Molecular Immunology

S100A9 maintains myeloid-derived suppressor cells in chronic sepsis by inducing miR-21 and miR-181b Publication date: August 2019 Source: Molecular Immunology, Volume 112 Author(s): Tuqa Alkhateeb, Ajinkya Kumbhare, Isatou Bah, Dima Youssef, Zhi Q. Yao, Charles E. McCall, Mohamed El Gazzar Abstract Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) expand during sepsis, suppress both innate and adaptive immunity, and promote chronic immunosuppression, which characterizes the late/chronic phase of sepsis. We previously reported that the transcription factors Stat3 and C/EBPβ synergize to induces the expression of microRNA (miR)-21 and miR-181b to promote MDSC expansion in a mouse model of polymicrobial sepsis that progresses from an early/acute proinflammatory phase to a late/chronic immunosuppressive stage. We also showed that Gr1+CD11b+ cells, the precursors of MDSCs, from mice genetically deficient in the inflammatory protein S100A9 lack miR-21 or miR-181b in late sepsis, and are not immunosuppressive. In the present study, we show that S100A9 induces miR-21 and miR-181b during the late sepsis phase. We find that S100A9 associates with and stabilizes the Stat3-C/EBPβ protein complex that activates the miRNA promoters. Reconstituting Gr1+CD11b+ cells from S100A9 knockout mice with late sepsis with S100A9 protein restores the Stat3-C/EBPβ protein complex and miRNA expressions, and switches the Gr1+CD11b+ cells into the immunosuppressive, MDSC phenotype. Importantly, we find that this process requires IL-10 mediated signaling, which induces S100A9 translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus. These results demonstrate that S100A9 promotes MDSC expansion and immunosuppression in late/chronic sepsis by inducing the expression of miR-21 and miR-181b. Graphical abstract

Sequencing of VDJ genes in Lepus americanus confirms a correlation between VHn expression and the leporid species continent of origin Publication date: August 2019 Source: Molecular Immunology, Volume 112 Author(s): Ana Pinheiro, Patricia de Sousa-Pereira, Tereza Almeida, Catarina C. Ferreira, Josée-Anne Otis, Melanie R. Boudreau, Jacob L. Seguin, Dennis K. Lanning, Pedro J. Esteves Abstract Leporid VH genes used in the generation of their primary antibody repertoire exhibit highly divergent lineages. For the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) four VHa lineages have been described, the a1, a2, a3 and a4. Hares (Lepus spp.) and cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) express one VHa lineage each, the a2L and the a5, respectively, along with a more ancient lineage, the Lepus spp. sL and S. floridanus sS. Both the European rabbit and the Lepus europaeus use a third lineage, VHn, in a low proportion of their VDJ rearrangements. The VHn genes are a conserved ancestral polymorphism that is being maintained in the leporid genome.Their usage in a low proportion of VDJ rearrangements by both European rabbit and L. europaeus but not S. floridanus has been argued to be a remnant of an ancient European leporid immunologic response to pathogens. To address this hypothesis, in this study we sequenced VDJ rearranged genes for another North American leporid, L. americanus. Our results show that L. americanus expressed these genes less frequently and in a highly modified fashion compared to the European Lepus species. Our results suggest that the American leporid species use a different VH repertoire than the European species which may be related with an immune adaptation to different environmental conditions, such as different pathogenic agents.

Structural and immunological characterization of a new nucleotidyltransferase-like antigen from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis Publication date: August 2019 Source: Molecular Immunology, Volume 112 Author(s): Juliana B. Coitinho, Mariana A.F. Costa, Eliza M. Melo, Elis A. Morais, Lorena G.A. de Andrade, Aline M. da Rocha, Mariana T.Q. de Magalhães, Denize C. Favaro, Lucas Bleicher, Enio R.P. Pedroso, Alfredo M. Goes, Ronaldo A.P. Nagem Abstract Pb27 antigen is an interesting alternative to immunological diagnosis of Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) and has demonstrated to be protective in experimental PCM. Its tertiary structure and possible function remained unknown till now. To study Pb27 at the atomic level, the recombinant protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3), purified, and its three-dimensional structure was solved by X-ray crystallography. Based on this structure, we performed a residue correlation analysis and in silico ligand search assays to address a possible biological function to Pb27. We identified Pb27 as a member of the extensive nucleotidyltransferase superfamily. The protein has an αβαβαβ topology with two domains (N- and C-terminal domains) and adopts a monomeric form as its biological unit in solution. Structural comparisons with similar members of the superfamily clearly indicate Pb27 C-terminal domain is singular and may play an important role in its biological function. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that Pb27 might bind to ATP and CTP. This suggestion is corroborated by the fact that a magnesium cation is coordinated by two aspartic acid residues present at the active site (between N- and C-terminal domains), as evidenced by X-ray diffraction data. Besides, NMR assays (1H-15N HSQC spectra) confirmed the binding of CTP to Pb27, demonstrating for the first time an interaction between a nucleotide and this protein. Moreover, we evaluated the reactivity of sera from patients with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infection against the recombinant form of Pb27 and showed that it was recognized by sera from infected and treated patients. Predicted B and T cell epitopes were synthesized and further evaluated against sera of PCM patients, providing information of the most reactive peptides in Pb27 primary structure which interact with specific Pb27 antibodies.

Fish-derived low molecular weight components modify bronchial epithelial barrier properties and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines Publication date: August 2019 Source: Molecular Immunology, Volume 112 Author(s): Tanja Kalic, Isabella Ellinger, Sandip D. Kamath, Chiara Palladino, Vanessa Mayr, Angelika Tscheppe, Thimo Ruethers, Eva E. Waltl, Verena Niederberger, Nina Lengger, Christian Radauer, Christine Hafner, Andreas L. Lopata, Merima Bublin, Heimo Breiteneder Abstract The prevalence of fish allergy among fish-processing workers is higher than in the general population, possibly due to sensitization via inhalation and higher exposure. However, the response of the bronchial epithelium to fish allergens has never been explored. Parvalbumins (PVs) from bony fish are major sensitizers in fish allergy, while cartilaginous fish and their PVs are considered less allergenic. Increasing evidence demonstrates that components other than proteins from the allergen source, such as low molecular weight components smaller than 3 kDa (LMC) from pollen, may act as adjuvants during allergic sensitization. We investigated the response of bronchial epithelial cells to PVs and to LMC from Atlantic cod, a bony fish, and gummy shark, a cartilaginous fish. Polarized monolayers of the bronchial epithelial cell line 16HBE14o- were stimulated apically with fish PVs and/-or the corresponding fish LMC. Barrier integrity, transport of PVs across the monolayers and release of mediators were monitored. Intact PVs from both the bony and the cartilaginous fish were rapidly internalized by the cells and transported to the basolateral side of the monolayers. The PVs did not disrupt the epithelial barrier integrity nor did they modify the release of proinflammatory cytokines. In contrast, LMC from both fish species modified the physical and immunological properties of the epithelial barrier and the responses differed between bony and cartilaginous fish. While the barrier integrity was lowered by cod LMC 24 h after cell stimulation, it was increased by up to 2.3-fold by shark LMC. Furthermore, LMC from both fish species increased basolateral and apical release of IL-6 and IL-8, while CCL2 release was increased by cod but not by shark LMC. In summary, our study demonstrated the rapid transport of PVs across the epithelium which may result in their availability to antigen presenting cells required for allergic sensitization. Moreover, different cell responses to LMC derived from bony versus cartilaginous fish were observed, which may play a role in different allergenic potentials of these two fish classes.

Phagocytosis of live and dead Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in human whole blood is markedly reduced by combined inhibition of C5aR1 and CD14 Publication date: August 2019 Source: Molecular Immunology, Volume 112 Author(s): E.W. Skjeflo, D. Christiansen, A. Landsem, J. Stenvik, T.M. Woodruff, T. Espevik, E.W. Nielsen, T.E. Mollnes Abstract Background Sepsis is a dysregulated host response to infection. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of complement- and CD14 inhibition on phagocytosis of live and dead Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria in human whole blood. Methods Lepirudin-anticoagulated blood was incubated with live or dead E. coli or S. aureus at 37 °C for 120 min with or without the C5aR1 antagonist PMX53 and/or anti-CD14. Granulocyte and monocyte phagocytosis were measured by flow cytometry, and five plasma cytokines by multiplex, yielding a total of 28 mediators of inflammation tested for. Results 16/28 conditions were reduced by PMX53, 7/28 by anti-CD14, and 24/28 by combined PMX53 and CD14 inhibition. The effect of complement inhibition was quantitatively more pronounced, in particular for the responses to S. aureus. The effect of anti-CD14 was modest, except for a marked reduction in INF-β. The responses to live and dead S. aureus were equally inhibited, whereas the responses to live E. coli were inhibited less than those to dead E. coli. Conclusion C5aR1 inhibited phagocytosis-induced inflammation by live and dead E. coli and S. aureus. CD14 blockade potentiated the effect of C5aR1 blockade, thus attenuating inflammation.

The role of the light chain in the structure and binding activity of two cattle antibodies that neutralize bovine respiratory syncytial virus Publication date: August 2019 Source: Molecular Immunology, Volume 112 Author(s): Jingshan Ren, Joanne E. Nettleship, Gemma Harris, William Mwangi, Nahid Rhaman, Clare Grant, Abhay Kotecha, Elizabeth Fry, Bryan Charleston, David I. Stuart, John Hammond, Raymond J. Owens Abstract Cattle antibodies have unusually long CDR3 loops in their heavy chains (HCs), and limited light chain (LC) diversity, raising the question of whether these mask the effect of LC variation on antigen recognition. We have investigated the role of the LC in the structure and activity of two neutralizing cattle antibodies (B4 and B13) that bind the F protein of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (bRSV). Recombinant Fab fragments of B4 and B13 bound bRSV infected cells and showed similar affinities for purified bRSV F protein. Exchanging the LCs between the Fab fragments produced hybrid Fabs: B13* (B13 HC/B4 LC) and B4* (B4 HC/B13 LC). The affinity of B13* to the F protein was found to be two-fold lower than B13 whilst the binding affinity of B4* was reduced at least a hundred-fold compared to B4 such that it no longer bound to bRSV infected cells. Comparison of the structures of B4 and B13 with their LC exchanged counterparts B4* and B13* showed that paratope of the HC variable domain (VH) of B4 was disrupted on pairing with the B13 LC, consistent with the loss of binding activity. By contrast, B13 H3 adopts a similar conformation when paired with either B13 or B4 LCs. These observations confirm the expected key role of the extended H3 loop in antigen-binding by cattle antibodies but also show that the quaternary LC/HC subunit interaction can be crucial for its presentation and thus the LC variable domain (VL) is also important for antigen recognition. Graphical abstract

Persistent stimulation with Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen impairs the proliferation and transcriptional program of hematopoietic cells in bone marrow Publication date: August 2019 Source: Molecular Immunology, Volume 112 Author(s): Fei Li, Xun Liu, Hongxia Niu, Wei Lv, Xue Han, Yifan Zhang, Bingdong Zhu Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) persistent infection might cause the dysfunction of hematopoiesis. To investigate whether M. tuberculosis persistent antigen stimulation impairs the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells characterized as lineage− c-Kit+ (LK cells), C57BL/6 mice were primed with Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) and boosted with a cocktail of M. tuberculosis antigens ESAT6, CFP10 and Mtb10.4-HspX (MH) along with adjuvant N, N′-dimethyl-N, N′-dioctadecylammonium bromide (DDA) plus polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C) weekly for 12 or 22 weeks. The cytokine production by splenic T cells, proliferation of LK cells and transcriptional events during differentiation of bone marrow (BM) c-Kit+ cells were investigated. Meanwhile, the mice were treated with interleukin 2 (IL-2) and the therapeutic effects were analyzed. We found that antigen specific interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production by splenic CD4+ T cells increased following antigen stimulation for 12 weeks, but it declined after continuous stimulation for 22 weeks. The long-term exposure of mice to M. tuberculosis antigen compromised the proliferation of LK cells. Moreover, the expression of transcription factors in the c-Kit+ cells was adjusted, with up-regulation of IRF8 and Batf2 involved in myeloid differentiation and down-regulation of NOTCH1 and GATA2 participated in T-cell lineage commitment. The concentrations of IFN-γ in BM of the persistent antigen group were higher than that in sham control at the 12th week, while the concentrations of IL-2 in BM of the persistent antigen group were lower compared with the transient antigen stimulation control. Following IL-2 treatment, the concentrations of IL-2 in BM increased while IFN-γ got declined. IL-2 treatment could restore the expression levels of those transcription factors and the proliferating activity of LK cells impaired by persistent antigen stimulation. Our results indicate that M. tuberculosis antigen persistent stimulation decreases the proliferating activity of LK cells, promotes myelopoietic differentiation, and represses lymphopoietic differentiation as a consequence of elevated IFN-γ production. IL-2 supplementation contributes to maintaining the homeostasis of hemopoiesis. Graphical abstract

Identification of unique key genes and miRNAs in latent tuberculosis infection by network analysis Publication date: August 2019 Source: Molecular Immunology, Volume 112 Author(s): Yan Lin, Yuwei Zhang, Huiyuan Yu, Ruonan Tian, Guoqing Wang, Fan Li Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). New cases are now mainly caused by the progression of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Thus, methods to diagnose and treat LTBI are urgently needed to prevent the development of active TB in infected individuals and the subsequent spread of the disease. In this study, a systems biology approach was utilized to obtain numerous microarray data sets for mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) expressed in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of TB patients and individuals with LTBI. Within these data sets, we identified the differentially expressed mRNAs and miRNAs and further investigated which differentially expressed genes and miRNAs were uniquely expressed during LTBI. The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) was employed to analyze the functional annotations and pathway classifications of the identified genes. To further understand the unique miRNA-gene regulatory network of LTBI, we constructed a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network for the targeted genes. The PPI network included 39 genes that were differentially and uniquely expressed in PBMCs of individuals with LTBI, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these genes were predominantly involved in the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, which plays an important role in chronic inflammation. DIANA TOOLs-mirPath analysis revealed that the identified miRNAs in the miRNA–gene regulatory network for LTBI were mainly associated with the Hippo signaling pathway, which functions in the development of inflammation. Quantitative real-time PCR verified the up expression of hsa-miR-212-3p and its predicted target gene —MAPK1 which had low expression and was a major component of the PPI network, and MAPK1 expression was correlated with the clinicopathological characteristics of LTBI by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Therefore, MAPK1 has potential to be a new investigable marker during LTBI, which merits our further study and solution. The unique aberrant miRNA–gene regulatory network and the related PPI network identified in this study provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of the immune response to LTBI, and thus, may aid in the development of a novel treatment strategy.

In silico analysis of transmembrane protein 31 (TMEM31) antigen to design novel multiepitope peptide and DNA cancer vaccines against melanoma Publication date: August 2019 Source: Molecular Immunology, Volume 112 Author(s): Ashkan Safavi, Amirhosein Kefayat, Ardavan Abiri, Elham Mahdevar, Amir Hossein Behnia, Fatemeh Ghahremani Abstract Multiepitope cancer vaccines are announcing themselves as the future of melanoma treatment. Herein, high immunogenic regions of transmembrane protein 31 (TMEM31) antigen were selected according to cytotoxic T lymphocytes' (CTL) epitopes and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) binding affinity through in silico analyses. The 32–62, 77–105, and 125–165 residues of the TMEM31 were selected as the immunodominant fragments. They were linked together by RVRR and HEYGAEALERAG motifs to improve epitopes separation and presentation. In addition, to activate helper T lymphocytes (HTL), Pan HLA DR-binding epitope (PADRE) peptide sequence and tetanus toxin fragment C (TTFrC) were incorporated into the final construct. Also, the Beta-defensin conserved domain was utilized in the final construct as a novel adjuvant for Toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor (TLR4-MD) activation. The CTL epitopes, cleavage sites, post-translational modifications, TAP transport efficiency, and B cells epitopes were predicted for the peptide vaccine. The final construct contained multiple CTL and B cell epitopes. In addition, it showed 93.55% and 99.13% population coverage in the world for HLA I and HLA II, respectively. According to these preliminary results, the multiepitope cancer vaccine can be an appropriate choice for further experimental investigations.

Carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2 protects against particulate matter-induced lung inflammation by inhibiting TLR2 and 4/ROS/NLRP3 inflammasome activation Publication date: August 2019 Source: Molecular Immunology, Volume 112 Author(s): Chiang-Wen Lee, Miao-Ching Chi, Lee-Fen Hsu, Chuen-Mao Yang, Tsui-Hua Hsu, Chu-Chun Chuang, Wei-Ning Lin, Pei-Ming Chu, I-Ta Lee Abstract Exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) not only causes lung inflammation and chronic respiratory diseases, but also increases the incidence and mortality of cardiopulmonary diseases. The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation has been shown to play a critical role in the formation of many chronic disorders. On the other hand, carbon monoxide (CO) has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in many tissues and organs. Here, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of carbon monoxide releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2) on PM-induced inflammatory responses in human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (HPAEpiCs). We found that PM induced C-reactive protein (CRP) expression, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, IL-1β secretion, and caspase-1 activation, which were inhibited by pretreatment with CORM-2. In addition, transfection with siRNA of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) or TLR4 and pretreatment with an antioxidant (N-acetyl-cysteine, NAC), the inhibitor of NADPH oxidase (diphenyleneiodonium, DPI), or a mitochondria-specific superoxide scavenger (MitoTEMPO) reduced PM-induced inflammatory responses. CORM-2 also inhibited PM-induced NADPH oxidase activity and NADPH oxidase- and mitochondria-derived ROS generation. However, pretreatment with inactivate CORM-2 (iCORM-2) had no effects on PM-induced inflammatory responses. Finally, we showed that CORM-2 inhibited PM-induced CRP, NLRP3 inflammasome, and ASC protein expression in the lung tissues of mice and IL-1β levels in the serum of mice. PM-enhanced leukocyte count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in mice was reduced by CORM-2. The results of this study suggested a protective role of CORM-2 in PM-induced lung inflammation by inhibiting the TLR2 and TLR4/ROS-NLRP3 inflammasome-CRP axial. Graphical abstract

Alexandros Sfakianakis
Anapafseos 5 . Agios Nikolaos
Crete.Greece.72100
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6948891480

alsfakia@gmail.com