Higher Percentage Of CD4 Research Articles

Predictive value of pre-treatment circulating tumor DNA genomic landscape in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma undergoing anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy: Insights from tumor cells and T cells.

B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-directed chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) therapy yield remarkable responses in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/RMM). Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) reportedly exhibits distinct advantages in addressing the challenges posed by tumor heterogeneity in the distribution and genetic variations in R/RMM. Herein, the ctDNA of 108 peripheral blood plasma samples from patients with R/RMM was thoroughly investigated before administration of anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy to establish its predictive potential. Flow cytometry is used primarily to detect subgroups of T cells or CAR-T cells. In this study, several tumor and T cell effector-mediated factors were considered to be related to treatment failure by an integrat analysis, including higher percentages of multiple myeloma (MM) cells in the bone marrow (P=0.013), lower percentages of CAR-T cells in the peripheral blood at peak (P=0.037), and higher percentages of CD8+ T cells (P=0.034). Furthermore, there is a substantial correlation between high ctDNA level (>143ng/mL) and shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (P=0.007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high levels of ctDNA (>143ng/mL), MM-driven high-risk mutations (including IGLL5 [P=0.004], IRF4 [P=0.024], and CREBBP [P=0.041]), number of multisite mutations, and resistance-related mutation (ERBB4, P=0.040) were independent risk factors for PFS. Finally, a ctDNA-based risk model was built based on the above independent risk factors, which serves as an adjunct non-invasive measure of substantial tumor burden and a prognostic genetic feature that can assist in predicting the response to anti-BCMA CAR-T therapy. Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2100046474) and National Clinical Trial (NCT04670055, NCT05430945).

T-Cell Phenotypes and Systemic Cytokine Profiles of People Living with HIV Admitted to Hospital with COVID-19

Whether SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to a higher mortality and morbidity in people living with HIV (PLWH) in Africa remains inconclusive. In this study, we explored the differences in the T-cell phenotypes between people with and without HIV on the day of admission (V1) and ±7 days later (V2), as well as their cytokine/chemokine profiles on V1. Patients admitted with COVID-19 were recruited between May 2020 and December 2021 from the Steve Biko Academic and Tshwane District Hospitals in Pretoria, South Africa. Of 174 patients, 37 (21%) were PLWH. T-cell profiles were determined by flow cytometry, and cytokine levels were determined using a multiplex suspension bead array. PLWH were significantly younger than those without HIV, and were more likely to be female. In an adjusted analysis, PLWH had higher percentages of CD4+ central memory (CM) programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)+, CD8+ effector memory (EM)2, and CD8+ EM4 CD57+ cells, as well as higher concentrations of interleukin (IL)-35 at admission. PLWH with CD4+ T-cell counts of >200 cells/mm3 had altered CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell profiles, lower levels of systemic inflammation measured by plasma ferritin and PCT levels, and less severe disease. PLWH with CD4+ T-cell counts of <200 cells/mm3 on admission had higher concentrations of IL-6 and lower levels of IL-29. At V2, the percentages of CD4+ CM PD-1+ T-cells and CD8+ EM4 T-cells co-expressing CD57 and PD-1 remained higher in PLWH, while all other CD8+ EM populations were lower. Fewer CD8+ EM T-cells after ±7 days of admission may be indicative of mechanisms inhibiting EM T-cell survival, as indicated by the higher expression of IL-35 and the T-cell maturation arrest observed in PLWH. This profile was not observed in PLWH with severe immunodeficiency, highlighting the need for differentiated care in the broader PLWH population.

A predictive model for progression to clinical arthritis in at-risk individuals with arthralgia based on lymphocyte subsets and ACPA.

The presence of autoantibodies against citrullinated proteins (ACPA) significantly increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Dysregulation of lymphocyte subpopulations was previously described in RA. To propose the predictive model for progression to clinical arthritis based on peripheral lymphocyte subsets and ACPA in individuals who are at risk of RA. Our study included 207 at-risk individuals defined by the presence of arthralgias and either additional ACPA positivity or meeting the EULAR definition for clinically suspect arthralgia. For the construction of predictive models, 153 individuals with symptom duration ≥12 months who have not yet progressed to arthritis were included. The lymphocyte subsets were evaluated using flow cytometry and anti-CCP using ELISA. Out of all individuals with arthralgia, 41 progressed to arthritis. A logistic regression model with baseline peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations and ACPA as predictors was constructed. The resulting predictive model showed that high anti-CCP IgG, higher percentage of CD4+ T cells, and lower percentage of T and NK cells increased the probability of arthritis development. Moreover, the proposed classification decision tree showed, that individuals having both high anti-CCP IgG and low NK cells have the highest risk of developing arthritis. We propose a predictive model based on baseline levels of lymphocyte subpopulations and ACPA to identify individuals with arthralgia with the highest risk of progression to clinical arthritis. The final model includes T cells and NK cells, which are involved in the pathogenesis of RA. This preliminary model requires further validation in larger at-risk cohorts.

Association between peripheral blood immunological status and intrathecal inflammatory markers differentiate multiple sclerosis clinical phenotypes.

The difference in the clinical course, response to therapy, and distribution of CNS inflammation in primary-progressive (PPMS) and relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) suggests differences in the underlying immunological characteristics of the disease. We aimed to investigate differences in immunological profiles in relation to intrathecal inflammation in different MS forms. The peripheral blood (PB) proportions of CD4 + and CD8 + T-cells and CD19 + B-cells were retrospectively compared with the markers of intrathecal immunoglobulin G (IgG) synthesis at diagnosis: IgG index, percentage of intrathecal IgG synthesis (IF IgG), the number of oligoclonal bands (OCB), depending on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) function, and antibody specific index to neurotrophic viruses (MRZH reaction). Thirty-six controls, 71 RRMS and 25 PPMS were enrolled. PPMS had higher percentage of CD4 + T-cells compared to RRMS (P = 0.043) and controls (P = 0.003). The percentage of CD8 + T-cells and CD19 + B-cells, and respective absolute cell counts did not differ according to the MS phenotype. In RRMS with the dysfunctional BBB, the IgG index (r = 0.642, P = 0.012) correlated significantly with the CD19 + B-cells while the CD4 + T-cells inversely correlated with IF IgG (r=-0.574, P = 0.039). Interestingly, in PPMS the number of OCB was positively associated with CD4+ (r = 0.603, P = 0.015) and negatively associated with CD8 + T-cells (r=-0.554, P = 0.033), while IF IgG negatively correlated with CD8 + T-cells (r=-0.689, P = 0.003), but only in the preserved BBB function. The PB CD4 + T-cells and B-cells were associated with the intrathecal inflammation in RRMS with BBB dysfunction while CD8 + T-cells were involved in PPMS with CNS-compartmentalized inflammation.

Rare subgroup of T Lymphocytes in Oral and Maxillofacial Cancer Patients

Abstract Malignant tumors of head and neck region represent a heterogenous group of pathologies. Immune phenotype of each tumor might represent valuable information for a putative personalized treatment in the future. We decided to revisit very interesting previous data from a study we conducted in 2003 where we encountered a rare population of CD4+CD8+ double-positive T cells in lymph nodes surgically removed in patients with head and neck malignancies. The study included 27 patients (22 males and 5 females) who underwent surgical procedures that associated lymphadenectomy during March-July 2003 in the Maxillo-Facial Surgery Clinic of „Dan Theodorescu” University Dental Hospital in Bucharest. We encountered a high percentage of CD4+CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and poorly differentiated carcinoma, as well as in lymph nodes of both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas. We would like to emphasize the importance of immune phenotyping, when possible, to discriminate between tumor subtypes, evidence that establishing a true identity of the cells involved might be useful for future studies and/or personalized therapeutic strategies.

A rapid strategy to develop personalized cancer nanovaccines for different immunogenic tumors.

e14670 Background: Therapeutic cancer vaccines aim to train the immune system and elicit antitumor immune responses, which are expected to fill the unmet medical need of immune checkpoint inhibitors. Despite tremendous efforts over the past decades, it remains challenging to prepare personalized cancer vaccines using a facile and rapid approach due to tumor diversity. CpG-ODN is a promising immunoadjuvant in cancer immunotherapy, and many clinical trials have been performed or are ongoing. However, commonly used phosphorothioate-modified CpG ODN easily induces protein aggregation and its long-term side effects are concerned. Here, we designed hollow large-pore mesoporous organosilica with sulfide bond to simultaneously load unmodified CpG-ODN with guanine-quadruplex (G4) structures and different tumor antigens to prepare personalized cancer vaccines in a simple, fast, and effective way. Methods: High-immunogenicE.G7-OVA lymphoma or low-immunogenic Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells were subcutaneously inoculated into the left flanks to establish tumor-bearing mice. On days 4, 7, and 10 post tumor inoculation, cancer vaccines prepared using model antigen (OVA) or autologous tumor antigen (LLC tumor cell lysate) were subcutaneously injected into the right flanks of mice, respectively. Saline group, free tumor antigen group, free tumor antigen + CpG-ODN group, tumor antigen + organosilica group were used as controls. The size of tumors was monitored. Results: Cancer vaccines against E.G7-OVA showed high loading efficiencies of >95% for both CpG-ODN and OVA, triggered antitumor immune response with high percentages of CD4+, CD8+, tetramer+CD8+ T cells in splenocytes, and effectively inhibited the growth of established tumor, compared with free OVA, free OVA + CpG-ODN, free OVA + organosilica groups. Cancer vaccines against LLC exhibited high loading efficiencies of >95% and >80% for CpG-ODN and LLC tumor cell lysate, activated antitumor immune response with high percentages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in splenocytes and CD8+ T, NK and M1 cells in tumor sites, and effectively inhibited the growth of established tumor, compared with control groups. Conclusions: Codelivery of CpG-ODN and different tumor antigens using hollow large-pore mesoporous organosilica elicits antitumor immunity against both high-immunogenic and low-immunogenic tumors.

Immunophenotype of lymphocytes and real-world outcome of COVID-19 infection in children with hematology and oncology

BackgroundPatients with immunocompromise were suspected to encounter a high risk for severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection on early period; however, data is lacking nowadays and immune response remain unclear.MethodsIn this retrospective study, internet questionnaire survey and medical records were acquired in pediatric hematology oncology patients. Clinical severity, immunological characteristics, and outcomes were analyzed from December 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023 at the 3rd year of pandemic in China.ResultsA total of 306 patients were included, with 21 patients (6.9%) asymptomatic, 262 (85.6%) mild severity, 17 (5.6%) moderate severity, 5 (1.6%) severe severity, and 1 (0.3%) critical severity. Seventy-eight (25.5%) patients were on intensive chemotherapy, and 32.0% children were on maintenance chemotherapy. Delays in cancer therapy occurred in 86.7% patients. Univariable analysis revealed active chemotherapy (P < 0.0001), long duration of symptom (P < 0.0001), low lymphocytes count (P = 0.095), low CD3 + and CD8 + T cell count (P = 0.013, P = 0.022), high percentage of CD4 + TCM (P = 0.016), and low percentage of transitional B cells (P = 0.045) were high risk factors for severe COVID-19 infection. Cox regression model showed that the absolute lymphocytes count (P = 0.027) and long duration of symptom (P = 0.002) were the independent factors for severity. Patients with CD8 + dominant and B cell depletion subtype wasn’t related with severity, but had higher percentage of CD8 + effector memory T cells (TEM) and terminally differentiated effector memory T cells (TEMRA) (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), and a longer COVID-19 duration (P = 0.045).ConclusionThe severity was relatively mild in children with immunodeficiencies in the third year of COVID-19 pandemic. Low lymphocyte count and long duration of symptom were the independent risk factors with COVID-19 severity. Delays in cancer care remain a major concern and the long outcome is pending.

Immune profiles of pre-frail people living with HIV-1: a prospective longitudinal study

BackgroundPeople living with HIV (PLWH) are at risk of frailty, which is predictive for death. As an overactivity of the immune system is thought to fuel frailty, we characterized the immune activation profiles linked to frailty.MethodsWe quantified twenty-seven activation markers in forty-six virological responders (four females and forty-two males; median age, 74 years; median duration of infection, 24 years; median duration of undetectability, 13 years), whose frailty was determined according to the Fried criteria. T cell and NK cell activation was evaluated by flow cytometry, using a panel of cell surface markers. Soluble markers of inflammation, and monocyte activation and endothelial activation were measured by ELISA. The participants’ immune activation was profiled by an unsupervised double hierarchical clustering analysis. We used ANOVA p-values to rank immunomarkers most related to Fried score. A Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) was performed to link immune activation markers to frailty.Results41% of the participants were pre-frail, including 24% with a Fried score of 1, and 17% with a Fried score of 2. ANOVA identified the 14 markers of T cell, monocyte, NK cell, endothelial activation, and inflammation the most linked to Fried 3 classes. The LDA performed with these 14 markers was capable of discriminating volunteers according to their Fried score. Two out of the 5 immune activation profiles revealed by the hierarchical clustering were linked to and predictive of pre-frailty. These two profiles were characterized by a low percentage of CD4 T cells and a high percentage of CD8 T cells, activated CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, and NK cells, and inflammation.ConclusionsWe identified a particular immune activation profile associated with pre-frailty in PLWH. Profiling participants at risk of developing frailty might help to tailor the screening and prevention of medical complications fueled by loss of robustness. Further studies will indicate whether this frailty signature is specific or not of HIV infection, and whether it also precedes frailty in the general population.

The Potential of Purple Sweet Potato-based Food Bar as an Immunomodulator and Hepatoprotector Against Diethylnitrosamine-induced Mice

The food bar’s effect as an immunomodulator and hepatoprotector in vivo was tested on male BALB/c mice induced with diethylnitrosamine (DEN). The experimental animals were treated using the Post-test Control Group Design method. Six groups of 30 mice each made up the sample: The negative control group of healthy mice fed with a normal diet (P0); the group of healthy mice given the food bar (P1); the positive control group of mice induced with DEN and given a normal diet (P2); the group of mice induced with DEN and given a normal diet + food bar at 11,700 mg/kg (P3); the group of mice induced with DEN and given a normal diet + food bar at 23,400 mg/kg (P4); and the group of mice induced with DEN given the food bar (P5). The observations conducted included the spleen, which was used for the analysis of immunomodulators on T CD4+CD25+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells with cytokines TNF-α, IFN-Ɣ, and IL-10, blood serum for the analysis of SGPT and SGOT, and liver organ for the analysis of SOD, MDA, and histopathology. The results of the immunomodulator testing showed that the administration of the food bar (P5) significantly (p &lt; 0.05) resulted in the highest percentage of CD4+ T cells at 2.93 % and CD8+ T cells at 5.30 %, a lower percentage of CD8+ T cells expressing proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α at 0.27 % and IFN-γ at 0.29 %), a higher percentage of CD4+ T cells expressing CD25+, and CD25+ T cells expressing anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10) at 2.83 %. This group also exhibited the lowest levels of SGPT and SGOT, a higher percentage of SOD, and a lower percentage of MDA compared to other groups. The food bar, based on the mix of purple sweet potato, mung beans, moringa leaves, and strawberries, also reduced liver damage, as demonstrated through histopathological testing. HIGHLIGHTS Food bar demonstrated effectiveness as an immunomodulator by increasing CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell populations, enhancing CD4+ T-cells expressing CD25+, elevating CD25+ expressing anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), and reducing CD8+ T-cells suppressing the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IFN-γ) in the spleens of DEN-induced mice The provision of the food bar as the main diet resulted in reduced levels of SGPT, SGOT, and hepatic MDA in DEN-induced mice and increased SOD activity in mice induced with 50 mg/kg of DEN Food bar based on purple sweet potato, green beans, moringa leaves, and strawberries was able to protect and reduce liver cell damage caused by DEN, as demonstrated by histopathology tests GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Higher percentage of CD34+ stem cells and elevated efficacy in androgenetic alopecia treatment observed in CGF prepared from 640 nm laser-pretreated blood: A preliminary study.

Concentrated growth factor (CGF) injection has proven effective in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). The primary mechanism of CGF in treating AGA is thought to be the CD34+ stem cells and platelets-associated growth factors being injected into the scalp. CGF efficacy in treating AGA may rely on the activation level of these stem cells and platelets. The 640 nm laser is a United States Food and Drug Administration approved AGA treatment that activates follicle stem cells. Therefore, we hypothesize that pretreating CGF with a 640 nm laser may further activate CD34+ stem cells and platelets, thereby improving the efficacy of CGF in treating AGA. This study aims to investigate whether 640 nm laser pretreated CGF (640CGF) has a greater effect in treating AGA than 640 nm laser non-pretreated CGF (N640CGF) and evaluate whether 640 nm laser pretreatment changed CD34+ cell percentage. This study enrolled 10 patients (8 male, 2 female) with AGA aged 18-60 years who received CGF injections. The 640CGF group was pretreated with a 640 nm laser at an energy density of 4 J/cm2, with a 30 cm irradiation distance for 30 min. Half of the scalp was treated with 640CGF, whereas the other half was treated with N640CGF. The injection was prepared by a doctor who did not know which blood tube had been pretreated. The treatment efficacy was evaluated using a trichoscope 1 month after injection. All 10 (100%) patients participated in the follow-up visit, and a higher quantity of new hairs was observed on the side injected with 640CGF than N640CGF (p = 0.019). Additionally, fewer malnourished hairs were observed on the 640CGF pretreated side (p = 0.015). No serious adverse events were reported. A higher percentage of CD34+ stem cells and improved efficacy in AGA treatment could be observed with CGF prepared from 640 nm laser-pretreated blood.

The Increase in CD14+CD16+ Monocytes is Correlated with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Marker in Type 2 Diabetes

BACKGROUND: Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) impairs the innate immune system including monocytes. Monocytes are divided into two subgroups depending on the expression of cluster of differentiation (CD)14 and CD16 receptors, namely CD14+CD16- and CD14+CD16+. CD14+CD16+ are proinflammatory monocytes and develop into M1 type macrophages, which contribute to foam cell production, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, it is important to determine the influence of T2D conditions on changes in monocyte subsets and whether these changes correlate with CVD risk markers.METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) was obtained from 10 T2D subjects and 10 healthy donors. Subsequently, PBMC was incubated for 24 hours with and without 10 mL lipopolysaccharide. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate CD14 and CD16 expression, while multiplex immunoassays were applied to measure interleukin (IL)-1b and IL-10 concentrations in supernatants.RESULTS: In T2D, the percentage of CD14+CD16+ monocytes increased (p=0.07), and an increase in CD14+CD16+ monocytes more than 6.8% was linked with CVD risk markers (r=10.146, p=0.002). Meanwhile, inflammatory mediators released by monocytes shown an increase in IL-1b (p=0.041) but not in IL-10 (p=0.082) in T2D subjects. Fasting blood glucose levels were also found to be substantially linked with an increase in CD14+CD16+ monocytes (r=0.530, p=0.016).CONCLUSION: T2D patients had a higher percentage of CD14+CD16+ monocytes and IL-1b levels than healthy donors. An increase in CD14+CD16+ monocytes above 6.8% associated with CVD risk markers in T2D patients.KEYWORDS: type 2 diabetes, monocytes, CD14, CD16, cardiovaskular disease risk marker

ES-SCLC Patients with PD-L1+ CTCs and High Percentages of CD8+PD-1+T Cells in Circulation Benefit from Front-Line Immunotherapy Treatment.

SCLC is an aggressive cancer type with high metastatic potential and bad prognosis. CTCs are a valuable source of tumor cells in blood circulation and are among the major contributors to metastasis. In this study we evaluated the number of CTCs that express PD-L1 in treatment-naïve ES-SCLC patients receiving ICI in a front-line setting. Moreover, we explored the percentages of different immune T-cell subsets in circulation to assess their potential role in predicting responses. A total of 43 patients were enrolled-6 of them with LS-SCLC, and 37 with ES-SCLC disease. In addition, PBMCs from 10 healthy donors were used as a control group. Different T-cell subtypes were examined through multicolor FACS analysis and patients' CTCs were detected using immunofluorescence staining. SCLC patients had higher percentages of PD-1-expressing CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T-cells, as well as elevated PD-1 protein expression compared to healthy individuals. Additionally, in ES-SCLC patients, a positive correlation between CD3+CD8+PD-1+ T-cells and PD-L1+ CTCs was detected. Importantly, patients harboring higher numbers of CD3+CD8+PD-1+ T-cells together with PD-L1+CTCs had a survival advantage when receiving front-line immunotherapy. Thus, this study proposes, for first time possible, immune cell-CTCs interaction, as well as a potential novel clinical biomarker for ICI responses in ES-SCLC patients.

Induction of CD8+ immune memory and enhanced inflammation in a skin inflammation model through pre-immunization with inactivated pathogens.

Laboratory mice live in specific pathogen-free (SPF) conditions, resulting in an immature immune system comparable to that of newborns rather than adult humans or mice from pet shops. This condition may compromise their translational value. Reintroducing pathogens would lead to the uncontrolled spread of infections and associated diseases, so research facilities should seek safer alternatives. We immunized laboratory mice with a cocktail of pathogens, which were inactivated by ultraviolet irradiation and mixed with the adjuvant AddaVax. This immunization resulted in a higher percentage of CD8+ effector memory T cells compared to untreated mice, although the response was not as robust as in pet shop mice. In a model of skin inflammation, pre-immunization led to an increased skin inflammatory response compared to non-immunized mice. All immunized mice seroconverted to the pathogens in the mixture, while none of the non-immunized mice housed together seroconverted to the pathogens applied to the pre-immunized mice. In conclusion, pre-immunization of mice impacts the immune system, which includes increasing the levels of CD8+ effector memory T cells.

The prognostic significance of tumor-immune microenvironment in ascites of patients with high-grade serous carcinoma.

High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is often associated with ascites at presentation. Our objective was to quantify immune cells (ICs) in ascites prior to any treatment was given and evaluate their impact on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Forty-seven patients with primary HGSC and ascites were included. Flow-cytometric analysis was performed to detect percentages of CD3+ T cells (CD4+, CD8+, Tregs, and NKT cells), B cells, NK cells (CD56brightCD16- and CD56dimCD16+ subsets), macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Furthermore, CD103 expression was analyzed on T cells and their subsets, while PD-1 and PD-L1 expression on all ICs. Cut-off of low and high percentages of ICs was determined by the median of variables, and correlation with PFS and OS was calculated. CD3+ cells were the predominant ICs (median 51%), while the presence of other ICs was much lower (median ≤10%). CD103+ expression was mostly present on CD8+, and not CD4+ cells. PD-1 was mainly expressed on CD3+ T cells (median 20%), lower expression was observed on other ICs (median ≤10%). PD-L1 expression was not detected. High percentages of CD103+CD3+ T cells, PD-1+ Tregs, CD56brightCD16- NK cells, and DCs correlated with prolonged PFS and OS, while high percentages of CD8+ cells, macrophages, and PD-1+CD56brightCD16- NK cells, along with low percentages of CD4+ cells, correlated with better OS only. DCs were the only independent prognostic marker among all ICs. Our results highlight the potential of ascites tumor-immune microenvironment to provide additional prognostic information for HGSC patients. However, a larger patient cohort and longer follow-up are needed to confirm our findings.

Modulation of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Function Fed Different Postbiotics and a Probiotic from Lactobacilli.

It is generally accepted that microbes play a critical role in maintaining gut barrier function, making them ideal to target in order to mitigate the effects of intestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease with specialist supplementations such as probiotic or postbiotic preparations. In this study, specific strains of Lactobacillus helvictus both live and inactivated and Lactobacillus plantarum inactivated were fed to zebrafish at an inclusion level of 6 × 106 cells/g in order to assess the effects on gut barrier function and protection. Taken together, our results indicate that dietary administration of pro- or postbiotics strengthens the gut barrier function and innate immunity of healthy zebrafish in a strain-specific and process-dependent way. With some differences in the response intensity, the three treatments led to increased intestinal villi length and proportion of IELs, reinforcement of the GC population and up-regulated expression of biomarkers of AMP production and tight junction zona-occludin 2a (zo-2a). In addition, LPPost had an impact on the adaptive immune response, and we hypothesized that it conferred the potential to drive Th17/ILC3 immunity, as suggested by its effect on the gene expression of il22, of different AMPs, and the expression of zo2a. Moreover, LPPost showed the potential to drive Th1/ILC1-like immunity, with a higher percentage of CD8+ cells and higher ifnγ gene expression. In summary, the use of inactivated Lactobacilli species in this study represented a promising strategy for improving barrier function and regulating the immune fate of the intestinal mucosa in a strain-specific way.

Immune Dynamics Associated with Patient Outcomes Identified By Multimodal Single-Cell Analysis in Multiple Myeloma Patients Receiving Talquetamab Monotherapy

Background: Talquetamab (Tal) is a CD3xGPRC5D bispecific antibody (BiAb) that redirects endogenous T cells to mediate killing of GPRC5D-expressing multiple myeloma (MM) cells. In the recent phase I/II MonumenTAL-1 trial (NCT03399799), Tal showed ≥ 70% response rate when given at the recommended phase 2 doses (RP2D) in heavily pretreated MM patients (Chari A et al., NEJM 2022). However, there is still a need to identify predictive biomarkers and better understand the immune dynamics associated with treatment response and durability with this novel agent. Methods:We identified 30 patients who received Tal monotherapy and had bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) samples collected at baseline and PB collected at cycle 3 day 1 (C3D1). Cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes (CITE)-seq was performed to understand transcriptional changes and cell surface proteomics. Total cells were isolated by Ficoll separation from PB and BM samples and were then analyzed separately and only samples of good quality were included in the analysis. Samples were filtered for good quality based on total cell count: at least 1000 cells with more than 500 unique molecular identifiers (UMIs) or genes and less than 4-5 standard deviations above median for UMI, genes and mitochondrial transcripts. A total of 60,851 BM cells (15 pts at baseline) and 299,996 PB cells (23 pts at baseline and 17 pts on C3D1) were analyzed. Downstream analysis was performed using the Seurat R package. All patients included in this study had signed consent for an IRB-approved institutional sub-study (GCO # 18-00456). Results: The 30 patients had a median age of 66.2 years and 57% were female. They received a median of 6 prior lines of therapy, with 83% being triple-class refractory and 50% penta-drug refractory. Only 2 patients were previously treated with anti-BCMA CAR-T cell therapy and none were treated with other BiAbs. 43% of patients had high-risk cytogenetics (including t(4;14), t(14;16) and 17p deletion) and 13% had extramedullary disease at time of initiating therapy. Ten patients (30%) received the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) of Tal (0.4 mg/kg weekly or 0.8 mg/kg every other week). Patients were followed for a median of 32.5 months and had a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 6.7 months. 22/30 patients (73%) achieved a partial response (PR) or better, and 14 patients had a short PFS of &amp;lt;150 days. There was no association between the prevalence of different immune cell subsets and depth of response, but rather with PFS. In the baseline BM, a longer PFS was associated with a higher percentage of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (central memory p=0.00031, effector memory p=0.0022, EMRA p=0.014) and a trend towards higher CD4+ cytotoxic T cells (p=0.072). Of note, we did not find the same associations in the baseline PB samples, which may indicate that the PB may not always reflect the tumor microenvironment in the BM. When we next looked at immune changes in the PB of patients with longer PFS, we found that they exhibited higher percentage of NK cells (p=0.0018 for CD56 low, p=0.04 for CD56 high) and Gamma Delta T cells (p=0.04) at C3D1. Gamma Delta T cells are novel players that warrant further investigation, as they only constitute 1-5% of the T cell repertoire yet are involved in early immune response and do not require major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen presentation to function. Profiling of activation and exhaustion markers of these immune subsets is underway. Conclusion: Our findings highlight that the baseline BM immune repertoire and the PB immune changes during Tal treatment may predict long term outcomes. Further in vitro mechanistic studies of T cell function and fitness and validation of these results in independent cohorts will be critical to develop these into predictive biomarkers of long-term response to Tal.

PD-1 Expression By Dendritic Cells Is a Key Regulator of T-Cell Immunity in Cancer

Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) is an inhibitory receptor expressed on a variety of immune cells and a therapeutic target of checkpoint immunotherapy for cancer patients. PD-1 engagement by PD-L1 or PD-L2 can inhibit activation and expansion of tumor antigen-specific T cells. PD-1 expression in tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) correlates with impaired phagocytosis and antigen presenting function and enhanced immunosuppression. PD-1 is also expressed in dendritic cells (DC) and has been shown to correlate negatively with the outcome of DC-based cancer vaccines. On DC, PD-1 can interact with PD-L1 in cis when both of these receptors are expressed on the same cell surface. DCs are the major antigen presenting cells for cross-presenting tumor antigens to T cells, and PD-L1 upregulation protects them from killing by cytotoxic T lymphocytes, yet dampens the antitumor responses. Very little is known about the specific role of PD-1 on DCs function. In the present study, we sought to understand the role of PD-1 on DCs in the context of cancer. We generated mice with conditional targeting of the Pdcd1 gene (encoding for PD-1) and crossed them with CD11cCre ( Pdcd1 f/fCD11cCre) or Clec9Cre ( Pdcd1 f/fClec9Cre) resulting in specific deletion of PD-1 in DC cells. We used the MC17 fibrosarcoma syngeneic mouse model to investigate the tentative implications of DC-specific PD-1 ablation on anti-tumor responses. We found larger tumor sizes and weights in tumor-bearing Pdcd1 f/fCD11cCre mice compared to their Pdcd1 wt/wtCD11cCre control counterparts. Pdcd1 f/fCD11cCre tumor-bearing mice had significantly higher fractions of DCs in spleens and tumor-draining lymph nodes (tdLNs) but only minimal differences in their activation state and checkpoint marker expression. Similarly, CD4 + and CD8 + T cells from spleens and tdLNs were comparable in percentages and activation states. However, characterization of the immune cells at the tumor site, indicated that Pdcd1 f/fCD11cCre tumor-bearing mice had a more immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment with increased fractions of CD11b +Ly6C hiLy6G -monocytic myeloid derived suppressor cells (M-MDSCs) compared to control tumor-bearing mice. Moreover, flow cytometric analysis revealed that intratumoral M-MDSC in Pdcd1 f/fCD11cCre mice displayed enhanced expression of PD-L1 and CD38, consistent with a more activated and more immunosuppressive phenotype. Characterization of tumor infiltrating CD4 + and CD8 + T cells also revealed vast differences in composition and activation states. Specifically, Pdcd1 f/fCD11cCre mice had larger populations of intratumoral CD3 + T cells, with a greater CD4/CD8 T cell ratio, and higher percentages of CD4 + T regulatory cells. Conversely, intratumoral CD8 + T cells were reduced, and were characterized by diminished expansion of CD8 + T effector cells, and a less activated phenotype as determined by lower expression of CD25, CD69, and GITR. In syngeneic tumor experiments with B16 melanoma expressing ovalbumin (B16-Ova), Pdcd1 f/fCD11cCre mice and Pdcd1 f/fClec9Cre mice similarly had greater tumor sizes and weights compared to their control counterparts. These results indicate that selective ablation of PD-1 in DCs cells confers a more immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by promoting T regulatory cell expansion and diminishing CD8 + T effector cell activation compromising anti-tumor responses.

ИММУНОФЕНОТИП МЕЗЕНХИМАЛЬНЫХ СТВОЛОВЫХ КЛЕТОК ЖИРОВОЙ ТКАНИ ПАЦИЕНТОВ С СЕРДЕЧНО СОСУДИСТЫМИ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЯМИ

Introduction. Due to a set of unique properties, for example, the ability to differentiate into different types of connective tissue cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are attracting more and more attention from researchers. In 2001, stem cells were found in the stromal-vascular fraction of adipose tissue, which, unlike bone marrow MSCs, show a higher tissue density, grow faster, and are available in large numbers when collected from a small amount of adipose tissue. Currently, a large number of studies are devoted to the study of the morphology and immunophenotype of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue stem cells (ASSCs) due to the possibility of easy cell production. Experimental work aimed at studying MSCs of cardiac localization is currently insufficient. Objective: to evaluate the immunophenotype of adipose tissue stromal cells isolated from epicardial and perivascular fat depots in patients with coronary heart disease and acquired heart defects. Materials and methods. The study included 5 patients with ischemic heart disease and 5 with acquired heart disease. The average age is 64.5±2.5 years. All patients had indications for open heart intervention - direct myocardial revascularization by coronary bypass grafting (CABG) or heart valve surgery. SCZhT from subcutaneous, epicardial and perivascular VT biopsies (3-5 years) obtained from patients during surgery (CABG or correction of heart defects) and isolated according to the method of Zeng G. [Zeng G. et al., 2013] . When cells grew to 80–90% confluence, they were digested with 0.25% trypsin and subjected to continuous cell growth and proliferation for subsequent experimental analyses. Flow cytometry analysis was performed on passage 2 cells. Results: The obtained results showed that the MSC culture of the 2nd passage was characterized by increased expression of CD73, CD90, CD105 antigens. Approximately 90% of passage 2 cells derived from epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) from a patient with coronary heart disease (CHD) expressed classical MSC markers (CD73, CD90, CD105). In EAT cell culture in a patient with acquired heart disease (ACD), we observed a lower level of co-expression of the main markers of stem cells, in contrast to a patient with CHD (CD90 and CD105 about 61% of cells, and CD90 and CD73 - 58.72%) . The percentage of the studied stem markers on cells isolated from PVAT in a patient with heart disease did not differ significantly from the level of expression of these markers in a patient with coronary artery disease. The level of CD34 expression varied depending on the localization of VT and the disease: thus, in patients with coronary artery disease, the level of CD34 did not exceed 3.5% in both epicardial and perivascular VT. At the same time, a higher percentage of CD34 (32.32%) was found in the epicardial adipose tissue of a patient with PPS. It should be noted that in addition to the main population, both in the EAT culture and in the PVAT, there were 2 minor ones: 1 - CD 90- CD 105+ CD 34-/+ CD 73+ - presumably endothelial population, 2 - CD 90+ CD 105- CD 34- CD 73- - the smallest population. Conclusion: In the early stages of cultivation, cells of the stromal-vascular fraction isolated from epicardial and perivascular adipose tissue express surface markers characteristic of adipose tissue stem cells.

Abstract P416: Differences In Immune Cell Composition And Response Between Spontaneously Hypertensive Bph/2 Mice And Normotensive Bpn/3 Mice

There is considerable evidence for a role for the immune system in different animal models of hypertension. However, whether there are differences in the immune systems of Bph/2 spontaneously hypertensive mice and Bpn/3 normotensive mice is not known. To address this, we characterized the immune composition and response of male Bph/2 and Bpn/3 mice. Bph/2 mice had significantly lower body weight compared to Bpn/3 mice (Bpn: 32.0 ± 0.5 g; Bph: 23.0 ± 0.5 g) with a proportionately lower spleen weight (Bpn: 70.1 ± 9.8 mg; Bph: 48.6 ± 2.1 mg). As expected, Bph/2 mice had higher blood pressure than Bpn/3 mice. Bph/2 mice also had a higher percentage of CD4 T cells in brachial lymph nodes compared to Bpn/3 mice (Bpn: 48.0 ± 0.57, Bph: 58.6 ± 1.94) and a lower percentage of CD8 T cells (Bpn: 46.4 ± 1.07, Bph: 38.9 ± 1.84), causing an increased CD4:CD8 T cell ratio in Bph/2 mice (Bpn: 1.04 ± 0.03, Bph: 1.53 ± 0.12). This trend was also observed in inguinal lymph nodes, but not in spleens or mesenteric lymph nodes. There were also differences in the response of anti-CD3/anti-CD28-activated splenocytes. Specifically, IFNγ secretion was markedly lower in splenic T cells from Bph/2 mice compared to those from Bpn/3 mice 24 h after activation (Bpn: 4902 ± 1532 pg/ml, Bph/2: 921 ± 462 pg/ml). Similarly, IL-2 (Bpn: 3960 ± 1070 pg/ml; Bph: 1121 ± 247 pg/ml), IL-6 (Bpn: 297 ± 94 pg/ml, Bph: 64 ± 15 pg/ml) and TNFα (Bpn: 170 ± 33 pg/ml; Bph: 59 ± 15 pg/ml) induction was also lower in T cells from Bph/2 mice. Interestingly, we also found that Bpn/3 mice do not express the NK cell marker, NK1.1. Taken together, the data suggest significant differences in immune composition and response between Bph/2 and Bpn/3 mice and indicate a need to further evaluate the role of the immune system in the development of hypertension in this model.

Elicitation of T-cell-derived IFN-γ-dependent immunity by highly conserved Plasmodium ovale curtisi Duffy binding protein domain region II (PocDBP-RII)

BackgroundInfections with Plasmodium ovale are widely distributed but rarely investigated, and the resulting burden of disease has been underestimated. Plasmodium ovale curtisi Duffy binding protein domain region II (PocDBP-RII) is an essential ligand for reticulocyte recognition and host cell invasion by P. ovale curtisi. However, the genomic variation, antigenicity and immunogenicity of PocDBP-RII remain major knowledge gaps.MethodsA total of 93 P. ovale curtisi samples were collected from migrant workers who returned to China from 17 countries in Africa between 2012 and 2016. The genetic polymorphism, natural selection and copy number variation (CNV) were investigated by sequencing and real-time PCR. The antigenicity and immunogenicity of the recombinant PocDBP-RII (rPocDBP-RII) protein were further examined, and the humoral and cellular responses of immunized mice were assessed using protein microarrays and flow cytometry.ResultsEfficiently expressed and purified rPocDBP-RII (39 kDa) was successfully used as an antigen for immunization in mice. The haplotype diversity (Hd) of PocDBP-RII gene was 0.105, and the nucleotide diversity index (π) was 0.00011. No increased copy number was found among the collected isolates of P. ovale curtisi. Furthermore, rPocDBP-RII induced persistent antigen-specific antibody production with a serum IgG antibody titer of 1: 16,000. IFN-γ-producing T cells, rather than IL-10-producing cells, were activated in response to the stimulation of rPocDBP-RII. Compared to PBS-immunized mice (negative control), there was a higher percentage of CD4+CD44highCD62L− T cells (effector memory T cells) and CD8+CD44highCD62L+ T cells (central memory T cells) in rPocDBP-RII‑immunized mice.ConclusionsPocDBP-RII sequences were highly conserved in clinical isolates of P. ovale curtisi. rPocDBP-RII protein could mediate protective blood-stage immunity through IFN-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and memory T cells, in addition to inducing specific antibodies. Our results suggested that rPocDBP-RII protein has potential as a vaccine candidate to provide assessment and guidance for malaria control and elimination activities.Graphical