技术资料

During the humoral immune response,B cells undergo rapid metabolic reprogramming with a high demand for nutrients,which are vital to sustain the formation of the germinal centers (GCs). Rag-GTPases sense amino acid availability to modulate the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway and suppress transcription factor EB (TFEB) and transcription factor enhancer 3 (TFE3),members of the microphthalmia (MiT/TFE) family of HLH-leucine zipper transcription factors. However,how Rag-GTPases coordinate amino acid sensing,mTORC1 activation,and TFEB/TFE3 activity in 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 generate plasmablasts in 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 Rag-GTPase-TFEB/TFE3 axis as an mTORC1 independent mechanism to coordinating nutrient sensing and mitochondrial metabolism in B cells. View Publication

AbstractBacillus anthracis peptidoglycan (PGN) is a major component of the bacterial cell wall and a key pathogen-associated molecular pattern contributing to anthrax pathology,including organ dysfunction and coagulopathy. Increases in apoptotic leukocytes are a late-stage feature of anthrax and sepsis,suggesting there is a defect in apoptotic clearance. In this study,we tested the hypothesis that B. anthracis PGN inhibits the capacity of human monocyte-derived macrophages (MΦ) to efferocytose apoptotic cells. Exposure of CD163+CD206+ MΦ to PGN for 24 h impaired efferocytosis in a manner dependent on human serum opsonins but independent of complement component C3. PGN treatment reduced cell surface expression of the proefferocytic signaling receptors MERTK,TYRO3,AXL,integrin αVβ5,CD36,and TIM-3,whereas TIM-1,αVβ3,CD300b,CD300f,STABILIN-1,and STABILIN-2 were unaffected. ADAM17 is a major membrane-bound protease implicated in mediating efferocytotic receptor cleavage. We found multiple ADAM17-mediated substrates increased in PGN-treated supernatant,suggesting involvement of membrane-bound proteases. ADAM17 inhibitors TAPI-0 and Marimastat prevented TNF release,indicating effective protease inhibition,and modestly increased cell-surface levels of MerTK and TIM-3 but only partially restored efferocytic capacity by PGN-treated MΦ. We conclude that human serum factors are required for optimal recognition of PGN by human MΦ and that B. anthracis PGN inhibits efferocytosis in part by reducing cell surface expression of MERTK and TIM-3. View Publication

This study describes clinical features and cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying immune deficiency in seven patients with biallelic germline variants in CD4. The data reveal important roles for CD4 in host defense against a range of pathogens,particularly human papilloma virus. CD4+ T cells are vital for host defense and immune regulation. However,the fundamental role of CD4 itself remains enigmatic. We report seven patients aged 5–61 years from five families of four ancestries with autosomal recessive CD4 deficiency and a range of infections,including recalcitrant warts and Whipple’s disease. All patients are homozygous for rare deleterious CD4 variants impacting expression of the canonical CD4 isoform. A shorter expressed isoform that interacts with LCK,but not HLA class II,is affected by only one variant. All patients lack CD4+ T cells and have increased numbers of TCRαβ+CD4−CD8− T cells,which phenotypically and transcriptionally resemble conventional Th cells. Finally,patient CD4−CD8− αβ T cells exhibit intact responses to HLA class II–restricted antigens and promote B cell differentiation in vitro. Thus,compensatory development of Th cells enables patients with inherited CD4 deficiency to acquire effective cellular and humoral immunity against an unexpectedly large range of pathogens. Nevertheless,CD4 is indispensable for protective immunity against at least human papillomaviruses and Trophyrema whipplei. View Publication

SummaryFollicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma of germinal center origin,which presents with significant biologic and clinical heterogeneity. Using RNA-seq on B cells sorted from 87 FL biopsies,combined with machine-learning approaches,we identify 3 transcriptional states that divide the biological ontology of FL B cells into inflamed,proliferative,and chromatin-modifying states,with relationship to prior GC B cell phenotypes. When integrated with whole-exome sequencing and immune profiling,we find that each state was associated with a combination of mutations in chromatin modifiers,copy-number alterations to TNFAIP3,and T follicular helper cells (Tfh) cell interactions,or primarily by a microenvironment rich in activated T cells. Altogether,these data define FL B cell transcriptional states across a large cohort of patients,contribute to our understanding of FL heterogeneity at the tumor cell level,and provide a foundation for guiding therapeutic intervention. Graphical abstract Highlights•B cells from follicular lymphoma exhibit 3 distinct transcriptional states•FL B cells differ by enhanced inflammation,proliferation,or chromatin remodeling•Tumor cell states correlate with unique immune-microenvironment features•Unique mutation and CNV profiles highlight potential genetic causes of heterogeneity Krull et al. analyzed bulk transcriptional,genomic,and immune profiles of B cells from follicular lymphoma and reveal 3 distinct transcriptional states. These cell states underscore the inherent variability of FL tumors,independent of stroma,and implicate intrinsic differences as an underpinning to FL heterogeneity. View Publication

BackgroundT cell receptor (TCR) signaling and T cell activation are tightly regulated by gatekeepers to maintain immune tolerance and avoid autoimmunity. The TRAIL receptor (TRAIL-R) is a TNF-family death receptor that transduces apoptotic signals to induce cell death. Recent studies have indicated that TRAIL-R regulates T cell-mediated immune responses by directly inhibiting T cell activation without inducing apoptosis; however,the distinct signaling pathway that regulates T cell activation remains unclear. In this study,we screened for intracellular TRAIL-R-binding proteins within T cells to explore the novel signaling pathway transduced by TRAIL-R that directly inhibits T cell activation.MethodsWhole-transcriptome RNA sequencing was used to identify gene expression signatures associated with TRAIL-R signaling during T cell activation. High-throughput screening with mass spectrometry was used to identify the novel TRAIL-R binding proteins within T cells. Co-immunoprecipitation,lipid raft isolation,and confocal microscopic analyses were conducted to verify the association between TRAIL-R and the identified binding proteins within T cells.ResultsTRAIL engagement downregulated gene signatures in TCR signaling pathways and profoundly suppressed phosphorylation of TCR proximal tyrosine kinases without inducing cell death. The tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1 was identified as the major TRAIL-R binding protein within T cells,using high throughput mass spectrometry-based proteomics analysis. Furthermore,Lck was co-immunoprecipitated with the TRAIL-R/SHP-1 complex in the activated T cells. TRAIL engagement profoundly inhibited phosphorylation of Lck (Y394) and suppressed the recruitment of Lck into lipid rafts in the activated T cells,leading to the interruption of proximal TCR signaling and subsequent T cell activation.ConclusionsTRAIL-R associates with phosphatase SHP-1 and transduces a unique and distinct immune gatekeeper signal to repress TCR signaling and T cell activation via inactivating Lck. Thus,our results define TRAIL-R as a new class of immune checkpoint receptors for restraining T cell activation,and TRAIL-R/SHP-1 axis can serve as a potential therapeutic target for immune-mediated diseases.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12929-024-01023-8. View Publication

IntroductionBAP1 is a deubiquitinase (DUB) of the Ubiquitin C-terminal Hydrolase (UCH) family that regulates gene expression and other cellular processes,through its direct catalytic activity on the repressive epigenetic mark histone H2AK119ub,as well as on several other substrates. BAP1 is also a highly important tumor suppressor,expressed and functional across many cell types and tissues. In recent work,we demonstrated a cell intrinsic role of BAP1 in the B cell lineage development in murine bone marrow,however the role of BAP1 in the regulation of B cell mediated humoral immune response has not been previously explored. Methods and resultsIn the current study,we demonstrate that a B-cell intrinsic loss of BAP1 in activated B cells in the Bap1 fl/fl Cγ1-cre murine model results in a severe defect in antibody production,with altered dynamics of germinal centre B cell,memory B cell,and plasma cell numbers. At the cellular and molecular level,BAP1 was dispensable for B cell immunoglobulin class switching but resulted in an impaired proliferation of activated B cells,with genome-wide dysregulation in histone H2AK119ub levels and gene expression. Conclusion and discussionIn summary,our study establishes the B-cell intrinsic role of BAP1 in antibody mediated immune response and indicates its central role in the regulation of the genome-wide landscapes of histone H2AK119ub and downstream transcriptional programs of B cell activation and humoral immunity. View Publication

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) can modulate the intestinal barrier and regulate immune cells to favor the maturation of the infant intestinal tract and immune system,but the precise functions of individual HMOs are unclear. To determine the structure-dependent effects of individual HMOs (representing different structural classes) on the intestinal epithelium as well as innate and adaptive immune cells,we assessed fucosylated (2′FL and 3FL),sialylated (3′SL and 6′SL) and neutral non-fucosylated (LNT and LNT2) HMOs for their ability to support intestinal barrier integrity,to stimulate the secretion of chemokines from intestinal epithelial cells,and to modulate cytokine release from LPS-activated dendritic cells (DCs),M1 macrophages (MØs),and co-cultures with naïve CD4+ T cells. The fucosylated and neutral non-fucosylated HMOs increased barrier integrity and protected the barrier following an inflammatory insult but exerted minimal immunomodulatory activity. The sialylated HMOs enhanced the secretion of CXCL10,CCL20 and CXCL8 from intestinal epithelial cells,promoted the secretion of several cytokines (including IL-10,IL-12p70 and IL-23) from LPS-activated DCs and M1 MØs,and increased the secretion of IFN-γ and IL-17A from CD4+ T cells primed by LPS-activated DCs and MØs while reducing the secretion of IL-13. Thus,3′SL and 6′SL supported Th1 and Th17 responses while reducing Th2 responses. Collectively,our data show that HMOs exert structure-dependent effects on the intestinal epithelium and possess immunomodulatory properties that confer benefits to infants and possibly also later in life. View Publication

PurposeIsolating circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from the blood is challenging due to their low abundance and heterogeneity. Limitations of conventional CTC detection methods highlight the need for improved strategies to detect and isolate CTCs. Currently,the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved CellSearch™ and other RUO techniques are not available in India. Therefore,we wanted to develop a flexible CTC detection/isolation technique that addresses the limitation(s) of currently available techniques and is suitable for various downstream applications.MethodsWe developed a novel,efficient,user-friendly CTC isolation strategy combining density gradient centrifugation and immuno-magnetic hematogenous cell depletion with fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS)-based positive selection using multiple CTC-specific cell-surface markers. For FACS,a stringent gating strategy was optimised to exclude debris and doublets by side scatter/forward scatter (SSC/FSC) discriminator,remove dead cells by 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining,and eliminate non-specific fluorescence using a “dump” channel. APC-labelled anti-CD45mAB was used to gate remaining hematogenous cells,while multiple epithelial markers (EpCAM,EGFR,and Pan-Cytokeratin) and an epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker (Vimentin) labelled with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) were used to sort cancer cells. The technique was initially developed by spiking Cal 27 cancer cells into the blood of healthy donors and then validated in 95 biopsy-proven oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. CTCs isolated from patients were reconfirmed by Giemsa staining,immuno-staining,and whole transcriptome amplification (WTA),followed by qRT-PCR. In vitro culture and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) were also performed to confirm their suitability for various downstream applications.ResultsThe mean detection efficiency for the Cal 27 tongue cancer cells spiked in the whole blood of healthy donors was 32.82% ± 12.71%. While ~75% of our patients (71/95) had detectable CTCs,the CTC positivity was independent of the TNM staging. The isolated potential cancer cells from OSCC patients were heterogeneous in size. They expressed different CTC-specific markers in various combinations as identified by qRT-PCR after WTA in different patients. Isolated CTCs were also found to be suitable for downstream applications like short-term CTC culture and RNA-Seq.ConclusionWe developed a sensitive,specific,flexible,and affordable CTC detection/isolation technique,which is scalable to larger patient cohorts,provides a snapshot of CTC heterogeneity,isolates live CTCs ready for downstream molecular analysis,and,most importantly,is suitable for developing countries. View Publication

Graphical abstract Summary of the study. Peripheral blood neutrophils from >200 hospitalised patients across three patient groups (coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),non-COVID-19 lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and matched controls) were comprehensively profiled using mass spectrometry,revealing novel proteomic changes in acute and convalescent COVID-19. DIA: data-independent acquisition; TLR: Toll-like receptor; ARG: arginase; TGF: transforming growth factor; IFN: interferon. BackgroundNeutrophils are important in the pathophysiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),but the molecular changes contributing to altered neutrophil phenotypes following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection are not fully understood. We used quantitative mass spectrometry-based proteomics to explore neutrophil phenotypes immediately following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and during recovery.MethodsProspective observational study of hospitalised patients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (May to December 2020). Patients were enrolled within 96 h of admission,with longitudinal sampling up to 29 days. Control groups comprised non-COVID-19 acute lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and age-matched noninfected controls. Neutrophils were isolated from peripheral blood and analysed using mass spectrometry. COVID-19 severity and recovery were defined using the World Health Organization ordinal scale.ResultsNeutrophil proteomes from 84 COVID-19 patients were compared to those from 91 LRTI and 42 control participants. 5800 neutrophil proteins were identified,with >1700 proteins significantly changed in neutrophils from COVID-19 patients compared to noninfected controls. Neutrophils from COVID-19 patients initially all demonstrated a strong interferon signature,but this signature rapidly declined in patients with severe disease. Severe disease was associated with increased abundance of proteins involved in metabolism,immunosuppression and pattern recognition,while delayed recovery from COVID-19 was associated with decreased granule components and reduced abundance of metabolic proteins,chemokine and leukotriene receptors,integrins and inhibitory receptors.ConclusionsSARS-CoV-2 infection results in the sustained presence of circulating neutrophils with distinct proteomes suggesting altered metabolic and immunosuppressive profiles and altered capacities to respond to migratory signals and cues from other immune cells,pathogens or cytokines. Tweetable abstractHigh-resolution mass spectrometry analysis of peripheral blood neutrophils from >200 individuals provides novel insights into neutrophil phenotypes during acute COVID-19 and reveals that altered neutrophils persist in convalescent COVID-19 patients https://bit.ly/3QSSq9W View Publication

SummaryMesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been modified via genetic or pharmacological engineering into potent antigen-presenting cells-like capable of priming responding CD8 T cells. In this study,our screening of a variant library of Accum molecule revealed a molecule (A1) capable of eliciting antigen cross-presentation properties in MSCs. A1-reprogrammed MSCs (ARM) exhibited improved soluble antigen uptake and processing. Our comprehensive analysis,encompassing cross-presentation assays and molecular profiling,among other cellular investigations,elucidated A1’s impact on endosomal escape,reactive oxygen species production,and cytokine secretion. By evaluating ARM-based cellular vaccine in mouse models of lymphoma and melanoma,we observe significant therapeutic potency,particularly in allogeneic setting and in combination with anti-PD-1 immune checkpoint inhibitor. Overall,this study introduces a strong target for developing an antigen-adaptable vaccination platform,capable of synergizing with immune checkpoint blockers to trigger tumor regression,supporting further investigation of ARMs as an effective and versatile anti-cancer vaccine. Graphical abstract Highlights•Treatment with A1/antigen mix reprograms MSCs into antigen-presenting cells•The antigen cross-presenting ability of ARM cells require ROS and UPR•ARMs synergize with immune-checkpoint inhibitors in priming potent antitumoral activity Classification Description: Immunology; Pharmaceutical engineering; Cancer View Publication

Interferon gamma (IFNγ) is a critical cytokine known for its diverse roles in immune regulation,inflammation,and tumor surveillance. However,while IFNγ levels were elevated in sera of most newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients,its complex interplay in AML remains insufficiently understood. We aim to characterize these complex interactions through comprehensive bulk and single-cell approaches in bone marrow of newly diagnosed AML patients. We identify monocytic AML as having a unique microenvironment characterized by IFNγ producing T and NK cells,high IFNγ signaling,and immunosuppressive features. IFNγ signaling score strongly correlates with venetoclax resistance in primary AML patient cells. Additionally,IFNγ treatment of primary AML patient cells increased venetoclax resistance. Lastly,a parsimonious 47-gene IFNγ score demonstrates robust prognostic value. In summary,our findings suggest that inhibiting IFNγ is a potential treatment strategy to overcoming venetoclax resistance and immune evasion in AML patients. IFNγ signaling is important in the pathogenesis and immune response,emphasizing the need for investigation of its role. Here,the authors show that IFNγ plays a key role in shaping immune microenvironment in AML and developing resistance,providing insights for potential therapeutic strategies. View Publication

Background:Throughout HIV infection,productively infected cells generate billions of viral particles and are thus responsible for body-wide HIV dissemination,but their phenotype during AIDS is unknown. As AIDS is associated with immunological changes,analyzing the phenotype of productively infected cells can help understand HIV production during this terminal stage.Methods:Blood samples from 15 untreated viremic participants (recent infection,n=5; long-term infection,n=5; active opportunistic AIDS-defining disease,n=5) and 5 participants virologically controlled on antiretroviral therapy (ART) enrolled in the Analysis of the Persistence,Reservoir and HIV Latency (APRIL) study (NCT05752318) were analyzed. Cells expressing the capsid protein p24 (p24+ cells) after 18 hours of resting or 24 hours of stimulation (HIV-Flow) revealed productively infected cells from viremic participants or translation-competent reservoir cells from treated participants,respectively.Results:The frequency of productively infected cells tended to be higher during AIDS in comparison with recent and long-term infections (median,340,72,and 32/million CD4+ T cells,respectively) and correlated with the plasma viral load at all stages of infection. Altogether,these cells were more frequently CD4low,HLA-ABClow,CD45RA-,Ki67+,PD-1+,with a non-negligible contribution from pTfh (CXCR5+PD-1+) cells,and were not significantly enriched in HIV coreceptors CCR5 nor CXCR4 expression. The comparison markers expression between stages showed that productively infected cells during AIDS were enriched in memory and exhausted cells. In contrast,the frequencies of infected pTfh were lower during AIDS compared to non-AIDS stages. A UMAP analysis revealed that total CD4+ T cells were grouped in 7 clusters and that productive p24+ cells were skewed to given clusters throughout the course of infection. Overall,the preferential targets of HIV during the latest stages seemed to be more frequently highly differentiated (memory,TTD-like) and exhausted cells and less frequently pTfh-like cells. In contrast,translation-competent reservoir cells were less frequent (5/million CD4+ T cells) and expressed more frequently HLA-ABC and less frequently PD-1.Conclusions:In long-term infection and AIDS,productively infected cells were differentiated and exhausted. This could indicate that cells with these given features are responsible for HIV production and dissemination in an immune dysfunction environment occurring during the last stages of infection. View Publication