scholarly journals Positive allosteric modulation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 restrains neuroinflammation

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (7) ◽  
pp. 3848-3857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giada Mondanelli ◽  
Alice Coletti ◽  
Francesco Antonio Greco ◽  
Maria Teresa Pallotta ◽  
Ciriana Orabona ◽  
...  

l-tryptophan (Trp), an essential amino acid for mammals, is the precursor of a wide array of immunomodulatory metabolites produced by the kynurenine and serotonin pathways. The kynurenine pathway is a paramount source of several immunoregulatory metabolites, including l-kynurenine (Kyn), the main product of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) that catalyzes the rate-limiting step of the pathway. In the serotonin pathway, the metabolite N-acetylserotonin (NAS) has been shown to possess antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and neuroprotective properties in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). However, little is known about the exact mode of action of the serotonin metabolite and the possible interplay between the 2 Trp metabolic pathways. Prompted by the discovery that NAS neuroprotective effects in EAE are abrogated in mice lacking IDO1 expression, we investigated the NAS mode of action in neuroinflammation. We found that NAS directly binds IDO1 and acts as a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of the IDO1 enzyme in vitro and in vivo. As a result, increased Kyn will activate the ligand-activated transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor and, consequently, antiinflammatory and immunoregulatory effects. Because NAS also increased IDO1 activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of a significant proportion of MS patients, our data may set the basis for the development of IDO1 PAMs as first-in-class drugs in autoimmune/neuroinflammatory diseases.

Pteridines ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-243
Author(s):  
Sebastian Schroecksnadel ◽  
Elena-Sophia Ledjeff ◽  
Johanna Gostner ◽  
Christiana Winkler ◽  
Katharina Kurz ◽  
...  

AbstractIn vitro, large amounts of neopterin are released from human monocyte-derived macrophages and dendritic cells primarily upon stimulation with Th1-type cytokine interferon-γ (IFN-γ). IFN-γ also induces the enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), which degrades tryptophan (TRP) to form kynurenine (KYN). IDO-mediated TRP catabolism is very effective in suppressing the proliferation of T lymphocytes as well as of pathogens in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we investigated whether exogenously added neopterin may influence IDO activity in resting and in stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PBMC were isolated from healthy donors, and neopterin was added in a concentration range from 0.01 to 50 μmol/L. After 30 min, PBMC were stimulated or not with 10 μg/mL of mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA). After 48 h, culture supernatants were collected, KYN and TRP concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and the ratio of KYN vs. TRP was calculated as an estimate of IDO activity. Spontaneous as well as PHA-induced TRP breakdown was suppressed by exogenously added neopterin in a dose-dependent way; the lowest active concentration of neopterin was <100 nmol/L. As neopterin concentrations in the nanomolar range are commonly observed in patients suffering from infections, sepsis, or uremia, our results suggest that neopterin formation might also serve as a feedback mechanism to slow down TRP degradation in vivo.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hacer Kuzu Okur ◽  
Koray Yalcin ◽  
Cihan Tastan ◽  
Sevda Demir ◽  
Bulut Yurtsever ◽  
...  

UNSTRUCTURED Dornase alfa, the recombinant form of the human DNase I enzyme, breaks down neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) that include a vast amount of DNA fragments, histones, microbicidal proteins and oxidant enzymes released from necrotic neutrophils in the highly viscous mucus of cystic fibrosis patients. Dornase alfa has been used for decades in patients with cystic fibrosis to reduce the viscoelasticity of respiratory tract secretions, to decrease the severity of respiratory tract infections, and to improve lung function. Previous studies have linked abnormal NET formations to lung diseases, especially to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic affected more than two million people over the world, resulting in unprecedented health, social and economic crises. The COVID-19, viral pneumonia that progresses to ARDS and even multiple organ failure, is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). High blood neutrophil levels are an early indicator of SARS-CoV-2 infection and predict severe respiratory diseases. A similar mucus structure is detected in COVID-19 patients due to the accumulation of excessive NET in the lungs. Here, we show our preliminary results with dornase alfa that may have an in-vitro anti-viral effect against SARS-CoV-2 infection in a bovine kidney cell line, MDBK without drug toxicity on healthy adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In this preliminary study, we also showed that dornase alfa can promote clearance of NET formation in both an in-vitro and three COVID-19 cases who showed clinical improvement in radiological analysis (2-of-3 cases), oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate, disappearing of dyspnea and coughing.


npj Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Tanner ◽  
Andrew D. White ◽  
Charelle Boot ◽  
Claudia C. Sombroek ◽  
Matthew K. O’Shea ◽  
...  

AbstractWe present a non-human primate mycobacterial growth inhibition assay (MGIA) using in vitro blood or cell co-culture with the aim of refining and expediting early tuberculosis vaccine testing. We have taken steps to optimise the assay using cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells, transfer it to end-user institutes, and assess technical and biological validity. Increasing cell concentration or mycobacterial input and co-culturing in static 48-well plates compared with rotating tubes improved intra-assay repeatability and sensitivity. Standardisation and harmonisation efforts resulted in high consistency agreements, with repeatability and intermediate precision <10% coefficient of variation (CV) and inter-site reproducibility <20% CV; although some systematic differences were observed. As proof-of-concept, we demonstrated ability to detect a BCG vaccine-induced improvement in growth inhibition in macaque samples, and a correlation between MGIA outcome and measures of protection from in vivo disease development following challenge with either intradermal BCG or aerosol/endobronchial Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) at a group and individual animal level.


Blood ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 83 (9) ◽  
pp. 2516-2525 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Meszaros ◽  
S Aberle ◽  
R Dedrick ◽  
R Machovich ◽  
A Horwitz ◽  
...  

Abstract Mononuclear phagocytes, stimulated by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), have been implicated in the activation of coagulation in sepsis and endotoxemia. In monocytes LPS induces the synthesis of tissue factor (TF) which, assembled with factor VII, initiates the blood coagulation cascades. In this study we investigated the mechanism of LPS recognition by monocytes, and the consequent expression of TF mRNA and TF activity. We also studied the inhibition of these effects of LPS by rBPI23, a 23-kD recombinant fragment of bactericidal/permeability increasing protein, which has been shown to antagonize LPS in vitro and in vivo. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, or monocytes isolated by adherence, were stimulated with Escherichia coli O113 LPS at physiologically relevant concentrations (&gt; or = 10 pg/mL). The effect of LPS was dependent on the presence of the serum protein LBP (lipopolysaccharide-binding protein), as shown by the potentiating effect of human recombinant LBP or serum. Furthermore, recognition of low amounts of LPS by monocytes was also dependent on CD14 receptors, because monoclonal antibodies against CD14 greatly reduced the LPS sensitivity of monocytes in the presence of serum or rLBP. Induction of TF activity and mRNA expression by LPS were inhibited by rBPI23. The expression of tumor necrosis factor showed qualitatively similar changes. Considering the involvement of LPS-induced TF in the potentially lethal intravascular coagulation in sepsis, inhibition of TF induction by rBPI23 may be of therapeutic benefit.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Mark Collister ◽  
Julia Rempel ◽  
Jiaqi Yang ◽  
Kelly Kaita ◽  
Zach Raizman ◽  
...  

Background: Interleukin 32 (IL-32) is a recently described pro-inflammatory cytokine implicated in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related inflammation and fibrosis. IL-32α is the most abundant IL-32 isoform. Methods: Circulating IL-32α levels were documented in patients with chronic HCV infections ( n = 31) and compared with individuals who spontaneously resolved HCV infection ( n = 14) and HCV-naive controls ( n = 20). In addition, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from the chronic HCV ( n = 12) and HCV-naive ( n = 9) cohorts were investigated for responses to HCV core and non-structural (NS)3 protein induced IL-32α production. Finally, correlations between IL-32α levels, hepatic fibrosis and subsequent responses to interferon-based therapy were documented in patients with chronic HCV. Results: Circulating IL-32α levels in patients with chronic HCV were similar to those of spontaneously resolved and HCV-naive controls. HCV protein induced IL-32α responses were similar in chronic HCV patients and HCV-naive controls. In patients with chronic HCV, serum IL-32α levels correlated with worsening METAVIR fibrosis (F) scores from F0 to F3 ( r = 0.596, P < 0.001) as did NS3 induced IL-32α responses ( r = 0.837, P < 0.05). However, these correlations were not sustained with the inclusion of IL-32α levels at F4 scores, suggesting events at F4 interfere with IL-32α synthesis or release. In chronic HCV patients who underwent treatment ( n = 28), baseline in vivo and in vitro induced IL-32α concentrations were not predictive of therapeutic outcomes. Conclusions: IL-32α activity is associated with worsening fibrosis scores in non-cirrhotic, chronic HCV patients.


1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 2154-2162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carla Bromuro ◽  
Roberto La Valle ◽  
Silvia Sandini ◽  
Francesca Urbani ◽  
Clara M. Ausiello ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The 70-kDa recombinant Candida albicans heat shock protein (CaHsp70) and its 21-kDa C-terminal and 28-kDa N-terminal fragments (CaHsp70-Cter and CaHsp70-Nter, respectively) were studied for their immunogenicity, including proinflammatory cytokine induction in vitro and in vivo, and protection in a murine model of hematogenous candidiasis. The whole protein and its two fragments were strong inducers of both antibody (Ab; immunoglobulin G1 [IgG1] and IgG2b were the prevalent isotypes) and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) responses in mice. CaHsp70 preparations were also recognized as CMI targets by peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy human subjects. Inoculation of CaHsp70 preparations into immunized mice induced rapid production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha, peaking at 2 to 5 h and declining within 24 h. CaHsp70 and CaHsp70-Cter also induced gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-12, and IL-10 but not IL-4 production by CD4+ lymphocytes cocultured with splenic accessory cells from nonimmunized mice. In particular, the production of IFN-γ was equal if not superior to that induced in the same cells by whole, heat-inactivated fungal cells or the mitogenic lectin concanavalin A. In immunized mice, however, IL-4 but not IL-12 was produced in addition to IFN-γ upon in vitro stimulation of CD4+ cells with CaHsp70 and CaHsp70-Cter. These animals showed a decreased median survival time compared to nonimmunized mice, and their mortality was strictly associated with organ invasion by fungal hyphae. Their enhanced susceptibility was attributable to the immunization state, as it did not occur in congenitally athymic nude mice, which were unable to raise either Ab or CMI responses to CaHsp70 preparations. Together, our data demonstrate the elevated immunogenicity of CaHsp70, with which, however, no protection against but rather some enhancement of Candida infection seemed to occur in the mouse model used.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yannick D. Muller ◽  
Leonardo M.R. Ferreira ◽  
Emilie Ronin ◽  
Patrick Ho ◽  
Vinh Nguyen ◽  
...  

Infusion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) engineered with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting donor-derived human leukocyte antigen (HLA) is a promising strategy to promote transplant tolerance. Here, we describe an anti-HLA-A2 CAR (A2-CAR) generated by grafting the complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) of a human monoclonal anti-HLA-A2 antibody into the framework regions of the Herceptin 4D5 single-chain variable fragment and fusing it with a CD28-zeta signaling domain. The CDR-grafted A2-CAR maintained the specificity of the original antibody. We then generated HLA-A2 mono-specific human CAR Tregs either by deleting the endogenous T-cell receptor (TCR) via CRISPR/Cas9 and introducing the A2-CAR using lentiviral transduction or by directly integrating the CAR construct into the TCR alpha constant locus using homology-directed repair. These A2-CAR+TCRdeficient human Tregs maintained both Treg phenotype and function in vitro. Moreover, they selectively accumulated in HLA-A2-expressing islets transplanted from either HLA-A2 transgenic mice or deceased human donors. A2-CAR+TCRdeficient Tregs did not impair the function of these HLA-A2+ islets, whereas similarly engineered A2-CAR+TCRdeficientCD4+ conventional T cells rejected the islets in less than 2 weeks. A2-CAR+TCRdeficient Tregs delayed graft-versus-host disease only in the presence of HLA-A2, expressed either by co-transferred peripheral blood mononuclear cells or by the recipient mice. Altogether, we demonstrate that genome-engineered mono-antigen-specific A2-CAR Tregs localize to HLA-A2-expressing grafts and exhibit antigen-dependent in vivo suppression, independent of TCR expression. These approaches may be applied towards developing precision Treg cell therapies for transplant tolerance.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 964-967
Author(s):  
THOMAS J. BOWEN ◽  
RALPH J. WEDGWOOD ◽  
HANS D. OCHS ◽  
WERNER HENLE

In vivo and in vitro humoral and cellular immune responses were studied in a 2½-year-old girl immediately before, during, and after an asymptomatic infection with Epstein-Barr virus. During the acute EBV infection, the patient's peripheral blood mononuclear cells were deficient in immunoglobulin synthesis and suppressed the in vitro immunoglobulin synthesis of normal allogeneic cells. In vitro mitogen transformation of lymphocytes was reduced. In vivo antibody responses to the T cell-dependent antigens bacteriophage φX 174 and Keyhole limpet hemocyanin were markedly depressed. These studies suggest that suppressor cells induced during acute EBV infection not only suppress immunoglobulin synthesis in vitro, but also interfere with in vivo antibody synthesis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 509-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna J. Boland ◽  
Nisha Gangadharan ◽  
Pierce Kavanagh ◽  
Linda Hemeryck ◽  
Jennifer Kieran ◽  
...  

Statins are mainstream therapy in the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease through inhibitory effects on cholesterol synthesis. However, statins’ beneficial effects in cardiovascular disease may also be attributable to their role as anti-inflammatory mediators. Here, we investigated the effects of simvastatin treatment on expression levels of interleukin (IL) 1β in both patient with hyperlipidemia and healthy human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using cholesterol crystals (CC), a cardiovascular pathogenic stimulus for activation of the NOD-like receptor pyrin domain–containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Cholesterol crystal-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation was used to trigger maturation and release of IL-1β in PBMCs. Specifically, isolated PBMCs from patients with hyperlipidemia at baseline and following 8 weeks of in vivo treatment with simvastatin (10-20 mg) daily were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 100 ng/mL) for 3 hours to induce proIL-Iβ expression followed by CC (2 mg/mL) stimulation for further 18 hours to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome complex to induce maturation/activation of IL-1β. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were also isolated from healthy donors and stimulated in vitro with simvastatin (50, 25, 5, and 2 µmol/L) prior to stimulation with LPS and CC as described above. The effects of simvastatin treatment on levels of IL-1β expression were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot. Both in vitro and in vivo treatments with simvastatin led to a significant reduction in the levels of expression of IL-1β in response to stimulation with CC. Simvastatin inhibits the expression and activation of IL-1β induced by CC in PBMCs, which may contribute to its protective role in patients with cardiovascular disease.


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