Subject(s)
Schistosomiasis , Humans , Schistosomiasis/immunology , Animals , Congresses as Topic , Schistosoma/physiologyABSTRACT
First described in 1817, prostate cancer is considered a complex neoplastic entity, and one of the main causes of death in men in the western world. In dogs, prostatic carcinoma (PC) exhibits undifferentiated morphology with different phenotypes, is hormonally independent of aggressive character, and has high rates of metastasis to different organs. Although in humans, the risk factors for tumor development are known, in dogs, this scenario is still unclear, especially regarding castration. Therefore, with the advent of molecular biology, studies were and are carried out with the aim of identifying the main molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in the carcinogenesis and progression of canine PC, aiming to identify potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted treatment. However, there are extensive gaps to be filled, especially when considering the dog as experimental model for the study of this neoplasm in humans. Thus, due to the complexity of the subject, the objective of this review is to present the main pathobiological aspects of canine PC from a comparative point of view to the same neoplasm in the human species, addressing the historical context and current understanding in the scientific field.
Subject(s)
Biomedical Research , Infectious Disease Medicine , Schistosoma/pathogenicity , Schistosomiasis , Tropical Medicine , Animals , Congresses as Topic , Host-Parasite Interactions , Humans , Prognosis , Schistosomiasis/diagnosis , Schistosomiasis/epidemiology , Schistosomiasis/parasitology , Schistosomiasis/therapyABSTRACT
The protozoan Neospora caninum is known worldwide as one of the main causes of abortion in cattle. During infection, rhoptry proteins present in the apical complex of the parasite play important roles in adhesion and parasitophorous vacuole formation. The use of N. caninum ROP2 in experimental vaccines has shown promising protective results. In our study we performed cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of an antigenic portion of N. caninum ROP2. The recombinant protein (rROP2) was obtained in insoluble form, and the purified protein showed a size of approximately 18kDa. Even being a small truncate NcROP2 region, it was possible to conserve the antigenic epitopes which were recognized by bovine serum naturally infected with N. caninum. Vaccination with rROP2 on aluminum hydroxide adjuvant induced high levels of rROP2-specific IgG antibodies capable of recognizing native protein in tachyzoite lysates. In conclusion, our approaches were effective in obtaining the rROP2 protein, which induced specific mouse immune response and was also recognized by sera from N. caninum naturally infected cattle. These results suggest that it is a promising antigen for the development of neosporosis subunit vaccines as well as a suitable antigen for use in immunodiagnosis.(AU)
O protozoário Neospora caninum é conhecido mundialmente como uma das principais causas de aborto em bovinos. Durante a infecção, as proteínas rhoptry presentes no complexo apical do parasita desempenham papel importante na adesão e formação de vacúolos parasitóforos. O uso de ROP2 de N. caninum em vacinas experimentais tem mostrado resultados de proteção promissores. Em nosso estudo, realizamos a clonagem e expressão em Escherichia coli de uma porção antigênica de N. caninum ROP2. A proteína recombinante (rROP2) foi obtida na forma insolúvel, e a proteína purificada apresentou tamanho aproximado de 18kDa. Mesmo sendo uma pequena região truncada de NcROP2, foi possível conservar os epítopos antigênicos que foram reconhecidos pelo soro de bovinos naturalmente infectados com N. caninum. A vacinação com rROP2 adsorvida no adjuvante de hidróxido de alumínio induziu altos níveis de anticorpos IgG anti-rROP2, capazes de reconhecer a proteína nativa em lisados de taquizoítos. Em conclusão, nossas abordagens foram eficazes na obtenção da proteína rROP2, que induziu resposta imune específica em camundongos e também foi reconhecida por soros de bovinos naturalmente infectados com N. caninum. Estes resultados sugerem que rROP2 é um antígeno promissor para o desenvolvimento de vacinas de subunidades de neosporose, bem como um antígeno adequado para uso em imunodiagnóstico.(AU)
Subject(s)
Immunologic Tests , Immunoglobulin G , Vaccines , Neospora , Cloning, OrganismABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: The protozoan Neospora caninum is known worldwide as one of the main causes of abortion in cattle. During infection, rhoptry proteins present in the apical complex of the parasite play important roles in adhesion and parasitophorous vacuole formation. The use of N. caninum ROP2 in experimental vaccines has shown promising protective results. In our study we performed cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of an antigenic portion of N. caninum ROP2. The recombinant protein (rROP2) was obtained in insoluble form, and the purified protein showed a size of approximately 18kDa. Even being a small truncate NcROP2 region, it was possible to conserve the antigenic epitopes which were recognized by bovine serum naturally infected with N. caninum. Vaccination with rROP2 on aluminum hydroxide adjuvant induced high levels of rROP2-specific IgG antibodies capable of recognizing native protein in tachyzoite lysates. In conclusion, our approaches were effective in obtaining the rROP2 protein, which induced specific mouse immune response and was also recognized by sera from N. caninum naturally infected cattle. These results suggest that it is a promising antigen for the development of neosporosis subunit vaccines as well as a suitable antigen for use in immunodiagnosis.
RESUMO: O protozoário Neospora caninum é conhecido mundialmente como uma das principais causas de aborto em bovinos. Durante a infecção, as proteínas rhoptry presentes no complexo apical do parasita desempenham papel importante na adesão e formação de vacúolos parasitóforos. O uso de ROP2 de N. caninum em vacinas experimentais tem mostrado resultados de proteção promissores. Em nosso estudo, realizamos a clonagem e expressão em Escherichia coli de uma porção antigênica de N. caninum ROP2. A proteína recombinante (rROP2) foi obtida na forma insolúvel, e a proteína purificada apresentou tamanho aproximado de 18kDa. Mesmo sendo uma pequena região truncada de NcROP2, foi possível conservar os epítopos antigênicos que foram reconhecidos pelo soro de bovinos naturalmente infectados com N. caninum. A vacinação com rROP2 adsorvida no adjuvante de hidróxido de alumínio induziu altos níveis de anticorpos IgG anti-rROP2, capazes de reconhecer a proteína nativa em lisados de taquizoítos. Em conclusão, nossas abordagens foram eficazes na obtenção da proteína rROP2, que induziu resposta imune específica em camundongos e também foi reconhecida por soros de bovinos naturalmente infectados com N. caninum. Estes resultados sugerem que rROP2 é um antígeno promissor para o desenvolvimento de vacinas de subunidades de neosporose, bem como um antígeno adequado para uso em imunodiagnóstico.
ABSTRACT
The protozoan Neospora caninum is known worldwide as one of the main causes of abortion in cattle. During infection, rhoptry proteins present in the apical complex of the parasite play important roles in adhesion and parasitophorous vacuole formation. The use of N. caninum ROP2 in experimental vaccines has shown promising protective results. In our study we performed cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of an antigenic portion of N. caninum ROP2. The recombinant protein (rROP2) was obtained in insoluble form, and the purified protein showed a size of approximately 18kDa. Even being a small truncate NcROP2 region, it was possible to conserve the antigenic epitopes which were recognized by bovine serum naturally infected with N. caninum. Vaccination with rROP2 on aluminum hydroxide adjuvant induced high levels of rROP2-specific IgG antibodies capable of recognizing native protein in tachyzoite lysates. In conclusion, our approaches were effective in obtaining the rROP2 protein, which induced specific mouse immune response and was also recognized by sera from N. caninum naturally infected cattle. These results suggest that it is a promising antigen for the development of neosporosis subunit vaccines as well as a suitable antigen for use in immunodiagnosis.(AU)
O protozoário Neospora caninum é conhecido mundialmente como uma das principais causas de aborto em bovinos. Durante a infecção, as proteínas rhoptry presentes no complexo apical do parasita desempenham papel importante na adesão e formação de vacúolos parasitóforos. O uso de ROP2 de N. caninum em vacinas experimentais tem mostrado resultados de proteção promissores. Em nosso estudo, realizamos a clonagem e expressão em Escherichia coli de uma porção antigênica de N. caninum ROP2. A proteína recombinante (rROP2) foi obtida na forma insolúvel, e a proteína purificada apresentou tamanho aproximado de 18kDa. Mesmo sendo uma pequena região truncada de NcROP2, foi possível conservar os epítopos antigênicos que foram reconhecidos pelo soro de bovinos naturalmente infectados com N. caninum. A vacinação com rROP2 adsorvida no adjuvante de hidróxido de alumínio induziu altos níveis de anticorpos IgG anti-rROP2, capazes de reconhecer a proteína nativa em lisados de taquizoítos. Em conclusão, nossas abordagens foram eficazes na obtenção da proteína rROP2, que induziu resposta imune específica em camundongos e também foi reconhecida por soros de bovinos naturalmente infectados com N. caninum. Estes resultados sugerem que rROP2 é um antígeno promissor para o desenvolvimento de vacinas de subunidades de neosporose, bem como um antígeno adequado para uso em imunodiagnóstico.(AU)
Subject(s)
Immunologic Tests , Immunoglobulin G , Vaccines , Neospora , Cloning, OrganismABSTRACT
Abstract Several autoimmune disorders have been associated with a variety of hematopoietic malignancies, particularly lympho-proliferative disorders. Multiple myeloma (MM) is one of the most common hematologic malignancies and has been described in the context of a variety of autoimmune conditions. Due to their diversity and rarity, the clinical features of autoimmune conditions associated with MM have not been elucidated and the pathogenesis remains unclear. In this report, we describe two cases of autoimmune conditions in the setting of MM and review the current literature.
Resumen Varios trastornos autoinmunes se han asociado a una variedad de neoplasias malignas hematopoyéticas, particularmente trastornos linfoproliferativos. El mieloma múltiple (MM) es una de las neoplasias malignas hematológicas más comunes y ha sido descrito en el contexto de una variedad de condiciones autoinmunes. Debido a su diversidad y rareza, las características clínicas de las condiciones autoinmunes asociadas con el MM no han sido aclaradas y la patogénesis sigue siendo poco clara. En este artículo se describen dos casos de condiciones autoinmunes en el marco del MM y se realiza una revisión de la literatura actual.
Subject(s)
Humans , Hematologic Neoplasms , Multiple Myeloma , Homeopathic Pathogenesy , Literature , Lymphoproliferative Disorders , Myasthenia GravisABSTRACT
Several approaches successfully achieve allograft tolerance in preclinical models but are challenging to translate into clinical practice. Many clinically relevant factors can attenuate allograft tolerance induction, including intrinsic genetic resistance, peritransplant infection, inflammation, and preexisting antidonor immunity. The prevailing view for immune memory as a tolerance barrier is that the host harbors memory cells that spontaneously cross-react to donor MHC antigens. Such preexisting "heterologous" memory cells have direct reactivity to donor cells and resist most tolerance regimens. In this study, we developed a model system to determine if an alternative form of immune memory could also block tolerance. We posited that host memory T cells could potentially respond to donor-derived non-MHC antigens, such as latent viral antigens or autoantigens, to which the host is immune. Results show that immunity to a model nonself antigen, ovalbumin (OVA), can dramatically disrupt tolerance despite undetectable initial reactivity to donor MHC antigens. Importantly, this blockade of tolerance was CD8+ T cell-dependent and required linked antigen presentation of alloantigens with the test OVA antigen. As such, this pathway represents an unapparent, or "incognito," form of immunity that is sufficient to prevent tolerance and that can be an unforeseen additional immune barrier to clinical transplant tolerance.
Subject(s)
Antigen Presentation/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Graft Rejection/immunology , Immunologic Memory/immunology , Islets of Langerhans Transplantation/methods , Transplantation Tolerance/immunology , Animals , Female , Lymphocyte Activation , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Ovalbumin/administration & dosage , Transplantation, HomologousSubject(s)
Organ Transplantation , Tissue and Organ Procurement , Zika Virus Infection , Zika Virus , HumansABSTRACT
Systemic administration of autologous regulatory dendritic cells (DCreg; unpulsed or pulsed with donor antigen [Ag]), prolongs allograft survival and promotes transplant tolerance in rodents. Here, we demonstrate that nonhuman primate (NHP) monocyte-derived DCreg preloaded with cell membrane vesicles from allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells induce T cell hyporesponsiveness to donor alloantigen (alloAg) in vitro. These donor alloAg-pulsed autologous DCreg (1.4-3.6 × 106 /kg) were administered intravenously, 1 day before MHC-mismatched renal transplantation to rhesus monkeys treated with costimulation blockade (cytotoxic T lymphocyte Ag 4 immunoglobulin [CTLA4] Ig) and tapered rapamycin. Prolongation of graft median survival time from 39.5 days (no DCreg infusion; n = 6 historical controls) and 29 days with control unpulsed DCreg (n = 2), to 56 days with donor Ag-pulsed DCreg (n = 5) was associated with evidence of modulated host CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses to donor Ag and attenuation of systemic IL-17 production. Circulating anti-donor antibody (Ab) was not detected until CTLA4 Ig withdrawal. One monkey treated with donor Ag-pulsed DCreg rejected its graft in association with progressively elevated anti-donor Ab, 525 days posttransplant (160 days after withdrawal of immunosuppression). These findings indicate a modest but not statistically significant beneficial effect of donor Ag-pulsed autologous DCreg infusion on NHP graft survival when administered with a minimal immunosuppressive drug regimen.
Subject(s)
Dendritic Cells/immunology , Graft Survival/immunology , Isoantigens/immunology , Kidney Failure, Chronic/surgery , Kidney Transplantation , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Tissue Donors , Animals , Leukocytes, Mononuclear , Macaca mulatta , Male , Transplantation Tolerance , Transplantation, HomologousABSTRACT
Regulatory CD4+ Foxp3+ T cells (Tregs) are critical in controlling immunity and tolerance. Thus, preserving Treg numbers and function in transplanted patients is essential for the successful minimization of maintenance immunosuppression. Multiple cellular signals control the development, differentiation, and function of Tregs. Many of these signals are shared with conventional Foxp3- T cells (Tconv) and are targeted by immunosuppressive drugs, negatively affecting both Tregs and Tconv. Because intracellular signals vary in optimal intensity in different T cell subsets, improved specificity in immunosuppressive regimens must occur to benefit long-term transplant outcomes. In this regard, recent advances are gradually uncovering differences in the signals required in Tregs and Tconv biology, opening the door to new potential therapeutic approaches to either enhance or spare Tregs. In this review, we will explain the prominent cell signaling pathways critical for Treg maintenance and function, while reporting the effects of immunosuppressive drugs targeting these signaling pathways in clinical transplantation settings.
Subject(s)
Graft Rejection/immunology , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Kidney Transplantation , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Animals , Graft Rejection/drug therapy , Humans , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/drug effectsABSTRACT
Cell damage and death releases alarmins, self-derived immunomodulatory molecules that recruit and activate the immune system. Unfortunately, numerous processes critical to the transplantation of allogeneic materials result in the destruction of donor and recipient cells and may trigger alarmin release. Alarmins, often described as damage-associated molecular patterns, together with exogenous pathogen-associated molecular patterns, are potent orchestrators of immune responses; however, the precise role that alarmins play in alloimmune responses remains relatively undefined. We examined evolving concepts regarding how alarmins affect solid organ and allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation outcomes and the mechanisms by which self molecules are released. We describe how, once released, alarmins may act alone or in conjunction with nonself materials to contribute to cytokine networks controlling alloimmune responses and their intensity. It is becoming recognized that this class of molecules has pleotropic functions, and certain alarmins can promote both inflammatory and regulatory responses in transplant models. Emerging evidence indicates that alarmins and their receptors may be promising transplantation biomarkers. Developing the therapeutic ability to support alarmin regulatory mechanisms and the predictive value of alarmin pathway biomarkers for early intervention may provide opportunities to benefit graft recipients.
Subject(s)
Alarmins/metabolism , Graft vs Host Disease/immunology , Receptors, Immunologic/metabolism , Animals , Humans , Transplantation, HomologousABSTRACT
Natural killer (NK) cells are key components of the innate immune system. In murine cardiac transplant models, donor-specific antibodies (DSA), in concert with NK cells, are sufficient to inflict chronic allograft vasculopathy independently of T and B cells. In this study, we aimed to determine the effector mechanism(s) required by NK cells to trigger chronic allograft vasculopathy during antibody-mediated rejection. Specifically, we tested the relative contribution of the proinflammatory cytokine interferon gamma (IFN-γ) versus the contact-dependent cytotoxic mediators of perforin and the CD95/CD95L (Fas/Fas ligand [FasL]) pathway for triggering these lesions. C3H/HeJ cardiac allografts were transplanted into immune-deficient C57BL/6 rag-/- γc-/- recipients, who also received monoclonal anti-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I DSA. The combination of DSA and wild-type NK cell transfer triggered aggressive chronic allograft vasculopathy. However, transfer of IFN-γ-deficient NK cells or host IFN-γ neutralization led to amelioration of these lesions. Use of either perforin-deficient NK cells or CD95 (Fas)-deficient donors alone did not alter development of vasculopathy, but simultaneous disruption of NK cell-derived perforin and allograft Fas expression resulted in prevention of these abnormalities. Therefore, both NK cell IFN-γ production and contact-dependent cytotoxic activity are rate-limiting effector pathways that contribute to this form of antibody-induced chronic allograft vasculopathy.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Graft Rejection/immunology , Heart Transplantation , Interferon-gamma/metabolism , Killer Cells, Natural/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology , Animals , Cytokines/metabolism , Fas Ligand Protein/immunology , Female , Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/metabolism , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred C3H , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Perforin/immunology , Transplantation, Homologous , fas Receptor/immunologyABSTRACT
Transforming growth factor ß1 (TGFß1) plays a key role in T cell homeostasis and peripheral tolerance. We evaluated the influence of a novel human mutant TGFß1/Fc (human IgG4 Fc) fusion protein on memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cell (Tmem) responses in vitro and their recovery following antithymocyte globulin (ATG)-mediated lymphodepletion in monkeys. TGFß1/Fc induced Smad2/3 protein phosphorylation in rhesus and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and augmented the suppressive effect of rapamycin on rhesus Tmem proliferation after either alloactivation or anti-CD3/CD28 stimulation. In combination with IL-2, the incidence of CD4+ CD25hi Foxp3hi regulatory T cells (Treg) and Treg:Th17 ratios were increased. In lymphodepleted monkeys, whole blood trough levels of infused TGFß1/Fc were maintained between 2 and 7 µg/mL for 35 days. Following ATG administration, total T cell numbers were reduced markedly. In those given TGFß1/Fc infusion, CD8+ T cell recovery to predepletion levels was delayed compared to controls. Additionally, numbers of CD4+ CD25hi CD127lo Treg increased at 4-6 weeks after depletion but subsequently declined to predepletion levels by 12 weeks. In all monkeys, CD4+ CD25hi Foxp3hi Treg/CD4+ IL-17+ cell ratios were reduced, particularly after stopping TGFß1/Fc infusion. Thus, human TGFß1/Fc infusion may delay Tmem recovery following lymphodepletion in nonhuman primates. Combined (low-dose) IL-2 infusion may be required to improve the Treg:Th17 ratio following lymphodepletion.
Subject(s)
Homeostasis/immunology , Immunologic Memory/immunology , Lymphocyte Depletion/adverse effects , Receptors, Fc/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism , Animals , Humans , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology , Macaca mulatta , Male , Receptors, Fc/genetics , Transforming Growth Factor beta1/geneticsABSTRACT
The ability of regulatory T cells (Treg) to prolong allograft survival and promote transplant tolerance in lymphodepleted rodents is well established. Few studies, however, have addressed the therapeutic potential of adoptively transferred, CD4(+) CD25(+) CD127(-) Foxp3(+) (Treg) in clinically relevant large animal models. We infused ex vivo-expanded, functionally stable, nonselected Treg (up to a maximum cumulative dose of 1.87 billion cells) into antithymocyte globulin-lymphodepleted, MHC-mismatched cynomolgus monkey heart graft recipients before homeostatic recovery of effector T cells. The monkeys also received tacrolimus, anti-interleukin-6 receptor monoclonal antibodies and tapered rapamycin maintenance therapy. Treg administration in single or multiple doses during the early postsurgical period (up to 1 month posttransplantation), when host T cells were profoundly depleted, resulted in inferior graft function compared with controls. This was accompanied by increased incidences of effector memory T cells, enhanced interferon-γ production by host CD8(+) T cells, elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and antidonor alloantibodies. The findings caution against infusion of Treg during the early posttransplantation period after lymphodepletion. Despite marked but transient increases in Treg relative to endogenous effector T cells and use of reputed "Treg-friendly" agents, the host environment/immune effector mechanisms instigated under these conditions can perturb rather than favor the potential therapeutic efficacy of adoptively transferred Treg.
Subject(s)
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Graft Rejection/immunology , Heart Transplantation , Immunologic Memory/immunology , Isoantibodies/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Transplantation Tolerance/immunology , Adoptive Transfer , Allografts , Animals , Graft Survival , Lymphocyte Depletion , Macaca fascicularisABSTRACT
Increasing evidence from small animal models shows that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) can play a crucial role in inhibiting allograft rejection and promoting transplant tolerance. We identified CD3(-)CD20(-)HLA-DR(-)CD14(+)CD33(+)CD11b(+) cells in peripheral blood of healthy rhesus macaques. These putative monocytic MDSCs constituted 2.1% ± 1.7% of lin(-)HLA-DR(-) peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Administration of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF) and granulocyte CSF increased their incidence to 5.3% ± 3.4%. The total number of MDSCs that could be flow sorted from a single whole rhesus leukapheresis product was 38 ± 13 × 10(6) (n = 10 monkeys). Freshly isolated or cryopreserved MDSCs from mobilized monkeys incorporated in cultures of anti-CD3- and anti-CD28-stimulated autologous T cells markedly suppressed CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell proliferation and cytokine secretion (interferon γ, IL-17A). Moreover, these MDSCs enhanced CD4(+)CD25(hi)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cell (Treg) expansion while inhibiting proliferation of activated memory T cells and increasing Treg relative to effector and terminally differentiated memory T cells. Inhibition of arginase-1, but not inducible nitric oxide synthase activity, partially reversed the inhibitory effect of the MDSCs on CD8(+) T cell proliferation. Consequently, functional MDSCs can be isolated from nonhuman primates for prospective use as therapeutic cellular vaccines in transplantation.
Subject(s)
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Monocytes/immunology , Myeloid Cells/immunology , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology , Animals , Arginase/metabolism , CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Cell Proliferation , Cytokines/metabolism , Feasibility Studies , Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/metabolism , Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/metabolism , Humans , Leukapheresis , Lymphocyte Activation , Macaca mulatta , Male , Monocytes/metabolism , Myeloid Cells/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/metabolismABSTRACT
T cell suppression prevents acute cellular rejection but causes life-threatening infections and malignancies. Previously, liver transplant (LTx) rejection in children was associated with the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs9296068 upstream of the HLA-DOA gene. HLA-DOA inhibits B cell presentation of antigen, a potentially novel antirejection drug target. Using archived samples from 122 white pediatric LTx patients (including 77 described previously), we confirmed the association between rs9296068 and LTx rejection (p = 0.001, odds ratio [OR] 2.55). Next-generation sequencing revealed that the putative transcription factor (CCCTC binding factor [CTCF]) binding SNP locus rs2395304, in linkage disequilibrium with rs9296068 (D' 0.578, r(2) = 0.4), is also associated with LTx rejection (p = 0.008, OR 2.34). Furthermore, LTx rejection is associated with enhanced B cell presentation of donor antigen relative to HLA-nonidentical antigen in a novel cell-based assay and with a downregulated HLA-DOA gene in a subset of these children. In lymphoblastoid B (Raji) cells, rs2395304 coimmunoprecipitates with CTCF, and CTCF knockdown with morpholino antisense oligonucleotides enhances alloantigen presentation and downregulates the HLA-DOA gene, reproducing observations made with HLA-DOA knockdown and clinical rejection. Alloantigen presentation is suppressed by inhibitors of methylation and histone deacetylation, reproducing observations made during resolution of rejection. Enhanced donor antigen presentation by B cells and its epigenetic dysregulation via the HLA-DOA gene represent novel opportunities for surveillance and treatment of transplant rejection.
Subject(s)
Antigen Presentation/immunology , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , Epigenomics , Graft Rejection/etiology , HLA Antigens/genetics , Isoantigens/immunology , Liver Transplantation/adverse effects , Blotting, Western , Cells, Cultured , Child , Chromatin Immunoprecipitation , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Genotype , Graft Rejection/pathology , Graft Survival , Humans , Immunoenzyme Techniques , Liver Diseases/surgery , Male , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Postoperative Complications , Prognosis , Prospective Studies , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Risk Factors , Tissue DonorsABSTRACT
Increasing evidence indicates the existence of a complex cross-regulation between the most important biosensors of the human body: The immune and nervous systems. Cytokines control body temperature and trigger autoimmune disorders in the central nervous system, whereas neuropeptides released in peripheral tissues and lymphoid organs modulate inflammatory (innate) and adaptive immune responses. Surprisingly, the effects of nerve fibers and the antidromic release of its pro-inflammatory neuropeptides on the leukocytes of the immune system that mediate graft rejection are practically unknown. In the transplantation field, such area of research remains practically unexplored. A recent study by Riol-Blanco et al has revealed new details on how nociceptive nerves regulate the pro-inflammatory function of leukocytes in peripheral tissues. Although the mechanism(s) by which neuroinflammation affects the immune response against the allograft remains unknown, recent data suggest that this new area of research is worth exploring for potential development of novel complementary therapies for prevention/treatment of graft rejection.