scholarly journals Immunologic Effects of Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy in Dogs with Spontaneous Tumors and the Impact of Intratumoral OX40/TLR Agonist Immunotherapy

2022 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 826
Author(s):  
Mary-Keara Boss ◽  
Remy Watts ◽  
Lauren G. Harrison ◽  
Sophie Hopkins ◽  
Lyndah Chow ◽  
...  

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is known to induce important immunologic changes within the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, little is known regarding the early immune responses within the TME in the first few weeks following SBRT. Therefore, we used the canine spontaneous tumor model to investigate TME responses to SBRT, and how local injection of immune modulatory antibodies to OX40 and TLR 3/9 agonists might modify those responses. Pet dogs with spontaneous cancers (melanoma, carcinoma, sarcoma, n = 6 per group) were randomized to treatment with either SBRT or SBRT combined with local immunotherapy. Serial tumor biopsies and serum samples were analyzed for immunologic responses. SBRT alone resulted at two weeks after treatment in increased tumor densities of CD3+ T cells, FoxP3+ Tregs, and CD204+ macrophages, and increased expression of genes associated with immunosuppression. The addition of OX40/TLR3/9 immunotherapy to SBRT resulted in local depletion of Tregs and tumor macrophages and reduced Treg-associated gene expression (FoxP3), suppressed macrophage-associated gene expression (IL-8), and suppressed exhausted T cell-associated gene expression (CTLA4). Increased concentrations of IL-7, IL-15, and IL-18 were observed in serum of animals treated with SBRT and immunotherapy, compared to animals treated with SBRT. A paradoxical decrease in the density of effector CD3+ T cells was observed in tumor tissues that received combined SBRT and immunotherapy as compared to animals treated with SBRT only. In summary, these results obtained in a spontaneous large animal cancer model indicate that addition of OX40/TLR immunotherapy to SBRT modifies important immunological effects both locally and systemically.

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (48) ◽  
pp. 30639-30648
Author(s):  
Dan Hu ◽  
Emily C. Tjon ◽  
Karin M. Andersson ◽  
Gabriela M. Molica ◽  
Minh C. Pham ◽  
...  

IL-17–producing Th17 cells are implicated in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and TNF-α, a proinflammatory cytokine in the rheumatoid joint, facilitates Th17 differentiation. Anti-TNF therapy ameliorates disease in many patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, a significant proportion of patients do not respond to this therapy. The impact of anti-TNF therapy on Th17 responses in RA is not well understood. We conducted high-throughput gene expression analysis of Th17-enriched CCR6+CXCR3−CD45RA−CD4+T (CCR6+T) cells isolated from anti-TNF–treated RA patients classified as responders or nonresponders to therapy. CCR6+T cells from responders and nonresponders had distinct gene expression profiles. Proinflammatory signaling was elevated in the CCR6+T cells of nonresponders, and pathogenic Th17 signature genes were up-regulated in these cells. Gene set enrichment analysis on these signature genes identified transcription factor USF2 as their upstream regulator, which was also increased in nonresponders. Importantly, short hairpin RNA targetingUSF2in pathogenic Th17 cells led to reduced expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-17A, IFN-γ, IL-22, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) as well as transcription factor T-bet. Together, our results revealed inadequate suppression of Th17 responses by anti-TNF in nonresponders, and direct targeting of the USF2-signaling pathway may be a potential therapeutic approach in the anti-TNF refractory RA.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 4723
Author(s):  
Rosaria Scudiero ◽  
Chiara Maria Motta ◽  
Palma Simoniello

The cleidoic eggs of oviparous reptiles are protected from the external environment by membranes and a parchment shell permeable to water and dissolved molecules. As a consequence, not only physical but also chemical insults can reach the developing embryos, interfering with gene expression. This review provides information on the impact of the exposure to cadmium contamination or thermal stress on gene expression during the development of Italian wall lizards of the genus Podarcis. The results obtained by transcriptomic analysis, although not exhaustive, allowed to identify some stress-reactive genes and, consequently, the molecular pathways in which these genes are involved. Cadmium-responsive genes encode proteins involved in cellular protection, metabolism and proliferation, membrane trafficking, protein interactions, neuronal transmission and plasticity, immune response, and transcription regulatory factors. Cold stress changes the expression of genes involved in transcriptional/translational regulation and chromatin remodeling and inhibits the transcription of a histone methyltransferase with the probable consequence of modifying the epigenetic control of DNA. These findings provide transcriptome-level evidence of how terrestrial vertebrate embryos cope with stress, giving a key to use in population survival and environmental change studies. A better understanding of the genes contributing to stress tolerance in vertebrates would facilitate methodologies and applications aimed at improving resistance to unfavourable environments.


Author(s):  
Heather L Chaney ◽  
Lindsay F Grose ◽  
Jeanna M LaBarbara ◽  
Adam W Sirk ◽  
Alyssa M Blancke ◽  
...  

Abstract Conceptus secretory factors include galectins, a family of carbohydrate binding proteins that elicit cell adhesion and immune suppression by interacting with intracellular and extracellular glycans. In rodents, galectin-1 (LGALS1) promotes maternal-fetal immune tolerance in the decidua through expansion of tolerogenic CD11c+ dendritic cells, increased anti-inflammatory IL-10, and activation of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg). This study characterized galectin expression in early ruminant conceptuses and endometrium. We also tested the effect of recombinant bovine LGALS1 (rbLGALS1) and progesterone (P4) on endometrial expression of genes and protein related to maternal-fetal immune tolerance in cattle. Elongating bovine and ovine conceptuses expressed several galectins, particularly, LGALS1, LGALS3 and LGALS8. Within bovine endometrium, expression of LGALS3, LGALS7 and LGALS9 was greater on Day 16 of pregnancy compared to the estrous cycle. Within ovine endometrium, LGALS7 was greater during pregnancy compared to the estrous cycle and endometrium of pregnant sheep tended to have greater LGALS9 and LGALS15. Expression of endometrial LGALS4 was less during pregnancy in sheep. Treating bovine endometrium with rbLGALS1 increased endometrial expression of CD11c, IL-10 and FOXP3, within 24 h. Specifically, within caruncular endometrium, both rbLGALS1 and P4 increased FOXP3, suggesting that both ligands may promote Treg expansion. Using IHC, FOXP3+ cells with a leukocyte phenotype were localized to the bovine uterine stratum compactum near the uterine surface and increased in response to rbLGALS1. We hypothesize that galectins have important functions during establishment of pregnancy in ruminants and bovine conceptus LGALS1 and luteal P4 confer mechanisms of maternal-conceptus immune tolerance in cattle.


Author(s):  
Zahra Sokhanvar ◽  
Ameneh Elikaei ◽  
Zohreh Sharifi

Background: Liver disease is more severe in HDV+HBV co-infected patients than HBV infected patients which seems to be related to differences in the expression of genes and other factors such as MicroRNAs (miRNAs). The aim of this study was to investigate miR-222 expression in HBV infected patients in comparison with HDV+HBV co-infected patients. Methods: First, total RNA was extracted from the serum samples and then, complementary DNA (cDNA) was produced using cDNA synthesis kit. Finally, miR-222 gene expression was measured using U6 as the internal control by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results: The level of miR-222 expression in HDV+HBV co-infected samples was significantly up regulated. The fold change of the miR-222 expression between two groups was 3.3 (95% CI; 0.011- 17.63) with p<0.001. Conclusion: The expression of miR-222 was higher in HBV+HDV co-infected patients than HBV infected patients. Further studies should be conducted to confirm whether miR-222 can be a biomarker for prognosis of severe liver diseases.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 185 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. C. S. Leao ◽  
N. A. S. Rocha Frigoni ◽  
P. C. Dall'Acqua ◽  
M. Ambrogi ◽  
G. B. Nunes ◽  
...  

This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of supplementation during in vitro maturation (IVM) with linolenic acid (ALA), l-carnitine (L-car), or the combination of both supplements on the embryo intracellular lipid content and cryotolerance, as well as in the embryo expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism (lipogenesis regulation: SCD1, FASN, and SREBP1; and β-oxidation pathway: CPT1B and CPT2). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (n = 1076) were IVM for 22 h at 38.5°C and 5% CO2 in air, in TCM-199 medium with bicarbonate, hormones, and 10% FCS (control group), supplemented with 100 μM ALA (ALA group), 5 mM L-car (L-car group), or a combination of 100 μM ALA + 5 mM L-car (ALA + L-car group). After IVF, presumptive zygotes were in vitro cultured in SOFaa medium supplemented with 5 mg mL−1 BSA and 2.5% FCS, at 38.5°C and 5% CO2 in air during 7 days. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were evaluated on Day 3 and 7, respectively (IVF = Day 0). At Day 7, the blastocysts were stained with the lipophilic dye Sudan Black B (n = 60), vitrified/warmed (n = 260; Ingámed® protocol, Maringa-PR, Brazil), or collected for analysis of gene expression (n = 180). Embryonic development were analysed by ANOVA and the multiple comparisons of means were determined by Tukey’s test. The embryonic re-expansion data were subjected to chi-square test and the differences in gene expression among groups were evaluated by Duncan’s multiple range test (P < 0.05). Data are presented as means ± standard error means. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of the supplements used during IVM on cleavage (79.54 ± 2.76% to 82.16 ± 1.13%) and blastocyst rates (29.03 ± 3.07% to 30.46 ± 2.01%). Similarly, the intracellular lipid content in Day-7 blastocysts (1.03 ± 0.04 to 1.15 ± 0.07 pixels) and the embryonic cryotolerance, assessed by the re-expansion rates after 24 h (67.3 to 78.3%) hatching rates after 48 h (11.5 to 25.5%) of post-warming culture, were unaffected (P > 0.05) by the supplements of IVM medium. Although the treatments did not alter (P > 0.05) the expression of CPT1B and CPT2 genes, the expression of FASN gene was decreased (P < 0.05) in the ALA group and the expression of SREBP1 gene was decreased (P < 0.05) in the ALA and L-car groups. The expression of the gene SCD1 was reduced (P < 0.05) in all treatments compared with the control group. Thus, despite the lack of effects of the treatments performed during IVM on the intracellular lipid content and cryotolerance of the embryos derived from the treated oocytes, a reduction in the expression of genes related to lipogenesis was observed in Day-7 blastocysts. These results suggest that treatments performed in the oocytes during IVM may have prolonged effects, affecting the subsequent expression of genes in embryos. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms related to the differentiation of the oocyte machinery during maturation. Financial support was provided by FAPESP (#2012/10084–4 and #2013/07382–6).


2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (6) ◽  
pp. L1261-L1269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Goodwin ◽  
Pengfei Li ◽  
Perry V. Halushka ◽  
James A. Cook ◽  
Aman S. Sumal ◽  
...  

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) can be taken up by recipient cells and have been recently associated with the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Their role in host predisposition to the syndrome is unknown. The objective of the study was to identify circulating miRNAs associated with the development of sepsis-related ARDS and examine their impact on endothelial cell gene expression and function. We determined miRNA levels in plasma collected from subjects during the first 24 h of admission to a tertiary intensive care unit for sepsis. A miRNA that was differentially expressed between subjects who did and did not develop ARDS was identified and was transfected into human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs). RNA sequencing, in silico analysis, cytokine expression, and leukocyte migration assays were used to determine the impact of this miRNA on gene expression and cell function. In two cohorts, circulating miR-887-3p levels were elevated in septic patients who developed ARDS compared with those who did not. Transfection of miR-887-3p into HPMECs altered gene expression, including the upregulation of several genes previously associated with ARDS (e.g., CXCL10, CCL5, CX3CL1, VCAM1, CASP1, IL1B, IFNB, and TLR2), and activation of cellular pathways relevant to the response to infection. Functionally, miR-887-3p increased the endothelial release of chemokines and facilitated trans-endothelial leukocyte migration. Circulating miR-887-3p is associated with ARDS in critically ill patients with sepsis. In vitro, miR-887-3p regulates the expression of genes relevant to ARDS and neutrophil tracking. This miRNA may contribute to ARDS pathogenesis and could represent a novel therapeutic target.


2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1436 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. P. Dalrymple ◽  
B. Guo ◽  
G. H. Zhou ◽  
W. Zhang

Intramuscular fat content (IMF%) in cattle influences the value of individual animals, especially for higher marbling markets. IMF is triacylglyceride (TAG) in lipid droplets in the intramuscular adipocytes. However, there are many different pathways from feed intake to the final common process of TAG synthesis and storage as IMF. To evaluate the relative importance of different pathways we compared changes in the expression of genes encoding proteins involved in the TAG and fatty acid (FA) synthesis pathways in the longissimus muscle of Piedmontese × Hereford (P×H) and Wagyu × Hereford (W×H) crosses. Based on these changes we have estimated the relative contributions of FA synthesised de novo in the intramuscular adipocyte and the uptake of circulating FA (both free and from TAG), from the diet or synthesised de novo in other tissues, to TAG deposition as IMF. We have analysed the impact of different developmental times and different diets on these processes. Increased de novo FA synthesis in intramuscular adipocytes appeared to contribute more than increased FA uptake from circulation to the additional TAG deposition in W×H compared with P×H cattle between 12 and 25 months (forage diet). Changing diet from forage to concentrate appeared to increase the importance of FA uptake from circulation relative to de novo FA synthesis for TAG synthesis in intramuscular adipocytes. These results are consistent with the literature based on analysis of lipid composition. Gene expression appears to provide a simple assay for identification of the source of FA for the deposition of IMF.


2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 113-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Casey ◽  
Osman V. Patel ◽  
Karen Plaut

Few studies have investigated the impact of alterations in gravity on mammalian transcriptomes. Here, we describe the impact of spaceflight on mammary transcriptome of late pregnant rats and the effect of hypergravity exposure on mammary, liver, and adipose transcriptomes in late pregnancy and at the onset of lactation. RNA was isolated from mammary collected on pregnancy day 20 from rats exposed to spaceflight from days 11 to 20 of gestation. To measure the impact of hypergravity on mammary, liver, and adipose transcriptomes we isolated RNA from tissues collected on P20 and lactation day 1 from rats exposed to hypergravity beginning on pregnancy day 9. Gene expression was measured with Affymetrix GeneChips. Microarray analysis of variance revealed alterations in gravity affected the expression of genes that regulate circadian clocks and activate mechanotransduction pathways. Changes in these systems may explain global gene expression changes in immune response, metabolism, and cell proliferation. Expression of genes that modify chromatin structure and methylation was affected, suggesting adaptation to gravity alterations may proceed through epigenetic change. Altered gravity experiments offer insights into the role of forces omnipresent on Earth that shape genomes in heritable ways. Our study is the first to analyze the impact of alterations in gravity on transcriptomes of pregnant and lactating mammals. Findings provide insight into systems that sense gravity and the way in which they affect phenotype, as well as the possibility of sustaining life beyond Earth's orbit.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mulumebet Worku ◽  
Ahmed Abdalla ◽  
Sarah Adjei-Fremah ◽  
Hamid Ismail

<p>Sericea Lespedeza (SL), is a high-quality, low input forage that suppresses gastro-intestinal parasites in goats. The effect of dietary SL on the expression of genes involved in innate immunity in goats has not been established. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a diet containing SL on the expression of genes involved in innate immunity in goat blood. Blood was collected by jugular venipuncture from goats fed a diet of 75% SL (n = 9) and a control group (n = 7), fed a SL free diet. Blood was used to evaluate expression of (CD-14, TLR-2, TLR-4, IL-10, IL-8, IL-2, INF-r, and TNF-a). Serum was extracted and used for evaluation of the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-a, IFNr, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF), IL-1a, IL-8, IP-10 and RANTES) using a commercial ELISA kit. The level of gene expression of CD-14, TLR-2, TLR-4, IL-10, IL-8, IL-2, INF-r, and TNF-a was higher in treated animals compared to control. The <em>Sericea Lespedeza</em> diet affected the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by increasing the serum levels of TNF-a, IFNr, GCSF, GMCSF, IL-1a, IP-10 (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.0002), and by decreasing (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.0001) IL-8 and RANTES in blood from goats fed SL. This suggests that dietary tannins modulate gene expression and may affect the goat's innate immune response in blood. Further research is needed to understand and harness the effect of dietary condensed tannins to modulate innate immunity in goats.</p>


Blood ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 128 (22) ◽  
pp. 2162-2162
Author(s):  
Martin Szyska ◽  
Stefanie Herda ◽  
Stefanie Althoff ◽  
Andreas Heimann ◽  
Tra My Dang ◽  
...  

Abstract Adoptive T cell therapy (ATT) is a promising option for the treatment of solid cancers. However, various defense mechanisms acquired by the tumor during evolution prevent transferred T cells (TC) to unfold their full potential. A combination of ATT with accessory therapeutic approaches including checkpoint inhibition and targeted therapy could lift TC inhibition and efficiently shift the immune balance towards tumor rejection. An in-vivo analysis of the impact of combination strategies on the outcome of ATT would greatly enhance the search for an optimal accessory to ATT therapy. We generated the transgenic mouse line BLITC (bioluminescence imaging of T cells) expressing an NFAT (nuclear factor of activated T cell)-dependent Click-beetle luciferase (Na et. al, 2010) and a constitutive Renilla Luciferase, allowing us to monitor migration and activation of transferred TCs in vivo. In order to analyze crucial ATT parameters in a clinically relevant tumor model, BLITC mice were crossed to the two HY-TCR transgenic mice Marilyn (CD4: H-2Ab-Dby) and MataHari (CD8: H-2Db-Uty) to generate TCs that could be monitored for in-vivo infiltration, local activation and rejection of established (> 0,5 cm x 0,5 cm / ≥10 days growth) H-Y expressing MB49 tumors. In order to better reflect the clinical situation, we lymphodepleted tumor-bearing immunocompetent albino B6 mice with fludarabine (FLu) and/or cyclophosphamide (CTX) prior to ATT. Transferred TCs were FACSorted and injected after an optional culture expansion phase. As shown before for freshly injected tumor cells (Perez-Diez, 2007), we observed a superior response of tumor-antigen specific CD4+ TCs compared to CD8+ TCs against established tumors. Whereas 5*106 CD8+ T cells hardly attenuated tumor growth, even as few as 5000 H-Y TCR-transgenic CD4+ T cells rejected tumors in most mice, depending on the lymphodepleting treatment (Figure A - remission rates in parentheses). Tumor infiltration and activation of adoptively transferred TCs was monitored in-vivo by the respective bioluminescent reporters. Around day 4 and 6, CD4+ TCs migrated from tumor-draining lymph nodes into the tumor environment and persisted until rejection. Interestingly, activation of CD4+ TCs was only transient (between days 4 and 7) in all mice, independent of therapy outcome (in Figure B shown for refractory tumor). Whereas loss of activation signal during remission was correlated with tumor clearance and decline of effector function, in refractory tumors it suggests a rapid inactivation of infiltrating TCs by the tumor microenvironment. Our data indicate that the failure of tumor rejection is not caused by impaired peripheral expansion or tumor homing but rather by inhibition of TC effector function. Responsible mechanisms and counter-acting therapeutic interventions are the focus of ongoing studies. In summary, the BLITC reporter system facilitates analysis of therapeutic parameters for ATT in a well-established solid tumor model. Using BLITC mice for transduction with TCR or CAR expression cassettes could allow rapid monitoring of on-target as well as undesired off-target effects in virtually any tumor setting. Future experiments will focus on the beneficial effects of combination treatments on the activation of adoptively transferred TCs. Figure. Figure. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


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