scholarly journals Expression of AXL receptor tyrosine kinase relates to monocyte dysfunction and severity of cirrhosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e201900465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Brenig ◽  
Oltin T Pop ◽  
Evangelos Triantafyllou ◽  
Anne Geng ◽  
Arjuna Singanayagam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Severity ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Infectious Complications ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Acute Decompensation

Infectious complications in patients with cirrhosis frequently initiate episodes of decompensation and substantially contribute to the high mortality. Mechanisms of the underlying immuneparesis remain underexplored. TAM receptors (TYRO3/AXL/MERTK) are important inhibitors of innate immune responses. To understand the pathophysiology of immuneparesis in cirrhosis, we detailed TAM receptor expression in relation to monocyte function and disease severity prior to the onset of acute decompensation. TNF-α/IL-6 responses to lipopolysaccharide were attenuated in monocytes from patients with cirrhosis (n = 96) compared with controls (n = 27) and decreased in parallel with disease severity. Concurrently, an AXL-expressing (AXL+) monocyte population expanded. AXL+ cells (CD14+CD16highHLA-DRhigh) were characterised by attenuated TNF-α/IL-6 responses and T cell activation but enhanced efferocytosis and preserved phagocytosis of Escherichia coli. Their expansion correlated with disease severity, complications, infection, and 1-yr mortality. AXL+ monocytes were generated in response to microbial products and efferocytosis in vitro. AXL kinase inhibition and down-regulation reversed attenuated monocyte inflammatory responses in cirrhosis ex vivo. AXL may thus serve as prognostic marker and deserves evaluation as immunotherapeutic target in cirrhosis.

Enhanced Natural Killer (NK) and NK T Cell Activation, Expansion and Cytokine Protein Production Following Ex-Vivo Engineering (EvE) of Cryopreserved Umbilical Cord Blood (UCB): Potential Role of CB NK and NKT Cells in Adoptive Cellular Immunotherapy (ACI).

Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 1206-1206
Author(s):  
Janet Ayello ◽  
Prakash Satwani ◽  
Carmella van de Ven ◽  
Laxmi Baxi ◽  
Ronald Wapner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
G Protein ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Nkt Cells ◽  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Cellular Immunotherapy ◽  
Inhibitory Receptor

Abstract CB use is limited by the absence of available donor effector cells (NK, and NKT cells) for SCT (Cairo, et al Transfusion, 2005). The immaturity of CB, characterized by reduced expression and production of IL-15, IL-12 and IL-18 in activated CB (Qian et al, Blood, 1997; Lee at al, Blood, 1996; Satwani et al. Br J Hem, 2005), may contribute to reduced CB cellular immunity and delayed immune reconstitution after UCBT. In innate immunity, NK cells (CD3−/56+) are regulated by various NK receptor (NKR) expression. NK(CD56dim) cells are cytotoxic, constitute 90% of the NK population while 10% (CD56bright) are cytokine producing (Shereck/Cairo, Ped Bld Can, 2007). NKT cells, (CD3+/CD56+), may play a role in allograft and tumor cytotoxicity. We demonstrated the ability to EvE (48 hrs; with anti-CD3 (50ng/ml), IL-2 (5 ng/ml), IL-7 (10 ng/ml) and IL-12 (10 ng/ml) [ABCY]) c ryopreserved, t hawed, re c ryopreserved, re t hawed, (CTCTE) CB with increases in NKbright/dim subsets expressing NKRs and enhanced NK in-vitro and in-vivo cytotoxicity (Ayello et al. BBMT, 2006). We compared day 2 vs 7 EvE CTCTE CB expansion and activation (LAMP-1) of NK and NKT cells expressing NKRs, IL-15, IL-18 and IFN-g protein levels and mechanisms of cytotoxicity. Rethawed nonadherent CB cells were EvE with ABCY. NKRs (CD3, CD16, CD56, CD94, NKG2A, NKG2D, NKp46, KIR2DS4, KIR2DL2), intracellular perforin and LAMP-1 expression were determined by flow cytometry. IL-18, IL-15 and IFN-g protein measured by ELISA. Non-adherent total cell number were significantly increased at day 7vs2 (6.28±214.7×107 vs 5.87±56.9×106, p<0.001, respectively) with no change in the NKdim (CD3−/16+/56+dim) subset (40.4±2.1 vs 30.3±8.0%, p=NS, respectively); yet, NKT subset was significantly increased (71.85±6.03 vs 2.97±0.29%, p<0.001). NKbright cells were significantly decreased at day 7 vs 2 (3.3.±1.1 vs 13.4±1.4%, p<0.001) and no change in NKdim KIR inhibiting receptors subset. Further, NK activating receptor (KIR2DS4) in both NK and NKT subsets was increased at day 7 vs 2 (24.8±0.08 vs 3.1±0.43%, p<0.001; 18.9±0.6 vs 1.1±0.06%, p<0.001, respectively). Similarly, both NKdim and NKT NKp46 were increased at day 7 vs 2 (11.4±0.4 vs 2.1±0.2%, p<0.001; 35.9±0.6 vs 7.5±1.1%, p<0.001, respectively). Activating NCR (CD94/NKG2D) expansion was significantly increased at day 7 vs 2 (41.4±0.4 vs 23.7±2%, p<0.001) and NCR inhibitory receptor (CD94/NKG2A) subset was decreased (7.83±1.34 vs 22.7±0.98%, p<0.001). Perforin expression was decreased at day 7 vs 2 (55.7±1.8 vs 84.3±1.3%, p<0.001) yet LAMP-1 expression was increased (65.3±2.2 vs 12.95 ±1.5%, p<0.001). IL-18 and IFN-g protein production was increased at day 7 vs 2 (730±4.7 vs 183±8.8 pg/ml, p<0.001; 37.3±7.6 vs 21.6±1.4 pg/ml, p<0.05) as well as increased NK cytotoxicity (K562:71.5±0.8 vs 54±3.9%, p<0.001; Kasumi-1(AML):56.7±0.5 vs 38±1.2%, p<0.001). In summary, CB MNC may be thawed at time of UCBT, recryopreserved, rethawed at a later date, EvE and activated for up to 7 days to yield increased NK and NKT subsets with increased KAR expression (KIR2DS4, CD94/NKG2D, Nkp46), NK activation (LAMP-1), production of IL-18 and IFN-g and cytotoxicity without an increase in NK inhibitory receptor expression. These data suggest that cryopreserved CB cells may be EvE for potential use as ACI for DLI after UCBT.

scholarly journals CD14 Expressing Precursors Give Rise to Highly Functional Conventional Dendritic Cells for Use as Dendritic Cell Vaccine

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 3818
Author(s):  
Maud Plantinga ◽  
Denise A. M. H. van den Beemt ◽  
Ester Dünnebach ◽  
Stefan Nierkens
Keyword(s):  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Cord Blood ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Dendritic Cell Vaccine ◽  
Cell Vaccine ◽  
Activated T Cells

Induction of long-lasting immunity by dendritic cells (DCs) makes them attractive candidates for anti-tumor vaccination. Although DC vaccinations are generally considered safe, clinical responses remain inconsistent in clinical trials. This initiated studies to identify subsets of DCs with superior capabilities to induce effective and memory anti-tumor responses. The use of primary DCs has been suggested to overcome the functional limitations of ex vivo monocyte-derived DCs (moDC). The ontogeny of primary DCs has recently been revised by the introduction of DC3, which phenotypically resembles conventional (c)DC2 as well as moDC. Previously, we developed a protocol to generate cDC2s from cord blood (CB)-derived stem cells via a CD115-expressing precursor. Here, we performed index sorting and single-cell RNA-sequencing to define the heterogeneity of in vitro developed DC precursors and identified CD14+CD115+ expressing cells that develop into CD1c++DCs and the remainder cells brought about CD123+DCs, as well as assessed their potency. The maturation status and T-cell activation potential were assessed using flow cytometry. CD123+DCs were specifically prone to take up antigens but only modestly activated T-cells. In contrast, CD1c++ are highly mature and specialized in both naïve as well as antigen-experienced T-cell activation. These findings show in vitro functional diversity between cord blood stem cell-derived CD123+DC and CD1c++DCs and may advance the efficiency of DC-based vaccines.

scholarly journals In Vivo Role of Dendritic Cells in a Murine Model of Pulmonary Cryptococcosis

2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 3817-3824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen L. Wozniak ◽  
Jatin M. Vyas ◽  
Stuart M. Levitz
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Dendritic Cells ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Interleukin 2 ◽  
Mouse Lung

ABSTRACT Dendritic cells (DC) have been shown to phagocytose and kill Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro and are believed to be important for inducing protective immunity against this organism. Exposure to C. neoformans occurs mainly by inhalation, and in this study we examined the in vivo interactions of C. neoformans with DC in the lung. Fluorescently labeled live C. neoformans and heat-killed C. neoformans were administered intranasally to C57BL/6 mice. At specific times postinoculation, mice were sacrificed, and lungs were removed. Single-cell suspensions of lung cells were prepared, stained, and analyzed by microscopy and flow cytometry. Within 2 h postinoculation, fluorescently labeled C. neoformans had been internalized by DC, macrophages, and neutrophils in the mouse lung. Additionally, lung DC from mice infected for 7 days showed increased expression of the maturation markers CD80, CD86, and major histocompatibility complex class II. Finally, ex vivo incubation of lung DC from infected mice with Cryptococcus-specific T cells resulted in increased interleukin-2 production compared to the production by DC from naïve mice, suggesting that there was antigen-specific T-cell activation. This study demonstrated that DC in the lung are capable of phagocytosing Cryptococcus in vivo and presenting antigen to C. neoformans-specific T cells ex vivo, suggesting that these cells have roles in innate and adaptive pulmonary defenses against cryptococcosis.

scholarly journals GABAA receptor α4-subunit knockout enhances lung inflammation and airway reactivity in a murine asthma model

2017 ◽  
Vol 313 (2) ◽  
pp. L406-L415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gene T. Yocum ◽  
Damian L. Turner ◽  
Jennifer Danielsson ◽  
Matthew B. Barajas ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Cells ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Asthma Model

Emerging evidence indicates that hypnotic anesthetics affect immune function. Many anesthetics potentiate γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABAAR) activation, and these receptors are expressed on multiple subtypes of immune cells, providing a potential mechanistic link. Like immune cells, airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells also express GABAARs, particularly isoforms containing α4-subunits, and activation of these receptors leads to ASM relaxation. We sought to determine if GABAAR signaling modulates the ASM contractile and inflammatory phenotype of a murine allergic asthma model utilizing GABAAR α4-subunit global knockout (KO; Gabra40/0) mice. Wild-type (WT) and Gabra4 KO mice were sensitized with house dust mite (HDM) antigen or exposed to PBS intranasally 5 days/wk for 3 wk. Ex vivo tracheal rings from HDM-sensitized WT and Gabra4 KO mice exhibited similar magnitudes of acetylcholine-induced contractile force and isoproterenol-induced relaxation ( P = not significant; n = 4). In contrast, in vivo airway resistance (flexiVent) was significantly increased in Gabra4 KO mice ( P < 0.05, n = 8). Moreover, the Gabra4 KO mice demonstrated increased eosinophilic lung infiltration ( P < 0.05; n = 4) and increased markers of lung T-cell activation/memory (CD62L low, CD44 high; P < 0.01, n = 4). In vitro, Gabra4 KO CD4+ cells produced increased cytokines and exhibited increased proliferation after stimulation of the T-cell receptor as compared with WT CD4+ cells. These data suggest that the GABAAR α4-subunit plays a role in immune cell function during allergic lung sensitization. Thus GABAAR α4-subunit-specific agonists have the therapeutic potential to treat asthma via two mechanisms: direct ASM relaxation and inhibition of airway inflammation.

T-cell redirected killing and cure of pancreatic and gastric cancer xenografts by targeting Trop-2.

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 262-262
Author(s):  
David M. Goldenberg ◽  
Edmund A. Rossi ◽  
Diane L Rossi ◽  
Thomas M. Cardillo ◽  
Chien-Hsing Chang
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Calcium Signal ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Normal Tissues

262 Background: Trop-2 [also called tumor-associated calcium signal transducer 2 (TACSTD2), EGP-1 (epithelial glycoprotein-1), GA733-1, or M1S1]is a 35 kDa transmembrane glycoprotein that is overexpressed relative to normal tissues in a variety of human cancers, including pancreatic and gastric carcinomas, where increased expression correlates with poor prognosis. Trop-2 appears to be more tumor-specific than the related molecule, EpCAM (Trop-1). MT110, the EpCAM antibody x CD3 bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE), is currently undergoing a Phase I study in various solid tumors, including lung, gastric, colorectal, breast, prostate, and ovarian cancers. We produced a similar T-cell redirecting bispecific tandem scFv, E1-3, using the variable domains of hRS7 (humanized anti-Trop-2 mAb) and Okt-3 (anti-CD3 mAb). Methods: T-cell activation, cytokine induction and cytotoxicity were evaluated ex vivo using PBMCs or purified T cells with human pancreatic (Capan-1 and BxPC3) and gastric (NCI-N87) cancer cell lines as target cells. In vivo activity was assayed with NCI-N87 xenografts that were inoculated s.c. in a mixture with twice the number of human PBMCs and matrigel. Results: In the presence of target cells and PBMCs, E1-3 potently induced T-cell activation, proliferation, and dose-dependent cytokine production of IL-2 (>2 ng/mL), IL-6 (>1 ng/mL), IL-10 (>7 ng/mL), TNF-α (>1 ng/mL) and IFN-γ (>50 ng/mL). In vitro, E1-3 mediated a highly potent T-cell lysis of BxPC3 [IC50=0.09(±0.04) pM], Capan-1 [IC50=1.2(±1.1) pM] and NCI-N87 [IC50=1.2(±1.2) pM] target cells. In vivo, two 50-µg doses of E1-3 given three days apart cured all of the mice (N=8) bearing NCI-N87 xenografts (P=0.0005; Log-Rank). Tumors in the control group (PBMCs only) reached the endpoint (TV>1 cm3) with a median of 39.5 days. All mice remained tumor-free in the E1-3 group at 78 days. Conclusions: Trop-2 is an attractive target for T-cell-mediated killing of pancreatic, gastric and other epithelial cancers.

scholarly journals Enhanced Dendritic Cell Maturation by TNF-α or Cytidine-Phosphate-Guanosine DNA Drives T Cell Activation In Vitro and Therapeutic Anti-Tumor Immune Responses In Vivo

2000 ◽  
Vol 165 (11) ◽  
pp. 6278-6286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Brunner ◽  
Julia Seiderer ◽  
Angelika Schlamp ◽  
Martin Bidlingmaier ◽  
Andreas Eigler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
Dendritic Cell ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Dendritic Cell Maturation ◽  
Cell Maturation ◽  
Tnf Α

scholarly journals IL-6 regulates CCR5 expression and immunosuppressive capacity of MDSC in murine melanoma

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e000949 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebekka Weber ◽  
Zeno Riester ◽  
Laura Hüser ◽  
Carsten Sticht ◽  
Alina Siebenmorgen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Ccr5 Expression ◽  
Myeloid Suppressor Cell ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Arginase 1

BackgroundMyeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) play a major role in the immunosuppressive melanoma microenvironment. They are generated under chronic inflammatory conditions characterized by the constant production of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and growth factors, including IL-6. Recruitment of MDSC to the tumor is mediated by the interaction between chemokines and chemokine receptors, in particular C–C chemokine receptor (CCR)5. Here, we studied the mechanisms of CCR5 upregulation and increased immunosuppressive function of CCR5+ MDSC.MethodsThe immortalized myeloid suppressor cell line MSC-2, primary immature myeloid cells and in vitro differentiated MDSC were used to determine factors and molecular mechanisms regulating CCR5 expression and immunosuppressive markers at the mRNA and protein levels. The relevance of the identified pathways was validated on the RET transgenic mouse melanoma model, which was also used to target the identified pathways in vivo.ResultsIL-6 upregulated the expression of CCR5 and arginase 1 in MDSC by a STAT3-dependent mechanism. MDSC differentiated in the presence of IL-6 strongly inhibited CD8+ T cell functions compared with MDSC differentiated without IL-6. A correlation between IL-6 levels, phosphorylated STAT3 and CCR5 expression in tumor-infiltrating MDSC was demonstrated in the RET transgenic melanoma mouse model. Surprisingly, IL-6 overexpressing tumors grew significantly slower in mice accompanied by CD8+ T cell activation. Moreover, transgenic melanoma-bearing mice treated with IL-6 blocking antibodies showed significantly accelerated tumor development.ConclusionOur in vitro and ex vivo findings demonstrated that IL-6 induced CCR5 expression and a strong immunosuppressive activity of MDSC, highlighting this cytokine as a promising target for melanoma immunotherapy. However, IL-6 blocking therapy did not prove to be effective in RET transgenic melanoma-bearing mice but rather aggravated tumor progression. Further studies are needed to identify particular combination therapies, cancer entities or patient subsets to benefit from the anti-IL-6 treatment.

scholarly journals 886 Targeting VSIG4, a novel macrophage checkpoint, repolarizes suppressive macrophages which induces an inflammatory response in primary cell in vitro assays and fresh human tumor cultures

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A928-A928
Author(s):  
Steve Sazinsky ◽  
Phuong Nguyen ◽  
Mohammad Zafari ◽  
Ryan Phennicie ◽  
Joe Wahle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Syngeneic Mouse ◽  
Pathogen Clearance

BackgroundVSIG4 (V-set immunoglobulin-domain-containing 4) is a B7 family related protein with known roles as a complement receptor involved in pathogen clearance as well as a negative regulator of T cell activation by an undetermined mechanism.1–3 VSIG4 is expressed in tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) with exquisite specificity. In cancer, increased expression of VSIG4 has been associated with worse survival in multiple indications, including non-small cell lung cancer, multiple myeloma, ovarian cancer, and glioma, suggesting an important role in tumor immune evasion.3–6 Based upon computational analysis of transcript data across thousands of primary cancer and normal tissue samples, we hypothesized that VSIG4 has an important regulatory role in promoting M2-like immune suppressive macrophages in the tumor microenvironment, and that targeting VSIG4 via a monoclonal antibody could relieve VSIG4-mediated macrophage suppression by repolarizing TAMs to an inflammatory phenotype capable of coordinating an anti-tumor immune response.MethodsThe ability of anti-VSIG4 antibodies to repolarize M2-like macrophages and induce T cell activation was assessed in vitro and ex vivo, by measuring production of inflammatory mediators. In vitro assays were performed primarily with M-CSF plus IL-10 driven monocyte-derived M2c macrophages from healthy donors. Ex vivo assays were performed with fresh, patient-derived tumor samples in culture. To determine whether targeting VSIG4 can lead to an anti-tumor effect in vivo, syngeneic mouse models were dosed with anti-mouse VSIG4 antibodies and characterized for changes in tumor volume and immune cell populations.ResultsIn in vitro and ex vivo assays anti-VSIG4 antibodies repolarize M2 macrophages and induce an immune response culminating in T cell activation. Targeting VSIG4 upregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines in M2c macrophages, as well as upregulates pro-inflammatory myeloid-derived cytokines and T cell-derived cytokines in M2c macrophages co-cultured with autologous T cells in the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) activation. To assess targeting VSIG4 in a relevant translational model, fresh, patient-derived tumor samples were treated ex vivo with anti-VSIG4. Across multiple tumor types, anti-VSIG4 treatment resulted in a significant upregulation of cytokines involved in TAM repolarization and T cell activation, and chemokines involved in immune cell recruitment, at levels greater than observed by treatment with anti-PD-1 or a clinical macrophage repolarizing agent (anti-ILT-4). In vivo, tumor growth inhibition is observed in syngeneic mouse models dosed with anti-mouse-VSIG4 alone and in combination with anti-PD-1.ConclusionsTaken together, these data suggest that VSIG4 represents a promising new target capable of stimulating an anti-cancer response via multiple key immune mechanisms.Referencesvan Lookeren Campagne M, Verschoor A. Pathogen clearance and immune adherence “revisited”: immuno-regulatory roles for CRIg. Semin Immunol 2018;37:4–11.Xu S, Sun Z, Li L, Liu J, He J, Song D, Shan G, Liu H, Wu X. Induction of T cells suppression by dendritic cells transfected with VSIG4 recombinant adenovirus. Immunol Lett 2010;128(1):46–50.Liao Y, Guo S, Chen Y, Cao D, Xu H, Yang C, Fei L, Ni B, Ruan Z. VSIG4 expression on macrophages facilitates lung cancer development. Lab Invest 2014;94(7):706–715.Roh J, Jeon Y, Lee A, Lee S, Kim Y, Sung C, Park C, Hong J, Yoon D, Suh C, Huh J, Choi I, Park C. The immune checkpoint molecule V-set Ig domain-containing 4 is an independent prognostic factor for multiple myeloma. Oncotarget 2017;8(35):58122–58132.Xu T, Jiang Y, Yan Y, Wang H, Lu C, Xu H, Li W, Fu D, Lu Y, Chen J. VSIG4 is highly expressed and correlated with poor prognosis of high-grade glioma patients. Am J Transl Res 2015;7(6):1172–1180.Byun J, Jeong D, Choi I, Lee D, Kang M, Jung K, Jeon Y, Kim Y, Jung E, Lee K, Sung M, Kim K. The significance of VSIG4 expression in ovarian cancer. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2017;27(5):872–878.Ethics ApprovalAll legal and ethical requirements were met with regards to the humane treatment of animals described in the study. The animal study was conducted in compliance with CRL IACUC under IACUC No. I033.

scholarly journals Antigen Presenting Cells from Tumor and Colon of Colorectal Cancer Patients Are Distinct in Activation and Functional Status, but Comparably Responsive to Activated T Cells

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 5247
Author(s):  
Frank Liang ◽  
Azar Rezapour ◽  
Louis Szeponik ◽  
Samuel Alsén ◽  
Yvonne Wettergren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Functional Status ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Activated T Cells ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Colorectal Cancer Patients

Although mouse models of CRC treatments have demonstrated robust immune activation, it remains unclear to what extent CRC patients’ APCs and TILs interact to fuel or quench treatment-induced immune responses. Our ex vivo characterization of tumor and adjacent colon cell suspensions suggest that contrasting environments in these tissues promoted inversed expression of T cell co-stimulatory CD80, and co-inhibitory programmed death (PD)-ligand1 (PD-L1) on intratumoral vs. colonic APCs. While putative tumor-specific CD103+CD39+CD8+ TILs expressed lower CD69 (early activation marker) and higher PD-1 (extended activation/exhaustion marker) than colonic counterparts, the latter had instead higher CD69 and lower PD-1 levels. Functional comparisons showed that intratumoral APCs were inferior to colonic APCs regarding protein uptake and upregulation of CD80 and PD-L1 after protein degradation. Our attempt to model CRC treatment-induced T cell activation in vitro showed less interferon (IFN)-γ production by TILs than colonic T cells. In this model, we also measured APCs’ CD80 and PD-L1 expression in response to activated co-residing T cells. These markers were comparable in the two tissues, despite higher IFN- γ exposure for colonic APCs. Thus, APCs within distinct intratumoral and colonic milieus showed different activation and functional status, but were similarly responsive to signals from induced T cell activation.

scholarly journals Maturation signatures of conventional dendritic cell subtypes in COVID-19 reflect direct viral sensing

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Marongiu ◽  
Giulia Protti ◽  
Fabio A. Facchini ◽  
Mihai Valache ◽  
Francesca Mingozzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
T Cell ◽  
Antigen Presentation ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Immune Escape ◽  
Main Function ◽  
Down Regulation

AbstractGrowing evidence suggests that conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) undergo aberrant maturation in COVID-19 and this negatively affects T cell activation. The presence of functional effector T cells in mild patients and dysfunctional T cells in severely ill patients suggests that adequate T cell responses are needed to limit disease severity. Therefore, understanding how cDCs cope with SARS-CoV-2 infections can help elucidate the mechanism of generation of protective immune responses. Here, we report that cDC2 subtypes exhibit similar infection-induced gene signatures with the up-regulation of interferon-stimulated genes and IL-6 signaling pathways. The main difference observed between DC2s and DC3s is the up-regulation of anti-apoptotic genes in DC3s, which explains their accumulation during infection. Furthermore, comparing cDCs between severe and mild patients, we find in the former a profound down-regulation of genes encoding molecules involved in antigen presentation, such as major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) molecules, β2 microglobulin, TAP and costimulatory proteins, while an opposite trend is observed for proinflammatory molecules, such as complement and coagulation factors. Therefore, as the severity of the disease increases, cDC2s enhance their inflammatory properties and lose their main function, which is the antigen presentation capacity. In vitro, direct exposure of cDC2s to the virus recapitulates the type of activation observed in vivo. Our findings provide evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can interact directly with cDC2s and, by inducing the down-regulation of crucial molecules required for T cell activation, implements an efficient immune escape mechanism that correlates with disease severity.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document