Insular cortex neurons encode and retrieve specific immune responses.

Increasing evidence indicates that the brain regulates peripheral immunity, yet whether and how the brain represents the state of the immune system remains unclear. Here, we show that the brain's insular cortex (InsCtx) stores immune-related information. Using activity-dependent cell labeling in mice (FosTRAP), we captured neuronal ensembles in the InsCtx that were active under two different inflammatory conditions (dextran sulfate sodium [DSS]-induced colitis and zymosan-induced peritonitis). Chemogenetic reactivation of these neuronal ensembles was sufficient to broadly retrieve the inflammatory state under which these neurons were captured. Thus, we show that the brain can store and retrieve specific immune responses, extending the classical concept of immunological memory to neuronal representations of inflammatory information.

Optogenetic activation of local colonic sympathetic innervations attenuates colitis by limiting immune cell extravasation.

The sympathetic nervous system is composed of an endocrine arm, regulating blood adrenaline and noradrenaline, and a local arm, a network of fibers innervating immune organs. Here, we investigated the impact of the local arm of the SNS in an inflammatory response in the colon. Intra-rectal insertion of an optogenetic probe in mice engineered to express channelrhodopsin-2 in tyrosine hydroxylase cells activated colonic sympathetic fibers. In contrast to systemic application of noradrenaline, local activation of sympathetic fibers attenuated experimental colitis and reduced immune cell abundance. Gene expression profiling showed decreased endothelial expression of the adhesion molecule MAdCAM-1 upon optogenetic stimulation; this decrease was sensitive to adrenergic blockers and 6-hydroxydopamine. Antibody blockade of MAdCAM-1 abrogated the optogenetic effect on immune cell extravasation into the colon and the pathology. Thus, sympathetic fibers control colonic inflammation by regulating immune cell extravasation from circulation, a mechanism likely relevant in multiple organs.

Potential di-genic contribution to guttate leukoderma as the predominant feature of epidermolysis bullosa simplex.

Inherited epidermolysis bullosa (EB) simplex is a heterogeneous group of skin fragility disorders caused by mutations in genes encoding cell-cell or cell-matrix adhesion proteins. A recently identified, rare subtype of EB simplex is due to bi-allelic mutations in the EXPH5 gene, which encodes exophilin5, an effector protein of the Rab27B GTPase involved in intracellular vesicle trafficking and exosome secretion. The EXPH5 EB subtype is characterized by early-onset skin blisters and scars, mainly on extremities, and varying degrees of pigmentary alterations. Here, we present a 31-year-old female with diffuse guttate hypopigmentation on the trunk and extremities since early childhood, with no apparent blisters or scars. We employed whole exome sequencing of germline DNA extracted from the patient's leukocytes to determine the genetic aetiology of the phenotype. A novel homozygous variant in EXPH5, c.1153C>T causing a premature stop codon at amino acid Glutamine 385, was identified. Histologic examination after skin pricking disclosed focal keratinocyte detachment typical to EB. Additionally, we identified a deleterious-predicted variant in ENPP1, a gene associated with disturbed transfer of melanosomes to keratinocytes in Cole disease. Our report expands the clinical spectrum of inherited EB simplex with a possible di-genic synergism contributing to co-presentation with guttate leukoderma.

Immunoception: Defining brain-regulated immunity.

The emerging understanding of homeostatic neuroimmune interactions requires developing relevant terminology. In this NeuroView, Koren and Rolls define "immunoception" as the brain's bidirectional monitoring and control of immunity. They propose that the physiological trace storing immune-related information, the "immunengram," is distributed between the brain and memory cells residing in peripheral tissues.

Modulation of anti-tumor immunity by the brain's reward system.

Regulating immunity is a leading target for cancer therapy. Here, we show that the anti-tumor immune response can be modulated by the brain's reward system, a key circuitry in emotional processes. Activation of the reward system in tumor-bearing mice (Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) and B16 melanoma) using chemogenetics (DREADDs), resulted in reduced tumor weight. This effect was mediated via the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), manifested by an attenuated noradrenergic input to a major immunological site, the bone marrow. Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which develop in the bone marrow, became less immunosuppressive following reward system activation. By depleting or adoptively transferring the MDSCs, we demonstrated that these cells are both necessary and sufficient to mediate reward system effects on tumor growth. Given the central role of the reward system in positive emotions, these findings introduce a physiological mechanism whereby the patient's psychological state can impact anti-tumor immunity and cancer progression.

High-dimensional, single-cell characterization of the brain's immune compartment.

The brain and its borders create a highly dynamic microenvironment populated with immune cells. Yet characterization of immune cells within the naive brain compartment remains limited. In this study, we used CyTOF mass cytometry to characterize the immune populations of the naive mouse brain using 44 cell surface markers. By comparing immune cell composition and cell profiles between the brain compartment and blood, we were able to characterize previously undescribed cell subsets of CD8 T cells, B cells, NK cells and dendritic cells in the naive brain. Using flow cytometry, we show differential distributions of immune populations between meninges, choroid plexus and parenchyma. We demonstrate the phenotypic ranges of resident myeloid cells and identify CD44 as a marker for infiltrating immune populations. This study provides an approach for a system-wide view of immune populations in the brain and is expected to serve as a resource for understanding brain immunity.