Circulating myeloid-derived MMP8 in stress susceptibility and depression.

Psychosocial stress has profound effects on the body, including the immune system and the brain1,2. Although a large number of pre-clinical and clinical studies have linked peripheral immune system alterations to stress-related disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD)3, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here we show that expression of a circulating myeloid cell-specific proteinase, matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP8), is increased in the serum of humans with MDD as well as in stress-susceptible mice following chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). In mice, we show that this increase leads to alterations in extracellular space and neurophysiological changes in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), as well as altered social behaviour. Using a combination of mass cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing, we performed high-dimensional phenotyping of immune cells in circulation and in the brain and demonstrate that peripheral monocytes are strongly affected by stress. In stress-susceptible mice, both circulating monocytes and monocytes that traffic to the brain showed increased Mmp8 expression following chronic social defeat stress. We further demonstrate that circulating MMP8 directly infiltrates the NAc parenchyma and controls the ultrastructure of the extracellular space. Depleting MMP8 prevented stress-induced social avoidance behaviour and alterations in NAc neurophysiology and extracellular space. Collectively, these data establish a mechanism by which peripheral immune factors can affect central nervous system function and behaviour in the context of stress. Targeting specific peripheral immune cell-derived matrix metalloproteinases could constitute novel therapeutic targets for stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders.

Stress-activated brain-gut circuits disrupt intestinal barrier integrity and social behaviour.

Chronic stress underlies the etiology of both major depressive disorder (MDD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), two highly prevalent and debilitating conditions with high rates of co-morbidity. However, it is not fully understood how the brain and gut bi-directionally communicate during stress to impact intestinal homeostasis and stress-relevant behaviours. Using the chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model, we find that stressed mice display greater intestinal permeability and circulating levels of the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) compared to unstressed control (CON) mice. Interestingly, the microbiota in the colon also exhibit elevated LPS biosynthesis gene expression following CSDS. Additionally, CSDS triggers an increase in pro-inflammatory colonic IFNγ+ Th1 cells and a decrease in IL4+ Th2 cells compared to CON mice, and this gut inflammation contributes to stress-induced intestinal barrier permeability and social avoidance behaviour. We next investigated the role of enteric neurons and identified that noradrenergic dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH)+ neurons in the colon are activated by CSDS, and that their ablation protects against gut pathophysiology and disturbances in social behaviour. Retrograde tracing from the colon identified a population of corticotropin-releasing hormone-expressing (CRH+) neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH) that innervate the colon and are activated by stress. Chemogenetically activating these PVH CRH+ neurons is sufficient to induce gut inflammation, barrier permeability, and social avoidance behaviour, while inhibiting these cells prevents these effects following exposure to CSDS. Thus, we define a stress-activated brain-to-gut circuit that confers colonic inflammation, leading to impaired intestinal barrier function, and consequent behavioural deficits.

Social stress induces autoimmune responses against the brain.

Clinical studies have revealed a high comorbidity between autoimmune diseases and psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the mechanisms connecting autoimmunity and depression remain unclear. Here, we aim to identify the processes by which stress impacts the adaptive immune system and the implications of such responses to depression. To examine this relationship, we analyzed antibody responses and autoimmunity in the chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model in mice, and in clinical samples from patients with MDD. We show that socially stressed mice have elevated serum antibody concentrations. We also confirm that social stress leads to the expansion of specific T and B cell populations within the cervical lymph nodes, where brain-derived antigens are preferentially delivered. Sera from stress-susceptible (SUS) mice exhibited high reactivity against brain tissue, and brain-reactive immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels positively correlated with social avoidance behavior. IgG antibody concentrations in the brain were significantly higher in SUS mice than in unstressed mice, and positively correlated with social avoidance. Similarly, in humans, increased peripheral levels of brain-reactive IgG antibodies were associated with increased anhedonia. In vivo assessment of IgG antibodies showed they largely accumulate around blood vessels in the brain only in SUS mice. B cell-depleted mice exhibited stress resilience following CSDS, confirming the contribution of antibody-producing cells to social avoidance behavior. This study provides mechanistic insights connecting stress-induced autoimmune reactions against the brain and stress susceptibility. Therapeutic strategies targeting autoimmune responses might aid in the treatment of patients with MDD featuring immune abnormalities.

Chemokine receptor 5 signaling in PFC mediates stress susceptibility in female mice.

Chronic stress induces changes in the periphery and the central nervous system (CNS) that contribute to neuropathology and behavioral abnormalities associated with psychiatric disorders. In this study, we examined the impact of peripheral and central inflammation during chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) in female mice. Compared to male mice, we found that female mice exhibited heightened peripheral inflammatory response and identified C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5), as a stress-susceptibility marker in females. Blocking CCL5 signaling in the periphery promoted resilience to CSDS. In the brain, stress-susceptible mice displayed increased expression of C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5), a receptor for CCL5, in microglia in the prefrontal cortex (PFC). This upregulation was associated with microglia morphological changes, their increased migration to the blood vessels, and enhanced phagocytosis of synaptic components and vascular material. These changes coincided with neurophysiological alterations and impaired blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. By blocking CCR5 signaling specifically in the PFC were able to prevent stress-induced physiological changes and rescue social avoidance behavior. Our findings are the first to demonstrate that stress-mediated dysregulation of the CCL5-CCR5 axis triggers excessive phagocytosis of synaptic materials and neurovascular components by microglia, resulting in disruptions in neurotransmission, reduced BBB integrity, and increased stress susceptibility. Our study provides new insights into the role of cortical microglia in female stress susceptibility and suggests that the CCL5-CCR5 axis may serve as a novel sex-specific therapeutic target for treating psychiatric disorders in females.

Peripheral immune-derived matrix metalloproteinase promotes stress susceptibility.

Psychosocial stress has profound effects on the body, including the peripheral immune system and the brain1,2. Although a large number of pre-clinical and clinical studies have linked peripheral immune system alterations to stress-related disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD)3,4,5, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Here we show that a peripheral myeloid cell-specific proteinase, matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP8), is elevated in serum of subjects with MDD as well as in stress-susceptible (SUS) mice following chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). In mice, we show that this increase leads to alterations in extracellular space and neurophysiological changes in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), thereby altering social behaviour. Using a combination of mass cytometry and single-cell RNA-sequencing, we performed high-dimensional phenotyping of immune cells in circulation and brain and demonstrate that peripheral monocytes are strongly affected by stress. Both peripheral and brain-infiltrating monocytes of SUS mice showed increased Mmp8 expression following CSDS. We further demonstrate that peripheral MMP8 directly infiltrates the NAc parenchyma to control the ultrastructure of the extracellular space. Depleting MMP8 prevented stress-induced social avoidance behaviour and alterations in NAc neurophysiology and extracellular space. Collectively, these data establish a novel mechanism by which peripheral immune factors can affect central nervous system function and behaviour in the context of stress. Targeting specific peripheral immune cell-derived matrix metalloproteinases could constitute novel therapeutic targets for stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders.

Social trauma engages lateral septum circuitry to occlude social reward.

In humans, traumatic social experiences can contribute to psychiatric disorders1. It is suggested that social trauma impairs brain reward function such that social behaviour is no longer rewarding, leading to severe social avoidance2,3. In rodents, the chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) model has been used to understand the neurobiology underlying stress susceptibility versus resilience following social trauma, yet little is known regarding its impact on social reward4,5. Here we show that, following CSDS, a subset of male and female mice, termed susceptible (SUS), avoid social interaction with non-aggressive, same-sex juvenile C57BL/6J mice and do not develop context-dependent social reward following encounters with them. Non-social stressors have no effect on social reward in either sex. Next, using whole-brain Fos mapping, in vivo Ca2+ imaging and whole-cell recordings, we identified a population of stress/threat-responsive lateral septum neurotensin (NTLS) neurons that are activated by juvenile social interactions only in SUS mice, but not in resilient or unstressed control mice. Optogenetic or chemogenetic manipulation of NTLS neurons and their downstream connections modulates social interaction and social reward. Together, these data suggest that previously rewarding social targets are possibly perceived as social threats in SUS mice, resulting from hyperactive NTLS neurons that occlude social reward processing.

Immune response and protective efficacy of the SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein vaccine S-268019-b in mice.

Vaccines that efficiently target severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), are the best means for controlling viral spread. This study evaluated the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine S-268019-b, which comprises the recombinant full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S-910823 (antigen) and A-910823 (adjuvant). In addition to eliciting both Th1-type and Th2-type cellular immune responses, two doses of S-910823 plus A-910823 induced anti-spike protein IgG antibodies and neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. In a SARS-CoV-2 challenge test, S-910823 plus A-910823 mitigated SARS-CoV-2 infection-induced weight loss and death and inhibited viral replication in mouse lungs. S-910823 plus A-910823 promoted cytokine and chemokine at the injection site and immune cell accumulation in the draining lymph nodes. This led to the formation of germinal centers and the induction of memory B cells, antibody-secreting cells, and memory T cells. These findings provide fundamental property of S-268019-b, especially importance of A-910823 to elicit humoral and cellular immune responses.

Role of Monocyte-Derived MicroRNA106b∼25 in Resilience to Social Stress.

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies suggest that heightened peripheral inflammation contributes to the pathogenesis of stress-related disorders, including major depressive disorder. However, the molecular mechanisms within peripheral immune cells that mediate enhanced stress vulnerability are not well known. Because microRNAs (miRs) are important regulators of immune response, we sought to examine their role in mediating inflammatory and behavioral responses to repeated social defeat stress (RSDS), a mouse model of stress vulnerability that produces susceptible and resilient phenotypes. METHODS: We isolated Ly6chigh monocytes via fluorescence-activated cell sorting in the blood of susceptible and resilient mice following RSDS and profiled miR expression via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Bone marrow chimeric mice were generated to confirm a causal role of the miR-106b∼25 cluster in bone marrow-derived leukocytes in mediating stress resilience versus susceptibility. RESULTS: We found that RSDS produces an increase in circulating Ly6chigh inflammatory monocytes in both susceptible and resilient mice. We next investigated whether intrinsic leukocyte posttranscriptional mechanisms contribute to individual differences in stress response and the resilient phenotype. Of the miRs profiled in our panel, eight were significantly regulated by RSDS within Ly6chigh monocytes, including miR-25-3p, a member of the miR-106b∼25 cluster. Selective knockout of the miR-106b∼25 cluster in peripheral leukocytes promoted behavioral resilience to RSDS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results identify the miR-106b∼25 cluster as a key regulator of stress-induced inflammation and depression that may represent a novel therapeutic target for drug development.

Hyper-reactive cloned mice generated by direct nuclear transfer of antigen-specific CD4+ T cells.

T-cell receptor (TCR)-transgenic mice have been employed for evaluating antigen-response mechanisms, but their non-endogenous TCR might induce immune response differently than the physiologically expressed TCR Nuclear transfer cloning produces animals that retain the donor genotype in all tissues including germline and immune systems. Taking advantage of this feature, we generated cloned mice that carry endogenously rearranged TCR genes from antigen-specific CD4+ T cells. We show that T cells of the cloned mice display distinct developmental pattern and antigen reactivity because of their endogenously pre-rearranged TCRα (rTα) and TCRß (rTß) alleles. These alleles were transmitted to the offspring, allowing us to establish a set of mouse lines that show chronic-type allergic phenotypes, that is, bronchial and nasal inflammation, upon local administrations of the corresponding antigens. Intriguingly, the existence of either rTα or rTß is sufficient to induce in vivo hypersensitivity. These cloned mice expressing intrinsic promoter-regulated antigen-specific TCR are a unique animal model with allergic predisposition for investigating CD4+ T-cell-mediated pathogenesis and cellular commitment in immune diseases.

Limitation of immune tolerance-inducing thymic epithelial cell development by Spi-B-mediated negative feedback regulation.

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) expressing the autoimmune regulator AIRE and various tissue-specific antigens (TSAs) are critical for preventing the onset of autoimmunity and may attenuate tumor immunity. However, molecular mechanisms controlling mTEC development remain elusive. Here, we describe the roles of the transcription factor Spi-B in mTEC development. Spi-B is rapidly up-regulated by receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) cytokine signaling, which triggers mTEC differentiation, and in turn up-regulates CD80, CD86, some TSAs, and the natural inhibitor of RANKL signaling, osteoprotegerin (OPG). Spi-B-mediated OPG expression limits mTEC development in neonates but not in embryos, suggesting developmental stage-specific negative feedback regulation. OPG-mediated negative regulation attenuates cellularity of thymic regulatory T cells and tumor development in vivo. Hence, these data suggest that this negative RANKL-Spi-B-OPG feedback mechanism finely tunes mTEC development and function and may optimize the trade-off between prevention of autoimmunity and induction of antitumor immunity.

RANK signaling induces interferon-stimulated genes in the fetal thymic stroma.

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) are essential for thymic negative selection to prevent autoimmunity. Previous studies show that mTEC development is dependent on the signal transducers TRAF6 and NIK. However, the downstream target genes of signals controlled by these molecules remain unknown. We performed a microarray analysis on mRNAs down-regulated by deficiencies in TRAF6 or functional NIK in an in vitro organ culture of fetal thymic stromata (2DG-FTOC). An in silico analysis of transcription factor binding sites in plausible promoter regions of differentially expressed genes suggests that STAT1 is involved in TRAF6- and NIK-dependent gene expression. Indeed, the signal of RANK, a TNF receptor family member that activates TRAF6 and NIK, induces the activation of STAT1 in 2DG-FTOC. Moreover, RANK signaling induces the up-regulation of interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene (ISG) expression, suggesting that the RANKL-dependent activation of STAT1 up-regulates ISG expression. The RANKL-dependent expression levels of ISGs were reduced but not completely abolished in interferon α receptor 1-deficient (Ifnar1(-/-)) 2DG-FTOC. Our data suggest that RANK signaling induces ISG expression in both type I interferon-independent and interferon-dependent mechanisms.

TRAF6 directs commitment to regulatory T cells in thymocytes.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs), a subset of CD4(+) helper T cells, are crucial for immunological self-tolerance. Defect in development or function of Tregs results in autoimmune disease in human and mice. Whereas it is known that Tregs mainly develop in the thymus, the molecular mechanism underlying development of Treg is not fully understood. TRAF6-deficient mice showed a severe defect in the Treg development in thymus. In vitro fetal thymic organ culture experiments indicated that the defect is ascribed to the absence of TRAF6 in thymic cells. Moreover, mixed fetal liver transfer experiments revealed that the development of Foxp3(+) cells differentiated from Traf6(-/-) hematopoietic cells was specifically impaired in the thymus, indicating cell-intrinsic requirement for TRAF6 in the Treg development. On the other hand, TRAF6 is not required for the development of conventional CD4(+) T cell. In addition, TGFß-dependent induction of Foxp3 in CD4(+) T cells in vitro was not impaired by the absence of TRAF6. Overall, our data indicate that TRAF6 plays an essential role on the commitment of immature thymocytes to thymic Tregs in cell-intrinsic fashion.

Lymphotoxin signal promotes thymic organogenesis by eliciting RANK expression in the embryonic thymic stroma.

It has recently become clear that signals mediated by members of the TNFR superfamily, including lymphotoxin-ß receptor (LTßR), receptor activator for NF-κB (RANK), and CD40, play essential roles in organizing the integrity of medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) required for the establishment of self-tolerance. However, details of the mechanism responsible for the unique and cooperative action of individual and multiple TNFR superfamily members during mTEC differentiation still remain enigmatic. In this study, we show that the LTßR signal upregulates expression of RANK in the thymic stroma, thereby promoting accessibility to the RANK ligand necessary for mTEC differentiation. Cooperation between the LTßR and RANK signals for optimal mTEC differentiation was underscored by the exaggerated defect of thymic organogenesis observed in mice doubly deficient for these signals. In contrast, we observed little cooperation between the LTßR and CD40 signals. Thus, the LTßR signal exhibits a novel and unique function in promoting RANK activity for mTEC organization, indicating a link between thymic organogenesis mediated by multiple cytokine signals and the control of autoimmunity.

TRAF6 negatively regulates the Jak1-Erk pathway in interleukin-2 signaling.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) plays a critical role in establishing both innate and acquired immune responses by mediating signals from the TNF superfamily, the TLR/IL-1R family, and the T-cell receptor. Here, we report a previously unidentified function of TRAF6 in IL-2 signaling. CD3/CD28 stimulation-induced proliferation and Il2 mRNA expression in Traf6(-/-) CD4(+) T cells were dramatically enhanced. This enhancement is likely due to hyperactive IL-2 signaling, in which activation of the Jak1-Erk pathway was enhanced and the subsequent Fos gene expression was up-regulated. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the enhanced activation of Jak1, IL-2 signaling was reconstituted in mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells to investigate the interaction between TRAF6 and the TRAF6-binding site that overlaps with the Jak1-binding site present in the IL-2R ß-chain. The Jak1-Erk pathway was activated upon IL-2 stimulation in Traf6(-/-) MEF cells, while a ß-chain mutation that inactivates TRAF6 binding but retains Jak1 binding abrogated the TRAF6-dependent reduction in IL-2 signaling. These results indicate that the binding of TRAF6 to the TRAF6-binding site of the ß-chain negatively regulates IL-2-induced Jak1 activation, which is likely to be involved in the proper regulation of T-cell activation and development.

The tumor necrosis factor family receptors RANK and CD40 cooperatively establish the thymic medullary microenvironment and self-tolerance.

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) establish T cell self-tolerance through the expression of autoimmune regulator (Aire) and peripheral tissue-specific self-antigens. However, signals underlying mTEC development remain largely unclear. Here, we demonstrate crucial regulation of mTEC development by receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK) and CD40 signals. Whereas only RANK signaling was essential for mTEC development during embryogenesis, in postnatal mice, cooperation between CD40 and RANK signals was required for mTEC development to successfully establish the medullary microenvironment. Ligation of RANK or CD40 on fetal thymic stroma in vitro induced mTEC development in a tumor necrosis factor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6)-, NF-kappaB inducing kinase (NIK)-, and IkappaB kinase beta (IKKbeta)-dependent manner. These results show that developmental-stage-dependent cooperation between RANK and CD40 promotes mTEC development, thereby establishing self-tolerance.

Antigen-mediated migration of murine pro-B Ba/F3 cells via an antibody/receptor chimera.

Cell migration is one of the fundamental cellular responses governing development, homeostasis and disorders of the body. Therefore, artificial control of cell migration holds great promise for the treatment of many diseases. In this study, we developed an artificial cell migration system based on chimeric receptors that can respond to an artificial ligand that is quite different from natural chemoattractants. Chimeric receptors consisting of an anti-fluorescein single-chain Fv tethered to the extracellular D2 domain of erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) and the transmembrane/cytoplasmic domains of EpoR, gp130, interleukin-2 receptor, c-Kit, c-Fms, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or insulin receptor were expressed in the murine Ba/F3 pro-B cell line. Migration assays revealed that chimeric receptors containing the cytoplasmic domain of c-Kit, c-Fms or EGFR transduced migration signals in response to fluorescein-conjugated bovine serum albumin (BSA-FL). Furthermore, based on the cell migration in response to BSA-FL, we successfully selected genetically modified cells from mixtures of gene-transduced and untransduced cells. This study represents the first demonstration of cell migration in response to an artificial ligand that is quite different from natural chemoattractants, suggesting its potential application to immunotherapies and tissue engineering.

Developmental stage-dependent collaboration between the TNF receptor-associated factor 6 and lymphotoxin pathways for B cell follicle organization in secondary lymphoid organs.

Signal transduction pathways regulating NF-kappaB activation essential for microenvironment formation in secondary lymphoid organs remain to be determined. We investigated the effect of a deficiency of TNFR-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), which activates the classical NF-kappaB pathway, in splenic microenvironment formation. Two-week-old TRAF6-deficient mice showed severe defects in B cell follicle and marginal zone formation, similar to mutant mice defective in lymphotoxin (Lt) beta receptor (LtbetaR) signal induction of nonclassical NF-kappaB activation. However, analysis revealed a TRAF6 role in architecture formation distinct from its role in the early neonatal Lt signaling pathway. LtbetaR signal was essential for primary B cell cluster formation with initial differentiation of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in neonatal mice. In contrast, TRAF6 was dispensable for progression to this stage but was required for converting B cell clusters to B cell follicles and maintaining FDCs through to later stages. Fetal liver transfer experiments suggested that TRAF6 in radiation-resistant cells is responsible for follicle formation. Despite FDC-specific surface marker expression, FDCs in neonatal TRAF6-deficient mice had lost the capability to express CXCL13. These data suggest that developmentally regulated activation of TRAF6 in FDCs is required for inducing CXCL13 expression to maintain B cell follicles.