技术资料

Germinal center (GC) formation,which is an integrant part of humoral immunity,involves energy-consuming metabolic reprogramming. Rag-GTPases are known to signal amino acid availability to cellular pathways that regulate nutrient distribution such as the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway and the transcription factors TFEB and TFE3. However,the contribution of these factors to humoral immunity remains undefined. Here,we show that B cell-intrinsic Rag-GTPases are critical for the development and activation of B cells. RagA/RagB deficient B cells fail to form GCs,produce antibodies,and to generate plasmablasts during both T-dependent (TD) and T-independent (TI) humoral immune responses. Deletion of RagA/RagB in GC B cells leads to abnormal dark zone (DZ) to light zone (LZ) ratio and reduced affinity maturation. Mechanistically,the Rag-GTPase complex constrains TFEB/TFE3 activity to prevent mitophagy dysregulation and maintain mitochondrial fitness in B cells,which are independent of canonical mTORC1 activation. TFEB/TFE3 deletion restores B cell development,GC formation in Peyer’s patches and TI humoral immunity,but not TD humoral immunity in the absence of Rag-GTPases. Collectively,our data establish the Rag GTPase-TFEB/TFE3 pathway as a likely mTORC1 independent mechanism to coordinating nutrient sensing and mitochondrial metabolism in B cells. Rag-GTPases play roles in sensing nutrient availability,and it is not fully known how they contribute to energy-consuming immunological processes such as the B cell response. Here authors show that genomic deletion fo RagA/RagB distrupts both T-dependent and T-independent humoral immune responses,independent of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 but involving the transcription factors TFEB and TFE3. View Publication

IntroductionPlasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are capable of triggering broad immune responses,yet,their scarcity in blood coupled to their reduced functionality in cancer,makes their therapeutic use for in situ activation or vaccination challenging. MethodsWe designed an in vitro differentiation protocol tailored for human pDCs from cord blood (CB) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) with StemRegenin 1 (SR-1) and GM-CSF supplementation. Next,we evaluated the identity and function of CB-pDCs compared to human primary pDCs. Furthermore,we tested the potential of CB-pDCs to support anti-tumor immune responses in co-culture with tumor explants from CRC patients. ResultsHere,we report an in vitro differentiation protocol enabling the generation of 200 pDCs per HSC and highlight the role of GM-CSF and SR-1 in CB-pDC differentiation and function. CB-pDCs exhibited a robust resemblance to primary pDCs phenotypically and functionally. Transcriptomic analysis confirmed strong homology at both,baseline and upon TLR9 or TLR7 stimulation. Further,we could confirm the potential of CB-pDCs to promote inflammation in the tumor microenvironment by eliciting cytokines associated with NK and T cell recruitment and function upon TLR7 stimulation ex vivo in patient tumor explants. DiscussionThis study highlights CB-pDCs as surrogates for primary pDCs to investigate their biology and for their potential use as cell therapy in cancer. View Publication

Ginseng may improve the myelosuppression and intestinal microbiota disorder induced by cyclophosphamide (CY); however,the effect of ginseng components on hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) damage remains largely unexplored. The present study aimed to assess the protective effect of ginseng extract (GE),total ginsenosides (TG) and total polysaccharides (TP) from ginseng on the intestinal microflora and HSCs of model mice. In the present study,a mouse model of HSC damage induced by CY was constructed,intestinal microflora of fecal samples were sequenced using the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing techniques,the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of HSCs were analyzed using high-throughput RNA-sequencing,cell apoptosis and erythroid differentiation were detected using flow cytometry and the blood cell parameters were analyzed using a hematology analyzer. Analysis of the 16S rRNA in fecal samples showed that GE,TG and TP improved an imbalanced intestinal microflora,where the relative abundance of Lactobacillus intestinalis had a positive correlation with ginsenosides content. Specifically,TP significantly increased the expression of low-abundance microflora. Transcriptomic analysis results revealed 2,250,3,432 and 261 DEGs in the GE,TG and TP groups compared with those in the Model group,respectively. In the expression analysis of DEGs,both TG and GE were found to markedly increase the expression levels of Klf4,Hhex,Pbx1,Kmt2a,Mecom,Zc3h12a,Zbtb16,Lilr4b,Flt3 and Klf13. Furthermore,TG inhibited the apoptosis of HSCs by increasing the expression levels of Bcl2 and Mcl1,whilst decreasing the expression of Bax. By contrast,GE inhibited the apoptosis of HSCs by reducing the expression of Bax and Bad. Regarding erythroid differentiation and blood cell parameters,GE was found to significantly increase the expression of TER-119. In addition,GE and TG improved all blood cell parameters,including the count of white blood cells,neutrophils (NEUT),lymphocytes (LYMPH),red blood cells (RBC),hemoglobin (HGB) and reticulocyte and platelets (PLT),whereas TP could only improve the counts of LYMPH,RBC,HGB and PLT. The improvement effect of GE and TG on WBC,NEUT and Ret was superior to TP. In conclusion,TG may protect the hematopoiesis function of HSCs in a CY-induced mouse model of HSC damage,followed by GE. However,TP did not appear to improve HSC damage. Ginsenosides may therefore be considered essential ingredients in GE when protecting HSCs against damage. GE and TG exerted their protective effects on HSCs by inhibiting the apoptosis of HSCs whilst improving the imbalance of intestinal microflora. View Publication

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) is a life-threatening clotting disorder mediated by pathogenic autoantibodies. Here we dissect the origin of self-reactive B cells in human PAPS using peripheral blood and bone marrow of patients with triple-positive PAPS via combined single-cell RNA sequencing,B cell receptors (BCR) repertoire profiling,CITEseq analysis and single cell immortalization. We find that antiphospholipid (aPL)-specific B cells are present in the naive compartment,polyreactive,and derived from the natural repertoire. Furthermore,B cells with aPL specificities are not eliminated in patients with PAPS,persist until the memory and long-lived plasma cell stages,likely after defective germinal center selection,while becoming less polyreactive. Lastly,compared with the non-PAPS cells,PAPS B cells exhibit distinct IFN and APRIL signature as well as dysregulated mTORC1 and MYC pathways. Our findings may thus elucidate the survival mechanisms of these autoreactive B cells and suggest potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of PAPS. Primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) is a clotting disorder attributed to autoreactive antibodies produced by B cells. Here the authors show,using single cell omics and B cell repertoire data,that autoreactive B cells originate from the natural B cell repertoire and escape germinal center selection to persist in PAPS patient via potential dysregulation of mTORC1 and MYC pathways. View Publication

Crystalline silica (CS) particle exposure leads to silicosis which is characterized as progressive fibrosis. Fibroblasts are vital effector cells in fibrogenesis. Emerging studies have identified immune sentinel roles for fibroblasts in chronic disease,while their immune-modulatory roles in silicosis remain unclear. Herein,we show that group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) conversion to ILC1s is closely involved in silicosis progression,which is mediated by activated fibroblasts via interleukin (IL)−18. Mechanistically,Notch3 signaling in mechanics-activated fibroblasts modulates IL-18 production via caspase 1 activity. The mouse-specific Notch3 knockout in fibroblasts retards pulmonary fibrosis progression that is linked to attenuated ILC conversion. Our results indicate that activated fibroblasts in silicotic lungs are regulators of ILC2–ILC1 conversion,associated with silicosis progression via the Notch3–IL-18 signaling axis. This finding broadens our understanding of immune-modulatory mechanisms in silicosis,and indicates potential therapeutic targets for lung fibrotic diseases. Crystalline silica particle exposure in the airways can lead to lung silicosis and progressive fibrosis. Here the authors use mouse silicosis models to show mechanics activated fibroblasts promote conversion of ILC2 to ILC1-like cells pulmonary fibrosis and that this is associated with a Notch3-IL-18 signalling pathway. View Publication

Despite recent advances in immunotherapies targeting single tumor-associated antigens,patients with multiple myeloma eventually relapse. ISB 2001 is a CD3+ T cell engager (TCE) co-targeting BCMA and CD38 designed to improve cytotoxicity against multiple myeloma. Targeting of two tumor-associated antigens by a single TCE resulted in superior cytotoxic potency across a variable range of BCMA and CD38 tumor expression profiles mimicking natural tumor heterogeneity,improved resistance to competing soluble factors and exhibited superior cytotoxic potency on patient-derived samples and in mouse models. Despite the broad expression of CD38 across human tissues,ISB 2001 demonstrated a reduced T cell activation profile in the absence of tumor cells when compared to TCEs targeting CD38 only. To determine an optimal first-in-human dose for the ongoing clinical trial (NCT05862012),we developed an innovative quantitative systems pharmacology model leveraging preclinical data,using a minimum pharmacologically active dose approach,therefore reducing patient exposure to subefficacious doses of therapies. Perro and colleagues develop a CD3+ T cell engager co-targeting BCMA and CD38 to improve immunotherapy for multiple myeloma,demonstrate cytotoxicity in patient-derived samples and murine models and develop a quantitative systems pharmacology model. View Publication

Centrioles define centrosome structure and function. Deregulation of centriole numbers can cause developmental defects and cancer. The p53 tumor suppressor limits the growth of cells lacking or harboring additional centrosomes and can be engaged by the “mitotic surveillance” or the “PIDDosome pathway”,respectively. Here,we show that early B cell progenitors frequently present extra centrioles,ensuing their high proliferative activity and related DNA damage. Extra centrioles are efficiently cleared during B cell maturation. In contrast,centriole loss upon Polo-like kinase 4 (Plk4) deletion causes apoptosis and arrests B cell development. This defect can be rescued by co-deletion of Usp28,a critical component of the mitotic surveillance pathway,that restores cell survival and maturation. Centriole-deficient mature B cells are proliferation competent and mount a humoral immune response. Our findings imply that progenitor B cells are intolerant to centriole loss but permissive to centriole amplification,a feature potentially facilitating their malignant transformation. Centrioles organize chromosome segregation,migration,and the immune synapse. Here,Schapfl et al. show that B cell progenitors tolerate centriole overamplification,but not loss,while mature B cells can mount a humoral immune response in their absence. View Publication

This study sheds light on the pivotal role of the oncoprotein DEK in B-cell lymphoma. We reveal DEK expression correlates with increased tumor proliferation and inferior overall survival in cases diagnosed with low-grade B-cell lymphoma (LGBCL). We also found significant correlation between DEK expression and copy number alterations in LGBCL tumors,highlighting a novel mechanism of LGBCL pathogenesis that warrants additional exploration. To interrogate the mechanistic role of DEK in B-cell lymphoma,we generated a DEK knockout cell line model,which demonstrated DEK depletion caused reduced proliferation and altered expression of key cell cycle and apoptosis-related proteins,including Bcl-2,Bcl-xL,and p53. Notably,DEK depleted cells showed increased sensitivity to apoptosis-inducing agents,including venetoclax and staurosporine,which underscores the therapeutic potential of targeting DEK in B-cell lymphomas. Overall,our study contributes to a better understanding of DEK’s role as an oncoprotein in B-cell lymphomas,highlighting its potential as both a promising therapeutic target and a novel biomarker for aggressive LGBCL. Further research elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying DEK-mediated tumorigenesis could pave the way for improved treatment strategies and better clinical outcomes for patients with B-cell lymphoma. View Publication

SummaryMonocytes are critical to innate immunity,participating in chemotaxis during tissue injury,infection,and inflammatory conditions. However,the migration dynamics of human monocytes under different guidance cues are not well characterized. Here,we developed a microfluidic device to profile the migration characteristics of human monocytes under chemotactic and barotactic guidance cues while also assessing the effects of age and cytokine stimulation. Human monocytes preferentially migrated toward the CCL2 gradient through confined microchannels,regardless of donor age and migration pathway. Stimulation with interferon (IFN)-γ,but not granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF),disrupted monocyte navigation through complex paths and decreased monocyte CCL2 chemotaxis,velocity,and CCR2 expression. Additionally,monocytes exhibited a bias toward low-hydraulic-resistance pathways in asymmetric environments,which remained consistent across donor ages,cytokine stimulation,and chemoattractants. This microfluidic system provides insights into the unique migratory behaviors of human monocytes and is a valuable tool for studying peripheral immune cell migration in health and disease. Graphical abstract Highlights•The MAP chip profiles migration of human monocytes under various chemotactic and barotactic cues•Monocytes preferentially migrate toward CCL2 gradients,regardless of migration pathway and donor age•IFN-γ reduces human monocyte chemotaxis,velocity,and CCR2 expression•Human monocytes show biased migration toward low-hydraulic-resistance pathways MotivationCell migration is fundamental to the biological processes that drive health and disease. While in vivo models provide invaluable insights into cell migration within complex biological environments,precise control over the microenvironment and single-cell tracking is essential to deepen our understanding of the fundamental characteristics of cell migration. We present a high-throughput microfluidic platform,termed the migration analysis of peripheral immune cells (MAP) chip,that features four distinct sets of microchannels designed to assess the effects of both chemotactic and barotactic stimuli on cell migration at a single-cell level. By profiling human monocyte migration using the MAP chip,we demonstrated the utility of this device in characterizing migration of human monocytes under diverse conditions. Hall et al. introduce the MAP chip,a microfluidic platform for profiling human monocytes under chemotactic and barotactic guidance cues. It reveals biased migration toward low-hydraulic-resistance pathways,disrupted migration upon cytokine stimulation,and consistent chemotaxis and barotaxis across donor ages—enhancing our understanding of human monocyte migration characteristics. View Publication

The integrity of the blood–labyrinth barrier (BLB) is essential for inner ear homeostasis,regulating the ionic composition of endolymph and perilymph and preventing harmful substance entry. Endothelial hyperpermeability,central in inflammatory and immune responses,is managed through complex intercellular communication and molecular signaling pathways. Recent studies link BLB permeability dysregulation to auditory pathologies like acoustic trauma,autoimmune inner ear diseases,and presbycusis. Polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMNs),or neutrophils,significantly modulate vascular permeability,impacting endothelial barrier properties. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are involved in diseases with autoimmune and autoinflammatory bases. The present study evaluated the impact of NETs on a BLB cellular model using a Transwell® setup. Our findings revealed a concentration-dependent impact of NETs on human inner ear-derived endothelial cells. In particular,endothelial permeability markers increased,as indicated by reduced transepithelial electrical resistance,enhanced dextran permeability,and downregulated junctional gene expression (ZO1,OCL,and CDH5). Changes in cytoskeletal architecture were also observed. These preliminary results pave the way for further research into the potential involvement of NETs in BLB impairment and implications for auditory disorders. View Publication

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by painful nodules,abscesses,and scarring,predominantly affecting intertriginous regions and it is often underdiagnosed. This study aimed to utilize single cell RNA and cell-surface protein sequencing (CITE-Seq) to delineate the immune composition of circulating cells in Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) peripheral blood compared to healthy controls. CITE-Seq was used to analyze the gene and protein expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 9 HS and 29 healthy controls. The study identified significant differences cell composition between HS patients and healthy controls,including increased proportions of CD14+ and CD16+ monocytes,cDC2,plasmablasts,and proliferating CD4+ T cells in HS patients. Differential expression analysis revealed upregulation of inflammatory markers such as TNF,IL1B,and NF-κB in monocytes,as well as chemokines and cell adhesion molecules involved in immune cell recruitment and tissue infiltration. Pathway enrichment analysis highlighted the involvement of IL-17,IL-26 and TNF signaling pathways in HS pathogenesis. Machine learning identified key markers for diagnostics and therapeutic development. The findings also support the potential for machine learning models to aid in the diagnosis of HS based on immune cell markers. These insights may inform future therapeutic strategies targeting specific immune pathways in HS. View Publication

BackgroundMacrophage-based cell therapies have shown modest success in clinical trials,which can be attributed to their phenotypic plasticity,where transplanted macrophages get reprogrammed towards a pro-tumor phenotype. In most tumor types,including melanoma,the balance between antitumor M1-like and tumor-promoting M2-like macrophages is critical in defining the local immune response with a higher M1/M2 ratio favoring antitumor immunity. Therefore,designing novel strategies to increase the M1/M2 ratio in the TME has high clinical significance and benefits macrophage-based cell therapies.MethodsIn this study,we reprogrammed antitumor and proinflammatory macrophages ex-vivo with HDAC6 inhibitors (HDAC6i). We administered the reprogrammed macrophages intratumorally as an adoptive cell therapy (ACT) in the syngeneic SM1 murine melanoma model and patient-derived xenograft bearing NSG-SGM3 humanized mouse models. We phenotyped the tumor-infiltrated immune cells by flow cytometry and histological analysis of tumor sections for macrophage markers. We performed bulk RNA-seq profiling of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages treated with vehicle or HDAC6i and single-cell RNA-seq profiling of SM1 tumor-infiltrated immune cells to determine the effect of intratumor macrophage ACT on the tumor microenvironment (TME). We further analyzed the single-cell data to identify key cell-cell interactions and trajectory analysis to determine the fate of tumor-associated macrophages post-ACT.ResultsMacrophage ACT resulted in diminished tumor growth in both mouse models. We also demonstrated that HDAC6 inhibition in macrophages suppressed the polarization toward tumor-promoting phenotype by attenuating STAT3-mediated M2 reprogramming. Two weeks post-transplantation,ACT macrophages were viable,and inhibition of HDAC6 rendered intratumor transplanted M1 macrophages resistant to repolarization towards protumor M2 phenotype in-vivo. Further characterization of tumors by flow cytometry,single-cell transcriptomics,and single-cell secretome analyses revealed a significant enrichment of antitumor M1-like macrophages,resulting in increased M1/M2 ratio and infiltration of CD8 effector T-cells. Computational analysis of single-cell RNA-seq data for cell-cell interactions and trajectory analyses indicated activation of monocytes and T-cells in the TME.ConclusionsIn summary,for the first time,we demonstrated the potential of reprogramming macrophages ex-vivo with HDAC6 inhibitors as a viable macrophage cell therapy to treat solid tumors.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-024-03182-w. View Publication