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BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multiple-organ disease characterized by vascular damage,autoimmunity,and tissue fibrosis. Organ injuries such as interstitial lung diseases (ILD),resulting from inflammatory and fibrosis processes,lead to poor prognosis. Although autoantibodies are detected in the serum of patients with SSc,the mechanisms by which immune cells are involved in tissue inflammation and fibrosis is not fully understood. Recent studies have revealed carcinoembryonic antigen related cell adhesion molecule (CEACAM)-positive monocytes are involved in murine bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. We investigated CEACAM-positive monocytes in patients with SSc to clarify the role of monocytes in the pathogenesis of SSc. METHODS The proportion of of CEACAM-positive classical monocytes in healthy controls (HCs) and patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and SSc was evaluated using flow cytometry. The correlation between the proportion of CEACAM-positive monocytes and clinical parameters was analyzed in patients with SSc. Gene expression microarrays were performed in CEACAM-positive and negative monocytes in patients with SSc. Infiltration of CEACAM-positive monocytes into scleroderma skin was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS The proportion of CEACAM-positive classical monocytes was increased in patients with early SSc within 2 years after diagnosis,which positively correlated with ESR,serum IgG,and serum KL-6 and negatively correlated with %forced vital capacity. The percentage of CEACAM-positive monocytes decreased after immunosuppressive therapy. CEACAM6-positive cells among classical monocytes were significantly increased in patients with SSc compared with HCs and patients with rheumatoid arthritis. SSc serum induced CEACAM6 expression on monocytes from HCs. Functionally,CEACAM-positive monocytes produced higher levels of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-1$\beta$ compared to CEACAM-negative cells and showed activation of the NF-$\kappa$B pathway. Furthermore,CEACAM6-positive monocytes infiltrated the dermis of SSc. CONCLUSIONS CEACAM-positive monocytes showed inflammatory phenotypes and may be involved in the tissue inflammation and fibrosis in early SSc. CEACAM-positive monocytes may be one of biomarkers to detect patients with progressive ILD,requiring therapeutic intervention. View Publication

A breakdown in cellular homeostasis is thought to drive na{\{i}}ve T cell aging however the link between na{\"{i}}ve T cell homeostasis and aging in humans is poorly understood. To better address this we developed a lymphoid organoid system that maintains resting na{\"{i}}ve T cells for more than 2 weeks in conjunction with high CD45RA expression. Deep phenotypic characterization of na{\"{i}}ve T cells across age identified reduced CD45RA density as a hallmark of aging. A conversion from CD45RAhigh naive cells to a CD45RAlow phenotype was reproduced within our organoid system by structural breakdown but not by stromal cell aging or reduced lymphocyte density and mediated by alternative CD45 splicing. Together these data suggest that external influences within the lymph node microenvironment may cause phenotypic conversion of na{\"{i}}ve T cells in older adults." View Publication

The integrated stress response (ISR) facilitates cellular adaptation to unfavorable conditions by reprogramming the cellular response. ISR activation was reported in neurological disorders and solid tumors; however,the function of ISR and its role as a possible therapeutic target in hematological malignancies still remain largely unexplored. Previously,we showed that the ISR is activated in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells and correlates with blastic transformation and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) resistance. Moreover,the ISR was additionally activated in response to imatinib as a type of protective internal signaling. Here,we show that ISR inhibition combined with imatinib treatment sensitized and more effectively eradicated leukemic cells both in vitro and in vivo compared to treatment with single agents. The combined treatment specifically inhibited the STAT5 and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathways,which are recognized as drivers of resistance. Mechanistically,this drug combination attenuated both interacting signaling networks,leading to BCR-ABL1- and ISR-dependent STAT5 activation. Consequently,leukemia engraftment in patient-derived xenograft mice bearing CD34+ TKI-resistant CML blasts carrying PTPN11 mutation responsible for hyperactivation of the RAS/RAF/MAPK and JAK/STAT5 pathways was decreased upon double treatment. This correlated with the downregulation of genes related to the RAS/RAF/MAPK,JAK/STAT5 and stress response pathways and was associated with lower expression of STAT5-target genes regulating proliferation,viability and the stress response. Collectively,these findings highlight the effect of imatinib plus ISRIB in the eradication of leukemic cells resistant to TKIs and suggest potential clinical benefits for leukemia patients with TKI resistance related to RAS/RAF/MAPK or STAT5 signaling. We propose that personalized treatment based on the genetic selection of patients carrying mutations that cause overactivation of the targeted pathways and therefore make their sensitivity to such treatment probable should be considered as a possible future direction in leukemia treatment. View Publication

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critically involved in neovascularization,an important compensatory mechanism in peripheral artery disease. The contribution of G protein coupled receptor 174 (GPR174),which is a regulator of Treg function and development,in neovascularization remains elusive. Here,we show that genetic deletion of GPR174 in Tregs potentiated blood flow recovery in mice after hindlimb ischemia. GPR174 deficiency upregulates amphiregulin (AREG) expression in Tregs,thereby enhancing endothelial cell functions and reducing pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization and endothelial cell apoptosis. Mechanically,GPR174 regulates AREG expression by inhibiting the nuclear accumulation of early growth response protein 1 (EGR1) via G$\alpha$s/cAMP/PKA signal pathway activation. Collectively,these findings demonstrate that GPR174 negatively regulates angiogenesis and vascular remodeling in response to ischemic injury and that GPR174 may be a potential molecular target for therapeutic interventions of ischemic vascular diseases. View Publication

Neutrophils are central players in the innate immune system. To protect against invading pathogens,neutrophils can externalize chromatin to create neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). While NETs are critical to host defense,they also have deleterious effects,and dysregulation of NETs formation has been implicated in autoimmune diseases,atherosclerosis and thrombotic conditions,cancer progression and dissemination,and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Here,we report that selinexor,a first-in-class selective inhibitor of nuclear export approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma,markedly suppressed the release of NETs in vitro. Furthermore,we demonstrate a significant inhibitory effect of selinexor on NETs formation,but not on oxidative burst or enzymatic activities central to NETs release such as neutrophil elastase,myeloperoxidase or peptidyl arginine deiminase type IV. The inhibitory effect of selinexor was demonstrated in neutrophils activated by a variety of NETs-inducers,including PMA,TGF-$\beta$,TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-8. Maximal inhibition of NETs formation was observed using TGF-$\beta$,for which selinexor inhibited NETs release by 61.6%. These findings pave the way to the potential use of selinexor in an effort to reduce disease burden by inhibition of NETs. View Publication

BACKGROUND There is considerable evidence that epigenetic mechanisms and DNA methylation are critical drivers of immune cell lineage differentiation and activation. However,there has been limited coordinated investigation of common epigenetic pathways among cell lineages. Further,it remains unclear if long-lived memory cell subtypes differentiate distinctly by cell lineages. RESULTS We used the Illumina EPIC array to investigate the consistency of DNA methylation in B cell,CD4 T,and CD8 T na{\{i}}ve and memory cells states. In the process of na{\"{i}}ve to memory activation across the three lineages we identify considerable shared epigenetic regulation at the DNA level for immune memory generation. Further in central to effector memory differentiation our analyses revealed specific CpG dinucleotides and genes in CD4 T and CD8 T cells with DNA methylation changes. Finally we identified unique DNA methylation patterns in terminally differentiated effector memory (TEMRA) CD8 T cells compared to other CD8 T memory cell subtypes. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that epigenetic alterations are widespread and essential in generating human lymphocyte memory. Unique profiles are involved in methylation changes that accompany memory genesis in the three subtypes of lymphocytes." View Publication

BACKGROUND Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetic disorder characterized by recurrent airway infection and inflammation. There is no cure for PCD and to date there are no specific treatments available. Neutrophils are a crucial part of the immune system and are known to be dysfunctional in many inflammatory diseases. So far,the role of the neutrophils in PCD airways is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the phenotype and function of airway neutrophils in PCD,and compare them to blood neutrophils. METHODS Paired peripheral blood and spontaneously expectorated sputum samples from patients with PCD (n??=??32) and a control group of patients with non-PCD,non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (n??=??5) were collected. The expression of neutrophil-specific surface receptors was determined by flow cytometry. Neutrophil function was assessed by measuring the extent of actin polymerization,production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in response to activating stimuli. RESULTS Sputum neutrophils displayed a highly activated phenotype and were unresponsive to stimuli that would normally induce ROS production,actin polymerization and the expulsion of NETs. In addition,PCD sputum displayed high activity of neutrophil elastase,and impaired the efferocytosis by healthy donor macrophages. CONCLUSIONS Sputum neutrophils in PCD are dysfunctional and likely contribute to ongoing inflammation in PCD airways. Further research should focus on anti-inflammatory therapies and stimulation of efferocytosis as a strategy to treat PCD. View Publication

Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could protect against myocardial infarction (MI). TLR4 is reported to play an important role in MI,while microRNA-182-5p (miR-182-5p) negatively regulates TLR4 expression. Therefore,we hypothesize that MSCs-derived exosomes overexpressing miR-182-5p may have beneficial effects on MI. We generated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and overexpressed miR-182-5p in these cells for exosome isolation. H2O2-stimulated neonatal mouse ventricle myocytes (NMVMs) and MI mouse model were employed,which were subjected to exosome treatment. The expression of inflammatory factors,heart function,and TLR4 signaling pathway activation were monitored. It was found that miR-182-5p decreased TLR4 expression in BM-MSCs and NMVMs. Administration of exosomes overexpressing miR-182-5p to H2O2-stimulated NMVMs enhanced cell viability and suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines. In addition,they promoted heart function,suppressed inflammatory responses,and de-activated TLR4/NF-$\kappa$B signaling pathway in MI mice. In conclusion,miR-182-5p transferred by the exosomes derived from BM-MSCs protected against MI-induced impairments by targeting TLR4. View Publication

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) p110$\delta$ signalling negatively regulates the production of mouse IgE. However,there are disparities between the mouse and human IgE biology,and the role of PI3K p110$\delta$ in the production of human IgE is yet to be determined. To investigate the effect of PI3K p110$\delta$ inhibition in the production of human IgE we isolated human B cells from tonsil tissue and stimulated them with IL-4 and anti-CD40 antibody to induce class switching to IgE and IgG1 in the presence or absence of IC87114,a small molecule inhibitor of PI3K p110$\delta$. Using FACS,RT-PCR and ELISA we examined the effect of PI3K p110$\delta$ inhibition on IgE production and determined the mechanisms involved. Unlike in mice,we observed that PI3K p110$\delta$ inhibition significantly reduces the number of IgE+ switched cells and the amounts of secreted IgE in IL4 and anti-CD40 cultures. However,the number of IgG1+ cells and secreted IgG1 were largely unaffected by PI3K p110$\delta$ inhibition. The expression levels of AID,$\epsilon$ and $\gamma$1 germinal transcripts or other factors involved in the regulation of CSR to IgE and IgG1 were also unaffected by IC87114. However,we found that IC87114 significantly decreases the proliferation of tonsil B cells stimulated with IL-4 and anti-CD40,specifically reducing the frequency of cells that had undergone 4 divisions or more. In addition,PI3K p110$\delta$ inhibition reduced the levels of IRF4 expression in IgE+ germinal centre-like B cells leading to a block in plasma cell differentiation. In conclusion,PI3K p110$\delta$ signalling is required for the production of human IgE,which makes it a pharmacological target for the treatment of allergic disease. View Publication

BACKGROUND Posttraumatic stress disorder,a consequence of psychological trauma,is associated with increased inflammation and an elevated risk of developing comorbid inflammatory diseases. However,the mechanistic link between this mental health disorder and inflammation remains elusive. We previously found that S100a8 and S100a9 messenger RNA,genes that encode the protein calprotectin,were significantly upregulated in T lymphocytes and positively correlated with inflammatory gene expression and the mitochondrial redox environment in these cells. Therefore,we hypothesized that genetic deletion of calprotectin would attenuate the inflammatory and redox phenotype displayed after psychological trauma. METHODS We used a preclinical mouse model of posttraumatic stress disorder known as repeated social defeat stress (RSDS) combined with pharmacological and genetic manipulation of S100a9 (which functionally eliminates calprotectin). A total of 186 animals (93 control,93 RSDS) were used in these studies. RESULTS Unexpectedly,we observed worsening of behavioral pathology,inflammation,and the mitochondrial redox environment in mice after RSDS compared with wild-type animals. Furthermore,loss of calprotectin significantly enhanced the metabolic demand on T lymphocytes,suggesting that this protein may play an undescribed role in mitochondrial regulation. This was further supported by single-cell RNA sequencing analysis demonstrating that RSDS and loss of S100a9 primarily altered genes associated with mitochondrial function and oxidative phosphorylation. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that the loss of calprotectin potentiates the RSDS-induced phenotype,which suggests that its observed upregulation after psychological trauma may provide previously unexplored protective functions. View Publication

The macrophages from Crohn's Disease (CD) patients are defective to control the replication of CD-associated adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC). We aimed to identify the host factors associated with AIEC replication focusing on polymorphisms related to autophagy. Peripheral blood monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM),obtained from 95 CD patient,30 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and 15 healthy subjects,were genotyped for several CD-associated polymorphisms. AIEC bacteria survival increased within MDM from CD patients compared to UC (p = 0.0019). AIEC bacteria survival increased in patients with CD-associated polymorphism IRGM (p = 0.05) and reduced in those with CD-associated polymorphisms XBP-1 (p = 0.026) and ULK-1 (p = 0.033). AIEC infection led to an increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1$\beta$ (p {\textless} 0.0001) and TNF-$\alpha$ (p {\textless} 0.0001) in CD macrophages. ULK-1 expression increased in AIEC-infected MDM from CD patients compared to MDM from UC patients or healthy subjects (p = 0.0056) and correlated with AIEC survival (p = 0.0013). Moreover,the expression of ULK-1 phosphorylation on Serine 757 decreased following to AIEC infection (p {\textless} 0.0001). Short-term silencing of ULK-1 and IRGM genes restricted and promote,respectively,AIEC survival within MDM (p = 0.0018 and p = 0.0291). In conclusion,the macrophage defect to mediate AIEC clearance in CD patients is linked to polymorphisms related to autophagy such as IRGM and ULK-1. View Publication

INTRODUCTION Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been extensively investigated from a perspective on cardiac regeneration therapy. The current study aimed to investigate the protective effect conferred by BMSCs in subacute myocardial injury,and to identify an appropriate BMSC reinfusion time. METHODS BMSCs were isolated from human bone marrow blood. Daunorubicin (DNR)-induced subacute myocardial models were subsequently established. The rats with DNR-induced subacute myocardial injury were injected with dexrazoxane (DZR) and/or BMSCs at varying time points,after which cardiac function was evaluated by assessing left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and fraction shortening (FS). The myocardial structural changes were analyzed,after which the levels of CD3 and human leukocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR) were examined to further validate the mechanism by which BMSCs could influence subacute myocardial injury. RESULTS BMSCs combined with DZR treatment enhanced the cardiac function of rats with DNR-induced myocardial injury,as reflected by increased LVEF and FS. DNR-induced myocardial injuries were mitigated via the application of BMSCs combined with treatment of DZR,accompanied by diminished infiltration or vacuolization. Moreover,BMSCs were observed to alleviate infiltration of T lymphocyte and antigen-presenting cells,as evidenced by reduced expression of CD3 and HLA-DR. CONCLUSION Taken together,this study demonstrates that BMSCs could protect against DNR-induced myocardial injury,especially in the first three days of DNR administration. BMSCs combined with DZR exert a better therapeutic effect,but there are individual differences. View Publication