scholarly journals T Helper Cells in the Immunopathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis – Current Trends

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-63
Author(s):  
E. Krasimirova ◽  
D. Kyurkchiev
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Absolute Number ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Autoimmune Response ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Th Cell ◽  
Cutaneous Form ◽  
Ifn Γ

Abstract Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic progressive autoimmune disease characterized by skin and multiorgan involvement with alterations in both the innate and adaptive immunities. The hallmark of the disease is widespread fibrosis engaging the skin and multiple internal organs, as well as the musculoskeletal system. There is mounting evidence that T cells are key players in the pathogenesis of scleroderma. The current review discusses the role of the different T helper (Th) lymphocyte subsets in the processes of inflammation and fibrosis, characteristics for the pathogenesis of the disease. Cytokines produced by Th cell populations have a major effect on endothelial cells and fibroblasts in the context of favoring/inhibiting the vasculopathy and the fibrosis spread. The Th2 pro-fibrotic cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 have been shown to induce collagen synthesis by fibroblasts, whereas IFN-γ demonstrates an inhibitory effect. Increased Th17 cells are present in the scleroderma skin infiltrates. The combination of IL-17, IFN-γ and TGF-β levels in CD45RO and CD45RA cells from patients with SSc is useful to distinguish between the limited and the diffuse phenotype of the disease. There are accumulating data for functional and numerical alterations in the Tregs in SSc. High levels of TNF-α which might reduce the suppressive ability of Tregs have been described. According to some studies, the number of Tregs in scleroderma skin biopsies has been decreased against the normal absolute number of Tregs in peripheral blood of the same patients, which suggests suppressed immunomodulatory response. Other studies reported increased frequency of Tregs in peripheral blood of patients with systemic sclerosis and established a correlation with disease activity. The main immunological challenge remains the identification of the trigger of the autoimmune response in SSc, the causes for preferential Th2-type cell responses and the immunological differences between the diffuse and the limited cutaneous form of the disease.

scholarly journals Interleukin-12 Is the Optimum Cytokine To Expand Human Th17 Cells In Vitro

2009 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 798-805 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soad Nady ◽  
James Ignatz-Hoover ◽  
Mohamed T. Shata
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Th17 Cells ◽  
Interleukin 12 ◽  
Interleukin 17 ◽  
Functional Evaluation ◽  
Optimum Conditions ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Ifn Γ

ABSTRACT Recently, a new lineage of CD4+ T cells in humans and in mice has been reported. This T helper cell secretes interleukin-17 (IL-17) and has been defined as T helper 17 (Th17). Th17 cells express the IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) and play an important pathogenic role in different inflammatory conditions. In this study, our aim was to characterize the optimum conditions for isolation and propagation of human peripheral blood Th17 cells in vitro and the optimum conditions for isolation of Th17 clones. To isolate Th17 cells, two steps were taken. Initially, we negatively isolated CD4+ T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a normal human blood donor. Then, we isolated the IL-23R+ cells from the CD4+ T cells. Functional studies revealed that CD4+ IL-23R+ cells could be stimulated ex vivo with anti-CD3/CD28 to secrete both IL-17 and gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Furthermore, we expanded the CD4+ IL-23R+ cells for 1 week in the presence of anti-CD3/CD28, irradiated autologous feeder cells, and different cytokines. Our data indicate that cytokine treatment increased the number of propagated cells 14- to 99-fold. Functional evaluation of the expanded number of CD4+ IL-23R+ cells in the presence of different cytokines with anti-CD3/CD28 revealed that all cytokines used (IL-2, IL-7, IL-12, IL-15, and IL-23) increased the amount of IFN-γ secreted by IL-23R+ CD4+ cells at different levels. Our results indicate that IL-7 plus IL-12 was the optimum combination of cytokines for the expansion of IL-23R+ CD4+ cells and the secretion of IFN-γ, while IL-12 preferentially stimulated these cells to secrete predominately IL-17.

scholarly journals A Signal Transducer and Activator of  Transcription (Stat)4-independent Pathway for the Development of  T Helper Type 1 Cells

1998 ◽  
Vol 188 (6) ◽  
pp. 1191-1196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark H. Kaplan ◽  
Andrea L. Wurster ◽  
Michael J. Grusby
Keyword(s):  
Delayed Type Hypersensitivity ◽  
Th2 Cells ◽  
Signal Transducer ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Th1 Cell ◽  
Th Cells ◽  
Th Cell ◽  
Ifn Γ

The differentiation of T helper (Th) cells is regulated by members of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) family of signaling molecules. We have generated mice lacking both Stat4 and Stat6 to examine the ability of Th cells to develop in the absence of these two transcription factors. Stat4, Stat6−/− lymphocytes fail to differentiate into interleukin (IL)-4–secreting Th2 cells. However, in contrast to Stat4−/− lymphocytes, T cells from Stat4, Stat6−/− mice produce significant amounts of interferon (IFN)-γ when activated in vitro. Although Stat4, Stat6−/− lymphocytes produce less IFN-γ than IL-12–stimulated control lymphocytes, equivalent numbers of IFN-γ–secreting cells can be generated from cultures of Stat4, Stat6−/− lymphocytes activated under neutral conditions and control lymphocytes activated under Th1 cell–promoting conditions. Moreover, Stat4, Stat6−/− mice are able to mount an in vivo Th1 cell–mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity response. These results support a model of Th cell differentiation in which the generation of Th2 cells requires Stat6, whereas a Stat4-independent pathway exists for the development of Th1 cells.

scholarly journals Regulation of the Interleukin (IL)-12R β2 Subunit Expression in Developing T Helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 Cells

1997 ◽  
Vol 185 (5) ◽  
pp. 817-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne J. Szabo ◽  
Anand S. Dighe ◽  
Ueli Gubler ◽  
Kenneth M. Murphy
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Th2 Cells ◽  
T Helper ◽  
T Helper 1 ◽  
Selective Loss ◽  
Th Cell ◽  
Subunit Expression ◽  
Ifn Γ

The developmental commitment to a T helper 1 (Th1)- or Th2-type response can significantly influence host immunity to pathogens. Extinction of the IL-12 signaling pathway during early Th2 development provides a mechanism that allows stable phenotype commitment. In this report we demonstrate that extinction of IL-12 signaling in early Th2 cells results from a selective loss of IL-12 receptor (IL-12R) β2 subunit expression. To determine the basis for this selective loss, we examined IL-12R β2 subunit expression during Th cell development in response to T cell treatment with different cytokines. IL-12R β2 is not expressed by naive resting CD4+ T cells, but is induced upon antigen activation through the T cell receptor. Importantly, IL-4 and IFN-γ were found to significantly modify IL-12 receptor β2 expression after T cell activation. IL-4 inhibited IL-12R β2 expression leading to the loss of IL-12 signaling, providing an important point of regulation to promote commitment to the Th2 pathway. IFN-γ treatment of early developing Th2 cells maintained IL-12R β2 expression and restored the ability of these cells to functionally respond to IL-12, but did not directly inhibit IL-4 or induce IFN-γ production. Thus, IFN-γ may prevent early Th cells from premature commitment to the Th2 pathway. Controlling the expression of the IL-12R β2 subunit could be an important therapeutic target for the redirection of ongoing Th cell responses.

scholarly journals Expression of Recombinant EnterotoxigenicEscherichia coli Colonization Factor Antigen I bySalmonella typhimurium Elicits a Biphasic T Helper Cell Response

1999 ◽  
Vol 67 (12) ◽  
pp. 6249-6256 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Pascual ◽  
David M. Hone ◽  
Stacy Hall ◽  
Frederik W. van Ginkel ◽  
Masafumi Yamamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protective Immunity ◽  
Lymphoid Tissues ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Gi Tract ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Colonization Factor ◽  
Th Cell ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Colonization Factor Antigen I ◽  
Factor Antigen

ABSTRACT Protective immunity to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli(ETEC) is antibody (Ab) dependent; however, oral immunization with purified ETEC fimbriae fails to elicit protective immunity as a consequence of antigenic alteration by the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Unless unaltered ETEC fimbriae can reach the inductive lymphoid tissues of the GI tract, immunity to ETEC cannot be induced. To produce immunity, live vectors, such as Salmonella typhimurium, can effectively target passenger antigens to the inductive lymphoid tissues of the GI tract. By convention, oral immunizations withSalmonella vectors induce CD4+ T helper (Th) cell responses by gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-dominated pathways both to the vector and passenger antigen, resulting in serum immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a) and modest mucosal IgA Ab responses. In the present study, mice orally immunized with a Salmonella vector engineered to stably express ETEC colonization factor antigen I (CFA/I) showed initially elevated serum IgG1 and mucosal IgA anti-CFA/I Ab responses. As expected, mice orally immunized with an E. coli-CFA/I construct elicited poor anti-CFA/I Ab responses. In fact, the addition of cholera toxin during oral E. coli-CFA/I immunization failed to greatly enhance mucosal IgA Ab responses. Seven days after immunization with the Salmonella-CFA/I construct, cytokine-specific ELISPOT showed induction of predominant Th2-type responses in both mucosal and systemic immune compartments supporting the early IgG1 and IgA anti-CFA/I Abs. By 4 weeks, the Th cell response became Th1 cell dominant from the earlier Th2-type responses, as evidenced by increased mucosal and systemic IFN-γ-producing T cells and a concomitant elevation of serum IgG2a Ab responses. This biphasic response offers an alternative strategy for directingSalmonella vector-induced host immunity along a Th2 cell-dependent pathway, allowing for early promotion of mucosal and systemic Abs.

Inhibitory effect of activin A on IL-9 production by mouse NK cells through Smad3 signaling

2020 ◽  
Vol 401 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-308
Author(s):  
Chunhui Ma ◽  
Yan Qi ◽  
Haiyan Liu ◽  
Chengdong Wu ◽  
Xueling Cui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nk Cells ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
Activin A ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Th Cells ◽  
Smad3 Protein ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Interleukin 9

AbstractInterleukin-9 (IL-9) is a cytokine secreted by T-helper (Th)9 cells, and activin A can enhance Th9 cell differentiation. However, whether activin A affects IL-9 production by natural killer (NK) cells remains unclear. Herein, we found that not only Th cells, but also CD3−CD49b+NKp46+ NK cells of Balb/c mice produced IL-9. Although activin A promoted IL-9 expression in CD4+ Th cells, it inhibited IL-9 production by CD49b+NKp46+ NK cells in mice. Furthermore, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results showed that mouse NK cells could secrete mature IL-9 protein, and activin A inhibited IL-9 release by NK cells. Additionally, activin A inhibited interferon (IFN)-γ production in splenic NK cells in mice, but promoted IL-2 production, and did not alter the production of IL-10. Western blotting results showed that levels of activin type IIA receptor (ActRIIA), Smad3 and phosphorylated-Smad3 (p-SMAD3) protein increased in activin A-treated splenic NK cells, compared with that in control NK cells. The inhibitory effects of activin A on IL-9 production by NK cells were attenuated in the presence of activin antagonist follistatin (FST) or Smad3 knockdown to NK cells. These data suggest that although activin A up-regulates IL-9 expression in Th cells, it inhibits IL-9 production in NK cells through Smad3 signaling.

scholarly journals Txk, a Nonreceptor Tyrosine Kinase of the Tec Family, Is Expressed in T Helper Type 1 Cells and Regulates Interferon γ Production in Human T Lymphocytes

1999 ◽  
Vol 190 (8) ◽  
pp. 1147-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-ichi Kashiwakura ◽  
Noboru Suzuki ◽  
Hiroko Nagafuchi ◽  
Mitsuhiro Takeno ◽  
Yuko Takeba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
Jurkat Cells ◽  
Th2 Cells ◽  
Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotide ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Th1 Cell ◽  
Normal Peripheral Blood ◽  
Ifn Γ

Differentiation of human T cells into T helper (Th)1 and Th2 cells is vital for the development of cell-mediated and humoral immunity, respectively. However, the precise mechanism responsible for the Th1 cell differentiation is not fully clarified. We have studied the expression and function of Txk, a member of the Tec family of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases. We found that Txk expression is restricted to Th1/Th0 cells with IFN-γ producing potential. Txk transfection of Jurkat T cells resulted in a several-fold increase of IFN-γ mRNA expression and protein production; interleukin (IL)-2 and IL-4 production were unaffected. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide of Txk specifically inhibited IFN-γ production of normal peripheral blood lymphocytes, antigen-specific Th1 clones, and Th0 clones; IL-2 and IL-4 production by the T cells was unaffected. Txk cotransfection led to the enhanced luciferase activity of plasmid (p)IFN-γ promoter/enhancer (pIFN-γ[-538])-luciferase–transfected Jurkat cells upon mitogen activation. Txk transfection did not affect IL-2 and IL-4 promoter activities. Thus, Txk specifically upregulates IFN-γ gene transcription. In fact, Txk translocated from cytoplasm into nuclei upon activation and transfection with a mutant Txk expression plasmid that lacked a nuclear localization signal sequence did not enhance IFN-γ production by the cells, indicating that nuclear localization of Txk is obligatory for the enhanced IFN-γ production. In addition, IL-12 treatment of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells enhanced the Txk expression, whereas IL-4 treatment completely inhibited it. These results indicate that Txk expression is intimately associated with development of Th1/Th0 cells and is significantly involved in the IFN-γ production by the cells through Th1 cell–specific positive transcriptional regulation of the IFN-γ gene.

scholarly journals The lineage-defining factors T-bet and Bcl-6 collaborate to regulate Th1 gene expression patterns

2011 ◽  
Vol 208 (5) ◽  
pp. 1001-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth J. Oestreich ◽  
Albert C. Huang ◽  
Amy S. Weinmann
Keyword(s):  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Gene Repression ◽  
Th1 Cells ◽  
T Helper ◽  
T Box ◽  
Th Cell ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Late Stages

The T-box transcription factor T-bet is important for the differentiation of naive CD4+ T helper cells (Th cells) into the Th1 phenotype. Much is known about T-bet’s role as a transcriptional activator, but less is known about the mechanisms by which T-bet functionally represses alternative Th cell genetic programs. In this study, we first identify Socs1, Socs3, and Tcf7 (TCF-1) as gene targets that are negatively regulated by T-bet. Significantly, T-bet’s role in the repression of these genes is through a direct interaction with their promoters. Consistent with this, we identified two T-bet DNA-binding elements in the Socs1 promoter that are functionally used to down-regulate transcription in primary Th1 cells. Importantly, T-bet’s novel role in transcriptional repression is because of its ability to physically associate with, and functionally recruit, the transcriptional repressor Bcl-6 to a subset of promoters. Furthermore, T-bet functionally recruits Bcl-6 to the Ifng locus in late stages of Th1 differentiation to repress its activity, possibly to prevent the overproduction of IFN-γ, which could result in autoimmunity. Collectively, these data establish a novel mechanism for T-bet–mediated gene repression in which two lineage-defining transcription factors, one a classical activator and one a repressor, collaborate to promote and properly regulate Th1 development.

Distribution of peripheral blood leukocytes in acute heatstroke

1992 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 405-409 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Bouchama ◽  
K. al Hussein ◽  
C. Adra ◽  
M. Rezeig ◽  
E. al Shail ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Natural Killer Cells ◽  
Natural Killer ◽  
Peripheral Blood ◽  
T Helper Cells ◽  
Absolute Number ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Killer Cells ◽  
Cytotoxic Cells ◽  
Helper Cells

We examined 11 heatstroke patients (mean rectal temperature 41.4 +/- 0.3 degrees C) and 40 healthy subjects to determine the effects of hyperthermia on peripheral blood leukocyte distribution. Precooling samples were taken on admission. Whole blood was incubated with conjugated monoclonal antibodies, and erythrocytes were eliminated by FACS lysing solution. Lymphocyte subsets were detected by specific mouse monoclonal antibodies: Leu-4/CD3+ (T-cells), Leu-3a/CD4+ (T-helper cells), Leu-2a/CD8+ (T-suppressor-cytotoxic cells), Leu-11/19/CD16+/CD56+ (natural killer cells), and Leu-12/CD19+ (B-cells). Immunofluorescence was measured with a flow cytometer. The number of circulating leukocytes and lymphocytes was significantly increased in heatstroke patients. This lymphocytosis was mainly due to an increase in T-suppressor-cytotoxic cells and natural killer cells. The absolute number of lymphocytes and T-suppressor-cytotoxic cells significantly correlated with the degree of hyperthermia (r = 0.62, P = 0.04; r = 0.751, P = 0.007, respectively). There was a significant decrease in the percentages of T-, B-, and T-helper cells and increase in T-suppressor-cytotoxic and natural killer cells, giving a marked decrease in the ratio of T-helper to T-suppressor-cytotoxic cells. We conclude that heatstroke is associated with leukocytosis and significant alteration in absolute number and percentage of circulating lymphocyte subpopulations.

scholarly journals Differentiation of T-helper cells in distinct phases of atopic dermatitis involves Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanli Su ◽  
Tao Yang ◽  
Zhihong Wu ◽  
Jiang Zhong ◽  
Yunshu Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Treg Cells ◽  
Th2 Cells ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Peripheral Blood Mononuclear ◽  
Th Cell ◽  
Blood Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Tgf Β1

The aim of this article is to study T-helper (Th) cell differentiation in the progression of acute, subacute, and chronic atopic dermatitis. Skin biopsies from 48 patients with acute, subacute, and chronic atopic dermatitis were studied using immunohistochemistry with antibodies to TARC/CCL17, CTACK/CCL27, and RANTES/CCL5. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were studied in 17 patients using flow cytometry to measure the content of Th1/Th2 cells and Th17/Treg cells. Levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-4, IL-17A, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 were evaluated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Distinctive expressions of T-cell-specific chemokines TARC/CCL17, CTACK/CCL27, and RANTES/CCL5 were observed at different stages of atopic dermatitis, which were consistent with the differentiation of the Th cell subsets, Th2/Th1, and Th17/Treg. Th2 and Th17 were acute-phase subsets, while Th1 and Treg were chronic-phase subsets. At an early stage of atopic dermatitis, Th17 and Th2 cells were found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, followed by Th1 cells, Treg cells, and eosinophils; in late-stage or subacute and chronic atopic dermatitis, Th17 and Th2 cell numbers decreased. The levels of the IFN-γ and TGF-β1 increased during the progression of atopic dermatitis from acute to chronic forms. The levels of IL-17A and IL-4 decreased during the progression of atopic dermatitis from acute to chronic forms. The differentiation of Th subsets at distinct phases in atopic dermatitis may form the basis for further studies on the classification or control of this increasingly common clinical condition.

scholarly journals IL-17, IL-6 and IFN-γ in systemic sclerosis patients

2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Bălănescu ◽  
Anca Lădaru ◽  
Eugenia Bălănescu ◽  
Adriana Nicolau ◽  
C. Băicuş ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Sclerosis ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
T Helper ◽  
Elisa Method ◽  
Th1 Cell ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Pulmonary Manifestations ◽  
Ifn Γ

Abstract Background. Systemic sclerosis (Ssc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by cutaneous and visceral fibrosis and its pathogenesis is incompletely understood. T helper cells are key regulators of the immune response and they seem to be involved in Ssc clinical manifestations. The aim of the study is to determine key cytokines secreted by Th1 (IFN-γ), Th2 (IL-6) and Th17 (IL-17) in Ssc patients and correlate them with specific manifestations of Ssc patients. Material and methods. 35 consecutive Ssc patients and 20 age and sex matched controls were recruited. Serum IL-17, IFN-γ and IL-6 were determined using ELISA method. Results. Serum IL-17 and IL-6 levels were not significantly different in Ssc patients and controls. Serum IFN-γ levels were higher in Ssc patients when compared to controls. Higher serum IFN-γ levels associated with pulmonary hypertension. After adjusting for gender and age, IL-17 levels remained independently associated with some clinical manifestations of Ssc patients (telangiectasia and high activity score of Ssc). Conclusion. Th17 and Th1 cell responses are active in Ssc patients as their cytokines associated with higher disease activity scores and pulmonary manifestations. Th17 and Th1 specific activity and homing within Ssc patients still needs to be defined and determined in order to target them as potential future therapeutic targets in Ssc patients.

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