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BackgroundDendritic cell (DC)-mediated antigen presentation is essential for the priming and activation of tumor-specific T cells. However,few drugs that specifically manipulate DC functions are available. The identification of drugs targeting DC holds great promise for cancer immunotherapy.MethodsWe observed that type 1 conventional DCs (cDC1s) initiated a distinct transcriptional program during antigen presentation. We used a network-based approach to screen for cDC1-targeting therapeutics. The antitumor potency and underlying mechanisms of the candidate drug were investigated in vitro and in vivo.ResultsSitagliptin,an oral gliptin widely used for type 2 diabetes,was identified as a drug that targets DCs. In mouse models,sitagliptin inhibited tumor growth by enhancing cDC1-mediated antigen presentation,leading to better T-cell activation. Mechanistically,inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) by sitagliptin prevented the truncation and degradation of chemokines/cytokines that are important for DC activation. Sitagliptin enhanced cancer immunotherapy by facilitating the priming of antigen-specific T cells by DCs. In humans,the use of sitagliptin correlated with a lower risk of tumor recurrence in patients with colorectal cancer undergoing curative surgery.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that sitagliptin-mediated DPP4 inhibition promotes antitumor immune response by augmenting cDC1 functions. These data suggest that sitagliptin can be repurposed as an antitumor drug targeting DC,which provides a potential strategy for cancer immunotherapy. View Publication

AbstractT cells in the human female genital tract (FGT) are key mediators of susceptibility to and protection from infection,including HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. There is a critical need for increased understanding of the distribution and activation of T cell populations in the FGT,but current sampling methods require a healthcare provider and are expensive,limiting the ability to study these populations longitudinally. To address these challenges,we have developed a method to sample immune cells from the FGT utilizing disposable menstrual discs which are noninvasive,self-applied,and low in cost. To demonstrate reproducibility,we sampled the cervicovaginal fluid of healthy,reproductive-aged individuals using menstrual discs across 3 sequential days. Cervicovaginal fluid was processed for cervicovaginal cells,and high-parameter flow cytometry was used to characterize immune populations. We identified large numbers of live,CD45+ leukocytes,as well as distinct populations of T cells and B cells. Within the T cell compartment,activation and suppression status of T cell subsets were consistent with previous studies of the FGT utilizing current approaches,including identification of both tissue-resident and migratory populations. In addition,the T cell population structure was highly conserved across days within individuals but divergent across individuals. Our approach to sample immune cells in the FGT with menstrual discs will decrease barriers to participation and empower longitudinal sampling in future research studies. View Publication

In sub-Saharan Africa,multidrug-resistant non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars are a common cause of fatal bloodstream infection. Malnutrition is a predisposing factor,but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here we show that vitamin A deficiency,one of the most prevalent micronutrient deficits afflicting African children,increases susceptibility to disseminated non-typhoidal Salmonella disease in mice and impairs terminal neutrophil maturation. Immature neutrophils had reduced expression of Slc11a1,a gene that encodes a metal ion transporter generally thought to restrict pathogen growth in macrophages. Adoptive transfer of SLC11A1-proficient neutrophils,but not SLC11A1-deficient neutrophils,reduced systemic Salmonella burden in Slc11a1−/− mice or mice with vitamin A deficiency. Loss of terminal granulopoiesis regulator CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein ϵ (C/EBPϵ) also decreased neutrophil-mediated control of Salmonella,but not that mediated by peritoneal macrophages. Susceptibility to infection increased in Cebpe−/− Slc11a1+/+ mice compared with wild-type controls,in an Slc11a1-expression-dependent manner. These data suggest that SLC11A1 deficiency impairs Salmonella control in part by blunting neutrophil-mediated defence. Vitamin A deficiency exacerbates invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella infection in mice,revealing a restrictive role for SLC11A1 in neutrophils. View Publication

Ex vivo cellular system that accurately replicates sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia characteristics is a highly sought-after goal in the field of erythroid biology. In this study,we present the generation of erythroid progenitor lines with sickle cell disease and β-thalassemia mutation using CRISPR/Cas9. The disease cellular models exhibit similar differentiation profiles,globin expression and proteome dynamics as patient-derived hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Additionally,these cellular models recapitulate pathological conditions associated with both the diseases. Hydroxyurea and pomalidomide treatment enhanced fetal hemoglobin levels. Notably,we introduce a therapeutic strategy for the above diseases by recapitulating the HPFH3 genotype,which reactivates fetal hemoglobin levels and rescues the disease phenotypes,thus making these lines a valuable platform for studying and developing new therapeutic strategies. Altogether,we demonstrate our disease cellular systems are physiologically relevant and could prove to be indispensable tools for disease modeling,drug screenings and cell and gene therapy-based applications. Sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia (BT) are globally prevalent inherited blood disorders but,despite extensive research,no ex vivo system exists for SCD and BT. Here,the authors generate pathophysiologically relevant erythroid progenitor models of SCD and BT. View Publication

BackgroundStreptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus,GAS) causes a variety of diseases ranging from mild superficial infections of the throat and skin to severe invasive infections,such as necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs). Tissue passage of GAS often results in mutations within the genes encoding for control of virulence (Cov)R/S two component system leading to a hyper-virulent phenotype. Dendritic cells (DCs) are innate immune sentinels specialized in antigen uptake and subsequent T cell priming. This study aimed to analyze cytokine release by DCs and other cells of monocytic origin in response to wild-type and natural covR/S mutant infections.MethodsHuman primary monocyte-derived (mo)DCs were used. DC maturation and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to infections with wild-type and covR/S mutants were assessed via flow cytometry. Global proteome changes were assessed via mass spectrometry. As a proof-of-principle,cytokine release by human primary monocytes and macrophages was determined.ResultsIn vitro infections of moDCs and other monocytic cells with natural GAS covR/S mutants resulted in reduced secretion of IL-8 and IL-18 as compared to wild-type infections. In contrast,moDC maturation remained unaffected. Inhibition of caspase-8 restored secretion of both molecules. Knock-out of streptolysin O in GAS strain with unaffected CovR/S even further elevated the IL-18 secretion by moDCs. Of 67 fully sequenced NSTI GAS isolates,28 harbored mutations resulting in dysfunctional CovR/S. However,analyses of plasma IL-8 and IL-18 levels did not correlate with presence or absence of such mutations.ConclusionsOur data demonstrate that strains,which harbor covR/S mutations,interfere with IL-18 and IL-8 responses in monocytic cells by utilizing the caspase-8 axis. Future experiments aim to identify the underlying mechanism and consequences for NSTI patients.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12929-024-01014-9. View Publication

Although FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) depend on IL-2 produced by other cells for their survival and function,the levels of IL-2 in inflamed tissue are low,making it unclear how Treg access this critical resource. Here,we show that Treg use heparanase (HPSE) to access IL-2 sequestered by heparan sulfate (HS) within the extracellular matrix (ECM) of inflamed central nervous system tissue. HPSE expression distinguishes human and murine Treg from conventional T cells and is regulated by the availability of IL-2. HPSE-/- Treg have impaired stability and function in vivo,including in the experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model of multiple sclerosis. Conversely,endowing monoclonal antibody-directed chimeric antigen receptor (mAbCAR) Treg with HPSE enhances their ability to access HS-sequestered IL-2 and their ability to suppress neuroinflammation in vivo. Together,these data identify a role for HPSE and the ECM in immune tolerance,providing new avenues for improving Treg-based therapy of autoimmunity. Regulatory T cell (Treg) maintenance and function require IL-2,yet this cytokine is only present in low levels in vivo. In this study,the authors demonstrate that that Treg use heparanase to access IL-2 bound to heparan sulfate proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix of inflamed brain tissue in mice. View Publication

AbstractBackgroundAcute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) arises from the imbalance of host T cells. Galectin‐9 negatively regulates CD4 effector T cell (Th1 and Th17) function by binding to Tim‐3. However,the relationship between Galectin‐9/Tim‐3 and CD4+ T subsets in patients with aGVHD after Haplo‐HSCT (haploidentical peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation) has not been fully elucidated. Here,we investigated the role of Galectin‐9 and CD4+T subsets in aGVHD after haplo‐HSCT.MethodsForty‐two patients underwent Haplo‐HSCT (26 without aGVHD and 16 with aGVHD),and 20 healthy controls were included. The concentrations of Galectin‐9,interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ),interleukin (IL)‐4,transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β,and IL‐17 in the serum and culture supernatant were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay or cytometric bead array. The expression levels of Galectin‐9,PI3K,p‐PI3K,and p‐mTOR protein were detected by western blot analysis. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the proportions of CD4+ T cell subsets. Bioinformatics analysis was performed.ResultsIn patients with aGVHD,regulatory T (Treg) cells and Galectin‐9 decreased,and the Th1,Th17,and Treg cells were significantly imbalanced. Moreover,Treg and Galectin‐9 were rapidly reconstituted in the early stage of patients without aGVHD after Haplo‐HSCT,but Th17 cells were reconstituted slowly. Furthermore,Tim‐3 upregulation on Th17 and Th1 cells was associated with excessive activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway in patients with aGVHD. Specifically,in vitro treatment with Galectin‐9 reduced IFN‐γ and IL‐17 production while augmenting TGF‐β secretion. Bioinformatics analysis suggested the potential involvement of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in aGVHD. Mechanistically,exogenous Galectin‐9 was found to mitigate aGVHD by restoring the Treg/Teffs (effector T cells) balance and suppressing PI3K.ConclusionGalectin‐9 may ameliorate aGVHD after haplo‐HSCT by modulating Treg/Teffs balance and regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Targeting Galectin‐9 may hold potential value for the treatment of aGVHD. In patients with acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD),the expression of Tim‐3 is significantly increased. Galectin‐9 binding to Tim‐3 may inhibit the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and enhance the function of Treg cells. On the other hand,transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β promotes the differentiation of Treg cells through autocrine secretion,while TGF‐β induces the expression of Galectin‐9 in a paracrine manner. The increased Treg cells can inhibit the activation of Th1 and Th17 cells by secreting TGF‐β,thus alleviating aGVHD and inducing immune tolerance View Publication

BackgroundSevere peripheral nerve damage always requires surgical treatment. Autologous nerve transplantation is a standard treatment,but it is not sufficient due to length limitations and extended surgical time. Even with the available artificial nerves,there is still large room for improvement in their therapeutic effects. Novel treatments for peripheral nerve injury are greatly expected.MethodsUsing a specialized microfluidic device,we generated artificial neurite bundles from human iPSC-derived motor and sensory nerve organoids. We developed a new technology to isolate cell-free neurite bundles from spheroids. Transplantation therapy was carried out for large nerve defects in rat sciatic nerve with novel artificial nerve conduit filled with lineally assembled sets of human neurite bundles. Quantitative comparisons were performed over time to search for the artificial nerve with the therapeutic effect,evaluating the recovery of motor and sensory functions and histological regeneration. In addition,a multidimensional unbiased gene expression profiling was carried out by using next-generation sequencing.ResultAfter transplantation,the neurite bundle-derived artificial nerves exerted significant therapeutic effects,both functionally and histologically. Remarkably,therapeutic efficacy was achieved without immunosuppression,even in xenotransplantation. Transplanted neurite bundles fully dissolved after several weeks,with no tumor formation or cell proliferation,confirming their biosafety. Posttransplant gene expression analysis highlighted the immune system’s role in recovery.ConclusionThe combination of newly developed microfluidic devices and iPSC technology enables the preparation of artificial nerves from organoid-derived neurite bundles in advance for future treatment of peripheral nerve injury patients. A promising,safe,and effective peripheral nerve treatment is now ready for clinical application.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41232-024-00319-4. View Publication

Staphylococcus aureus is a notorious human pathogen that thrives in macrophages. It resides in mature phagolysosomes,where a subset of the bacteria eventually begin to proliferate. How S. aureus acquires essential nutrients,such as amino acids,for growth in this niche is poorly understood. Using a long-term primary human macrophage infection model,we show that branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) uptake mediated by the major transporter BrnQ1 is required by S. aureus for intracellular replication in macrophages and we provide mechanistic insight into the role of BCAAs in the success of intracellular S. aureus. Loss of BrnQ1 function renders intracellular S. aureus non-replicative and non-cytotoxic. The defective intracellular growth of S. aureus brnQ1 mutants can be rescued by supplementation with BCAAs or by overexpression of the BCAA transporters BrnQ1 or BcaP. Inactivation of the CodY repressor rescues the ability of S. aureus brnQ1 mutants to proliferate intracellularly independent of endogenous BCAA synthesis but dependent on BcaP expression. Non-replicating brnQ1 mutants in primary human macrophages become metabolically quiescent and display aberrant gene expression marked by failure to respond to intraphagosomal iron starvation. The bacteria remain,however,viable for an inordinate length of time. This dormant,yet viable bacterial state is distinct from classical persisters and small colony variants. Author summaryStaphylococcus aureus is a prominent human pathogen causing acute and chronic disease. It is facultatively intracellular and can reside within many host cell types,including professional phagocytes such as macrophages. The intracellular state contributes to dissemination,recurrence and infection chronicity. Chronic and relapsing infections are often associated with so-called persister phenotypes. Growth arrest and metabolic quiescence,accompanied by antibiotic tolerance,are hallmarks of persistence in bacteria. Antibiotic pressure is a major factor in triggering intracellular persistence. The small colony variant (SCV),an extensively studied form of S. aureus persister,can arise in the absence of antibiotic pressure and exhibits very distinctive phenotypic characteristics.Here,we describe a different growth-arrested state of S. aureus,which conforms to the definition of a non-antibiotic-driven form of intracellular dormancy,triggered by branched-chain amino acid starvation in macrophages. We show that loss of function of the major branched-chain amino acid transporter BrnQ1 renders intracellular S. aureus non-replicative and metabolically quiescent for an inordinate period of time. Upon stochastic exit from infected macrophages,brnQ1 mutants retain full virulence. This dormancy differs from classical persistence or SCVs and uncovers an underestimated role for BCAA uptake in the success of intracellular S. aureus. View Publication

SummaryInterleukin-33 (IL-33) is an immunoregulatory cytokine that moderately suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE),a murine model of multiple sclerosis (MS). However,poor pharmacokinetics and toxicity hinder its clinical translation. To address these limitations,we develop an activity-attenuated IL-33 by recombinant fusion to serum albumin (SA). SA-IL-33 exhibits reduced toxicity and prolonged residence in the secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs),sites of T cell priming in autoimmunity,compared to wild-type (WT) IL-33. Prophylactic SA-IL-33 administration prevents EAE with superior efficacy to WT IL-33 and comparable efficacy to fingolimod (FTY720),a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved MS drug. Therapeutic SA-IL-33 treatment also reduces disease severity in both chronic and relapsing-remitting EAE. SA-IL-33 modulates immunity in EAE by suppressing CD45+ cell infiltration (including myelin-reactive T helper 17 [TH17] cells) in the spinal cord,while expanding type 2 immune cells (including type 2 innate lymphoid cells [ILC2s],ST2+ regulatory T cells [Tregs],T helper 2 [TH2] cells,and M2-polarized macrophages) in the SLOs. These findings suggest that SA-IL-33 is a promising therapeutic for neuroinflammatory diseases. Graphical abstract Highlights•Fusion of serum albumin (SA) to interleukin-33 (IL-33) attenuates its activity and toxicity•Engineered SA-IL-33 exhibits prolonged residence in the secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs)•SA-IL-33 treatment both prevents the onset of and reduces established neuroinflammation in mice•Cytokine therapy suppresses TH17 cells in the CNS and promotes immunoregulation in the SLOs The clinical utility of interleukin-33 is hindered by poor pharmacokinetics and toxicity. Budina et al. develop a fusion of serum albumin and interleukin-33 (SA-IL-33) with reduced toxicity and prolonged lymph node residence. SA-IL-33 prevents the onset of and suppresses established inflammation-mediated paralysis in mice,demonstrating promise as a therapeutic for neuroinflammatory diseases. View Publication

SummaryAlthough chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells have demonstrated therapeutic activity in hematopoietic malignancies,tumor heterogeneity has impeded the efficacy of CAR T cells and their extension into successful solid tumor treatment. To address these challenges,induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived T (iT) cells are engineered to uniformly express CAR and T cell receptor (TCR),enabling targeting of both surface and intracellular antigens,respectively,along with a high-affinity,non-cleavable variant of CD16a (hnCD16) to support antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) when combined with therapeutic antibodies. Co-expression of each antitumor strategy on engineered iT cells enables independent and antigen-specific targeting across a diverse set of liquid and solid tumors. In heterogeneous tumor models,coactivation of these modalities is required for measurable antitumor efficacy,with activation of all three modalities displaying maximal efficacy. These data highlight the therapeutic potential of an off-the-shelf engineered iPSC-derived trimodal T cell expressing CAR,TCR,and hnCD16 to combat difficult-to-treat heterogeneous tumors. Graphical abstract Highlights•CAR,TCR,and hnCD16 can be uniformly co-expressed and can function in iT cells•hnCD16 signals through CD3ζ and arms iT cells with targeting flexibility through ADCC•Concurring CAR,TCR,and hnCD16 activation demonstrates a cooperative effect•Multi-targeting with trimodal iT cells can control heterogeneous tumors in vivo Yang et al. show that (1) trimodal iPSC cells expressing CAR,TCR,and hnCD16 can commit to T cell lineage,(2) hnCD16 signals through CD3ζ in iT cells and arms iT cells with ADCC targeting flexibility,and (3) trimodal iT cells control antigen-heterogeneous tumors in vivo through multi-modal targeting. View Publication

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. The combination of biomarkers is crucial for AD diagnosis. The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2),a receptor expressed on microglia,is important in AD pathogenesis. Impairment of TREM2 function aggravates the toxic effects of amyloid plaques,and its activation has been shown to reduce Aβ burden and memory deficits. Increased levels of soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) in blood and cerebrospinal fluid is associated with AD. Therefore,TREM2 could serve as a non-invasive biomarker for AD. In this study,we developed a preclinical immunoassay to detect TREM2 for AD diagnosis. Highly sensitive and specific TREM2 antibodies were produced using the hybridoma technique. The three optimized immunoassays exhibited lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) of 0.474,0.807,and 0.415 ng/mL,respectively. These preclinical immunoassays showed high sensitivity and specificity. The sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) could potentially be used for AD diagnosis. View Publication