primary results, we found that the severity of AIPD differed substantially between different strains of inbred mice and that these variations were associated with polymorphisms in Itga11. The Itga11 gene encodes the integrin α11 subunit that heterodimerizes with the integrin ß1 subunit to form integrin α11ß1. Less information is available about the function of ITGA11 in skin inflammation; however, a role in the regulation of cutaneous wound healing, specifically the development of dermal fibrosis, has been described. Experiments performed with Itga11 gene-deleted (Itga11-/- ) mice revealed that the integrin α11 subunit contributes substantially to the clinical phenotype as well as the histopathological and molecular findings associated with skin inflammation characteristic of AIPD. Although the skin transcriptomes of Itga11-/- and WT mice do not differ from one another under physiological conditions, distinct transcriptomes emerge in these strains in response to the induction of AIPD. Most of the differentially expressed genes contributed to extracellular matrix organization, immune system, and metabolism of lipids pathways. Consistent with these findings, we detected a reduced number of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells, including macrophages, T cells, and tissue-resident memory T cells in skin samples from Itga11-/- mice in response to AIPD induction. Collectively, our results reveal that Itga11 plays a critical role in promoting skin inflammation in AIPD and thus might be targeted for the development of novel therapeutics for psoriasiform skin conditions. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.


Dermatitis , Integrin alpha Chains , Psoriasis , Animals , Mice , Dermatitis/genetics , Dermatitis/pathology , Disease Models, Animal , Imiquimod/adverse effects , Inflammation/pathology , Integrin alpha Chains/genetics , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Psoriasis/chemically induced , Psoriasis/genetics , Skin/pathology
16.
J Immunol ; 211(4): 551-562, 2023 08 15.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37341508

Dermal regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential for maintenance of skin homeostasis and control of skin inflammatory responses. In mice, Tregs in the skin are characterized by high expression of CD103, the αE integrin. Evidence indicates that CD103 promotes Treg retention within the skin, although the mechanism underlying this effect is unknown. The main ligand of CD103, E-cadherin, is predominantly expressed by cells in the epidermis. However, because Tregs are predominantly located within the dermis, the nature of the interactions between E-cadherin and CD103-expressing Tregs is unclear. In this study, we used multiphoton intravital microscopy to examine the contribution of CD103 to Treg behavior in resting and inflamed skin of mice undergoing oxazolone-induced contact hypersensitivity. Inhibition of CD103 in uninflamed skin did not alter Treg behavior, whereas 48 h after inducing contact hypersensitivity by oxazolone challenge, CD103 inhibition increased Treg migration. This coincided with E-cadherin upregulation on infiltrating myeloid leukocytes in the dermis. Using CD11c-enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) × Foxp3-GFP dual-reporter mice, inhibition of CD103 was found to reduce Treg interactions with dermal dendritic cells. CD103 inhibition also resulted in increased recruitment of effector CD4+ T cells and IFN-γ expression in challenged skin and resulted in reduced glucocorticoid-induced TNFR-related protein expression on Tregs. These results demonstrate that CD103 controls intradermal Treg migration, but only at later stages in the inflammatory response, when E-cadherin expression in the dermis is increased, and provide evidence that CD103-mediated interactions between Tregs and dermal dendritic cells support regulation of skin inflammation.


Dermatitis, Contact , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory , Animals , Mice , Cadherins/metabolism , Dermatitis, Contact/metabolism , Inflammation/metabolism , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Oxazolone/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolism
17.
Cell Rep ; 42(6): 112550, 2023 06 27.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37224018

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most prevalent chronic kidney disease. Macrophage infiltration in the kidney is critical for the progression of DKD. However, the underlying mechanism is far from clear. Cullin 4B (CUL4B) is the scaffold protein in CUL4B-RING E3 ligase complexes. Previous studies have shown that depletion of CUL4B in macrophages aggravates lipopolysaccharide-induced peritonitis and septic shock. In this study, using two mouse models for DKD, we demonstrate that myeloid deficiency of CUL4B alleviates diabetes-induced renal injury and fibrosis. In vivo and in vitro analyses reveal that loss of CUL4B suppresses migration, adhesion, and renal infiltration of macrophages. Mechanistically, we show that high glucose upregulates CUL4B in macrophages. CUL4B represses expression of miR-194-5p, which leads to elevated integrin α9 (ITGA9), promoting migration and adhesion. Our study suggests the CUL4B/miR-194-5p/ITGA9 axis as an important regulator for macrophage infiltration in diabetic kidneys.


Diabetes Mellitus , Diabetic Nephropathies , MicroRNAs , Animals , Mice , Cullin Proteins/genetics , Cullin Proteins/metabolism , Diabetes Mellitus/metabolism , Diabetic Nephropathies/genetics , Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Macrophages/metabolism , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism
18.
Cell Rep ; 42(5): 112501, 2023 05 30.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37178117

Locoregional monotherapy with heterodimeric interleukin (IL)-15 (hetIL-15) in a triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) orthotopic mouse model resulted in tumor eradication in 40% of treated mice, reduction of metastasis, and induction of immunological memory against breast cancer cells. hetIL-15 re-shaped the tumor microenvironment by promoting the intratumoral accumulation of cytotoxic lymphocytes, conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1s), and a dendritic cell (DC) population expressing both CD103 and CD11b markers. These CD103intCD11b+DCs share phenotypic and gene expression characteristics with both cDC1s and cDC2s, have transcriptomic profiles more similar to monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs), and correlate with tumor regression. Therefore, hetIL-15, a cytokine directly affecting lymphocytes and inducing cytotoxic cells, also has an indirect rapid and significant effect on the recruitment of myeloid cells, initiating a cascade for tumor elimination through innate and adoptive immune mechanisms. The intratumoral CD103intCD11b+DC population induced by hetIL-15 may be targeted for the development of additional cancer immunotherapy approaches.


Antineoplastic Agents , Neoplasms , Mice , Animals , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Neoplasms/metabolism , Cytokines/metabolism , Dendritic Cells/metabolism , Lymphocytes/metabolism , Antineoplastic Agents/metabolism , Immunologic Factors/metabolism , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Tumor Microenvironment
19.
Cell Rep ; 42(5): 112431, 2023 05 30.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37099426

While dysbiosis in the gut is implicated in the impaired induction of oral tolerance generated in mesenteric lymph nodes (MesLNs), how dysbiosis affects this process remains unclear. Here, we describe that antibiotic-driven gut dysbiosis causes the dysfunction of CD11c+CD103+ conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) in MesLNs, preventing the establishment of oral tolerance. Deficiency of CD11c+CD103+ cDCs abrogates the generation of regulatory T cells in MesLNs to establish oral tolerance. Antibiotic treatment triggers the intestinal dysbiosis linked to the impaired generation of colony-stimulating factor 2 (Csf2)-producing group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) for regulating the tolerogenesis of CD11c+CD103+ cDCs and the reduced expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like ligand 1A (TL1A) on CD11c+CD103+ cDCs for generating Csf2-producing ILC3s. Thus, antibiotic-driven intestinal dysbiosis leads to the breakdown of crosstalk between CD11c+CD103+ cDCs and ILC3s for maintaining the tolerogenesis of CD11c+CD103+ cDCs in MesLNs, responsible for the failed establishment of oral tolerance.


Dysbiosis , Immunity, Innate , Humans , Dysbiosis/metabolism , Lymphocytes/metabolism , Integrin alpha Chains/metabolism , Dendritic Cells/metabolism , Anti-Bacterial Agents/metabolism , Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism
20.
Front Immunol ; 14: 1096818, 2023.
Article En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36911684

Integrins are closely related to the occurrence and development of tumors. ITGA8 encodes the alpha 8 subunit of the heterodimeric integrin alpha8beta1. Studies on the role of this gene in the occurrence and development of lung cancer are scarce. The examination of public databases revealed that ITGA8 expression was significantly lower in tumor tissue than that in normal tissue, especially in lung cancer, renal carcinoma, and prostate cancer. Survival analysis of patients with lung adenocarcinoma revealed that higher ITGA8 expression had better prognosis. ITGA8 was positively related to immune checkpoints and immunomodulators, whereas B cell, CD4+ T cell, CD8+ T cell, neutrophil, macrophage, and dendritic cell infiltration had the same correlation. Moreover, ITGA8 was negatively related to cancer stemness. We used an online database to predict the miRNAs and lncRNAs that regulate ITGA8 and obtained the regulatory network of ITGA8 through correlation analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analyses showed that LINC01798 regulates ITGA8 expression through miR-17-5p. Therefore, the regulatory network of ITGA8 may serve as a new therapeutic target to improve the prognosis of patients with lung cancer.


Carcinoma, Renal Cell , Kidney Neoplasms , Lung Neoplasms , MicroRNAs , Humans , Male , Integrin alpha Chains , Lung , Tumor Microenvironment , Prostatic Neoplasms
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