Project description:We performed single cell sequencing analysis of exhausted monocytes generated in vitro through prolonged incubation with high dose LPS. We demonstated that 5-day prolonged stimulation of WT but not TRAM KO monocytes with high dose LPS drastically induced monocyte exhaustion, as reflected in higher levels of inflammatory marker genes such as CD38 and immuno-suppressor genes including PD-L1.
Project description:Monocyte exhaustion characterized by sustained pathogenic inflammatory and immune-suppressive features underlies the pathogenesis of sepsis induced by systemic polymicrobial infections. However, effective strategies in blocking monocyte exhaustion and restoring innate homeostasis are currently not available. In this study, we found that Methoxy-Mycolic Acid (M-MA), a branched mycolic acid derived from Mycobacterium Bovis Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), to be a potent agent in alleviating monocyte exhaustion and restoring immune homeostasis. Co-treatment of monocytes with M-MA can effectively block the expansion of exhausted Ly6Chi /CD38hi/PD-L1hi monocytes induced by repetitive LPS challenges, and restore the expression of immune-enhancing CD86 on co-treated monocytes. Functionally, M-MA treatment restored mitochondrial functions of exhausted monocytes and alleviated their suppressive activities on co-cultured T cells. Mechanistically, M-MA exerts its protective effects independent of cellular receptor TREM2, and relieves cellular stress signaling through blocking Src-STAT1 mediated pathogenic inflammatory polarization as well as reducing the production of compensatory immune suppressors TAX1BP1 and PLAC8. Our whole genome methylation analyses further revealed that M-MA can effectively erase methylation memory of exhausted monocytes, with validated restoration of plac8 methylation by M-MA. Together, our data reveal M-MA as a potent agent in restoring monocyte homeostasis with future therapeutic potential for the treatment of sepsis.
Project description:Sepsis is a leading cause of death worldwide, with most patient mortality stemming from lingering immunosuppression in sepsis survivors. This is due in part to immune dysfunction stemming from monocyte exhaustion, a phenotype of reduced antigen presentation, altered CD14/CD16 inflammatory subtypes, and disrupted cytokine production. Whereas previous research demonstrated improved sepsis survival in Ticam2-/- mice, the contribution of TICAM2 signaling to long-term exhaustion memory was unknown. Using a cecal slurry injection sepsis model, we monitored the establishment and recovery of monocyte exhaustion in Ticam2-/- mice. Like wild-type controls, Ticam2-/- monocytes develop an exhaustion phenotype defined by CD38high; CX3CR1low; MHCIIlow cell surface expression 48 hours after sepsis onset. Time course analysis of sepsis patient blood samples revealed a similar effect in human monocytes, which steadily transition into a CD38high; CX3CR1low; HLA-DRlow state within four days of hospital admittance. To determine the impact of TICAM2 ablation on innate epigenetic memory in sepsis, we measured genome-wide DNA methylation in bone marrow monocytes and found that Ticam2-/- cells exhibit a unique profile of altered methylation at CEBPE binding sites and regulatory features for key immune genes such as Dmkn and Btg1. Finally, after one week of sepsis recovery, we profiled bone marrow and splenic reservoir monocytes in Ticam2-/- mice and found that, in contrast to the persistent exhaustion observed in wild-type monocytes, Ticam2-/- monocytes largely resembled healthy controls. Thus, in addition to improving survival during the inflammatory phase of sepsis progression, TICAM2 ablation facilitates the resolution of monocyte exhaustion in sepsis survivors.
Project description:STING gain-of-function (GOF) mutations lead to T cell lymphopenia, in the context of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) for STING GOF V154M mice. This T cell lymphopenia, which is of central origin, has been described as type I IFN independent and associated with dysfunctions of the rare mature T cells found in the periphery. To better describe the biological mechanisms of these dysfunctions, we performed a transcriptomic analysis by RNA-seq on sorted splenic CD4+ and CD8+ mature T cells from STING GOF mice. We highlighted an unexpected T cell exhaustion phenotype that could partly explain their dysfunctions. Acquired very early in life, but only once the peripheral environment is reached, the phenotype appeared to depend neither on type I IFNs, nor on the intrinsic activation of STING in T or stromal cells. Mechanistically, the few mature T cells reaching the periphery seem to be rapidly impacted by the lymphopenic environment through increased antigenic and IL-7 stimulations that could lead to their exhaustion. By using STING GOF long term-hematopoietic stem cells (LT-HSC) transplantations with supportive wild-type bone marrow (BM) cells, we prevented the T cell exhaustion of STING GOF T cells in the resulting non lymphopenic context. With the support of lymphopenic RAG1 hypomorphic mice developing the phenotype, our data uncover a lymphopenia-mediated T cell exhaustion mechanism in STING GOF mice, for which a synergistic effect of the mutation is also envisaged.