Expression of L-selectin (CD62L) and CD44 on Bovine Lymphocytes and WC1.1+ γδ T Cells under Stimulation with Staphylococcus aureus

The present study explored the expression of CD62L and CD44 by bovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and WC1.1+ γδ T cells under Staphylococcus aureus cell culture stimu-lation. In this study, peripheral blood cells were isolated from ten dairy cows and cocultured with S. aureus. Afterward, the γδ T cell subpopulation and the expression of CD44, CD62L and prolif-erative (Ki67+) cells were evaluated by flow cytometry. Our results showed that the percentages of proliferative PBMCs and WC1.1+ γδ T cells were higher when stimulated with S. aureus. The percentage of CD44+ cells increased in S. aureus-stimulated cultured PMBCs and WC1.1+ γδ T cells, as did the CD44 geometric mean fluorescence intensity (GMFI). The rate of CD62L cells did not differ among groups for either PBMCs or WC1.1+ γδ T cells. A higher GMFI of CD62L in prolif-erative PBMCs than nonproliferative PBMCs upon stimulation with S. aureus was detected, whereas no impact on the GMFI of CD62L was observed in WC1.1+ cells. In summary, our study identified that S. aureus was associated with high expression of CD44 in overall PBMCs and WC1.1+ γδ T cells, and they could generate memory WC1.1+ γδ T cells, preferably central memory cells.

CHARACTERIZATION OF CENTRAL AND EFFECTOR CD4⁺ MEMORY CELLS IN PSORIASIS

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the skin and joints are involved in the pathological process. It was found that the recurrence of rashes in this disease occurs due to the resident memory cells of the skin. The number of CD4+CCR3+ effector memory cells in peripheral blood correlates with the severity of the disease. Therefore, the aim of our work is to study the phenotype of peripheral blood memory cells in patients with psoriasis.The study included 6 healthy donors: average age – 45.4 (min – 29, max – 55), women – 3, men – 3; 10 patients with psoriasis: women – 4, men – 6, average age – 37.3 (min – 23, max – 57), of which 5 patients with PASI > 10 and 5 patients with PASI < 10. The exclusion criteria for the study were the presence of autoimmune, oncological and hematological diseases, systemic therapy with immunosuppressive drugs for 1 month. Patients signed informed consent to participate in the study. Isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed in a density gradient of ficoll-urographin (p = 1.082 g/L). Then cells were stained with fluorochrome-conjugated monoclonal antibodies to surface markers of central (Tcm) and effector (Tem) CD4+ memory cells (CD4, CD45RO, CD197), the α-chain of the IL-7 receptor (CD127), and the γ-chain of the IL-7 receptor (CD132). Statistical analysis of the data obtained was performed using the Statistica 6.0 software package.The percent of Tcm in the peripheral blood of donors was 33.4% (in – 18.2, max – 43.7), Tem – 28.7% (min – 13.6, max – 38.9), in patients with psoriasis: Tcm – 28.65% (min – 13.3, max – 59.6), Tem – 21.5% (min – 9.3, max – 38.6). In the peripheral blood of patients with psoriasis, among the central CD4+ memory cells, the proportion of CD127+CD132- -cells is 26.00%, CD127+CD132+ – 1.69%, CD127+CD132- – 69.00%, CD127- CD132+ – 1.94%. Among effector CD4+ memory cells, the proportion of CD127+CD132- -cells is 23.58%, CD127+CD132+ – 1.18%, CD127+CD132- – 69.84%, CD127- CD132+ – 0.70%. A direct correlation was found between the number of CD127- CD132+ central memory cells and the PASI value (r = 0.639, p < 0.05).In patients with psoriasis, the proportion of central memory cells is higher than in healthy donors, while the number of effector memory cells is lower. A direct correlation was found between the number of central cells expressing the γ-chain of the IL-7 receptor and the severity of the disease. Activated memory cells are characterized by high expression of CD132. It can be assumed that this population of memory cells plays a role in maintaining autoimmune inflammation in patients with this disease, and also participates in the repopulation of skin resident memory cells.

Integrative bioinformatics and experimental analysis revealed down-regulated CDC42EP3 as a novel prognostic target for ovarian cancer and its roles in immune infiltration

Ovarian cancer is a significant clinical challenge as no effective treatments are available to enhance patient survival. Recently, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification has been demonstrated to play a pivotal role in tumorigenesis and progression. However, the roles of m6A target genes in ovarian cancer haven’t been clearly illustrated. In this study, we presented a comprehensive bioinformatics and in vitro analysis to evaluate the roles of m6A target genes. Cell division cycle 42 effector protein 3 (CDC42EP3), one probable m6A target gene, was identified to be down-regulated in ovarian cancer tissues and cells. Meanwhile, quantitative PCR (qPCR) and western blot were used to confirm the down-regulated CDC42EP3 in ovarian cancer cells A2780 and TOV112D. The biological function of CDC42EP3 in ovarian cancer was further validated with several algorithms, such as PrognoScan, K-M plotter, LinkedOmics and TISIDB. These findings indicated that lower expression of CDC42EP3 was correlated with poor prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer. In addition, CDC42EP3 expression was significantly associated with a diverse range of tumor-infiltrating immune cells, including natural killer cells (NK), T central memory cells (Tcm), T gamma delta cells (Tgd), etc. Taken together, this study uncovered the potential roles of m6A target gene CDC42EP3 in the regulation of immune microenvironment in the ovarian cancer, and identified CDC42EP3 as a novel prognostic target.

WED 183 Cladribine tablets effects on t cell subsets in patients with early ms

BackgroundBecause of the durable clinical effects of cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg (CT3.5) in patients with multiple sclerosis, the influence of treatment on cells with regulatory immune function is of interest.ObjectiveExamine effects on central memory; effector memory; and naturally occurring regulatory (nTregs) CD4 +T cells after first administration of CT3.5 in ORACLE-MS.MethodsPeripheral blood T-lymphocytes were immunophenotyped at baseline, and Weeks 5, 13, 24, 48 in CT3.5 treated patients (n=41). Absolute numbers and proportions of central memory (CD4+RO+CCR7+), effector memory (CD4+RO+CCR7-), Th1-type (CD4+CXCR3+), nTregs (CD4+CD25+CD127-), including naïve-like and memory-like nTregs were measured.ResultsGreatest median reductions in absolute numbers occurred at Week-13 for effector memory cells (−54%); Week-24 for central memory (−63%) and Th1-type cells (−51%); with similar/slightly increased levels at Week-48. There was ~5% reduction in proportion of central memory cells, but no change in proportions of effector memory and Th1-type cells. Absolute numbers of nTregs (−48%), naïve-like (−67%) and memory-like nTregs (−42%) decreased by Week-48. nTregs and naïve-like nTregs proportions were unchanged. Proportions of memory-like nTregs slightly increased up to 48 Weeks.ConclusionCT3.5 administration has a comparable effect on CD4+ T cell subpopulations, with no dramatic shifts in proportions.Disclaimerhttp://medpub-poster.merckgroup.com/ABN2018DISC_ORACLE.pdf

Preliminary Studies on Immune Response and Viral Pathogenesis of Zika Virus in Rhesus Macaques

Zika Virus (ZIKV) is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites. It can also be transmitted during sexual intercourse and in utero from mother to fetus. To gain preliminary insight into ZIKV pathology and immune responses on route of transmission, rhesus macaques (RMs) were inoculated with ZIKV (PRVABC59) via intravaginal (IVAG) (n = 3) or subcutaneous (sub Q) (n = 2) routes. Systemic ZIKV infection was observed in all RMs, regardless of the route of inoculation. After 9 days postinfection (dpi), ZIKV was not detected in the plasma of IVAG- and sub-Q-inoculated RMs. Importantly, RMs harbored ZIKV up to 60 dpi in various anatomical locations. Of note, ZIKV was also present in several regions of the brain, including the caudate nucleus, parietal lobe, cortex, and amygdala. These observations appear to indicate that ZIKV infection may be systemic and persistent regardless of route of inoculation. In addition, we observed changes in key immune cell populations in response to ZIKV infection. Importantly, IVAG ZIKV infection of RMs is associated with increased depletion of CD11C hi myeloid cells, reduced PD-1 expression in NK cells, and elevated frequencies of Ki67+ CD8+ central memory cells as compared to sub Q ZIKV-infected RMs. These results need to interpreted with caution due to the small number of animals utilized in this study. Future studies involving large groups of animals that have been inoculated through both routes of transmission are needed to confirm our findings.

A primary role for human central memory cells in tissue immunosurveillance

Key Points Human TCM are tissue tropic, have impressive effector functions, and are found in noninflamed human tissues. TCM can act alone to induce inflammation in human skin–grafted mice; results suggest a role for human TCM in primary immunosurveillance.