Semaphorin 6D reverse signaling controls macrophage lipid metabolism and anti-inflammatory polarization.

Polarization of macrophages into pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory states has distinct metabolic requirements, with mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase signaling playing a critical role. However, it remains unclear how mTOR regulates metabolic status to promote polarization of these cells. Here we show that an mTOR-Semaphorin 6D (Sema6D)-Peroxisome proliferator receptor γ (PPARγ) axis plays critical roles in macrophage polarization. Inhibition of mTOR or loss of Sema6D blocked anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization, concomitant with severe impairments in PPARγ expression, uptake of fatty acids, and lipid metabolic reprogramming. Macrophage expression of the receptor Plexin-A4 is responsible for Sema6D-mediated anti-inflammatory polarization. We found that a tyrosine kinase, c-Abl, which associates with the cytoplasmic region of Sema6D, is required for PPARγ expression. Furthermore, Sema6D is important for generation of intestinal resident CX3CR1hi macrophages and prevents development of colitis. Collectively, these findings highlight crucial roles for Sema6D reverse signaling in macrophage polarization, coupling immunity, and metabolism via PPARγ.

IL-33 Induces Sema4A Expression in Dendritic Cells and Exerts Antitumor Immunity.

Cancer immunotherapy has shown great promise as a new standard therapeutic strategy against cancer. However, the response rate and survival benefit remain unsatisfactory because most current approaches, such as the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors, depend on spontaneous antitumor immune responses. One possibility for improving the efficacy of immunotherapy is to promote antitumor immunity using adjuvants or specific cytokines actively. IL-33 has been a candidate for such cytokine therapies, but it remains unclear how and in which situations IL-33 exerts antitumor immune effects. In this study, we demonstrate the potent antitumor effects of IL-33 using syngeneic mouse models, which included marked inhibition of tumor growth and upregulation of IFN-γ production by tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells. Of note, IL-33 induced dendritic cells to express semaphorin 4A (Sema4A), and the absence of Sema4A abolished the antitumor activity of IL-33, indicating that Sema4A is intrinsically required for the antitumor effects of IL-33 in mice. Collectively, these results not only present IL-33 and Sema4A as potential therapeutic targets but also shed light on the potential use of Sema4A as a biomarker for dendritic cell activation status, which has great value in various fields of cancer research, including vaccine development.

Multi-trait and cross-population genome-wide association studies across autoimmune and allergic diseases identify shared and distinct genetic component.

OBJECTIVES: Autoimmune and allergic diseases are outcomes of the dysregulation of the immune system. Our study aimed to elucidate differences or shared components in genetic backgrounds between autoimmune and allergic diseases. METHODS: We estimated genetic correlation and performed multi-trait and cross-population genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of six immune-related diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, Graves' disease, type 1 diabetes for autoimmune diseases and asthma, atopic dermatitis and pollinosis for allergic diseases. By integrating large-scale biobank resources (Biobank Japan and UK biobank), our study included 105 721 cases and 433 663 controls. Newly identified variants were evaluated in 21 778 cases and 712 767 controls for two additional autoimmune diseases: psoriasis and systemic lupus erythematosus. We performed enrichment analyses of cell types and biological pathways to highlight shared and distinct perspectives. RESULTS: Autoimmune and allergic diseases were not only mutually classified based on genetic backgrounds but also they had multiple positive genetic correlations beyond the classifications. Multi-trait GWAS meta-analysis newly identified six allergic disease-associated loci. We identified four loci shared between the six autoimmune and allergic diseases (rs10803431 at PRDM2, OR=1.07, p=2.3×10-8, rs2053062 at G3BP1, OR=0.90, p=2.9×10-8, rs2210366 at HBS1L, OR=1.07, p=2.5×10-8 in Japanese and rs4529910 at POU2AF1, OR=0.96, p=1.9×10-10 across ancestries). Associations of rs10803431 and rs4529910 were confirmed at the two additional autoimmune diseases. Enrichment analysis demonstrated link to T cells, natural killer cells and various cytokine signals, including innate immune pathways. CONCLUSION: Our multi-trait and cross-population study should elucidate complex pathogenesis shared components across autoimmune and allergic diseases.

Neural guidance factors as hubs of immunometabolic cross-talk.

Semaphorins were originally identified as axon-guidance molecules essential for neural development. In addition to their functions in the neural system, members of the semaphorin family have critical functions in many pathophysiological processes, including immune responses, bone homeostasis, cancer and metabolic disorders. In particular, several lines of evidence indicate that mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), a central regulator of cell metabolism, regulates the functions of semaphorins in various types of cells, revealing a novel link between semaphorins and cell metabolism. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the immunometabolic functions of semaphorins, with a particular focus on mTOR signaling.

Pathological and therapeutic implications of eosinophil-derived semaphorin 4D in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS) is a subtype of chronic rhinosinusitis. Clinical markers for ECRS disease activity and treatment strategies have not been sufficiently established. Although semaphorins are originally identified as neuronal guidance factors, it is becoming clear that they play key roles in immune regulation and inflammatory diseases. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the pathological functions and therapeutic potential of semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D) in ECRS. METHODS: Serum soluble SEMA4D levels in patients with paranasal sinus diseases were measured by ELISA. The expression of SEMA4D in blood cells and nasal polyp tissues was assessed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Generation of soluble SEMA4D was evaluated in matrix metalloproteinase-treated eosinophils. Endothelial cells were stimulated with recombinant SEMA4D, followed by eosinophil transendothelial migration assays. Allergic chronic rhinosinusitis was induced in mice using Aspergillus protease with ovalbumin. The efficacy of treatment with anti-SEMA4D antibody was evaluated histologically and by nasal lavage fluid analysis. RESULTS: Serum soluble SEMA4D levels were elevated in patients with ECRS and positively correlated with disease severity. Tissue-infiltrated eosinophils in nasal polyps from patients with ECRS stained strongly with anti-SEMA4D antibody. Cell surface expression of SEMA4D on eosinophils from patients with ECRS was reduced, which was due to matrix metalloproteinase-9-mediated cleavage of membrane SEMA4D. Soluble SEMA4D induced eosinophil transendothelial migration. Treatment with anti-SEMA4D antibody ameliorated eosinophilic infiltration in sinus tissues and nasal lavage fluid in the ECRS animal model. CONCLUSIONS: Eosinophil-derived SEMA4D aggravates ECRS. Levels of serum SEMA4D reflect disease severity, and anti-SEMA4D antibody has therapeutic potential as a treatment for ECRS.

Lysosomal Protein Lamtor1 Controls Innate Immune Responses via Nuclear Translocation of Transcription Factor EB.

Amino acid metabolism plays important roles in innate immune cells, including macrophages. Recently, we reported that a lysosomal adaptor protein, Lamtor1, which serves as the scaffold for amino acid-activated mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), is critical for the polarization of M2 macrophages. However, little is known about how Lamtor1 affects the inflammatory responses that are triggered by the stimuli for TLRs. In this article, we show that Lamtor1 controls innate immune responses by regulating the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of transcription factor EB (TFEB), which has been known as the master regulator for lysosome and autophagosome biogenesis. Furthermore, we show that nuclear translocation of TFEB occurs in alveolar macrophages of myeloid-specific Lamtor1 conditional knockout mice and that these mice are hypersensitive to intratracheal administration of LPS and bleomycin. Our observation clarified that the amino acid-sensing pathway consisting of Lamtor1, mTORC1, and TFEB is involved in the regulation of innate immune responses.

Semaphorin 4D inhibits neutrophil activation and is involved in the pathogenesis of neutrophil-mediated autoimmune vasculitis.

OBJECTIVES: Inappropriate activation of neutrophils plays a pathological role in antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). The aim of this study was to investigate the functions of semaphorin 4D (SEMA4D) in regulation of neutrophil activation, and its involvement in AAV pathogenesis. METHODS: Serum levels of soluble SEMA4D were evaluated by ELISA. Blood cell-surface expression of membrane SEMA4D was evaluated by flow cytometry. To determine the functional interactions between neutrophil membrane SEMA4D and endothelial plexin B2, wild-type and SEMA4D-/- mice neutrophils were cultured with an endothelial cell line (MS1) stained with SYTOX green, and subjected to neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation assays. The efficacy of treating human neutrophils with recombinant plexin B2 was assessed by measuring the kinetic oxidative burst and NET formation assays. RESULTS: Serum levels of soluble SEMA4D were elevated in patients with AAV and correlated with disease activity scores. Cell-surface expression of SEMA4D was downregulated in neutrophils from patients with AAV, a consequence of proteolytic cleavage of membrane SEMA4D. Soluble SEMA4D exerted pro-inflammatory effects on endothelial cells. Membranous SEMA4D on neutrophils bound to plexin B2 on endothelial cells, and this interaction decreased NET formation. Recombinant plexin B2 suppressed neutrophil Rac1 activation through SEMA4D's intracellular domain, and inhibited pathogen-induced or ANCA-induced oxidative burst and NET formation. CONCLUSIONS: Neutrophil surface SEMA4D functions as a negative regulator of neutrophil activation. Proteolytic cleavage of SEMA4D as observed in patients with AAV may amplify neutrophil-mediated inflammatory responses. SEMA4D is a promising biomarker and potential therapeutic target for AAV.

Sema6D forward signaling impairs T cell activation and proliferation in head and neck cancer.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are indicated for a diverse range of cancer types, and characterizing the tumor immune microenvironment is critical for optimizing therapeutic strategies, including ICIs. T cell infiltration and activation status in the tumor microenvironment greatly affects the efficacy of ICIs. Here, we show that semaphorin 6D (Sema6D) forward signaling, which is reportedly involved in coordinating the orientation of cell development and migration as a guidance factor, impaired the infiltration and activation of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in murine oral tumors. Sema6D expressed by nonhematopoietic cells was responsible for this phenotype. Plexin-A4, a receptor for Sema6D, inhibited T cell infiltration and partially suppressed CD8+ T cell activation and proliferation induced by Sema6D stimulation. Moreover, mouse oral tumors, which are resistant to PD-1-blocking treatment in wild-type mice, showed a response to the treatment in Sema6d-KO mice. Finally, analyses of public data sets of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, pan-cancer cohorts, and a retrospective cohort study showed that SEMA6D was mainly expressed by nonhematopoietic cells such as cancer cells, and SEMA6D expression was significantly negatively correlated with CD8A, PDCD1, IFNG, and GZMB expression. Thus, targeting Sema6D forward signaling is a promising option for increasing ICI efficacy.

Pathophysiological functions of semaphorins in the sympathetic nervous system.

Upon exposure to external stressors, the body senses them and activates the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to maintain the homeostasis, which is known as the "fight-or-flight" response. Recent studies have revealed that the SNS also plays pivotal roles in regulating immune responses, such as hematopoiesis, leukocyte mobilization, and inflammation. Indeed, overactivation of the SNS causes many inflammatory diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and autoimmune diseases. However, the molecular basis essential for SNS-mediated immune regulation is not completely understood. In this review, we focus on axon guidance cues, semaphorins, which play multifaceted roles in neural and immune systems. We summarize the functions of semaphorins in the crosstalk between the SNS and the immune system, exploring its pathophysiological roles.

Tumor-derived semaphorin 4A improves PD-1-blocking antibody efficacy by enhancing CD8+ T cell cytotoxicity and proliferation.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have caused revolutionary changes in cancer treatment, but low response rates remain a challenge. Semaphorin 4A (Sema4A) modulates the immune system through multiple mechanisms in mice, although the role of human Sema4A in the tumor microenvironment remains unclear. This study demonstrates that histologically Sema4A-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) responded significantly better to anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) antibody than Sema4A-negative NSCLC. Intriguingly, SEMA4A expression in human NSCLC was mainly derived from tumor cells and was associated with T cell activation. Sema4A promoted cytotoxicity and proliferation of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells without terminal exhaustion by enhancing mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 and polyamine synthesis, which led to improved efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors in murine models. Improved T cell activation by recombinant Sema4A was also confirmed using isolated tumor-infiltrating T cells from patients with cancer. Thus, Sema4A might be a promising therapeutic target and biomarker for predicting and promoting ICI efficacy.

Axon guidance molecules in immunometabolic diseases.

The global prevalence of metabolic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis, is rapidly increasing and has now reached epidemic proportions. Chronic tissue inflammation is a characteristic of these metabolic diseases, indicating that immune responses are closely involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying immunometabolic crosstalk in these diseases are not completely understood. Recent studies have revealed the multifaceted functions of semaphorins, originally identified as axon guidance molecules, in regulating tissue inflammation and metabolic disorders, thereby highlighting the functional coupling between semaphorin signaling and immunometabolism. In this review, we explore how semaphorin signaling transcends beyond merely guiding axons to controlling immune responses and metabolic diseases.

Crosstalk between axon guidance signaling and bone remodeling.

The maintenance of skeletal integrity is tightly regulated by two cell types, bone forming osteoblasts and bone resorbing osteoclasts. Although the role of the nervous system in regulating osteoblasts and osteoclasts was identified over a decade ago, the molecular mechanism of skeletal-neural interactions in bone homeostasis has only been studied recently. In particular, the complex roles of axon guidance molecules, such as semaphorins and ephrins, in the bone have been studied extensively. In this review, we highlight the latest advances in determining the functions of semaphorins and ephrins in the establishment and maintenance of the skeletal system, with a focus on the functional interaction between the skeletal and nervous systems.

Semaphorin 6D-expressing mesenchymal cells regulate IL-10 production by ILC2s in the lung.

Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) have been implicated in both physiologic tissue remodeling and allergic pathology, yet the niche signaling required for ILC2 properties is poorly understood. Here, we show that an axonal guidance cue semaphorin 6D (Sema6D) plays critical roles in the maintenance of IL-10-producing ILC2s. Sema6d -/- mice exhibit a severe steady-state reduction in ILC2s in peripheral sites such as the lung, visceral adipose tissue, and mesentery. Interestingly, loss of Sema6D results in suppressed alarmin-driven type 2 cytokine production but increased IL-10 production by lung ILC2s both in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, Sema6d -/- mice are resistant to the development of allergic lung inflammation. We further found that lung mesenchymal cells highly express Sema6D, and that niche-derived Sema6D is responsible for these phenotypes through plexin A1. Collectively, these findings suggest that niche-derived Sema6D is implicated in physiological and pathological characteristics of ILC2s.

Stepwise phosphorylation of leukotriene B4 receptor 1 defines cellular responses to leukotriene B4.

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) receptor type 1 (BLT1) is abundant in phagocytic and immune cells and plays crucial roles in various inflammatory diseases. BLT1 is phosphorylated at several serine and threonine residues upon stimulation with the inflammatory lipid LTB4 Using Phos-tag gel electrophoresis to separate differentially phosphorylated forms of BLT1, we identified two distinct types of phosphorylation, basal and ligand-induced, in the carboxyl terminus of human BLT1. In the absence of LTB4, the basal phosphorylation sites were modified to various degrees, giving rise to many different phosphorylated forms of BLT1. Different concentrations of LTB4 induced distinct phosphorylation events, and these ligand-induced modifications facilitated additional phosphorylation events at the basal phosphorylation sites. Because neutrophils migrate toward inflammatory sites along a gradient of LTB4, the degree of BLT1 phosphorylation likely increases in parallel with the increase in LTB4 concentration as the cells migrate. At high concentrations of LTB4, deficiencies in these two types of phosphorylation events impaired chemotaxis and ß-hexosaminidase release, a proxy for degranulation, in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) and rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells, respectively. These results suggest that an LTB4 gradient around inflammatory sites enhances BLT1 phosphorylation in a stepwise manner to facilitate the precise migration of phagocytic and immune cells and the initiation of local responses, including degranulation.

Semaphorin 7A promotes EGFR-TKI resistance in EGFR mutant lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Although responses to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are initially positive, 30%-40% of patients with EGFR-mutant tumors do not respond well to EGFR-TKIs, and most lung cancer patients harboring EGFR mutations experience relapse with resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to identify not only the mechanisms underlying EGFR-TKI resistance, but also potentially novel therapeutic targets and/or predictive biomarkers for EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma. We found that the GPI-anchored protein semaphorin 7A (SEMA7A) is highly induced by the EGFR pathway, via mTOR signaling, and that expression levels of SEMA7A in human lung adenocarcinoma specimens were correlated with mTOR activation. Investigations using cell culture and animal models demonstrated that loss or overexpression of SEMA7A made cells less or more resistant to EGFR-TKIs, respectively. The resistance was due to the inhibition of apoptosis by aberrant activation of ERK. The ERK signal was suppressed by knockdown of integrin ß1 (ITGB1). Furthermore, in patients with EGFR mutant tumors, higher SEMA7A expression in clinical samples predicted poorer response to EGFR-TKI treatment. Collectively, these data show that the SEMA7A-ITGB1 axis plays pivotal roles in EGFR-TKI resistance mediated by ERK activation and apoptosis inhibition. Moreover, our results reveal the potential utility of SEMA7A not only as a predictive biomarker, but also as a potentially novel therapeutic target in EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma.