Abstract
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative therapy for blood cancers; but results in the development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in up to 70% of recipients. During GVHD, tissue damage results in ATP release into the extracellular compartment activating P2X7 on antigen-presenting cells, leading to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and subsequent activation of donor T cells. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine murine (m) P2rx7 and human (h) P2RX7 gene expression in GVHD target organs of humanised mice, and further characterise disease impact in these organs. NOD-scid IL2Rγnull (NSG) mice were injected with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (hu-PBMC-NSG mice) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, control). Leucocytes were assessed by flow cytometry; gene expression was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and tissue sections examined by histology. Compared with control mice, hu-PBMC-NSG mice had increased mP2rx7 and mP2rx4 expression in the duodenum, ileum and skin. hP2RX7 was expressed in all tissues examined. hu-PBMC-NSG mice also displayed increased mReg3g expression in the duodenum and ileum, despite limited histological gut GVHD. hu-PBMC-NSG mice showed histological evidence of GVHD in the skin, liver and lung. Compared with control mice, hu-PBMC-NSG mice displayed increased ear swelling. Combined data revealed that P2rx7 is up-regulated in gut and skin GVHD and that P2RX7 is present in target tissues of GVHD, corresponding to human leucocyte infiltration. Data also reveal increased mReg3g expression and ear swelling in hu-PBMC-NSG mice, offering new measurements of early-stage gut GVHD and skin GVHD, respectively.
Highlights
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a common curative therapy for multiple haematological disorders, including blood cancers [1]
Leukocytes were assessed by flow cytometry; gene expression was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and tissue sections examined by histology
Human leukocytes expressing integrin β7 were present in the blood and spleens of hu-PBMC-NSG mice, while mReg3g gene expression was increased in the duodenum and ileum of hu-PBMC-NSG mice despite limited histological gut graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)
Summary
Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a common curative therapy for multiple haematological disorders, including blood cancers [1]. Humanised NSG mice (hu-PBMC-NSG) had increased mP2rx expression in the duodenum, ileum and skin, but not the liver, lung, spleen or other areas of the gut. CLA expressing human leukocytes were present in hu-PBMC-NSG mice, with mice displaying histological evidence of cutaneous GVHD and increased ear swelling. Both the liver and lungs showed histological evidence of GVHD with abundant immune cell infiltration. The aim of the present study was to examine murine (m) P2rx and human (h) P2RX7 gene expression in GVHD target organs of humanised mice, and further characterise disease impact in these organs. Data reveals increased mReg3g expression and ear swelling in hu-PBMCNSG mice, offering new measurements of early stage gut GVHD and skin GVHD, respectively
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