Synovial fluid (SF)-derived monocyte-macrophage (MON-Mφ)-lineage cells in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) remain poorly understood. We analyzed SF samples from 420 patients with KOA with effusion. The MON-Mφ cells accounted for 47.4% (median; range 7.1%-94.4%) of CD45+ cells and consisted of four subpopulations that correlated with the distribution and activation of other immune cells. The most abundant subpopulation was that of inactive CD11b+CD14-CD16- myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs; cDC2), which exhibited low cytokine production, low T lymphocyte stimulation, and high migratory ability. Other major subpopulations included CD11b+CD14+CD16- monocyte-like cells and CD11b+CD14+CD16+ macrophages, which share a similar transcriptomic profile. A subpopulation of CD11b-CD14-CD16- mDCs (cDC1) was less common. A higher proportion of CD11b+CD14-CD16- mDCs was linked to early-stage KOA and mild joint pain. Dendritic cells were rarely present in KOA synovium. This study revealed the considerable complexity of SF-derived MON-Mφ subpopulations and highlighted the role of inactive mDCs in KOA.

• MeSH
• Osteoarthritis, Knee * pathology   metabolism   immunology   MeSH
• Cell Lineage MeSH
• Dendritic Cells * metabolism   immunology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Macrophages * metabolism   immunology   MeSH
• Monocytes * metabolism   immunology   MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Synovial Fluid * metabolism   immunology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

We have recently published that the proportion of pro-inflammatory macrophages of human adipose tissue (CD14+, CD16+, CD36+++) correlates positively with the main risk factors of atherosclerosis – age, BMI and non-HDL cholesterol concentration. In a pilot study we found that this proportion was related to the spectra of fatty acids of phospholipids of cell membranes of total adipose tissue –positively with the proportion of palmitate and palmitoleate and negatively with that of alfa-linolenate and total omega3 fatty acids. The aim of this project is to establish whether macrophage polarization is induced by changes in the fatty acid spectrum of adipocytes (with the polarization being a milieu of adipose tissue) or in the cells of stromal vascular fraction (macrophages). The adipose tissue to be analyzed will be obtained peroperatively by hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy of 60 living kidney donors (LKDs). In a group of LKDs with hypercholesterolemia (n=8), dietary intervention will be used to possibly identify a new option in the treatment of immune factors in atherogenesis.

V poslední době jsme publikovali, že podíl proinflamačních makrofágů lidské tukové tkáně (CD14+, CD16+, CD36+++) pozitivně koreluje s hlavními rizikovými faktory aterosklerózy – věkem, BMI a koncentrací non-HDL cholesterolu. V pilotní studii předloženého projektu jsme zjistili, že tento podíl je ovlivněn spektrem mastných kyselin ve fosfolipidech celulární membrány celé tukové tkáně – pozitivně k podílu palmitátu a palmitoleátu a negativně k alfa-linolenátu a celkových omega3 mastných kyselin. Cílem tohoto projektu je zjistit, zda tato polarizace makrofágů je vyvolána změnami spektra mastných kyselin adipocytech (a polarizací je milieu tukové tkáně) či přímo v buňkách stromal vaskulární frakce (v samotných makrofázích). Analyzovaná tuková tkáň bude získána per-operačně rukou asistované laparoskopické nefrektomie od 60 živých dárců ledvin. Navíc bude podskupina živých dárců ledvin (n=8) s hypercholesterolémií dietně intervenována (náhradou živočišných tuků za rostlinné a suplementací rybích olejů) k otevření nového způsobu terapie imunitních faktorů účastnících se aterogeneze.

• Keywords
• zánět, tuková tkáň, inflammation, adipose tissue, makrofágy, macrophages, spektrum mastných kyselin, fatty acids spectra,

• NML Publication type
• závěrečné zprávy o řešení grantu AZV MZ ČR

Helicobacter pylori colonizes the human gastric mucosa of more than half of the human population and has a unique lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structure. LPS is the most dominant and suitable pathogen-associated molecular pattern that is detected via pattern recognition receptors. Although the priming effect of H. pylori LPS on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of PMNs is lower than that of Escherichia coli O111:B4 LPS, LPS released from H. pylori associated with antibiotics eradication therapy may activate PMNs and increase ROS production. In addition, we describe the effects of H. pylori and E. coli O111:B4 LPSs on gene expression and the anti-inflammatory effect of lansoprazole (LPZ) in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. LPS isolated from H. pylori and E. coli O111:B4 alters toll-like receptor 2 (TLR) and TLR4 expressions similarly. However, LPS from E. coli O111:B4 and H. pylori caused a 1.8-fold and 1.5-fold increase, respectively, in CD14 expression. All LPS subtypes upregulated TNFα and IL6 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Although E. coli O111:B4 LPS upregulated IL8R mRNA levels, H. pylori LPS did not (≦ 100 ng/mL). Gene expression levels of ITGAM demonstrated no significant change on using both LPSs. These different effects on the gene expression in PMNs may depend on variations in LPS structural modifications related to the acquired immunomodulatory properties of H. pylori LPS. Proton pump inhibitors, i.e., LPZ, are used in combination with antibiotics for the eradication therapy of H. pylori. LPZ and its acid-activated sulphenamide form AG-2000 suppress ROS production of PMNs in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that LPZ combination with antibiotics for H. pylori eradication reduces gastric inflammation by suppressing ROS release from PMNs.

• MeSH
• Cytokines metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• Escherichia coli drug effects   genetics   MeSH
• Helicobacter pylori * drug effects   genetics   MeSH
• Proton Pump Inhibitors * pharmacology   chemistry   MeSH
• Lansoprazole * pharmacology   chemistry   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Lipopolysaccharides * metabolism   pharmacology   MeSH
• Neutrophils * drug effects   immunology   MeSH
• Reactive Oxygen Species metabolism   MeSH
• Toll-Like Receptor 4 metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Bordetella pertussis infects the upper airways of humans and disarms host defense by the potent immuno-subversive activities of its pertussis (PT) and adenylate cyclase (CyaA) toxins. CyaA action near-instantly ablates the bactericidal activities of sentinel CR3-expressing myeloid phagocytes by hijacking cellular signaling pathways through the unregulated production of cAMP. Moreover, CyaA-elicited cAMP signaling also inhibits the macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)-induced differentiation of incoming inflammatory monocytes into bactericidal macrophages. We show that CyaA/cAMP signaling via protein kinase A (PKA) downregulates the M-CSF-elicited expression of monocyte receptors for transferrin (CD71) and hemoglobin-haptoglobin (CD163), as well as the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) involved in iron liberation from internalized heme. The impact of CyaA action on CD71 and CD163 levels in differentiating monocytes is largely alleviated by the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA), indicating that CyaA/cAMP signaling triggers epigenetic silencing of genes for micronutrient acquisition receptors. These results suggest a new mechanism by which B. pertussis evades host sentinel phagocytes to achieve proliferation on airway mucosa.IMPORTANCETo establish a productive infection of the nasopharyngeal mucosa and proliferate to sufficiently high numbers that trigger rhinitis and aerosol-mediated transmission, the pertussis agent Bordetella pertussis deploys several immunosuppressive protein toxins that compromise the sentinel functions of mucosa patrolling phagocytes. We show that cAMP signaling elicited by very low concentrations (22 pM) of Bordetella adenylate cyclase toxin downregulates the iron acquisition systems of CD14+ monocytes. The resulting iron deprivation of iron, a key micronutrient, then represents an additional aspect of CyaA toxin action involved in the inhibition of differentiation of monocytes into the enlarged bactericidal macrophage cells. This corroborates the newly discovered paradigm of host defense evasion mechanisms employed by bacterial pathogens, where manipulation of cellular cAMP levels blocks monocyte to macrophage transition and replenishment of exhausted phagocytes, thereby contributing to the formation of a safe niche for pathogen proliferation and dissemination.

• MeSH
• Adenylate Cyclase Toxin * metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• Cyclic AMP * metabolism   MeSH
• Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic MeSH
• Bordetella pertussis * MeSH
• Cell Differentiation * MeSH
• Antigens, CD metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Lipopolysaccharide Receptors * metabolism   MeSH
• Monocytes * metabolism   immunology   microbiology   MeSH
• Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases metabolism   MeSH
• Receptors, Cell Surface metabolism   genetics   MeSH
• Signal Transduction * MeSH
• Up-Regulation MeSH
• Iron metabolism   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Sepsis has evolved as an enormous health issue amongst critically ill patients. It is a major risk factor that results in multiple organ failure and shock. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most frequent complications underlying sepsis, which portends a heavy burden of mortality and morbidity. Thus, the present review is aimed to provide an insight into the recent progression in the molecular mechanisms targeting dysregulated immune response and cellular dysfunction involved in the development of sepsis-associated AKI, accentuating the phytoconstituents as eligible candidates for attenuating the onset and progression of sepsis-associated AKI. The pathogenesis of sepsis-mediated AKI entails a complicated mechanism and is likely to involve a distinct constellation of hemodynamic, inflammatory, and immune mechanisms. Novel biomarkers like neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1, procalcitonin, alpha-1-microglobulin, and presepsin can help in a more sensitive diagnosis of sepsis-associated AKI. Many bioactive compounds like curcumin, resveratrol, baicalin, quercetin, and polydatin are reported to play an important role in the prevention and management of sepsis-associated AKI by decreasing serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, cystatin C, lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, IL-1β, TNF-α, NF-κB, and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and level of PPARγ. The plant bioactive compounds could be developed into a drug-developing candidate in managing sepsis-mediated acute kidney injury after detailed follow-up studies. Lastly, the gut-kidney axis may be a more promising therapeutic target against the onset of septic AKI, but a deeper understanding of the molecular pathways is still required.

• MeSH
• Acute Kidney Injury * drug therapy   etiology   diagnosis   MeSH
• Biomarkers MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Lipocalins therapeutic use   MeSH
• Lipopolysaccharide Receptors metabolism   MeSH
• Peptide Fragments metabolism   MeSH
• Acute-Phase Proteins analysis   metabolism   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Sepsis * complications   drug therapy   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH

BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) agonists revolutionized therapeutic algorithms in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management. However, approximately every third IBD patient does not respond to this therapy in the long term, which delays efficient control of the intestinal inflammation. METHODS: We analyzed the power of serum biomarkers to predict the failure of anti-TNF-α. We collected serum of 38 IBD patients at therapy prescription and 38 weeks later and analyzed them with relation to therapy response (no-, partial-, and full response). We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantify 16 biomarkers related to gut barrier (intestinal fatty acid-binding protein, liver fatty acid-binding protein, trefoil factor 3, and interleukin (IL)-33), microbial translocation, immune system regulation (TNF-α, CD14, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, mannan-binding lectin, IL-18, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), osteoprotegerin (OPG), insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2), endocrine-gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor), and matrix metalloproteinase system (MMP-9, MMP-14, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1). RESULTS: We found that future full-responders have different biomarker profiles than non-responders, while partial-responders cannot be distinguished from either group. When future non-responders were compared to responders, their baseline contained significantly more TGF-β1, less CD14, and increased level of MMP-9, and concentration of these factors could predict non-responders with high accuracy (AUC = 0.938). Interestingly, during the 38 weeks, levels of MMP-9 decreased in all patients, irrespective of the outcome, while OPG, IGF-2, and TGF-β1 were higher in non-responders compared to full-responders both at the beginning and the end of the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The TGF-β1 and CD14 can distinguish non-responders from responders. The changes in biomarker dynamics during the therapy suggest that growth factors (such as OPG, IGF-2, and TGF-β) are not markedly influenced by the treatment and that anti-TNF-α therapy decreases MMP-9 without influencing the treatment outcome.

• MeSH
• Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors MeSH
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor II * MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 MeSH
• Transforming Growth Factor beta1 * MeSH
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) exhibit multilineage differentiation potential, adhere to plastic, and express a specific set of surface markers-CD105, CD73, CD90. Although there are relatively well-established differentiation protocols for WJ-MSCs, the exact molecular mechanisms involved in their in vitro long-term culture and differentiation remain to be elucidated. In this study, the cells were isolated from Wharton's jelly of umbilical cords obtained from healthy full-term deliveries, cultivated in vitro, and differentiated towards osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic and neurogenic lineages. RNA samples were isolated after the differentiation regimen and analyzed using an RNA sequencing (RNAseq) assay, which led to the identification of differentially expressed genes belonging to apoptosis-related ontological groups. ZBTB16 and FOXO1 were upregulated in all differentiated groups as compared to controls, while TGFA was downregulated in all groups. In addition, several possible novel marker genes associated with the differentiation of WJ-MSCs were identified (e.g., SEPTIN4, ITPR1, CNR1, BEX2, CD14, EDNRB). The results of this study provide an insight into the molecular mechanisms involved in the long-term culture in vitro and four-lineage differentiation of WJ-MSCs, which is crucial to utilize WJ-MSCs in regenerative medicine.

• MeSH
• Apoptosis genetics   MeSH
• Cell Differentiation genetics   MeSH
• Chondrocytes MeSH
• Cells, Cultured MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mesenchymal Stem Cells * MeSH
• Osteoblasts MeSH
• Nerve Tissue Proteins MeSH
• Transcriptome MeSH
• Adipocytes MeSH
• Wharton Jelly * MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Bet v 1 is the major allergen in birch pollen to which up to 95% of patients sensitized to birch respond. As a member of the pathogenesis-related PR 10 family, its natural function is implicated in plant defense, with a member of the PR10 family being reported to be upregulated under iron deficiency. As such, we assessed the function of Bet v 1 to sequester iron and its immunomodulatory properties on human immune cells. Binding of Bet v 1 to iron quercetin complexes FeQ2 was determined in docking calculations and by spectroscopy. Serum IgE-binding to Bet v 1 with (holoBet v1) and without ligands (apoBet v 1) were assessed by ELISA, blocking experiments and Western Blot. Crosslinking-capacity of apo/holoBet v 1 were assessed on human mast cells and Arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation with the human reporter cellline AZ-AHR. Human PBMCs were stimulated and assessed for labile iron and phenotypic changes by flow cytometry. Bet v 1 bound to FeQ2 strongly with calculated Kd values of 1 nm surpassing affinities to quercetin alone nearly by a factor of 1000. Binding to FeQ2 masked IgE epitopes and decreased IgE binding up to 80% and impaired degranulation of sensitized human mast cells. Bet v 1 facilitated the shuttling of quercetin, which activated the anti-inflammatory AhR pathway and increased the labile iron pool of human monocytic cells. The increase of labile iron was associated with an anti-inflammatory phenotype in CD14+monocytes and downregulation of HLADR. To summarize, we reveal for the first time that FeQ2 binding reduces the allergenicity of Bet v 1 due to ligand masking, but also actively contributes anti-inflammatory stimuli to human monocytes, thereby fostering tolerance. Nourishing immune cells with complex iron may thus represent a promising antigen-independent immunotherapeutic approach to improve efficacy in allergen immunotherapy.

• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: Previously, the protective farm effect was imitated using the whey protein beta-lactoglobulin (BLG) that is spiked with iron-flavonoid complexes. Here, we formulated for clinical translation a lozenge as food for special medical purposes (FSMP) using catechin-iron complexes as ligands for BLG. The lozenge was tested in vitro and in a therapeutical BALB/c mice model. METHODS: Binding of iron-catechin into BLG was confirmed by spectroscopy and docking calculations. Serum IgE binding of children allergic or tolerating milk was assessed to loaded (holo-) versus empty (apo-) BLG and for human mast cell degranulation. BLG and Bet v 1 double-sensitized mice were orally treated with the holoBLG or placebo lozenge, and immunologically analysed after systemic allergen challenge. Human PBMCs of pollen allergic subjects were flow cytometrically assessed after stimulation with apoBLG or holoBLG using catechin-iron complexes as ligands. RESULTS: One major IgE and T cell epitope were masked by catechin-iron complexes, which impaired IgE binding of milk-allergic children and degranulation of mast cells. In mice, only supplementation with the holoBLG lozenge reduced clinical reactivity to BLG and Bet v 1, promoted Tregs, and suppressed antigen presentation. In allergic subjects, stimulation of PBMCs with holoBLG led to a significant increase of intracellular iron in circulating CD14+ cells with significantly lower expression of HLADR and CD86 compared to their stimulation with apoBLG. CONCLUSION: The FSMP lozenge targeted antigen presenting cells and dampened immune activation in human immune cells and allergic mice in an antigen-non-specific manner, thereby conferring immune resilience against allergic symptoms.

• MeSH
• Allergens MeSH
• Milk Hypersensitivity * MeSH
• Farms MeSH
• Lactoglobulins chemistry   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Mice, Inbred BALB C MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Dietary Supplements MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Mice MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Patients with STAT1 gain-of-function (GOF) mutations suffer from an inborn error of immunity hallmarked by chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis (CMC). The pathogenesis behind this complex and heterogeneous disease is still incompletely understood. Beyond the well-recognized Th17 failure, linked to the STAT1/STAT3 dysbalance-driven abrogation of antifungal defense, only little is known about the consequences of augmented STAT1 signaling in other cells, including, interestingly, the innate immune cells. STAT1-mediated signaling was previously shown to be increased in STAT1 GOF CD14+ monocytes. Therefore, we hypothesized that monocytes might represent important co-orchestrators of antifungal defense failure, as well as various immunodysregulatory phenomena seen in patients with STAT1 GOF CMC, including autoimmunity. In this article, we demonstrate that human STAT1 GOF monocytes are characterized by proinflammatory phenotypes and a strong inflammatory skew of their secretory cytokine profile. Moreover, they exhibit diminished CD16 expression, and reduction of classical (CD14++C16-) and expansion of intermediate (CD14++16+) subpopulations. Amongst the functional aberrations, a selectively enhanced responsiveness to TLR7/8 stimulation, but not to other TLR ligands, was noted, which might represent a contributing mechanism in the pathogenesis of STAT1 GOF-associated autoimmunity. Importantly, some of these features extend to STAT1 GOF monocyte-derived dendritic cells and to STAT1 GOF peripheral myeloid dendritic cells, suggesting that the alterations observed in monocytes are, in fact, intrinsic due to STAT1 mutation, and not mere bystanders of chronic inflammatory environment. Lastly, we observe that the proinflammatory bias of STAT1 GOF monocytes may be ameliorated with JAK inhibition. Taken together, we show that monocytes likely play an active role in both the microbial susceptibility and autoimmunity in STAT1 GOF CMC.

• MeSH
• Gain of Function Mutation MeSH
• Antifungal Agents MeSH
• Cytokines metabolism   MeSH
• Candidiasis, Chronic Mucocutaneous * genetics   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Monocytes metabolism   MeSH
• Toll-Like Receptor 7 metabolism   MeSH
• STAT1 Transcription Factor genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH