Neutrophil subsets in noncancer liver diseases: Cellular crosstalk and therapeutic targets

Neutrophils are the most abundant circulating granulocytes, linking innate and adaptive immunity. Neutrophils can regulate inflammatory and immune responses through degranulation, reactive oxygen species generation, the production of cytokines and chemokines, and NETosis. Emerging evidence has indicated that neutrophils contribute to the pathogenesis of various noncancer liver diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol-associated liver disease, hepatic ischemia‒reperfusion injury, and liver fibrosis. Cellular interactions among neutrophils, other immune cells, and nonimmune cells constitute a complex network that regulates the immune microenvironment of the liver. This review summarizes novel neutrophil subtypes, including CD177+ neutrophils and low-density neutrophils. Moreover, we provide an overview of the cellular cros stalk of neutrophils in noncancer liver diseases, aiming to shed new light on mechanistic studies of novel neutrophil subtypes. In addition, we discuss the potential of neutrophils as therapeutic targets in noncancer liver diseases, including inhibitors targeting NETosis, granule proteins, and chemokines.     

Immunopathobiology and therapeutic targets related to cytokines in liver diseases

Chronic liver injury with any etiology can progress to fibrosis and the end-stage diseases cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The progression of liver disease is controlled by a variety of factors, including liver injury, inflammatory cells, inflammatory mediators, cytokines, and the gut microbiome. In the current review, we discuss recent data on a large number of cytokines that play important roles in regulating liver injury, inflammation, fibrosis, and regeneration, with a focus on interferons and T helper (Th) 1, Th2, Th9, Th17, interleukin (IL)-1 family, IL-6 family, and IL-20 family cytokines. Hepatocytes can also produce certain cytokines (such as IL-7, IL-11, and IL-33), and the functions of these cytokines in the liver are briefly summarized. Several cytokines have great therapeutic potential, and some are currently being tested as therapeutic targets in clinical trials for the treatment of liver diseases, which are also described.     

芳香烃受体在肠道免疫研究中的进展

芳香烃受体(AhR)作为配体激活的转录因子,近年来其对肠道免疫功能的调控已经成为研究热点.表达视黄醇类核内受体(ROR)γt的固有淋巴细胞(ILCs)和肠上皮间淋巴细胞(IELs)是肠道免疫系统受AhR调控的重要细胞.这两群细胞在肠道的定植,分泌功能以及增殖凋亡都与AhR密切相关.AhR的特殊作用使其已然成为炎性肠病(IBD)治疗中的新靶点.     

Multifunctional antimicrobial peptides: therapeutic targets in several human diseases

Antimicrobial peptides have emerged as promising agents against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. They represent essential components of the innate immunity and permit humans to resist infection by microbes. These gene-encoded peptides are found mainly in phagocytes and epithelial cells, showing a direct activity against a wide range of microorganisms. Their role has now broadened from that of simply endogenous antibiotics to multifunctional mediators, and their antimicrobial activity is probably not the only primary function. Although antimicrobial peptide deficiency, dysregulation, or overproduction is not known to be a direct cause of any single human disease, numerous studies have now provided compelling evidence for their involvement in the complex network of immune responses and inflammatory diseases, thereby influencing diverse processes including cytokine release, chemotaxis, angiogenesis, wound repair, and adaptive immune induction. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent literature, showing that antimicrobial peptides are associated with several human conditions including infectious and inflammatory diseases, and to discuss current clinical development of peptide-based therapeutics for future use.     

The tumour necrosis factor/TNF receptor superfamily: therapeutic targets in autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by the body's ability to mount immune attacks on self. This results from recognition of self-proteins and leads to organ damage due to increased production of pathogenic inflammatory molecules and autoantibodies. Over the years, several new potential therapeutic targets have been identified in autoimmune diseases, notable among which are members of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily. Here, we review the evidence that certain key members of this superfamily can augment/suppress autoimmune diseases.     

Innate lymphoid cells are pivotal actors in allergic,inflammatory and autoimmune diseases

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are lymphoid cells that do not express V(D)J-rearranged receptors and play a role in the innate immune system. ILCs are categorized into three groups with respect to their function in the immune system. ILC1 induces production of IFN-γ via T-box expressed on T cells, ILC2 promotes production of type 2 cytokines via GATA-binding protein-3 and ILC3 promotes IL-17 and IL-22 production via retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-γt. ILCs can maintain homeostasis in epithelial surfaces by responding to locally produced cytokines or direct recognition of danger patterns. Altered epithelial barrier function seems to be a key point in inappropriate activation of ILCs to promote inflammatory and allergic responses. ILCs play an essential role in initiation and maintenance of defense against infections as well as immune-mediated diseases. In this paper, we discuss the role of ILCs in inflammatory, allergic and autoimmune diseases.     

Inflammatory bowel disease: pathogenesis and targets for therapeutic interventions

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are chronic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) with a chronic relapsing course. The aetiology of these diseases remains unknown, but in the last decade an increase in experimental models of IBD has led to expansion of our understanding in various aspects of the aetiology and pathogenic mechanisms of IBD. A growing body of evidence coming from these models indicates that an immune response against gut constituents is of critical importance for intestinal inflammation and the subsequent destruction of the mucosa. For this reason, research on IBD has focused intensely on the immune and non‐immune cell subsets as well as the soluble mediators involved in normal and dysregulated immune responses. An appreciation of the current knowledge of the pathogenesis of IBD is of paramount importance for the understanding of current, and development of new, treatment modalities.     

Survival in rectal cancer is predicted by T cell infiltration of tumour-associated lymphoid nodules

Lymphoid nodules are a normal component of the mucosa of the rectum, but little is known about their function and whether they contribute to the host immune response in malignancy. In rectal cancer specimens from patients with local (n = 18), regional (n = 12) and distant (n = 10) disease, we quantified T cell (CD3, CD25) and dendritic cell (CD1a, CD83) levels at the tumour margin as well as within tumour‐associated lymphoid nodules. In normal tissue CD3⁺, but not CD25⁺, T cells are concentrated at high levels within lymphoid nodules, with significantly fewer cells found in surrounding normal mucosa (P = 0·001). Mature (CD83), but not immature (CD1a), dendritic cells in normal tissue are also found clustered almost exclusively within lymphoid nodules (P = < 0·0001). In rectal tumours, both CD3⁺ T cells (P = 0·004) and CD83⁺ dendritic cells (P = 0·0001) are also localized preferentially within tumour‐associated lymphoid nodules. However, when comparing tumour specimens to normal rectal tissue, the average density of CD3⁺ T cells (P = 0·0005) and CD83⁺ dendritic cells (P = 0·0006) in tumour‐associated lymphoid nodules was significantly less than that seen in lymphoid nodules in normal mucosa. Interestingly, regardless of where quantified, T cell and dendritic cell levels did not depend upon the stage of disease. Increased CD3⁺ T cell infiltration of tumour‐associated lymphoid nodules predicted improved survival, independent of stage (P = 0·05). Other T cell (CD25) markers and different levels of CD1a⁺ or CD83⁺ dendritic cells did not predict survival. Tumour‐associated lymphoid nodules, enriched in dendritic cells and T cells, may be an important site for antigen presentation and increased T cell infiltration may be a marker for improved survival.     

Tryptophan-induced pathogenesis of breast cancer

BackgroundThe pathogenesis of breast cancer remains unclear.AimsTo investigate the pathogenesis of breast cancer through targeted metabolomics of amino acids components in serum of patients with breast cancer.MethodsPatients with breast cancers were enrolled in our hospital between year January 1^st, 2013 and December 31^st, 2014. Targeted analysis of amino acids was performed using ESI-QTOF-MS instrument. In vitro experiment was performed to determine the influence of tryptophan towards interleukin-10 (IL-10) secretion by CD4+ T cell.ResultsTargeted metabolomics of amino acids showed that the level of tryptophan significantly (p<0.05) increased in patients with breast cancer. Furthermore, the biological function of tryptophan was determined through determining the influence of tryptophan towards IL-10 secretion using in vitro method. The addition of tryptophan (100 uM) in the cell medium can significantly inhibited the secretion of IL-10 by CD4+ T cells, as indicated by the mRNA level and protein concentration.ConclusionThe inhibition of IL-10 secretion by CD4+ T cells is a potential pathogenesis of breast cancer.     

Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells to Lympho-Hematopoietic Lineagesin Vitro

Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells can differentiate in culture to late stages of many cell lineages. have found culture conditions that are favorable for development in vitro of ES cells into hematopoietic cells at a stage equivalent to day 11-14 of fetal liver development. describe here: (1) the growth conditions necessary for maintenance of ES cells in an undifferentiated state, and the conditions that allow differentiation of cystic embryoid bodies that contain precursors of most hematopoietic cell lineages, including lymphoid cells; (2) the development of lymphoid vessels from ES fetusesin vivo; (3) the characterization of lymphoid, erythroid, megakaryoid, and myeloid cells from ES fetuses; and (4) the cloning of cell lines representing lymphoid, myeloid lineage cells from differentiated ES cells.     

Innate immune cells for immunotherapy of autoimmune and cancer disorders

Modulation of the immune system has been widely targeted for the treatment of several immune-related diseases, such as autoimmune disorders and cancer, due to its crucial role in these pathologies. Current available therapies focus mainly on symptomatic treatment and are often associated with undesirable secondary effects. For several years, remission of disease and subsequently recovery of immune homeostasis has been a major goal for immunotherapy. Most current immunotherapeutic strategies are aimed to inhibit or potentiate directly the adaptive immune response by modulating antibody production and B cell memory, as well as the effector potential and memory of T cells. Although these immunomodulatory approaches have shown some success in the clinic with promising therapeutic potential, they have some limitations related to their effectiveness in disease models and clinical trials, as well as elevated costs. In the recent years, a renewed interest has emerged on targeting innate immune cells for immunotherapy, due to their high plasticity and ability to exert a potent and extremely rapid response, which can influence the outcome of the adaptive immune response. In this review, we discuss the immunomodulatory potential of several innate immune cells, as well as they use for immunotherapy, especially in autoimmunity and cancer.     

肝脏固有免疫在非酒精性脂肪性肝病中的作用

非酒精性脂肪性肝病发病机制尚未完全阐明,近年来研究表明肝脏固有免疫参与了非酒精性脂肪性肝病从单纯性脂肪肝进展至肝硬化的过程。肝脏通过固有免疫细胞的激活促进炎症介质的表达及肝细胞的凋亡参与非酒精性脂肪性肝病的病程进展。     

人乳腺癌中HLA-DR的异常表达及其与浸润淋巴细胞的关系

目的通过观察乳腺癌细胞HLA-DR的异常表达及其与浸润淋巴细胞的关系,探讨乳腺癌细胞HLA-DR抗原异常表达的免疫生物学意义。方法收集手术切除的人乳腺癌组织和癌旁相对正常乳腺组织,用免疫组织化学方法和图像分析技术对23例乳腺癌标本进行HLA-DR和浸润淋巴细胞的检测。结果 HLA-DR在相对正常乳腺组织中几乎不表达,在乳腺癌组织中的阳性表达率为47.7%,显著高于相对正常乳腺组织(P<0.05)。肿瘤浸润CD4+T和CD8+T的数量均较相对正常乳腺组织明显增多(P<0.05),乳腺癌细胞HLA-DR抗原的表达量与浸润T细胞存在正相关关系(r=0.892)。结论 HLA-DR在乳腺癌细胞过表达与浸润淋巴细胞之间存在正相关关系,HLA-DR在乳腺癌的自身免疫调节过程中可能起重要作用,这为临床开展乳腺癌的生物治疗提供了实验依据。     

脂肪基质干细胞对异基因T淋巴细胞的作用及机制探讨

目的：研究脂肪基质干细胞（ASC）对异基因T淋巴细胞的作用,探讨ASC发挥免疫调节作用的方式和可能机制。方法：将ASC上清和ASC分别与异基因T淋巴细胞进行混合培养。MTT法检测T细胞的增殖,AnnexinⅤ法检测凋亡,流式细胞术检测T细胞中CD4^＋CD25^＋细胞的比例,ELISA法检测T细胞分泌IL-10和TGF-β1的水平,RT-PCR法检测Foxp3基因的表达。结果：ASC上清对T淋巴细胞的增殖和凋亡无明显影响。ASC对T淋巴细胞的生长有抑制作用,但对其凋亡无影响。ASC上清和ASC均能增加CD4^＋CD25^＋T细胞在T淋巴细胞中的比例,增加T细胞分泌IL-10和TGF-β1的水平,上调Foxp3基因的表达。结论：ASC能通过细胞直接接触和分泌细胞因子的方式分别作用于T淋巴细胞,发挥免疫负调节作用。     

Antigen presentation,autoantibody production,and therapeutic targets in autoimmune liver disease

The liver is an important immunological organ that controls systemic tolerance. The liver harbors professional and unconventional antigen-presenting cells that are crucial for tolerance induction and maintenance. Orchestrating the immune response in homeostasis depends on a healthy and well-toned immunological liver microenvironment, which is maintained by the crosstalk of liver-resident antigen-presenting cells and intrahepatic and liver-infiltrating leukocytes. In response to pathogens or autoantigens, tolerance is disrupted by unknown mechanisms. Intrahepatic parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells exhibit unique antigen-presenting properties. The presentation of microbial and endogenous lipid-, metabolite- and peptide-derived antigens from the gut via conventional and nonconventional mechanisms can educate intrahepatic immune cells and elicit effector responses or tolerance. Perturbation of this balance results in autoimmune liver diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis, and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Although the exact etiologies of these autoimmune liver diseases are unknown, it is thought that the disruption of tolerance towards self-antigens and microbial metabolites and lipids, as well as alterations in bile acid composition, may result in changes in effector cell activation and polarization and may reduce or impair protective anti-inflammatory regulatory T and B cell responses. Additionally, the canonical and noncanonical transmission of antigens and antigen:MHC complexes via trogocytosis or extracellular vesicles between different (non) immune cells in the liver may play a role in the induction of hepatic inflammation and tolerance. Here, we summarize emerging aspects of antigen presentation, autoantibody production, and the application of novel therapeutic approaches in the characterization and treatment of autoimmune liver diseases.     

Innate lymphoid cells: the role in respiratory infections and lung tissue damage

Introduction: Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) represent a diverse family of cells of the innate immune system, which play an important role in regulation of tissue homeostasis, immunity and inflammation. Emerging evidence has highlighted the importance of ILCs in both protective immunity to respiratory infections and their pathological roles in the lungs. Therefore, the aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge, interpret and integrate it into broader perspective, enabling greater insight into the role of ILCs in respiratory diseases.

Areas covered: In this review we highlighted the role of ILCs in the lungs, citing the most recent studies in this area. PubMed searches (2004- July 2017) were conducted using the term ‘innate lymphoid cells respiratory viral infections’ in combination with other relevant terms including various respiratory viruses.

Expert commentary: Since studies of ILCs have opened new areas of investigation, understanding the role of ILCs in respiratory infections may help to clarify the mechanisms underlying viral-induced exacerbations of lung diseases, providing the basis for novel therapeutic strategies. Potential therapeutic targets have already been identified. So far, the most promising strategy is cytokine-targeting, although further clinical trials are needed to verify its effectiveness.     

The modulatory role of dendritic cell-T cell cross-talk in breast cancer: Challenges and prospects

Antigen recognition and presentation are highlighted as the first steps in developing specialized antigen responses. Dendritic cells (DCs) are outstanding professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs) responsible for priming cellular immunity in pathological states, including cancer. However, the diminished or repressed function of DCs is thought to be a substantial mechanism through which tumors escape from the immune system. In this regard, DCs obtained from breast cancer (BC) patients represent a notably weakened potency to encourage specific T-cell responses. Additionally, impaired DC-T-cell cross-talk in BC facilitates the immune evade of cancer cells and is connected with tumor advancement, immune tolerance, and adverse prognosis for patients. In this review we aim to highlight the available knowledge on DC-T-cell interactions in BC aggressiveness and show its therapeutic potential in BC treatment.