技术资料

The role of negative checkpoint regulators (NCRs) in human health and disease cannot be overstated. V-domain Ig-containing Suppressor of T-cell Activation (VISTA) is an Ig superfamily protein predominantly expressed within the hematopoietic compartment and has been studied for its role in the negative regulation of T cell responses. The findings presented in this study show that,unlike all other NCRs,VISTA deficiency dramatically impacts on macrophage cytokine and chemokine production,as well as the chemotactic response of VISTA-deficient macrophages. A select group of inflammatory chemokines,including CCL2,CCL3,CCL4,and CCL5,was strikingly elevated in culture supernatants from VISTA KO macrophages. VISTA deficiency also altered chemokine receptor recycling and profoundly disrupted myeloid chemotaxis. The impact of VISTA deficiency on chemotaxis in vivo was apparent with the reduced ability of both KO macrophages and MDSCs to migrate to the tumor microenvironment. This is the first demonstration of an NCR impacting on myeloid mediator production and chemotaxis,and will guide the use of anti-VISTA therapeutics to manipulate the chemotaxis of inflammatory macrophages or immunosuppressive MDSCs in inflammatory diseases and cancer. View Publication

Targeting of cancer stem cells (CSC) is expected to be a paradigm-shifting approach for the treatment of cancers. Cell surface proteoglycans bearing sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains are known to play a critical role in the regulation of stem cell fate. Here,we show for the first time that G2.2,a sulfated nonsaccharide GAG mimetic (NSGM) of heparin hexasaccharide,selectively inhibits colonic CSCs in vivo G2.2-reduced CSCs (CD133+/CXCR4+,Dual hi) induced HT-29 and HCT 116 colon xenografts' growth in a dose-dependent fashion. G2.2 also significantly delayed the growth of colon xenograft further enriched in CSCs following oxaliplatin and 5-fluorouracil treatment compared with vehicle-treated xenograft controls. In fact,G2.2 robustly inhibited CSCs' abundance (measured by levels of CSC markers,e.g.,CD133,DCMLK1,LGR5,and LRIG1) and self-renewal (quaternary spheroids) in colon cancer xenografts. Intriguingly,G2.2 selectively induced apoptosis in the Dual hi CSCs in vivo eluding to its CSC targeting effects. More importantly,G2.2 displayed none to minimal toxicity as observed through morphologic and biochemical studies of vital organ functions,blood coagulation profile,and ex vivo analyses of normal intestinal (and bone marrow) progenitor cell growth. Through extensive in vitro,in vivo,and ex vivo mechanistic studies,we showed that G2.2's inhibition of CSC self-renewal was mediated through activation of p38$\alpha$,uncovering important signaling that can be targeted to deplete CSCs selectively while minimizing host toxicity. Hence,G2.2 represents a first-in-class (NSGM) anticancer agent to reduce colorectal CSCs. View Publication

OBJECTIVE Exposure to lethal doses of radiation has severe effects on normal tissues. Exposed individuals experience a plethora of symptoms in different organ systems including the gastrointestinal (GI) tract,summarized as Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS). There are currently no approved drugs for mitigating GI-ARS. A recent high-throughput screen performed at the UCLA Center for Medical Countermeasures against Radiation identified compounds containing sulfonylpiperazine groups with radiation mitigation properties to the hematopoietic system and the gut. Among these 1-[(4-Nitrophenyl)sulfonyl]-4-phenylpiperazine (Compound {\#}5) efficiently mitigated gastrointestinal ARS. However,the mechanism of action and target cells of this drug is still unknown. In this study we examined if Compound {\#}5 affects gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) with its subepithelial domes called Peyer's patches. METHODS C3H mice were irradiated with 0 or 12 Gy total body irradiation (TBI). A single dose of Compound {\#}5 or solvent was administered subcutaneously 24 h later. 48 h after irradiation the mice were sacrificed,and the guts examined for changes in the number of visible Peyer's patches. In some experiments the mice received 4 daily injections of treatment and were sacrificed 96 h after TBI. For immune histochemistry gut tissues were fixed in formalin and embedded in paraffin blocks. Sections were stained with H{\&}E,anti-Ki67 or a TUNEL assay to assess the number of regenerating crypts,mitotic and apoptotic indices. Cells isolated from Peyer's patches were subjected to immune profiling using flow cytometry. RESULTS Compound {\#}5 significantly increased the number of visible Peyer's patches when compared to its control in non-irradiated and irradiated mice. Additionally,assessment of total cells per Peyer's patch isolated from these mice demonstrated an overall increase in the total number of Peyer's patch cells per mouse in Compound {\#}5-treated mice. In non-irradiated animals the number of CD11bhigh in Peyer's patches increased significantly. These Compound {\#}5-driven increases did not coincide with a decrease in apoptosis or an increase in proliferation in the germinal centers inside Peyer's patches 24 h after drug treatment. A single dose of Compound {\#}5 significantly increased the number of CD45+ cells after 12 Gy TBI. Importantly,96 h after 12 Gy TBI Compound {\#}5 induced a significant rise in the number of visible Peyer's patches and the number of Peyer's patch-associated regenerating crypts. CONCLUSION In summary,our study provides evidence that Compound {\#}5 leads to an influx of immune cells into GALT,thereby supporting crypt regeneration preferentially in the proximity of Peyer's patches. View Publication

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplants in adults have slower hematopoietic recovery compared to bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood (PB) stem cells mainly due to low number of total nucleated cells and hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC). As such in this study,we aimed to perform ex vivo expansion of UCB HSPC from non-enriched mononucleated cells (MNC) using novel azole-based small molecules. Freshly-thawed UCB-MNC were cultured in expansion medium supplemented with small molecules and basal cytokine cocktail. The effects of the expansion protocol were measured based on in vitro and in vivo assays. The proprietary library of {\textgreater}50 small molecules were developed using structure-activity-relationship studies of SB203580,a known p38-MAPK inhibitor. A particular analog,C7,resulted in 1,554.1 ± 27.8-fold increase of absolute viable CD45+ CD34+ CD38- CD45RA- progenitors which was at least 3.7-fold higher than control cultures (p {\textless} .001). In depth phenotypic analysis revealed {\textgreater}600-fold expansion of CD34+ /CD90+ /CD49f+ rare HSPCs coupled with significant (p {\textless} .01) increase of functional colonies from C7 treated cells. Transplantation of C7 expanded UCB grafts to immunodeficient mice resulted in significantly (p {\textless} .001) higher engraftment of human CD45+ and CD45+ CD34+ cells in the PB and BM by day 21 compared to non-expanded and cytokine expanded grafts. The C7 expanded grafts maintained long-term human multilineage chimerism in the BM of primary recipients with sustained human CD45 cell engraftment in secondary recipients. In conclusion,a small molecule,C7,could allow for clinical development of expanded UCB grafts without pre-culture stem cell enrichment that maintains in vitro and in vivo functionality. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2018;7:376-393. View Publication

The aberrant regulation of the epithelial barrier integrity is involved in many diseases of the digestive tract,including inflammatory bowel diseases and colorectal cancer. Intestinal epithelial cell organoid cultures provide new perspectives for analyses of the intestinal barrier in vitro. However,established methods of barrier function analyses from two dimensional cultures have to be adjusted to the analysis of three dimensional organoid structures. Here we describe the methodology for analysis of epithelial barrier function and molecular regulation in intestinal organoids. Barrier responses to interferon-$\gamma$ of intestinal organoids with and without epithelial cell-specific deletion of the interferon-$\gamma$-receptor 2 gene were used as a model system. The established method allowed monitoring of the kinetics of interferon-$\gamma$-induced permeability changes in living organoids. Proteolytic degradation and altered localization of the tight junction proteins claudin-2,-7,and - 15 was detected using confocal spinning disc microscopy with 3D reconstruction. Hessian analysis was used for quantification of re-localization of claudins. In summary,we provide a novel methodologic approach for quantitative analyses of intestinal epithelial barrier functions in the 3D organoid model. View Publication

The purpose of these studies was to develop and characterize B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-specific peptide-encapsulated nanoparticle formulations to efficiently evoke BCMA-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) with poly-functional immune activities against multiple myeloma (MM). Heteroclitic BCMA72-80 [YLMFLLRKI] peptide-encapsulated liposome or poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles displayed uniform size distribution and increased peptide delivery to human dendritic cells,which enhanced induction of BCMA-specific CTL. Distinct from liposome-based nanoparticles,PLGA-based nanoparticles demonstrated a gradual increase in peptide uptake by antigen-presenting cells,and induced BCMA-specific CTL with higher anti-tumor activities (CD107a degranulation,CTL proliferation,and IFN-$\gamma$/IL-2/TNF-$\alpha$ production) against primary CD138+ tumor cells and MM cell lines. The improved functional activities were associated with increased Tetramer+/CD45RO+ memory CTL,CD28 upregulation on Tetramer+ CTL,and longer maintenance of central memory (CCR7+ CD45RO+) CTL,with the highest anti-MM activity and less differentiation into effector memory (CCR7- CD45RO+) CTL. These results provide the framework for therapeutic application of PLGA-based BCMA immunogenic peptide delivery system,rather than free peptide,to enhance the induction of BCMA-specific CTL with poly-functional Th1-specific anti-MM activities. These results demonstrate the potential clinical utility of PLGA nanotechnology-based cancer vaccine to enhance BCMA-targeted immunotherapy against myeloma. View Publication

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is mediated in large part by opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP). Consequently,inhibitors of the PTP hold great promise for the treatment of a variety of cardiovascular disorders. At present,PTP inhibition is obtained only through the use of drugs (e.g. cyclosporine A,CsA) targeting cyclophilin D (CyPD) which is a key modulator,but not a structural component of the PTP. This limitation might explain controversial findings in clinical studies. Therefore,we investigated the protective effects against I/R injury of small-molecule inhibitors of the PTP (63 and TR002) that do not target CyPD. Both compounds exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of PTP opening in isolated mitochondria and were more potent than CsA. Notably,PTP inhibition was observed also in mitochondria devoid of CyPD. Compounds 63 and TR002 prevented PTP opening and mitochondrial depolarization induced by Ca2+ overload and by reactive oxygen species in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs). Remarkably,both compounds prevented cell death,contractile dysfunction and sarcomeric derangement induced by anoxia/reoxygenation injury in NRVMs at sub-micromolar concentrations,and were more potent than CsA. Cardioprotection was observed also in adult mouse ventricular myocytes and human iPSc-derived cardiomyocytes,as well as ex vivo in perfused hearts. Thus,this study demonstrates that 63 and TR002 represent novel cardioprotective agents that inhibit PTP opening independent of CyPD targeting. View Publication

A coding variant of the inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) risk gene ATG16L1 has been associated with defective autophagy and deregulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function. IL-22 is a barrier protective cytokine by inducing regeneration and antimicrobial responses in the intestinal mucosa. We show that ATG16L1 critically orchestrates IL-22 signaling in the intestinal epithelium. IL-22 stimulation physiologically leads to transient ER stress and subsequent activation of STING-dependent type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling,which is augmented in Atg16l1$\Delta$IEC intestinal organoids. IFN-I signals amplify epithelial TNF production downstream of IL-22 and contribute to necroptotic cell death. In vivo,IL-22 treatment in Atg16l1$\Delta$IEC and Atg16l1$\Delta$IEC/Xbp1$\Delta$IEC mice potentiates endogenous ileal inflammation and causes widespread necroptotic epithelial cell death. Therapeutic blockade of IFN-I signaling ameliorates IL-22-induced ileal inflammation in Atg16l1$\Delta$IEC mice. Our data demonstrate an unexpected role of ATG16L1 in coordinating the outcome of IL-22 signaling in the intestinal epithelium. View Publication

BACKGROUND {\&} AIMS RNase H2 is a holoenzyme,composed of 3 subunits (ribonuclease H2 subunits A,B,and C),that cleaves RNA:DNA hybrids and removes mis-incorporated ribonucleotides from genomic DNA through ribonucleotide excision repair. Ribonucleotide incorporation by eukaryotic DNA polymerases occurs during every round of genome duplication and produces the most frequent type of naturally occurring DNA lesion. We investigated whether intestinal epithelial proliferation requires RNase H2 function and whether RNase H2 activity is disrupted during intestinal carcinogenesis. METHODS We generated mice with epithelial-specific deletion of ribonuclease H2 subunit B (H2b$\Delta$IEC) and mice that also had deletion of tumor-suppressor protein p53 (H2b/p53$\Delta$IEC); we compared phenotypes with those of littermate H2bfl/fl or H2b/p53fl/fl (control) mice at young and old ages. Intestinal tissues were collected and analyzed by histology. We isolated epithelial cells,generated intestinal organoids,and performed RNA sequence analyses. Mutation signatures of spontaneous tumors from H2b/p53$\Delta$IEC mice were characterized by exome sequencing. We collected colorectal tumor specimens from 467 patients,measured levels of ribonuclease H2 subunit B,and associated these with patient survival times and transcriptome data. RESULTS The H2b$\Delta$IEC mice had DNA damage to intestinal epithelial cells and proliferative exhaustion of the intestinal stem cell compartment compared with controls and H2b/p53$\Delta$IEC mice. However,H2b/p53$\Delta$IEC mice spontaneously developed small intestine and colon carcinomas. DNA from these tumors contained T{\textgreater}G base substitutions at GTG trinucleotides. Analyses of transcriptomes of human colorectal tumors associated lower levels of RNase H2 with shorter survival times. CONCLUSIONS In analyses of mice with disruption of the ribonuclease H2 subunit B gene and colorectal tumors from patients,we provide evidence that RNase H2 functions as a colorectal tumor suppressor. H2b/p53$\Delta$IEC mice can be used to study the roles of RNase H2 in tissue-specific carcinogenesis. View Publication

The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us of the urgent need for new antivirals to control emerging infectious diseases and potential future pandemics. Immunotherapy has revolutionized oncology and could complement the use of antivirals,but its application to infectious diseases remains largely unexplored. Nucleoside analogs are a class of agents widely used as antiviral and anti-neoplastic drugs. Their antiviral activity is generally based on interference with viral nucleic acid replication or transcription. Based on our previous work and computer modeling,we hypothesize that antiviral adenosine analogs,like remdesivir,have previously unrecognized immunomodulatory properties which contribute to their therapeutic activity. In the case of remdesivir,we here show that these properties are due to its metabolite,GS-441524,acting as an Adenosine A2A Receptor antagonist. Our findings support a new rationale for the design of next-generation antiviral agents with dual - immunomodulatory and intrinsic - antiviral properties. These compounds could represent game-changing therapies to control emerging viral diseases and future pandemics. View Publication

Alveolar macrophages (AM) perform a primary defense mechanism in the lung through phagocytosis of inhaled particles and microorganisms. AM are known to be relatively immunosuppressive consistent with the aim to limit alveolar inflammation and maintain effective gas exchange in the face of these constant challenges. How AM respond to T cell derived cytokine signals,which are critical to the defense against inhaled pathogens,is less well understood. For example,successful containment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in lung macrophages is highly dependent on IFN-$\gamma$ secreted by Th-1 lymphocytes,however,the proteomic IFN-$\gamma$ response profile in AM remains mostly unknown. In this study,we measured IFN-$\gamma$ induced protein abundance changes in human AM and autologous blood monocytes (MN). AM cells were activated by IFN-$\gamma$ stimulation resulting in STAT1 phosphorylation and production of MIG/CXCL9 chemokine. However,the global proteomic response to IFN-$\gamma$ in AM was dramatically limited in comparison to that of MN (9 AM vs 89 MN differentially abundant proteins). AM hypo-responsiveness was not explained by reduced JAK-STAT1 signaling nor increased SOCS1 expression. These findings suggest that AM have a tightly regulated response to IFN-$\gamma$ which may prevent excessive pulmonary inflammation but may also provide a niche for the initial survival and growth of Mtb and other intracellular pathogens in the lung. View Publication

SLC15A4 is an endolysosome-resident transporter linked with autoinflammation and autoimmunity. Specifically,SLC15A4 is critical for Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 7-9 as well as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein (NOD) signaling in several immune cell subsets. Notably,SLC15A4 is essential for the development of systemic lupus erythematosus in murine models and is associated with autoimmune conditions in humans. Despite its therapeutic potential,the availability of quality chemical probes targeting SLC15A4 functions is limited. In this study,we used an integrated chemical proteomics approach to develop a suite of chemical tools,including first-in-class functional inhibitors,for SLC15A4. We demonstrate that these inhibitors suppress SLC15A4-mediated endolysosomal TLR and NOD functions in a variety of human and mouse immune cells; we provide evidence of their ability to suppress inflammation in vivo and in clinical settings; and we provide insights into their mechanism of action. Our findings establish SLC15A4 as a druggable target for the treatment of autoimmune and autoinflammatory conditions. View Publication