Immune Gene Profiling in Healthy and HBV-exposed Cord Blood Immune Cells
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ABSTRACT: The newborn immune system is characterized by an impaired Th1-associated immune response. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmitted from infected mothers to newborns is thought to exploit the newborns’ immune system immaturity by inducing a state of immune tolerance that facilitates HBV persistence. Contrary to this hypothesis, we demonstrate here that HBV exposure in utero triggers a state of trained immunity, characterized by innate immune cell maturation and Th1 development, which in turn enhances the ability of cord blood immune cells to respond to bacterial infection in vitro. These training effects are associated with an alteration of the cytokine environment characterized by low IL-10 and, in most cases, high IL-12p40 and IFN-α2. Our data uncover a potentially symbiotic relationship between HBV and its natural host and highlight the plasticity of the fetal immune system following viral exposure in utero.
Project description:The newborn immune system is characterized by an impaired Th1-associated immune response. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmitted from infected mothers to newborns is thought to exploit the newborns’ immune system immaturity by inducing a state of immune tolerance that facilitates HBV persistence. Contrary to this hypothesis, we demonstrate here that HBV exposure in utero triggers a state of trained immunity, characterized by innate immune cell maturation and Th1 development, which in turn enhances the ability of cord blood immune cells to respond to bacterial infection in vitro. These training effects are associated with an alteration of the cytokine environment characterized by low IL-10 and, in most cases, high IL-12p40 and IFN-α2. Our data uncover a potentially symbiotic relationship between HBV and its natural host and highlight the plasticity of the fetal immune system following viral exposure in utero. RNA was extracted from 15 cord blood samples comprising of healthy cord blood monocytes (n=4), HBV-exposed cord blood monocytes (n=3), healthy cord blood plasmacytoid dendritic cells (n=4), and HBV-exposed cord blood plasmacytoid dendritic cells (n=4). Healthy adult peripheral blood monocytes (n=3) were included for comparison. The immune profile was analyzed using Nanostring and nCounter® GX Human Immunology Kit v1, comprising probes for a total of 511 immune genes.
Project description:Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease of unknown etiology. Our knowledge about an involvement of the adaptive immune system is very limited. We performed detailed transcriptome analysis, qRT-PCR, and quantitative immunohistochemistry on facial biopsies of rosacea patients, classified according to their clinical subtype. As controls, we used samples from healthy controls. Our study shows significant activation of the immune system in all subtypes of rosacea, characterizing erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) already as a disease with significant influx of proinflammatory cells. The T cell response is dominated by Th1/Th17-polarized immune cells, as demonstrated by significant upregulation of IFNγ or IL-17, for example. Chemokine expression patterns support a Th1/Th17 polarization profile of the T cell response. Macrophages and mast cells are increased in all three subtypes of rosacea, while neutrophils reach a maximum in papulopustular rosacea. Our studies also provide evidence for activation of plasma cells with significant antibody production already in ETR, followed by a crescendo pattern towards phymatous rosacea. In sum, Th1/Th17 polarized inflammation and macrophage infiltration is an underestimated hallmark in all subtypes of rosacea. Therapies directly targeting the Th1/Th17 pathway are promising candidates in the future treatment of this skin disease.
Project description:Disruption of the epithelial barrier is considered a potential cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, we employed the NEMOIEC-KO mouse model to study the immune mechanisms triggering chronic colitis downstream of an epithelial barrier defect. Colitis in NEMOIEC-KO mice is driven by commensal bacteria sensing through MyD88 signaling. The IL-12p40-related cytokines are induced upon microbial sensing and are known to act critically in promoting intestinal inflammation. Yet, the relative contribution of IL-12 versus IL-23 in eliciting intestinal pathology has been controversial. Using IL-12p40, IL-12p35 and IL-23p19 knockout mice we assessed the functional contribution of IL-12 and IL-23 to intestinal inflammation in the NEMOIEC-KO model.
Project description:The immune system can both promote and suppress cancer. Chronic inflammation and proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 are considered tumor-promoting. In contrast, the exact nature of protective antitumor immunity remains obscure. In this study, we have quantified locally secreted cytokines during primary immune responses against myeloma and B-cell lymphoma in mice. Strikingly, successful cancer immunosurveillance mediated by tumor-specific CD4+ T cells was consistently associated with elevated local levels of both proinflammatory (IL-1aplha, IL-1beta, and IL-6) and T helper 1 (Th1)-associated cytokines (interferon-alpha, IL-2, IL-12). Cancer eradication was achieved by a collaboration between tumor-specific Th1 cells and tumor-infiltrating, antigen-presenting macrophages. Th1 cells induced secretion of IL-1? and IL-6 by macrophages. Th1-derived interferon-? was shown to render macrophages directly cytotoxic to cancer cells, and to induce macrophages to secrete the angiostatic chemokines CXCL9/MIG and CXCL10/IP-10. Thus, inflammation, when driven by tumor-specific Th1 cells, may prevent rather than promote cancer. Tumoricidal macrophages were isolated from Idiotype-specific TCR-transgenic SCID mice injected with MOPC315-containing Matrigel. Control macrophages were obtained from TCR-transgenic SCID mice injected with Matrigel containing antigen-loss MOPC315.
Project description:Background and Aims: Recent identification of intracellular DNA sensing pathways and involvement in numerous diverse disease processes including viral pathogenesis and autoimmunity suggests a role for these processes in liver pathology. The presence of these pathways in the liver and their role in HBV infection is unknown. Methods: In order to characterize the role of DNA sensing pathways in the liver, we utilized in vitro models. Microarray was performed on DNA treated and HBV infected hepatoma primary human hepatocytes. Results: Here we show that HBV infection and foreign DNA results in a significant innate immune response characterized by the production of inflammatory chemokines. The goal of this study is to characterize the changes in gene expression triggered by HBV and foreign DNA in primary human hepatocytes. PHHs were infected with HBV (MO.I = 50) for 40 hours. PHHs were transfected with 1μg/mL of ISD/dsDNA90 for 12 or 24 hours. Three replicates were performed for each condition.
Project description:Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a leading cause of liver-related diseases and mortality. However, immune mechanisms governing the phases of HBV infection remain elusive. Understanding molecular components in hepatitis immunosuppression and progression is essential for developing immunotherapies for functional cure of chronic HBV infection. Our integrative analysis of intrahepatic tissue and peripheral PBMC samples from patients with acute and chronic HBV infection using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and TCR/BCR sequencing (scTCR/BCR-seq) revealed three distinct lineages of PBMC-derived intrahepatic T lymphocytes (hpCTLs): exhausted GZMK+PDCD1+, short-lived effector KLRG1+, and inactivated GZMB+PRF1+ hpCTLs. Key factors such as FasL/Fas-mediated cytotoxicity, CD28 co-stimulation, and exhaustion status were identified as determinants of hpCTL functionality. Liver-resident DC-SIGN+ macrophages were found to act as antigen-presenting cells that cross-prime hpCTLs in response to IL-2 or as suppressive macrophages by inhibiting T cell immunity through IL-10 and PD-L1 production and Treg recruitment. The intrahepatic core cellular network, including DC-SIGN+ macrophages, CSF1+ST2+ mast cells, AREG+ liver-resident NK cells, CD14+ hepatocytes, and CXCL13+ TFH, was observed to modulate immune tolerance, activation, and suppression in HBV infection. This study inferred the core cellular network involved in immune phenotype switching across different hepatitis B phases and suggested potential immunomodulatory strategies for treating chronic HBV infection.
Project description:The immune system can both promote and suppress cancer. Chronic inflammation and proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6 are considered tumor-promoting. In contrast, the exact nature of protective antitumor immunity remains obscure. In this study, we have quantified locally secreted cytokines during primary immune responses against myeloma and B-cell lymphoma in mice. Strikingly, successful cancer immunosurveillance mediated by tumor-specific CD4+ T cells was consistently associated with elevated local levels of both proinflammatory (IL-1aplha, IL-1beta, and IL-6) and T helper 1 (Th1)-associated cytokines (interferon-alpha, IL-2, IL-12). Cancer eradication was achieved by a collaboration between tumor-specific Th1 cells and tumor-infiltrating, antigen-presenting macrophages. Th1 cells induced secretion of IL-1? and IL-6 by macrophages. Th1-derived interferon-? was shown to render macrophages directly cytotoxic to cancer cells, and to induce macrophages to secrete the angiostatic chemokines CXCL9/MIG and CXCL10/IP-10. Thus, inflammation, when driven by tumor-specific Th1 cells, may prevent rather than promote cancer.
Project description:Colonizing commensal bacteria after birth are required for the proper development of the gastrointestinal tract. It is believed that bacterial colonization pattern in neonatal gut affects gut barrier function and immune system maturation. Studies on the development of faecal flora microbiota in infants on various formula feeds showed that the neonatal gut was first colonized with enterococci followed by other flora microbiota such as Bifidobacterium in breast feeding infants. Intriguingly, Bjorksten group Other studies showed that Bbabies who developed allergy were less often colonized with Enterococcus during the first month of life as compared to healthy infants. A lot of Many studies have been done on conducted to elucidate how bifidobacteria or lactobacilli, some of which are considered probiotic, regulate infant gut immunity. However, much fewer studies have been focused on enterococi. In our study, we demonstrate that E. faecalis, isolated from healthy newborns, suppress inflammatory responses activated in vivo and in vitro. We found E. faecalis attenuates proinflammatory cytokine secretions, especially IL-8, through JNK and p38 signaling pathways. This finding shed light on how the first colonizer, E.faecalis, regulate inflammatory responses in the host. Samples are analysed using web-based GEArray Expression Analysis Suite
Project description:Overcoming immunosuppression in tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial for the development of novel cancer immunotherapies. In this study, we revealed a previously unrecognized role of IL-16 in shaping anti-tumor immunity. Compared to healthy individuals, cancer patients exhibited impaired production of IL-16, which was associated with inferior patient prognosis. In multiple murine cancer models, IL-16 administration augmented the anti-tumor immune responses and thus restrained tumor growth. Further investigation uncovered that IL-16 potentiated the polarization of T helper 1 (Th1) cells and the production of their effector cytokine IFN-γ. Mechanistically, IL-16 inhibited glutamine catabolism by downregulating the expression of glutaminase (GLS) in CD4+ T cells. The establishment of IL-16-dependent Th1 tumor microenvironment further increased the expression of CXCR3 ligands in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), thereby improving the therapeutic effectiveness of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB). In cancer patients who received anti-PD1 therapy, higher levels of IL-16 were correlated with better responsiveness. Finally, we found that the impaired production of histamine by mast cells was a contributing factor to the downregulation of IL-16 in TME. Therefore, IL-16 could potentially be utilized as a therapeutic approach to augment anti-tumor immunity, and improve the outcome of ICB therapy in cancer patients. Collectively, our research provided new insights into the biological function of IL-16, emphasizing its potential clinical significance in cancer immunotherapy.