Analysis of similarities and differences between transient symptomatic zinc deficiency and acrodermatitis enteropathica in children: a case report of a Chinese Yi-ethnic infant.

BACKGROUND: Transient symptomatic zinc deficiency (TSZD), an acquired type of zinc deficiency, is a rare, but probably underrecognized disease, extremely in breastfed premature with low birthweight infants. Its clinical manefestations are similar to Acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE), which is a genetic zinc absorption disorder caused by SLC39A4 gene mutations. This gene encodes a member of the zinc/iron-regulated transporter-like protein (ZIP) family. The encoded protein localizes to cell membranes and is required for zinc uptake in the intestine. TSZD is often misdiagnosed as AE because of their extremely similar manefestations, characterized by a typical rash. Therefore, the differention between them is still a clinical challenging. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we present a case of TSZD in a 4 month and 23 days female Chinese Yi-ethnic premature with AE-like skin lesions, mainly presenting periorificial, perianal and perineal crusted, eroded, erythemato-squamous eruption. Laboratory examination showed the patient's blood zinc level was significantly decreased. Further sequencing of the SLC39A4 gene showed no mutation in the infant and her parents. Skin lesions significantly improved after 6 days of initial zinc supplementation (3 mg/kg/d), and maintenance treatment with 1 mg/kg/day of zinc was discontinued after 8 months without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical manifestations of TSZD and AE are extremely similar, leading to a high rate of clinical misdiagnosis. While genetic analysis of the SLC39A4 gene is a reliable method for differentiating TSZD from AE. It is recommended that SLC39A4 gene test should be performed as far as possible in children with AE-like rash.

Study on the relationship between nephrotic syndrome and atopic diseases in childhood.

Objective: The present study aimed to explore the relationship between nephrotic syndrome and atopic diseases in childhood. Methods: From 2018 to 2019, 234 children with first-onset primary nephrotic syndrome (PNS) were selected for observation and long-term follow-up, and the clinical and laboratory data. To compare the levels of total serum IgE, histamine and bradykinin of the same children at the time of first onset, remission and relapse of PNS. The extent of podocyte foot process effacement was compared between the urinary protein negative-conversion group and the proteinuric group with the NS range. The correlation between the urine protein quantification and the extent of foot process effacement was also observed. Results: (1) The mean age of 234 children with first-onset PNS was 4.82 ± 3.63 years, with a male to female ratio of 162/72. (2) There were 109 cases (46.58%) with concomitant atopic diseases (AD) and 151 cases (64.53%) with elevated levels of total serum IgE. There were 136 cases with recurrence during the follow-up, of which recurrence due to allergy-related factors was greater than that due to infection-related factors. (3) The total IgE and bradykinin serum levels were significantly higher in children with first-onset PNS and recurrent PNS compared with those in remission, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The level of histamine in children with first-onset PNS was higher than that in children with remission (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in the level of histamine between children in the recurrence group and those in the remission group (P > 0.05). (4) There was no significant difference in the extent of foot process effacement between the urinary protein negative-conversion group and the proteinuric group with the NS range. There was no significant correlation between the proteinuria quantification and the extent of foot process effacement. Conclusion: There existed a high co-morbidity with AD in children with PNS, and allergy-related factors might be an important recurrence factor in children with PNS. The injury to the filtration barrier in MCD might not only be correlated with podocyte lesions but also with some serum permeability factors. Serum IgE, histamine, and bradykinin might be the plasma permeability factors in children with PNS.

A genome-wide functional genomics approach uncovers genetic determinants of immune phenotypes in type 1 diabetes.

Background: The large inter-individual variability in immune-cell composition and function determines immune responses in general and susceptibility o immune-mediated diseases in particular. While much has been learned about the genetic variants relevant for type 1 diabetes (T1D), the pathophysiological mechanisms through which these variations exert their effects remain unknown. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 243 patients with T1D of Dutch descent. We applied genetic association analysis on >200 immune-cell traits and >100 cytokine production profiles in response to stimuli measured to identify genetic determinants of immune function, and compared the results obtained in T1D to healthy controls. Results: Genetic variants that determine susceptibility to T1D significantly affect T cell composition. Specifically, the CCR5+ regulatory T cells associate with T1D through the CCR region, suggesting a shared genetic regulation. Genome-wide quantitative trait loci (QTLs) mapping analysis of immune traits revealed 15 genetic loci that influence immune responses in T1D, including 12 that have never been reported in healthy population studies, implying a disease-specific genetic regulation. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the genetic factors that affect immunological responses in T1D. Funding: This work was supported by an ERC starting grant (no. 948207) and a Radboud University Medical Centre Hypatia grant (2018) to YL and an ERC advanced grant (no. 833247) and a Spinoza grant of the Netherlands Association for Scientific Research to MGN CT received funding from the Perspectief Biomarker Development Center Research Programme, which is (partly) financed by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). AJ was funded by a grant from the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD/AZ Macrovascular Programme 2015). XC was supported by the China Scholarship Council (201706040081).

Every year around the world, over 100,000 people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. This disease develops when the immune system mistakenly destroys the cells that produce a hormone called insulin, leaving affected individuals unable to regulate their blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes patients must rely on regular injections of manufactured insulin to survive. The composition and activity of the human immune system is under genetic control, and people with certain changes in their genes are more susceptible than others to develop type 1 diabetes. Previous studies have identified around 60 locations in the human DNA (known as loci) associated with the condition, but it remains unclear how these loci influence the immune system and whether diabetes will emerge. Chu, Janssen, Koenen et al. explored how variations in genetic information can influence the composition of the immune system, and the type of molecules it releases to perform its role. To do so, blood samples from 243 individuals of Dutch descent with type 1 diabetes were collected, and genetic associations were investigated. The results revealed that a major type of immune actors known as T cells are under the control of genetic factors associated with type 1 diabetes susceptibility. For instance, a specific type of T cells showed shared genetic control with type 1 diabetes. In addition, 15 loci were identified that influenced immune responses in the patients. Among those, 12 have never been reported to be involved in immune responses in healthy people, implying that these regions might only regulate the immune system of individuals with type 1 diabetes and other similar disorders. Finally, Chu, Janssen, Koenen et al. propose 11 genes within the identified loci as potential targets for new diabetes medication. These results represent an important resource for researchers exploring the genetic and immune basis of type 1 diabetes, and they could open new avenues for drug development.

Blood-Based Immune Profiling Combined with Machine Learning Discriminates Psoriatic Arthritis from Psoriasis Patients.

Psoriasis (Pso) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, and up to 30% of Pso patients develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), which can lead to irreversible joint damage. Early detection of PsA in Pso patients is crucial for timely treatment but difficult for dermatologists to implement. We, therefore, aimed to find disease-specific immune profiles, discriminating Pso from PsA patients, possibly facilitating the correct identification of Pso patients in need of referral to a rheumatology clinic. The phenotypes of peripheral blood immune cells of consecutive Pso and PsA patients were analyzed, and disease-specific immune profiles were identified via a machine learning approach. This approach resulted in a random forest classification model capable of distinguishing PsA from Pso (mean AUC = 0.95). Key PsA-classifying cell subsets selected included increased proportions of differentiated CD4+CD196+CD183-CD194+ and CD4+CD196-CD183-CD194+ T-cells and reduced proportions of CD196+ and CD197+ monocytes, memory CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets and CD4+ regulatory T-cells. Within PsA, joint scores showed an association with memory CD8+CD45RA-CD197- effector T-cells and CD197+ monocytes. To conclude, through the integration of in-depth flow cytometry and machine learning, we identified an immune cell profile discriminating PsA from Pso. This immune profile may aid in timely diagnosing PsA in Pso.

Prognostic signatures associated with high infiltration of Tregs in bone metastatic prostate cancer.

Metastatic cancer especially bone metastasis (BM) is the lethal end-stage of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). To understand the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the development of the distant metastasis is of potential clinical value. We sought to identify differentially expressed genes between patient-matched primary and bone metastatic CRPC tumors. Functional enrichment, protein-protein interaction networks, and survival analysis of DEGs were performed. DEGs with a prognostic value considered as candidate genes were evaluated, followed by genetic analysis of tumor infiltrating immune cells based on Wilcoxon test and immunofluorescence identification. Expression profiles analysis showed that 381 overlapping genes were screened as differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 16 DEGs were randomly selected to be validated and revealed that most of these genes showed a transcriptional profile similar to that seen in the datasets (Pearson's r = 0.76). Six core genes were found to be involved in regulation of extracellular matrix receptor interaction and chemotactic activity, and four of them were significantly correlated with the survival of PCa patients with bone metastases. Immune infiltration analysis showed that the expressions levels of COL3A1, RAC1, FN1, and SDC2 in CD4+T cells were significantly higher than those in tumor cells, especially regulatory T cell infiltration was significantly increased in BM tumors. We analyzed gene expression signatures specifically associated with the development of bone metastases of CRPC patients. Characterization of genes associated with BM of mCRPC is critical for identification of predictive biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets.

Skin Surface Protein Detection by Transdermal Analysis Patches in Pediatric Psoriasis.

INTRODUCTION: Transdermal analysis patches (TAPs) noninvasively measure soluble proteins in the stratum corneum. Ultimately, such local protein profiles could benefit the search for biomarkers to improve personalized treatment in psoriasis. This study aimed to explore the patient friendliness and protein detection by TAP in pediatric psoriasis in daily clinical practice. METHODS: In this observational study, TAPs measuring CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)-1/2, CC chemokine ligand (CCL)-27, interleukin (IL)-1RA, IL-23, IL-1α, IL-8, IL-4, IL-22, IL-17A, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), human beta-defensin (hBD)-2, hBD-1, and kallikrein-related peptidase (KLK)-5 were applied on lesional, peri-lesional, and non-lesional skin sites of psoriasis patients aged >5 to <18 years. Discomfort during TAP removal as an indicator for patient friendliness was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS; range 0-10). RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (median age 14.0 years) were included, of which 19 were treated with solely topical agents and 13 with systemic treatment. The median VAS of discomfort during TAP removal was 1.0 (interquartile range 1.0). Significantly higher levels in lesional versus non-lesional skin were found for IL-1RA, VEGF, CXCL-1/2, hBD-2, and IL-8, whereas lower levels were found for IL-1α. Skin surface proteins were measured in both treatment groups, with significant higher lesional levels of KLK-5, IL-1RA, hBD-2, IL-1α, IL-23, and CCL-27 in the systemic treatment group. CONCLUSION: The TAP platform holds the potential for patient-friendly and noninvasive monitoring of skin-derived proteins in pediatric psoriasis patients in daily clinical practice.

Broad range detection of viral and bacterial pathogens in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of children to identify the cause of lower respiratory tract infections.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge on the etiology of LRTIs is essential for improvement of the clinical diagnosis and accurate treatment. Molecular detection methods were applied to identify a broad range of bacterial and viral pathogens in a large set of bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples. The patterns of detected pathogens were correlated to the clinical symptoms. METHODS: BAL fluid samples and clinical data were collected from 573 hospitalized children between 1 month and 14 years of age with LRTIs, enrolled from January to December 2018. Pathogens were detected using standardized clinical diagnostics, with a sensitive, high-throughput GeXP-based multiplex PCR and with multiplex qPCR. Data were analyzed to describe the correlation between the severity of respiratory tract disease and the pathogens identified. RESULTS: The pathogen detection rate with GeXP-based PCR and multiplex qPCR was significantly higher than by clinical routine diagnostics (76.09% VS 36.13%,χ2 = 8.191, P = 0.004). The most frequently detected pathogens in the BAL fluid were human adenovirus (HADV)(21.82%), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (20.24%), human rhinovirus (13.96%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (8.90%) and Haemophilus influenzae (8.90%). In 16.4% of the cases co-detection with two or three different pathogens was found. Viral detection rates declined with age, while atypical pathogen detection rates increased with age. Oxygen supply in the HADV and Influenza H1N1 infected patients was more frequent (49.43%) than in patients infected with other pathogens. CONCLUSION: Broad range detection of viral and bacterial pathogens using molecular methods is a promising and implementable approach to improve clinical diagnosis and accurate treatment of LRTI in children.

Dysregulated Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses Discriminate Disease Severity in COVID-19.

The clinical spectrum of COVID-19 varies and the differences in host response characterizing this variation have not been fully elucidated. COVID-19 disease severity correlates with an excessive proinflammatory immune response and profound lymphopenia. Inflammatory responses according to disease severity were explored by plasma cytokine measurements and proteomics analysis in 147 COVID-19 patients. Furthermore, peripheral blood mononuclear cell cytokine production assays and whole blood flow cytometry were performed. Results confirm a hyperinflammatory innate immune state, while highlighting hepatocyte growth factor and stem cell factor as potential biomarkers for disease severity. Clustering analysis revealed no specific inflammatory endotypes in COVID-19 patients. Functional assays revealed abrogated adaptive cytokine production (interferon-γ, interleukin-17, and interleukin-22) and prominent T-cell exhaustion in critically ill patients, whereas innate immune responses were intact or hyperresponsive. Collectively, this extensive analysis provides a comprehensive insight into the pathobiology of severe to critical COVID-19 and highlights potential biomarkers of disease severity.

Baseline effector cells predict response and NKT cells predict pulmonary toxicity in advanced breast cancer patients treated with everolimus and exemestane.

BACKGROUND: The mTOR inhibitor everolimus used in cancer has immune-modulating effects, potentially contributing to an antitumor response but also leading to pulmonary toxicity. We studied the association of immunological cell subsets with antitumor response and pulmonary toxicity in breast cancer patients treated with everolimus plus exemestane. METHODS: In this exploratory analysis, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected at baseline and 14, 35, 60, and 90 days after start of treatment, and at the moment of pulmonary toxicity. The percentage and absolute number of T-cells, B-cells, NK-cells, monocytes and numerous subtypes were measured in peripheral blood using flow cytometric analysis and were compared using a (paired) t-test. RESULTS: From 20 patients, a total of 89 samples were collected. At baseline, responders versus non-responders had 0.86% versus 0.32% CD4+ effector cells (CD45RA+CD27-) (p = 0.1266) and non-response could be predicted with 0.71 sensitivity and 0.82 specificity. Patients who developed pulmonary toxicity compared to patients without pulmonary toxicity had relatively more NKT-cells at baseline (6.0% versus 1.3%, p = 0.0068, 59 k versus 12 k * 109/l, p = 0.0081) and at the moment of toxicity (5.2% versus 1.2%, p = 0.0106 and 47 k versus 16 k * 109/l, p = 0.0466). Baseline percentage NKT cells predicted pulmonary toxicity with 0.78 sensitivity and 1.0 specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that baseline CD4+ effector cells may be predictive of antitumor responses and baseline NKT cells may be predictive of pulmonary toxicity. These results warrant further validation.

Metabolic Pathways Involved in Regulatory T Cell Functionality.

Regulatory T cells (Treg) are well-known for their immune regulatory potential and are essential for maintaining immune homeostasis. The rationale of Treg-based immunotherapy for treating autoimmunity and transplant rejection is to tip the immune balance of effector T cell-mediated immune activation and Treg-mediated immune inhibition in favor of Treg cells, either through endogenous Treg expansion strategies or adoptive transfer of ex vivo expanded Treg. Compelling evidence indicates that Treg show properties of phenotypic heterogeneity and instability, which has caused considerable debate in the field regarding their correct use. Consequently, for further optimization of Treg-based immunotherapy, it is vital to further our understanding of Treg proliferative, migratory, and suppressive behavior. It is increasingly appreciated that the functional profile of immune cells is highly dependent on their metabolic state. Although the metabolic profiles of effector T cells are progressively understood, little is known on Treg in this respect. The objective of this review is to outline the current knowledge of human Treg metabolic profiles associated with the regulation of Treg functionality. As such information on human Treg is still limited, where information was lacking, we included insightful findings from mouse studies. To assess the available evidence on metabolic pathways involved in Treg functionality, PubMed, and Embase were searched for articles in English indexed before April 28th, 2019 using "regulatory T lymphocyte," "cell metabolism," "cell proliferation," "migration," "suppressor function," and related search terms. Removal of duplicates and search of the references was performed manually. We discerned that while glycolysis fuels the biosynthetic and bioenergetic needs necessary for proliferation and migration of human Treg, suppressive capacity is mainly maintained by oxidative metabolism. Based on the knowledge of metabolic differences between Treg and non-Treg cells, we additionally discuss and propose ways of how human Treg metabolism could be exploited for the betterment of tolerance-inducing therapies.

TNFα-Signaling Modulates the Kinase Activity of Human Effector Treg and Regulates IL-17A Expression.

Maintenance of regulatory T cells CD4+CD25highFOXP3+ (Treg) stability is vital for proper Treg function and controlling the immune equilibrium. Treg cells are heterogeneous and can reveal plasticity, exemplified by their potential to express IL-17A. TNFα-TNFR2 signaling controls IL-17A expression in conventional T cells via the anti-inflammatory ubiquitin-editing and kinase activity regulating enzyme TNFAIP3/A20 (tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced protein 3). To obtain a molecular understanding of TNFα signaling on IL-17 expression in the human effector (effTreg, CD25highCD45RA-) Treg subset, we here studied the kinome activity regulation by TNFα signaling. Using FACS-sorted naïve (naïveTreg, CD25highCD45RA+) and effTreg subsets, we demonstrated a reciprocal relationship between TNFα and IL-17A expression; effTreg (TNFαlow/IL-17Ahigh) and naïveTreg (TNFαhigh/IL-17Alow). In effTreg, TNFα-TNFR2 signaling prevented IL-17A expression, whereas inhibition of TNFα signaling by clinically applied anti-TNF antibodies led to increased IL-17A expression. Inhibition of TNFα signaling led to reduced TNFAIP3 expression, which, by using siRNA inhibition of TNFAIP3, appeared causally linked to increased IL-17A expression in effTreg. Kinome activity screening of CD3/CD28-activated effTreg revealed that anti-TNF-mediated neutralization led to increased kinase activity. STRING association analysis revealed that the TNF suppression effTreg kinase activity network was strongly associated with kinases involved in TCR, JAK, MAPK, and PKC pathway signaling. Small-molecule-based inhibition of TCR and JAK pathways prevented the IL-17 expression in effTreg. Together, these findings stress the importance of TNF-TNFR2 in regulating the kinase architecture of antigen-activated effTreg and controlling IL-17 expression of the human Treg. These findings might be relevant for optimizing anti-TNF-based therapy and may aid in preventing Treg plasticity in case of Treg-based cell therapy.

An Autocrine TNFα-Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 Loop Promotes Epigenetic Effects Inducing Human Treg Stability In Vitro.

A crucial issue for Treg-based immunotherapy is to maintain a bona fide Treg phenotype as well as suppressive function during and after ex vivo expansion. Several strategies have been applied to harness Treg lineage stability. For instance, CD28 superagonist stimulation in vitro, in the absence of CD3 ligation, is more efficient in promoting Treg proliferation, and prevention of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, such as IL-17, as compared to CD3/CD28-stimulated Treg. Addition of the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin to Treg cultures enhances FOXP3 expression and Treg stability, but does impair proliferative capacity. A tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) agonist antibody was recently shown to favor homogenous expansion of Treg in vitro. Combined stimulation with rapamycin and TNFR2 agonist antibody enhanced hypo-methylation of the FOXP3 gene, and thus promoting Treg stability. To further explore the underlying mechanisms of rapamycin and TNFR2 agonist-mediated Treg stability, we here stimulated FACS-sorted human Treg with a CD28 superagonist, in the presence of rapamycin and a TNFR2 agonist. Phenotypic analysis of expanded Treg revealed an autocrine loop of TNFα-TNFR2 underlying the maintenance of Treg stability in vitro. Addition of rapamycin to CD28 superagonist-stimulated Treg led to a high expression of TNFR2, the main TNFR expressed on Treg, and additional stimulation with a TNFR2 agonist enhanced the production of soluble as well as membrane-bound TNFα. Moreover, our data showed that the expression of histone methyltransferase EZH2, a crucial epigenetic modulator for potent Treg suppressor function, was enhanced upon stimulation with CD28 superagonist. Interestingly, rapamycin seemed to downregulate CD28 superagonist-induced EZH2 expression, which could be rescued by the additional addition of TNFR2 agonist antibody. This process appeared TNFα-dependent manner, since depletion of TNFα using Etanercept inhibited EZH2 expression. To summarize, we propose that an autocrine TNFα-TNFR2 loop plays an important role in endorsing Treg stability.

Stabilizing human regulatory T cells for tolerance inducing immunotherapy.

Many autoimmune diseases develop as a consequence of an altered balance between autoreactive immune cells and suppressive FOXP3+ Treg. Restoring this balance through amplification of Treg represents a promising strategy to treat disease. However, FOXP3+ Treg might become unstable especially under certain inflammatory conditions, and might transform into proinflammatory cytokine-producing cells. The issue of heterogeneity and instability of Treg has caused considerable debate in the field and has important implications for Treg-based immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss how Treg stability is defined and what the molecular mechanisms underlying the maintenance of FOXP3 expression and the regulation of Treg stability are. Also, we elaborate on current strategies used to stabilize human Treg for clinical purposes. This review focuses on human Treg, but considering that cell-intrinsic mechanisms to regulate Treg stability in mice and in humans might be similar, data derived from mice studies are also discussed in this paper.

Single CD28 stimulation induces stable and polyclonal expansion of human regulatory T cells.

CD4+FOXP3+ Treg are essential for immune tolerance. Phase-1 clinical trials of Treg-therapy to treat graft-versus-host-disease reported safety and potential therapeutic efficacy. Treg-based trials have started in organ-transplant patients. However, efficient ex vivo expansion of a stable Treg population remains a challenge and exploring novel ways for Treg expansion is a pre-requisite for successful immunotherapy. Based on the recent finding that CD28-signaling is crucial for survival and proliferation of mouse Treg, we studied single-CD28 stimulation of human Treg, without T cell receptor stimulation. Single-CD28 stimulation of human Treg in the presence of recombinant human IL-2(rhIL-2), as compared to CD3/CD28/rhIL-2 stimulation, led to higher expression levels of FOXP3. Although the single-CD28 expanded Treg population was equally suppressive to CD3/CD28 expanded Treg, pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-17A/IFNγ) production was strongly inhibited, indicating that single-CD28 stimulation promotes Treg stability. As single-CD28 stimulation led to limited expansion rates, we examined a CD28-superagonist antibody and demonstrate a significant increased Treg expansion that was more efficient than standard anti-CD3/CD28-bead stimulation. CD28-superagonist stimulation drove both naïve and memory Treg proliferation. CD28-superagonist induction of stable Treg appeared both PI3K and mTOR dependent. Regarding efficient and stable expansion of Treg for adoptive Treg-based immunotherapy, application of CD28-superagonist stimulation is of interest.

Lymphocyte Isolation from Human Skin for Phenotypic Analysis and Ex Vivo Cell Culture.

Human skin has an important barrier function and contains various immune cells that contribute to tissue homeostasis and protection from pathogens. As the skin is relatively easy to access, it provides an ideal platform to study peripheral immune regulatory mechanisms. Immune resident cells in healthy skin conduct immunosurveillance, but also play an important role in the development of inflammatory skin disorders, such as psoriasis. Despite emerging insights, our understanding of the biology underlying various inflammatory skin diseases is still limited. There is a need for good quality (single) cell populations isolated from biopsied skin samples. So far, isolation procedures have been seriously hampered by a lack of obtaining a sufficient number of viable cells. Isolation and subsequent analysis have also been affected by the loss of immune cell lineage markers, due to the mechanical and chemical stress caused by the current dissociation procedures to obtain single cell suspension. Here, we describe a modified method to isolate T cells from both healthy and involved psoriatic human skin by combining mechanical skin dissociation using an automated tissue dissociator and collagenase treatment. This methodology preserves expression of most immune lineage markers such as CD4, CD8, Foxp3 and CD11c upon the preparation of single cell suspensions. Examples of successful CD4(+) T cell isolation and subsequent phenotypic and functional analysis are shown.

A TNFR2-Agonist Facilitates High Purity Expansion of Human Low Purity Treg Cells.

Regulatory T cells (Treg) are important for immune homeostasis and are considered of great interest for immunotherapy. The paucity of Treg numbers requires the need for ex vivo expansion. Although therapeutic Treg flow-sorting is feasible, most centers aiming at Treg-based therapy focus on magnetic bead isolation of CD4+CD25+ Treg using a good manufacturing practice compliant closed system that achieves lower levels of cell purity. Polyclonal Treg expansion protocols commonly use anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody (mAb) stimulation in the presence of rhIL-2, with or without rapamycin. However, the resultant Treg population is often heterogeneous and pro-inflammatory cytokines like IFNγ and IL-17A can be produced. Hence, it is crucial to search for expansion protocols that not only maximize ex vivo Treg proliferative rates, but also maintain Treg stability and preserve their suppressive function. Here, we show that ex vivo expansion of low purity magnetic bead isolated Treg in the presence of a TNFR2 agonist mAb (TNFR2-agonist) together with rapamycin, results in a homogenous stable suppressive Treg population that expresses FOXP3 and Helios, shows low expression of CD127 and hypo-methylation of the FOXP3 gene. These cells reveal a low IL-17A and IFNγ producing potential and hardly express the chemokine receptors CCR6, CCR7 and CXCR3. Restimulation of cells in a pro-inflammatory environment did not break the stability of this Treg population. In a preclinical humanized mouse model, the TNFR2-agonist plus rapamycin expanded Treg suppressed inflammation in vivo. Importantly, this Treg expansion protocol enables the use of less pure, but more easily obtainable cell fractions, as similar outcomes were observed using either FACS-sorted or MACS-isolated Treg. Therefore, this protocol is of great interest for the ex vivo expansion of Treg for clinical immunotherapy.

Platelet microparticles inhibit IL-17 production by regulatory T cells through P-selectin.

Self-tolerance and immune homeostasis are orchestrated by FOXP3(+)regulatory T cells (Tregs). Recent data have revealed that upon stimulation, Tregs may exhibit plasticity toward a proinflammatory phenotype, producing interleukin 17 (IL-17) and/or interferon γ (IFN-γ). Such deregulation of Tregs may contribute to the perpetuation of inflammatory processes, including graft-versus-host disease. Thus, it is important to identify immunomodulatory factors influencing Treg stability. Platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) are involved in hemostasis and vascular health and have recently been shown to be intimately involved in (pathogenic) immune responses. Therefore, we investigated whether PMPs have the ability to affect Treg plasticity. PMPs were cocultured with healthy donor peripheral blood-derived Tregs that were stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 monoclonal antibodies in the presence of IL-2, IL-15, and IL-1ß. PMPs prevented the differentiation of peripheral blood-derived Tregs into IL-17- and IFN-γ-producing cells, even in the presence of the IL-17-driving proinflammatory cytokine IL-1ß. The mechanism of action by which PMPs prevent Treg plasticity consisted of rapid and selective P-selectin-dependent binding of PMPs to a CCR6(+)HLA-DR(+)memory-like Treg subset and their ability to inhibit Treg proliferation, in part through CXCR3 engagement. The findings that ~8% of Tregs in the circulation of healthy individuals are CD41(+)P-selectin(+)and that distinct binding of patient plasma PMPs to Tregs was observed support in vivo relevance. These findings open the exciting possibility that PMPs actively regulate the immune response at sites of (vascular) inflammation, where they are known to accumulate and interact with leukocytes, consolidating the (vascular) healing process.

Targeting PKC in human T cells using sotrastaurin (AEB071) preserves regulatory T cells and prevents IL-17 production.

Regulatory T-cells (Treg) are crucial for immune homeostasis and prevention of immune pathology. Yet, Treg may lose Foxp3 and start secreting IL-17, dependent on environmental cues. Our previous data revealed that Treg from severe psoriasis patients are particularly prone to such conversion. The question of how to maintain Treg stability in the context of inflammation awaits immediate resolution. The pan-protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor sotrastaurin has shown efficacy in clinical trials of psoriasis. Here, we show that sotrastaurin inhibited effector T-cell responses, whereas the regulatory response was enhanced. Sotrastaurin prevented TCR/CD28-induced T-cell activation and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, but preserved a stable Treg phenotype as evidenced by maintenance of suppressive capacity, high Foxp3 and CD25 expression, and lack of IL-17A and IFNγ production. Moreover, in both circulating and dermal psoriatic Treg, prone to rapid induction of IL-17, sotrastaurin enhanced Foxp3 expression and prevented IL-17A and IFNγ production even when stimulated in the presence of the helper T 17-enhancing cytokines IL-1ß or IL-23. Thus, pharmacological inhibition of PKC may serve as a powerful tool to concurrently inhibit effector T cells and to facilitate Treg, thereby showing therapeutic potential for the treatment of psoriasis.

[Advance in studies on chemical constitutions, pharmacological mechanism and pharmacokinetic profile of dalbergiae odoriferae lignum].

Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) commonly used for promoting blood circulation, relieving pain and removing blood stasis. Volatile oil and flavonoid compounds are two main chemical constituents of Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum. Modern pharmacological studies show that Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum has many effects, such as relaxing blood, increasing blood flow of coronary, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation and antitumor. Dalbergiae Odoriferae Lignum, as a characteristic TCM with the potential of further development, is generally compatible with other TCMs to treat cardio-cerebral vascular diseases. This article summarizes studies on chemical composition, pharmacological action, pharmacokinetic procfile in vivo and TCM compatibility in recent years, in order to provide references for further studies.

Molecular pathway profiling of T lymphocyte signal transduction pathways; Th1 and Th2 genomic fingerprints are defined by TCR and CD28-mediated signaling.

BACKGROUND: T lymphocytes are orchestrators of adaptive immunity. Naïve T cells may differentiate into Th1, Th2, Th17 or iTreg phenotypes, depending on environmental co-stimulatory signals. To identify genes and pathways involved in differentiation of Jurkat T cells towards Th1 and Th2 subtypes we performed comprehensive transcriptome analyses of Jurkat T cells stimulated with various stimuli and pathway inhibitors. Results from these experiments were validated in a human experimental setting using whole blood and purified CD4+ Tcells. RESULTS: Calcium-dependent activation of T cells using CD3/CD28 and PMA/CD3 stimulation induced a Th1 expression profile reflected by increased expression of T-bet, RUNX3, IL-2, and IFNγ, whereas calcium-independent activation via PMA/CD28 induced a Th2 expression profile which included GATA3, RXRA, CCL1 and Itk. Knock down with siRNA and gene expression profiling in the presence of selective kinase inhibitors showed that proximal kinases Lck and PKCθ are crucial signaling hubs during T helper cell activation, revealing a clear role for Lck in Th1 development and for PKCθ in both Th1 and Th2 development. Medial signaling via MAPkinases appeared to be less important in these pathways, since specific inhibitors of these kinases displayed a minor effect on gene expression. Translation towards a primary, whole blood setting and purified human CD4+ T cells revealed that PMA/CD3 stimulation induced a more pronounced Th1 specific, Lck and PKCθ dependent IFNγ production, whereas PMA/CD28 induced Th2 specific IL-5 and IL-13 production, independent of Lck activation. PMA/CD3-mediated skewing towards a Th1 phenotype was also reflected in mRNA expression of the master transcription factor Tbet, whereas PMA/CD28-mediated stimulation enhanced GATA3 mRNA expression in primary human CD4+ Tcells. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies stimulatory pathways and gene expression profiles for in vitro skewing of T helper cell activation. PMA/CD3 stimulation enhances a Th1-like response in an Lck and PKCθ dependent fashion, whereas PMA/CD28 stimulation results in a Th2-like phenotype independent of the proximal TCR-tyrosine kinase Lck. This approach offers a robust and fast translational in vitro system for skewed T helper cell responses in Jurkat T cells, primary human CD4+ Tcells and in a more complex matrix such as human whole blood.