scholarly journals Role of CD8 Regulatory T Cells versus Tc1 and Tc17 Cells in the Development of Human Graft-versus-Host Disease

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Gutiérrez-Hoya ◽  
Rubén López-Santiago ◽  
Jorge Vela-Ojeda ◽  
Laura Montiel-Cervantes ◽  
Octavio Rodríguez-Cortés ◽  
...  

CD8+ T cells that secrete proinflammatory cytokines play a central role in exacerbation of inflammation; however, a new subpopulation of CD8 regulatory T cells has recently been characterized. This study analyzes the prominent role of these different subpopulations in the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Samples from 8 healthy donors mobilized with Filgrastim® (G-CSF) and 18 patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were evaluated by flow cytometry. Mobilization induced an increase in Tc1 (p<0.01), Th1 (p<0.001), Tc17 (p<0.05), and CD8+IL-10+ cells (p<0.05), showing that G-CSF induces both pro- and anti-inflammatory profiles. Donor-patient correlation revealed a trend (p=0.06) toward the development of GVHD in patients who receive a high percentage of Tc1 cells. Patients with acute GVHD (aGVHD), either active or controlled, and patients without GVHD were evaluated; patients with active aGVHD had a higher percentage of Tc1 (p<0.01) and Tc17 (p<0.05) cells, as opposed to patients without GVHD in whom a higher percentage of CD8 Treg cells (p<0.01) was found. These findings indicate that the increase in Tc1 and Tc17 cells is associated with GVHD development, while regulatory CD8 T cells might have a protective role in this disease. These tests can be used to monitor and control GVHD.

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Whangbo ◽  
Joseph H. Antin ◽  
John Koreth

Blood ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4516-4516
Author(s):  
Hideaki Saito ◽  
Michiko Ichii ◽  
Jun Toda ◽  
Yuichi Kitai ◽  
Ryuta Muromoto ◽  
...  

Abstract Graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) remains the most frequent complication and one of the major causes of non-relapse mortality. However, its pathogenesis has not yet been fully understood. We cloned signal-transducing adaptor protein (STAP)-2 as a c-fms binding protein from a fetal liver library in 2003. The family that contains STAP-1 and STAP-2 has a pleckstrin homology (PH) and Src-homology 2 (SH2)-like domains, suggesting that this adapter protein functions as an immune and inflammatory regulator. Indeed, STAP-2 regulates adhesion and chemotaxis in T cells (Sekine et al., J Immunol. 2009). In this study, we aimed to elucidate the roles of STAP family in GVHD. First, we examined the expression of STAP-1 and STAP-2 mRNA in various human hematopoietic subsets, including CD34+ CD38- hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), CD34+ CD38+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs), CD19+ CD27- naïve B cells, CD19+ CD27+ memory B cells, CD3+ CD4+ helper T-cells, and CD3+ CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, using real-time PCR. As a result, STAP-1 and STAP-2 were expressed in lymphoid cells, as well as HSCs and HPCs. STAP-2 mRNA was highly expressed in T cells. Next, to investigate the role of STAPs in GVHD, we made an experimental murine model. To study the pathogenesis of immune reconstitution and tolerance after allo-HSCT, lethally irradiated BALB/c mice were injected with T and B cell-depleted bone marrow cells (5×106 cells) derived from syngeneic BALB/c or allogeneic C57BL/6 mice on day 0. Co-transplantation of splenocytes was not adapted in this model. Survival and clinical degree of GVHD were assessed by a scoring system that sums changes in 5 clinical parameters: body weight (BW) loss, posture, activity, fur texture, and skin integrity. Recipients transplanted from allogenic wild type (WT) C57BL/6 donor survived without suffering from severe GVHD symptoms, owing to development of immune tolerance against allogeneic antigens. However, compared to syngeneic transplanted mice, these recipients started to show gradual BW loss and GVHD score was increased approximately 28 days after allo-HSCT, indicating the existence of an allogeneic immune reaction. To evaluate the role of STAPs in GVHD, we generated transgenic mice (Tg) that overexpress STAP under the control of Em enhancer and Lck proximal promoter. The promoter could drive expression of the inserted cDNA in lymphoid lineage cells from the common lymphoid progenitor (CLP) stage. When STAP-2 Tg marrow was used as a donor source, we found that the overall survival of STAP-2 Tg recipients was significantly lower than that of WT recipients (22.2% and 91.7%, respectively; p<0.001) on day 60. STAP-2 Tg recipients showed decreased BW and had a higher clinical GVHD score with statistical significance compared to control WT recipients. The overexpression of STAP-1 also exacerbated the severity of GVHD. At day 42, BW was decreased by 16.3% in WT recipients. In contrast, recipients of STAP-1 Tg and the STAP-2 Tg donor showed more severe BW loss along with diarrhea (23.3% and 29.8%, respectively). STAP-1 as well as STAP-2 Tg recipients showed significantly worsened GVHD scores, and this lasted until day 90 at the end of follow-up. In histologic examination of both STAP Tg recipients, inflammatory damages with lymphocyte infiltration were most notably observed in the colon. Interestingly, we found that thymus was atrophic or indistinguishable and the cortico-medullary junction disappeared. Moreover, compared to control WT recipients, the number of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells in the peripheral blood was significantly low in STAP-2 Tg recipients on day 60 (WT vs STAP-2 Tg; 44.0 /μL vs 18.2 /μL; p<0.05). In this study, we show that STAPs in reconstituted lymphocytes after allo-HSCT regulate the pathogenesis of GVHD. Our results suggest that STAP activation in lymphocytes during immune reconstitution accelerates gut and thymic GVHD. Severe thymic damage induced by STAP overexpression might contribute to impairment of immune tolerance such as a decreased number of Treg cells as well as dysfunction of thymic negative selection of host-reactive T cells after allo-HSCT, which is involved in persistence of GVHD. Future study should further elucidate the detailed molecular mechanisms involved. Disclosures Ichii: Celgene K.K.: Speakers Bureau; Kowa Pharmaceutical Co.,LTD.: Speakers Bureau; Novartis Pharma K.K.: Speakers Bureau. Shibayama:Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.,LTD.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Mundipharma K.K.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Jansen Pharmaceutical K.K: Honoraria; Ono Pharmaceutical Co.,LTD: Honoraria, Research Funding; Fujimoto Pharmaceutical: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novartis Pharma K.K.: Honoraria, Research Funding; Bristol-Meyer Squibb K.K: Honoraria, Research Funding; Celgene K.K.: Honoraria, Research Funding. Oritani:Novartis Pharma: Speakers Bureau. Kanakura:Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 2987-2987
Author(s):  
Tina J Boeld ◽  
Kristina Doser ◽  
Corinna Lang-Schwarz ◽  
Elisabeth Huber ◽  
Reinhard Andreesen ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 2987 Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a frequent complication after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). We previously showed that the adoptive transfer of donor-type CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) at the time of BMT prevents acute GVHD in murine models. However, the therapeutic potential of donor-derived Treg cells for the treatment of established acute GVHD has not yet been examined in detail. In analogy to potential clinical applications we now tested the capacity of in vitro expanded Treg cells to ameliorate acute GVHD after haploidentical BMT (BALB/c→CB6F1). CD4+CD25highCD62L+ Treg cells were purified by FACS and stimulated polyclonally using anti-CD3/CD28-coated beads. Cells expanded on average 130±19-fold (n=7) within 2 wks and maintained high levels of FoxP3 expression (96, 8±0, 8% FoxP3+ cells; n=7) as well as potent immunosuppressive activity in vitro. For the induction of acute GVHD CB6F1 recipients were lethally irradiated and transplanted with 2.5×106 BM cells in combination with 5×106 splenocytes. All animals developed severe GVHD by d11, as revealed by an increase of the GVHD severity score (2.3±0.4 in GVHD animals vs 0±0 in BM controls, p<0.001, n=1–11) and by histological analyses of the gut (score: 7.8±0.4 for the GVHD group vs 0.2±0.2 for BM controls, p =0.046, n=3). When animals with acute GVHD were treated with 5×106 expanded CD4+CD25highCD62L+ Treg cells on d11 after BMT, they initially developed progressive GVHD comparable to non-treated GVHD animals, as indicated by weight loss and an increase of the GVHD score. However from d44 post BMT onwards, Treg-treated GVHD animals regained body weight (d44: 75±3% vs 67±2% of initial weight; p <0.05; n=9–10) and their clinical GVHD score (d44: 6±0 vs 4.3±0.4; p <0.05; n=9–10) decreased. While all non-treated GVHD animals succumbed to disease by d67 after transplantation, 50% of Treg-treated GVHD animals survived for at least 100d (p =0, 002; n=16–21). As immune reconstitution and in particular reconstitution of the lymphocyte compartment is impaired in animals with GVHD, we analyzed the effect of Treg therapy on the reconstitution of the lymphoid and myeloid compartment. At d21 after BMT spleen and BM of non-treated as well as Treg-treated GVHD animals were completely lymphopenic as compared to control mice and both organs contained exceptionally high numbers of granulocytes. Unlike non-treated GVHD animals, however, Treg-treated recipients by d60 showed a recovery of the lymphocyte compartment in spleen (10±2.6×106 T cells and 23.5±12.5×106 B cells in Treg-treated vs 3.0±0.6×106 T cells and 1.5±0.4×106 B cells in non-treated GVHD animals vs 26.25±2.6×106 T cells and 63.9±9.1×106 B cells in BM controls) and BM (0.7±0.1×106 T cells and 8.6±4×106 B cells in Treg-treated vs 0.3±0.01×106 T cells and 0.7±0.4 ×106 B cells in non-treated GVHD animals vs 0.4±0.03×106 T cells and 11.2±0.6×106 B cells in BM controls), while the number of granulocytes decreased constantly. Successful treatment with Treg cells was finally accompanied by a reconstitution of the lymphatic system comparable to control mice. Furthermore, successfully treated mice showed only mild histological signs of gut GVHD at d100 that was significantly lower then those in non-treated GVHD animals with end-stage disease (score: 4.2±1 vs 9.9±1.5 in treated vs non-treated animals, p =0.006, n=4–6). Taken together, these results indicate that in vitro expanded natural Treg cells may not only be effective for the prevention, but also for the treatment of acute GVHD after allogeneic BMT. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 843-843
Author(s):  
Natalie Stickel ◽  
Gabriele Prinz ◽  
Dietmar Pfeifer ◽  
Annette Schmitt-Graeff ◽  
Marie Follo ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Acute graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) arises from the attack of recipient tissues by donor allogeneic T cells and represents one of the major limitations of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT). In spite of many clinical trials, the standard immunosuppressive regimens for prevention of acute GvHD have improved little in the last two decades. Hence, a better understanding of the biology of acute GvHD may improve therapeutic options. MicroRNA-146a (miR-146a) was found to be increased in the sera of patients with GvHD. Therefore, we aimed to decipher the role of miR-146a in allogeneic donor T cells during GvHD by functional studies and in patients undergoing allo-HCT by single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. Methods: We used two different murine major MHC mismatch models for acute GvHD. Recipient mice were conditioned with irradiation before transplantation of bone marrow and either wildtype or miR-146a deficient T cells from allogeneic donor mice. Furthermore, genomic DNA from 289 patients that underwent allo-HCT and their respective hematopoietic stem cell donors was isolated in order to determine their miR-146a rs2910164genotype. Results: We observed miR-146a upregulation in T cells of mice developing acute GvHD compared to untreated mice in a major MHC and a minor histocompatibility antigen mismatch model. Transfer of miR-146a deficient T cells caused increased GvHD severity, elevated TNF serum levels and reduced survival. Conversely, the phytochemical induction of miR-146a or its overexpression in donor T cells using a specific miR-146a mimic reduced GvHD severity. TNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6), a verified target of miR-146a, was upregulated in miR-146a-/- T cells following alloantigen stimulation. Higher TRAF6 levels translated into increased NF-κB activity and TNF production in miR-146a-/- T cells, while other pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were unaffected. The detrimental effect of miR-146a deficiency in T cells could be antagonized by TNF blockade in vivo. Moreover, in contrast to WT T cells, over expression of miR-146a in Tnf deficient T cells had no effect on their alloreactivity. In the human system, the minor genotype of the SNP rs2910164, which causes reduced miR-146a expression, was more frequent in patients developing acute GvHD grade III/IV compared to all other allo-HCT recipients (n=289). Conclusions: Taken together we show that miR-146a functions as a negative regulator of the TRAF6/TNF-axis in allogeneic donor T cells during GvHD, leading to reduced TNF transcription. Given our observation on the predictive role of the SNP leading to decreased miR-146a expression in acute GvHD in patients and the possibility to exogenously enhance miR-146a expression, we provide a novel and targeted molecular approach to mitigate GvHD. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 136 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 4-4
Author(s):  
Huihui Liu ◽  
Zhengyu Yu ◽  
Bo Tang ◽  
Shengchao Miao ◽  
Chenchen Qin ◽  
...  

Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a lethal complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). As a complex immunopathology, aGVHD depends on the recognition of host antigens by donor T cells and induces augmented response of alloreactive T cells. Despite considerable achievements in the treatment of aGVHD, it remains a major clinical problem for the patients undergoing allo-HSCT. Therefore, it is necessary to further illustrate new mechanisms and develop novel therapeutic strategies of aGVHD. Previously we reported LYG1 (Lysozyme G-like 1) as a novel classical secretory protein promoted antitumor function of T cell. In this study, the role of LYG1 in aGVHD was investigated. Firstly, we examined whether LYG1 affected the alloreactivity of CD4+ T cells in vitro by MLR assay and discovered that LYG1 deficiency reduced the activation of CD4+ T cells and Th1 ratio, but increased Treg ratio. Then we confirmed these observations using a major MHC mismatched aGVHD model by transferring T cells sorting from WT B6 or Lyg1-/- mice with bone marrow cells from WT B6 mice into lethally irradiated BALB/c mice. The alloreactive CD4+ T cells and the proportions of Th1 cells decreased whereas the proportions of Treg cells increased in spleens and livers in mice receiving Lyg1-/- T cells. LYG1-deficient T cells attenuated aGVHD severity, inhibited the expression of CXCL9 and CXCL10 and restrained CD4+ T cells infiltrating in livers. Furthermore, administration of recombinant LYG1 protein intraperitoneally aggravated aGVHD by promoting IFN-γ production. More importantly, LYG1 deficiency did not affect GVT (graft-versus-tumor) effects. In summary, we demonstrate LYG1 regulates aGVHD via modulating the alloreactivity of CD4+ T cells and differentiation of Th1/Treg cells. Our study indicates that LYG1 may be a novel target in aGVHD by mitigating aGVHD without impairing GVT function. The therapeutic effect of targeting LYG1 is required in future investigations. Funding This study was supported by grant from The National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (Grant Number 81600144) and grant from Research Foundation of Peking University First Hospital. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 3516-3516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Albrecht ◽  
Kristina Doser ◽  
Reinhard Andreesen ◽  
Joerg Ermann ◽  
Matthias Edinger ◽  
...  

Abstract Natural CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) contribute to tolerance induction after transplantation. We previously showed that the adoptive transfer of donor-derived Treg cells prevents lethal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in murine disease models. In contrast, host-type Treg cells failed to protect when co-transplanted under identical conditions. We now examined whether MHC compatibility between Treg cells and conventional CD25−CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (Tconv) is required for the suppression of alloresponses, or whether elimination of host-type Treg by allo-aggressive donor Tconv cells occurred. To address this issue, mixed lymphocyte reactions were performed in which CFSE-labelled responder T cells (Tresp), Treg cells and antigen presenting cells (APC) were systematically varied with regard to their MHC haplotype. When BALB/c (H-2d) Tresp cells were stimulated with mixed BALB/c and C57BL/6 (H-2b) APC, cultures contained 26.0 ± 3.1% and 86.2 ± 2.2% proliferating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, respectively, on 6 d. In the presence of syngeneic BALB/c Treg cells, proliferation was decreased to 9.1 ± 4.7% and 25.1 ± 4.9% for CD4+ and CD8+ Tresp cells, respectively. In contrast, in cultures with allogeneic C57BL/6 Treg cells, proliferation remained at 22.1 ± 1.8% for CD4+ and 89.6 ± 0.4% for CD8+ Tresp cells. Comparable results were obtained with C57BL/6 Tresp cells after stimulation with F1 (C57BL/6 × BALB/c; H-2b/d) or 3rd party (DBA/1; H-2q) APC. Lack of suppression in co-cultures of MHC-mismatched Tresp and Treg cells was not caused by an early elimination of allogeneic Treg cells, as those were still detectable after 6 d of allostimulation. In corresponding in vivo studies, CB6F1 or DBA/1 recipients were protected from lethal GVHD only when Tconv and Treg cells were derived from MHC-identical donors, but not when they were from two MHC-disparate strains. Transplantation of 1 × 106 C57BL/6 Tconv cells resulted in 100% lethality of CB6F1 recipients by d56. When co-transplanted with 1 × 106 C57BL/6 Treg cells, all recipients survived for 100d, whereas only 40% survived after co-transfer of the same number of BALB/c Treg (n = 15; p = 0.004). Similarly, when 1 × 106 BALB/c Tconv cells were transplanted into CB6F1 recipients, all animals died from GVHD by d46. In contrast, all recipients of BALB/c Tconv and Treg cells (ratio1:1) survived for 100d, but only 10% of recipient mice survived after co-transfer of C57BL/6 Treg (n = 10; p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained after BALB/c and C57BL/6 T cell transfer into DBA/1 (3rd party) recipients. In conclusion, these data indicate that MHC-identity between Tconv and Treg cells is required for maximum suppression of an alloresponse and that Treg cells isolated from a 3rd party donor might not be suited for the prevention of GVHD after allogeneic BMT.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 5432-5432
Author(s):  
Thomas H. Winkler ◽  
Martina Seefried ◽  
Irena Kroeger ◽  
Petra Hoffmann ◽  
Matthias Edinger ◽  
...  

Abstract Graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) is a frequent and life-threatening complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and is therefore one of the main factors that limits the broad application of HSCT. Over the last decades, several studies have reported a clinical association between GvHD and reactivation of cytomegalovirus (CMV). Using a lethal murine GvHD model with major MHC mismatch (C57BL/6 -> Balb/c), we were able to demonstrate that recipients latently infected with murine CMV (MCMV) before transplantation showed recurrence of CMV infection concomitant with the manifestation of GvHD. Moreover, these preinfected recipients showed an accelerated mortality compared to recipients that were not preinfected. The therapeutic co-infusion of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) with conventional T cells (Tcons) prevented lethal GvHD in preinfected mice and, markedly reduced the recurrence of MCMV infection. Remarkably, these mice showed clearance of MCMV 5 weeks post transplantation in contrast to mice receiving only Tcons in which massive virus infection persisted. Enhanced reconstitution of T lymphocytes and establishment of an anti-MCMV antibody titer from donor B cells in these animals suggest that CD4+CD25+ Tregs do not interfere with an anti-viral response while suppressing Tcon-mediated GvHD. Therefore, our study revealed that the suppressive function of CD4+CD25+ Tregs is not affected by CMV reactivation and more importantly, that Tregs do not adversely affect the anti-viral immunity in the recipient. In sum, these results provide important information on the correlation of GvHD and CMV reactivation and underline the possible clinical benefit of Treg application in GvHD patients. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document