Regulates Th17 Cell Differentiation Research Articles

Exploration of the molecular mechanism of Wufu Yin in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis based on network pharmacology and experimental validation

Wufu Yin (WFY) exhibits significant clinical effectiveness in knee osteoarthritis (KOA) treatment, yet its therapeutic mechanisms are still unclear. This study aimed to explore the active ingredients and potential mechanism of WFY in the treatment of KOA. The network pharmacology-based approach was adopted to investigate the underlying mechanism of WFY in treating KOA. Molecular docking analysis was performed using Auto Vina software. An in vitro model of KOA inflammation was established by inducing chondrocyte cultures with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). Cell viability was quantified through the cell counting kit-8 assay, inflammatory cytokine levels were measured via ELISA, and protein expressions were assessed by Western blot analysis. A total of 225 active ingredients and 265 targets of WFY were identified, of which 88 were identified as potential targets against KOA. Enrichment analysis showed that these targets were associated with oxidative stress, cell proliferation and apoptosis, and inflammatory response, and were involved in the regulation of Th17 cell differentiation, IL-17 signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, and other signaling pathways. Topology analysis showed that PTGS2, NOS2, ESR11, PPARG, and MAPK14 had higher degree values and were key targets of WFY in the treatment of KOA. Molecular docking analysis showed that these key targets and active ingredients had low binding energies, indicating that they had potential binding activity. Furthermore, IL-1β-induced elevation of inflammatory cytokines, PTGS2 protein expression, and phosphorylated p38/p38 ratios in chondrocytes were significantly attenuated upon WFY intervention. Our study systematically elucidated the pharmacological basis and molecular mechanism underlying WFY’s therapeutic effects in KOA, substantiating its ability to suppress inflammation and regulate PTGS2 expression and p38 phosphorylation.

NrCAM activates the NF-κB signalling pathway by competitively binding to SUMO-1 and promotes Th17 cell differentiation in Graves' disease.

This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NrCAM) by regulating Th17 cell differentiation in the pathogenesis of Graves' disease (GD). Naïve CD4+ T cells were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of GD patients and healthy control (HC) subjects. During the differentiation of CD4+ T cells into Th17 cells, NrCAM level in GD group was improved. Interference with NrCAM in CD4+ T cells of GD patients decreased the percentage of Th17 cells. NrCAM overexpression in CD4+ T cells of HC subjects increased the percentage of Th17 cells and upregulated p-IκBα, p50, p65, c-Rel protein expressions, and NF-κB inhibitor BAY11-7082 partially reversed NrCAM effect. NrCAM overexpression promoted the degradation of IκBα, and overexpression of small ubiquitin-related modifier 1 (SUMO-1) inhibited IκBα degradation. NrCAM overexpression reduced IκBα binding to SUMO-1. During Th17 cell differentiation in HC group, NrCAM overexpression increased IL-21 levels and secretion, and IL-21 neutralizing antibody reversed this effect. IL-21 level was decreased after p65 interference in CD4+ T cells of HC subjects. p65 interacts with IL-21 promoter region. In conclusion, NrCAM binds to SUMO-1 and increases phosphorylation of IκBα, leading to activation of NF-κB pathway, which promotes Th17 cell differentiation.

Hedgehog signaling pathway regulates Th17 cell differentiation in asthma via IL-6/STAT3 signaling

Asthma is the most prevalent chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in children. The most prevalent phenotype of asthma is eosinophilic asthma, which is driven by a Th2 immune response and can be effectively managed by inhaled corticosteroid therapy. However, there are phenotypes of asthma with Th17 immune response that are insensitive to corticosteroid therapy and manifest a more severe phenotype. The treatment of this corticosteroid-insensitive asthma is currently immature and requires further attention. The objective of this study is to elucidate the regulation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway in Th17 cell differentiation in asthma. The study demonstrated that both Smo and Gli3, key components of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, were upregulated in Th17 polarization in vitro and in a Th17-dominant asthma model in vivo. Inhibiting Smo with a small molecule inhibitor or genetically knocking down Gli3 was found to suppress Th17 polarization. Smo was found to increase in Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg polarization, while Gli3 specifically increased in Th17 polarization. ChIP-qPCR analyses indicated that Gli3 can directly interact with IL-6 in T cells, inducing STAT3 phosphorylation and promoting Th17 cell differentiation. Furthermore, the study demonstrated a correlation between elevated Gli3 expression and IL-17A and IL-6 expression in children with asthma. In conclusion, the study demonstrated that the Hedgehog signaling pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma, as it regulates the differentiation of Th17 cells through the IL-6/STAT3 signaling. This may provide a potential therapeutic target for corticosteroid-insensitive asthma driven by Th17 cells.

Quercetin through miR-147–5p/Clip3 axis reducing Th17 cell differentiation to alleviate periodontitis

BackgroundQuercetin (QU) plays an important role in treating periodontitis; however, the mechanism through which microRNAs regulate Th17 cell differentiation has not been determined. MethodsQU was administered intragastrically to periodontitis rats once a day for one month. The morphology of alveolar bone was observed by micro-CT, gingival tissue structure was observed by HE staining, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-17A, RORγt, FOXP3 and IL-10 were detected by immunohistochemical staining, and Th17 and Treg cells in the peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry. CD4+T cells were induced to differentiate into Th17 cells in vitro. Cell viability was determined by CCK8, and IL-17A and RORγt were detected by qPCR. Th17 cells were detected by flow cytometry, microRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were used to screen key microRNAs, the phenotypic changes of Th17 cells were observed after overexpressed microRNAs via mimics. TargetScan database, in situ hybridization, and dual-luciferase reporter experiment were used to predict and prove target genes of microRNAs. The phenotype of Th17 cells was observed after overexpression of microRNA and target gene. ResultsCompared with periodontitis group, the distance from cementoenamel junction(CEJ) to alveolar bone(AB) was decreased, the structure of gingival papilla was improved, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-17, and RORγt were downregulated, FOXP3 and IL-10 were upregulated, the proportion of Th17 decreased and Treg increased in peripheral blood after QU treatment. Compared with Th17 cell group, mRNA levels of IL-17A and RORγt were decreased, and proportion of Th17 cells was significantly lower in the coculture group. MiR-147–5p was low in control group, upregulated in Th17 cell group, and downregulated after QU intervention, it's eight bases were inversely related to 3′UTR of Clip3, miR-147–5p with Clip3 were co-located in cells of periodontal tissue. Compared with those in Th17-mimicsNC + QU cells, the mRNA levels of RORγt and IL-17A upregulated, and proportion of Th17 cells increased in Th17-miR-147–5p + QU cells. The miR-147–5p mimics inhibited the luciferase activity of the WT Clip3 3′UTR but had no effect on the Mut Clip3 3′UTR. Clip3 was significantly downregulated after the overexpression of miR-147–5p. Mimics transfected with miR-147–5p reversed the decrease in the proportion of Th17 cells induced by QU, while the overexpression of Clip3 antagonized the effect of miR-147–5p and further reduced the proportion of Th17 cells. Moreover, the overexpression of miR-147–5p reversed the decreases in the mRNA levels of IL-17 and RORγt induced by QU treatment, while pcDNA3.1 Clip3 treatment further decreased the mRNA levels of IL-17 and RORγt. ConclusionQU reducing inflammatory response and promoting alveolar bone injury and repair, which closely relative to inhibit the differentiation of CD4+T cells into Th17 cells by downregulating miR-147–5p to promote the activation of Clip3.

USP25 attenuates anti-GBM nephritis in mice by negative feedback regulation of Th17 cell differentiation

Purpose This study aimed to elucidate the role of USP25 in a mouse model of anti-glomerular basement membrane glomerulonephritis (anti-GBM GN). Methods USP25-deficient anti-GBM GN mice were generated, and their nephritis progression was monitored. Naïve CD4+ T cells were isolated from spleen lymphocytes and stimulated to differentiate into Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells. This approach was used to investigate the impact of USP25 on CD4+ T lymphocyte differentiation in vitro. Furthermore, changes in USP25 expression were monitored during Th17 differentiation, both in vivo and in vitro. Results USP25−/− mice with anti-GBM GN exhibited accelerated renal function deterioration, increased infiltration of Th1 and Th17 cells, and elevated RORγt transcription. In vitro experiments demonstrated that USP25−/− CD4+ T lymphocytes had a higher proportion for Th17 cell differentiation and exhibited higher RORγt levels upon stimulation. Wild-type mice with anti-GBM GN showed higher USP25 levels compared to healthy mice, and a positive correlation was observed between USP25 levels and Th17 cell counts. Similar trends were observed in vitro. Conclusion USP25 plays a crucial role in mitigating renal histopathological and functional damage during anti-GBM GN in mice. This protective effect is primarily attributed to USP25’s ability to inhibit the differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells into Th17 cells. The underlying mechanism may involve the downregulation of RORγt. Additionally, during increased inflammatory responses or Th17 cell differentiation, USP25 expression is activated, forming a negative feedback regulatory loop that attenuates immune activation.

HMGB1 regulates Th17 cell differentiation and function in patients with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory skin disease, in which T helper 17 (Th17) cells and its effective cytokine interleukin (IL)-17A play a pivotal pathogenic role. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is an important proinflammatory cytokine, which has been confirmed to be highly expressed in the peripheral circulation and epidermis tissues of psoriasis patients. The regulatory effect of HMGB1 on IL-17A expression and function has been reported in some inflammatory and autoimmune diseases by theHMGB1-Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-interleukin (IL)-23-IL-17A pathway. While, in the pathological environment of psoriasis, whether HMGB1 can exert the regulatory effect on IL-17A is not clear. We aimed to evaluate the role of HMGB1-TLR4-IL-23-IL-17A pathway in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and explore the possible regulatory mechanism of HMGB1 on Th17 cell differentiation. Serum levels of HMGB1, TLR4, IL-23, and IL-17A were quantified in 50 patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis and 30 healthy controls. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were acquired from 10 severe psoriasis patients and administrated by different concentrations of recombinant-HMGB1 (rHMGB1) to detect the Th17 cell percentage, mRNA and protein levels of TLR4, IL-23, IL-17A and retinoid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt). The serum levels of HMGB1, TLR4, IL-23, and IL-17A in psoriasis patients were significantly higher than healthy controls, especially in severe patients, and positively correlated with the severity index. There were also positive correlations between every two detected indicators of HMGB1, TLR4, IL-23, and IL-17A. In vitro study, rHMGB1 can promote the elevated expression of Th17 cell percentage as well as TLR4, IL-23, IL-17A, and RORγt in a dose-dependent manner. HMGB1 can contribute to the pathogenesis of psoriasis by regulating Th17 cell differentiation through HMGB1-TLR4-IL-23-RORγt pathway, then promotesIL-17A production and aggravates inflammation process. Targeting HMGB1 may be a possible potential candidate for the immunotherapy of psoriasis.

Apoptosis releases hydrogen sulfide to inhibit Th17 cell differentiation

Over 50 billion cells undergo apoptosis each day in an adult human to maintain immune homeostasis. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is also required to safeguard the function of immune response. However, it is unknown whether apoptosis regulates H2S production. Here, we show that apoptosis-deficient MRL/lpr (B6.MRL-Faslpr/J) and Bim-/- (B6.129S1-Bcl2l11tm1.1Ast/J) mice exhibit significantly reduced H2S levels along with aberrant differentiation of Th17 cells, which can be rescued by the additional H2S. Moreover, apoptotic cells and vesicles (apoVs) express key H2S-generating enzymes and generate a significant amount of H2S, indicating that apoptotic metabolism is an important source of H2S. Mechanistically, H2S sulfhydrates selenoprotein F (Sep15) to promote signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) phosphorylation and suppress STAT3 phosphorylation, leading to the inhibition of Th17 cell differentiation. Taken together, this study reveals a previously unknown role of apoptosis in maintaining H2S homeostasis and the unique role of H2S in regulating Th17 cell differentiation via sulfhydration of Sep15C38.

Rheum palmatum L. and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. Alleviates Acute Pancreatitis by Regulating Th17 Cell Differentiation: An Integrated Network Pharmacology Analysis, Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Experimental Validation.

To identify the core targets of Rheum palmatum L. and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge., (Dahuang-Danshen, DH-DS) and the mechanism underlying its therapeutic efficacy in acute pancreatitis (AP) using a network pharmacology approach and validate the findings in animal experiments. Network pharmacology analysis was used to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of DH-DS in AP. The reliability of the results was verified by molecular docking simulation and molecular dynamics simulation. Finally, the results of network pharmacology enrichment analysis were verified by immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. Sixty-seven common targets of DH-DS in AP were identified and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), protein c-Fos (FOS) were identified as core targets in the protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Gene ontology analysis showed that cellular response to organic substance was the main functions of DH-DS in AP, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that the main pathway included Th17 cell differentiation. Molecular docking simulation confirmed that DH-DS binds with strong affinity to MAPK3, STAT3 and FOS. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed that FOS-isotanshinone II and STAT3-dan-shexinkum d had good binding capacity. Animal experiments indicated that compared with the AP model group, DH-DS treatment effectively alleviated AP by inhibiting the expression of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, and blocking the activation of Th17 cell differentiation (P<0.01). DH-DS could inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors and protect pancreatic tissues, which would be functioned by regulating Th17 cell differentiation-related mRNA and protein expressions.

Liangxue Jiedu formula improves imiquimod-induced psoriasiform dermatitis with circadian desynchrony by regulating Th17 cell differentiation based on network pharmacological analysis

Ethnopharmacological relevanceLiangxue Jiedu formula (LXJDF) is an effective traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula for treating psoriasis of blood-heat syndrome and has been used in clinics for decades. Aim of the studyThis study aimed to discover the mechanism of LXJDF in psoriasis and the circadian clock by network pharmacology and experimental studies. Materials and methodsThe compounds of LXJDF were obtained from the TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases. The genes related to psoriasis and circadian rhythm/clock were identified by the OMIM and GeneCards databases. Then, target genes were integrated by Venn and analyzed by the String, CytoNCA, DAVID (GO and KEGG) databases, and the network was constructed using Cytoscape. Mice were raised under light disturbance for fourteen days. On the eighth day, mouse dorsal skin was shaved and smeared with 62.5 mg 5% imiquimod at 8:00 (ZT0) for six successive days. Mice were randomly divided into the model, LXJDF-H (49.2 g/kg·bw), LXJDF-L (24.6 g/kg·bw), and positive drug (dexamethasone) groups. Other mice were smeared with Vaseline under the normal light cycle as the control. The drug of each group was administered at 10:00 (ZT2) and 22:00 (ZT14). The skin lesions were observed, and PASI was scored daily. HE and immunofluorescence were used to measure pathological morphology. Th17 cytokines in serum and skin were measured by flow cytometry and qPCR. Circadian clock gene and protein expression levels were determined by qPCR and Western blotting. ResultsWe found 34 potential targets of LXJDF in the treatment of psoriasis and circadian rhythm and confirmed their importance by topology analysis. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the two major pathways were Th17 cell differentiation and the HIF-1 signaling pathway. At ZT2 and ZT14, LXJDF improved IMQ-induced light disturbance mouse skin lesions, including alleviating scales, erythema, and infiltration, reducing PASI, and inhibiting keratinocyte hyperproliferation and parakeratosis. LXJDF reduced IL-17A, IL-17F, TNF-α, and IL-6 in serum at ZT2 and increased IL-10 at ZT2 and ZT14. LXJDF downregulated the expression of IL-17A and IL-17F in skin. At ZT2, LXJDF significantly upregulated CLOCK and REV-ERBα expression and downregulated HIF-1α expression. At ZT14, LXJDF decreased HIF-1α and RORγt expression and significantly increased REV-ERBα expression. ConclusionLXJDF improves psoriasis dermatitis with circadian rhythm disorders by regulating Th17 cell differentiation.

Growth hormone releasing hormone signaling promotes Th17 cell differentiation and autoimmune inflammation

Dysregulation of Th17 cell differentiation and pathogenicity contributes to multiple autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Previously growth hormone releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R) deficient mice have been reported to be less susceptible to the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Here, we show GHRH-R is an important regulator of Th17 cell differentiation in Th17 cell-mediated ocular and neural inflammation. We find that GHRH-R is not expressed in naïve CD4+ T cells, while its expression is induced throughout Th17 cell differentiation in vitro. Mechanistically, GHRH-R activates the JAK-STAT3 pathway, increases the phosphorylation of STAT3, enhances both non-pathogenic and pathogenic Th17 cell differentiation and promotes the gene expression signatures of pathogenic Th17 cells. Enhancing this signaling by GHRH agonist promotes, while inhibiting this signaling by GHRH antagonist or GHRH-R deficiency reduces, Th17 cell differentiation in vitro and Th17 cell-mediated ocular and neural inflammation in vivo. Thus, GHRH-R signaling functions as a critical factor that regulates Th17 cell differentiation and Th17 cell-mediated autoimmune ocular and neural inflammation.

LY294002 ameliorates psoriatic skin inflammation in mice via blocking the Notch1/Hes1-PTEN/AKT/IL-17A feedback loop.

(IL)-17A, the effective factor of Th17 cells, acts an important pathological role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Notch1/hairy and split 1 (Hes1) and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways are interpenetrated and involved in Th17 cell differentiation and IL-17A production. In this present study, we used imiquimod (IMQ)-induced mouse psoriatic skin inflammation to explore the possible mechanism of Notch1/Hes1-PTEN/AKT/IL-17A feedback loop in psoriasis by employing AKT inhibitor LY294002 as an intervention with the methods of flow cytometry analysis, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot, co-immunoprecipitation, and immunofluorescence. First, LY294002 inhibition can obviously alleviate the mouse psoriatic skin inflammation both in skin structural and histopathological characteristics, which is similar to the changes found in IL-17A antibody-treated mice. Additionally, the interaction between Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD1) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activator 1 (Act1) was demonstrated. LY294002 interruption resulted in consistent changes in expression levels of key signaling molecules both in Notch1/Hes1 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, chloroquine (CQ) can partly reverse the inhibitory effects of LY294002 on the Notch1/Hes1-PTEN/AKT/IL-17A feedback loop by affecting Notch1 ubiquitination and lysosomal degradation. The present study showed that LY294002 can exert the inhibitory effect on Notch1/Hes1-PTEN/AKT/IL-17A feedback loop to regulate Th17 cell differentiation and IL-17A function in the process of psoriasis, which provides a new possible therapeutic strategy for psoriasis.

Inhibition of phosphoglycerate kinase 1 attenuates autoimmune myocarditis by reprogramming CD4+ T cell metabolism.

CD4+ T cells are the major drivers of cardiac-specific autoimmunity in myocarditis, specifically Th1, Treg, and most significant Th17 cells. But the molecular mechanisms of their activation remain unclear. We aimed to elucidate the regulatory role of phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1) in CD4+ T cells and experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). EAM was induced in BALB/c mice by subcutaneous injections with alpha myosin heavy chain peptide emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant. Single-cell sequencing analysis found that glycolysis and PGK1 expression were elevated in cardiac CD4+ T and Th17 cells from myocarditis mice. Mice treated with PGK1 inhibitor NG52 showed less cardiac inflammation and fibrosis and better contractile function, as well as reduced cardiac infiltrating Th17 and Th1 cells and increased proportion of Treg. NG52 suppressed CD4+ T cell activation and differentiation of mice and myocarditis patients in vitro. Mechanistically, inhibition of PGK1 suppressed glycolytic activity and decreased pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDHK1) phosphorylation, thereby increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in mitochondria and thus preventing Th17 cell differentiation. PGK1 may act as a key metabolic regulator of CD4+ T cell differentiation and regulates Th17 cell differentiation by regulating glycolysis and the PDHK1-ROS axis. Targeting PGK1 might be a promising strategy for the treatment of myocarditis.

The lncRNA HOTAIR via miR-17-5p is involved in arsenite-induced hepatic fibrosis through regulation of Th17 cell differentiation.

Arsenic compounds are toxins that are widely distributed in the environment. Chronic exposure to low levels of these compounds can cause hepatic fibrosis and other damage. Th17 differentiation of CD4+ T cells and the secretion of IL-17 activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which are involved in hepatic fibrosis, but their mechanisms in arsenic-induced hepatic fibrosis are unclear. We found, in arsenite-induced fibrotic livers of mice, increases of CD4+ T cell infiltration, Th17 cell nuclear receptor retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt), and secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17. There were also elevated levels of the lncRNA, HOTAIR. For Jurkat cells, arsenite elevated levels of HOTAIR and protein levels of RORγt and IL-17A, decreased miR-17-5p, promoted Th17 cell differentiation, and released IL-17. The culture medium of arsenite-treated Jurkat cells activated LX-2 cells. Down-regulation of HOTAIR or up-regulation of miR-17-5p blocked arsenite-induced Th17 cell differentiation, which inhibited the LX-2 cell activation. However, down-regulation of HOTAIR and miR-17-5p reversed this inhibitory effect. For mice, silencing of HOTAIR diminished the hepatic levels of RORγt and IL-17A and alleviated arsenite-induced hepatic fibrosis. These results demonstrate that, for CD4+ T cells, arsenite promotes RORγt-mediated Th17 cell differentiation through HOTAIR down-regulation of miR-17-5p, and increases the secretion of cytokine IL-17A, which activates HSCs; the activated HSCs facilitate hepatic fibrosis. The findings reveal a new mechanism and a potential therapeutic target for arsenite-induced hepatic fibrosis.

A methoxyflavanone from the medicinal herb Perilla frutescens down-modulates Th17 response and ameliorates collagen-induced arthritis

IL-17-producing T-helper 17 (Th17) cells are involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we show that a methoxyflavanone from the Asian medicinal herb Perilla frutescens (termed Perilla-derived methoxyflavanone, PDMF) suppresses Th17 response and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), an animal model of RA. We found that co-stimulation with PDMF suppressed Th17 cell differentiation and inhibited IL-17A secretion by differentiated Th17 cells. In vivo administration of PDMF to a CIA mouse model significantly ameliorated the development of RA-like joint symptoms, accompanied by decreased IL-17A production. Mechanistically, PDMF neither suppresses Th17-inducing IL-6 signaling nor reciprocally expands regulatory T (Treg) cells, but rather negatively regulates T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling-driven activation of Akt, which is another positive regulator of Th17 cell differentiation. These results suggest that PDMF is useful in preventing RA and the pro-inflammatory Th17 response.

MBD2 mediates Th17 cell differentiation by regulating MINK1 in Th17-dominant asthma.

Objectives: .Asthma is a highly heterogeneous disease, and T-helper cell type 17 (Th17) cells play a pathogenic role in the development of non-T2 severe asthma. Misshapen like kinase 1 (MINK1) is involved in the regulation of Th17 cell differentiation, but its effect on severe asthma remains unclear. Our previous studies showed that methyl-CpG binding domain protein 2 (MBD2) expression was significantly increased in patients with Th17 severe asthma and could regulate Th17 cell differentiation. The aim of this study was to investigate how MBD2 interacts with MINK1 to regulate Th17 cell differentiation in Th17-dominant asthma. Materials and methods: Female C57BL/6 mice and bronchial epithelial cells (BECs) were used to establish mouse and cell models of Th17-dominant asthma, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to detect Th17 cell differentiation, and the level of IL-17 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were used to detect MBD2 and MINK1 expression. To investigate the role of MBD2 and MINK1 in Th17 cell differentiation in Th17-dominant asthma, the MBD2 and MINK1 genes were silenced or overexpressed by small interfering RNA and plasmid transfection. Results: Mouse and BEC models of Th17-dominant asthma were established successfully. The main manifestations were increased neutrophils in BALF, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), activated Th17 cell differentiation, and high IL-17 levels. The expression of MBD2 in lung tissues and BECs from the Th17-dominant asthma group was significantly increased, while the corresponding expression of MINK1 was significantly impaired. Through overexpression or silencing of MBD2 and MINK1 genes, we have concluded that MBD2 and MINK1 regulate Th17 cell differentiation and IL-17 release. Interestingly, MBD2 was also found to negatively regulate the expression of MINK1. Conclusion: Our findings have revealed new roles for MBD2 and MINK1, and provide new insights into epigenetic regulation of Th17-dominant asthma, which is dominated by neutrophils and Th17 cells. This study could lead to new therapeutic targets for patients with Th17-dominant asthma.

PAH-induced metabolic changes related to inflammation in childhood asthma.

Epidemiological studies have shown that PAHs may exert adverse effects on childhood asthma. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate this process in view of metabolic pathways, especially one-carbon metabolism and tryptophan metabolism. Fifty asthmatic children and 50 control subjects were recruited for this study. Serum IgE and IL-17A levels were detected by ELISA. Serum PAH concentrations were measured by GC-MS. One-carbon-related metabolites and tryptophan metabolites were determined by UPLC-Orbitrap-MS. DNA methylation was analyzed by bisulfite sequencing PCR. ChIP assays were used to examine H3K4me3 enrichment on IL-17A gene. Multivariable linear regression was performed to evaluate the association between PAHs and childhood asthma mediated by intermediators. HE staining in lung tissue, IgE and IL-17A in BALF, metabolic profiles in urine, and Ahr, Il-17a, and Cyp1a1 gene expression were determined in PAH-exposed mice. Serum Fla level was associated with childhood asthma (OR = 1.380, 95% CI: 1.063-1.792), and had a great effect on one-carbon metabolites, especially SAH, SAM, and Ser, which exerted significant mediation effects on the relationship between the Fla concentration and asthma. Moreover, we did find significant mediation effects between serum Fla and asthma by LINE-1 DNA methylation and H3K4me3 levels in the IL-17A promoter region. The differential Trp metabolites, such as Trp, tryptamine, IA, IAA, indole, IAld, and IAAld, indicated that asthmatic children had increased indole-AhR pathway. Mediation analysis failed to show a mediator effect of Trp metabolites in the association between PAHs and childhood asthma. An animal study confirmed that PAH exposure increased methylation levels, and altered Trp metabolite-AhR-IL-17A axis, which may be influenced by gender. PAHs disturbed one-carbon metabolism to influence the methyl group refilling DNA methylation and histone methylation, and disturbed tryptophan metabolism to regulate Th17-cell differentiation, which may elevate serum IL-17A concentration in asthmatic children.

Abstract P345: Inhibition Of Nuclear Receptor Retinoid-related Orphan Receptor γt Attenuates Interleukin-17A Production And Ameliorates Angiotensin II-induced Neuroinflammation And Hypertension In Rats

Interleukin (IL)-17A, a key inflammatory mediator produced primarily by T helper (Th) 17 cells, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension and heart failure. IL-17A can access the brain by disrupting blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity to induce neuroinflammation. We previously reported that IL-17A contributes to angiotensin (ANG) II-induced hypertension via promoting neuroinflammation and sympathetic excitation. The nuclear receptor retinoid-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) is a master transcription factor regulating Th17 cell differentiation. Here, we sought to determine whether systemic inhibition of RORγt attenuates IL-17A production and diminishes ANG II-induced neuroinflammation and hypertension. Sprague-Dawley rats received a 2-week subcutaneous (sc) infusion of ANG II (150 ng/kg/min) combined with daily sc injection of a RORγt inhibitor digoxin or vehicle (VEH). Compared with the control animals, blood pressure (162±5* vs 118±3 mmHg, *P&lt;0.05) and sympathetic tone as indicated by blood pressure change in response to ganglionic blockade (55±5* vs 23±3 mmHg) were increased in ANG II+VEH rats, which were reduced (38-41%*) in ANG II+digoxin rats. ANG II+VEH rats also had elevated RORγt mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs: 3.38±0.70* vs 1.12±0.22) and higher IL-17A levels in plasma (23.22±5.85 * vs 4.30±0.66 pg/mL), along with increased IL-17A levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF: 11.89±1.91* vs 2.01±0.55 pg/mL), mRNA of IL-17A (3.02±0.48* vs 1.07±0.17), cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (2.78±0.45* vs 1.04±0.12) and IL-1β (2.57±0.53* vs 1.03±0.14) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), a key cardiovascular-related center in the brain. Although RORγt mRNA was unchanged in PBMCs, levels of IL-17A in plasma and CSF, mRNA of IL-17A, TNF-α and IL-1β in the PVN was reduced (41-62 %*) in ANG II+digoxin rats. Additionally, mRNA of caveolin-1 (2.26±0.39* vs 1.06±0.17), a marker of the BBB permeability, was increased in the PVN in ANG II+VEH rats and decreased (43%*) in ANG II+digoxin rats. These data suggest that RORγt inhibition improves ANG II-induced hypertension and sympathetic activation probably by reducing IL-17A production and neuroinflammation.

P2.07: ASXL1 May Promote the Differentiation and Function of TH17 Cells

Introduction: Kidney transplantation is the most effective method for the treatment of end-stage renal disease. However, immune rejection always restricts the survival rate of the graft. Th17 cells play an important role in renal transplantation rejection while the mechanism regulating Th17 cell differentiation and function is not fully understood. Asxl1 is an epigenetic regulatory factor frequently mutated in myeloid malignancies, but the role of Asxl1 in immune rejection or T cell development and differentiation has not been reported. Method: Lymph nodes were isolated from wild-type mice (CD4Cre-Asxl1F/F, WT) and CD4+ T cell conditional Asxl1 knockout mice (CD4Cre+Asxl1F/F, KO), and CD4+CD25-CD44-CD62L+ naive T lymphocytes were sorted by the method of flow cytometry. The sorted cells mentioned above were stimulated with IL-1β (10 ng/mL), IL-23 (50 ng/mL), IL-6 (50 ng/mL), TGF-β (5 ng/mL), anti-IL-4 (10 μg/mL) and anti-IFN-γ (10 μg/mL) according to the cell density of 1×105/well for 72 h, and then Monensin (2 μmol/L), Brefeldin A (5 μg/mL), Ionomycin (0.5 μg/mL) and PDBU (1 μmol/L) were added for further stimulation for 4 h at 37℃ and 5% CO2. The stimulated cells were collected and the number and proportion of CD4+IL-17+ cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. The differentiation of Th1, Th2 and Treg cells were induced from WT mice by similar methods in vitro, and the expression of Asxl1 in different cell subsets were detected by Real-Time PCR at mRNA level. Results: Compared with the WT mice, the number and proportion of Th17 cells in KO mice were significantly decreased. The mRNA expression level of Asxl1 in Th17 cell subsets from WT mice was the highest. Conclusion: The results suggest that Asxl1 may promote the differentiation and function of Th17 cells as a positive factor. Asxl1 may become a new immune rejection target to regulate the number or function of Th17 cells, which has potential clinical significance in the intervention and prevention of rejection after kidney transplantation.

Selenoprotein I deficiency in T cells promotes differentiation into tolerant phenotypes while decreasing Th17 pathology.

Selenoprotein I (SELENOI) is an ethanolamine phospholipid transferase contributing to cellular metabolism and the synthesis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors. SELENOI knockout (KO) in T cells has been shown to impair metabolic reprogramming during T cell activation and reduce GPI-anchored Thy-1 levels, which are both crucial for Th17 differentiation. This suggests SELENOI may be important for Th17 differentiation, and we found that SELENOI was indeed up-regulated early during the activation of naïve CD4+ T cells in Th17 conditions. SELENOI KO reduced RORγt mRNA levels by decreasing SOX5 and STAT3 binding to promoter and enhancer regions in the RORC gene encoding this master regulator of Th17 cell differentiation. Differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells into inflammatory versus tolerogenic Th cell subsets was analyzed and results showed that SELENOI deficiency skewed differentiation away from pathogenic Th17 cells (RORγt+ and IL-17A+ ) while promoting tolerogenic phenotypes (Foxp3+ and IL-10+ ). Wild-type and T cell-specific SELENOI KO mice were subjected to experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE), with KO mice exhibiting diminished clinical symptoms, reduced CNS pathology and decreased T cell infiltration. Flow cytometry showed that SELENOI T cell KO mice exhibited lower CD4+ RORγt+ and CD4+ IL-17A+ T cells and higher CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ T cells in CNS tissues of mice subjected to EAE. Thus, the metabolic enzyme SELENOI is up-regulated to promote RORγt transcription that drives Th17 differentiation, and SELENOI deficiency shifts differentiation toward tolerogenic phenotypes while protecting against pathogenic Th17 responses.

LncRNA Xist may regulate Th17 cell differentiation through TDP43-IRF3 pathway in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disease with significantly high incidence in women, but the mechanism of gender bias is unknown. The process of X chromosome inactivation regulated by lncRNA Xist is important for dose compensation of immune-related X-linked genes between the sexes. This study aimed to explore a Xist-related pathway which might lead to the female preponderance of NMOSD. Some studies have shown that lncRNA Xist may interact with transactive response DNA-binding protein (TARDBP, also known as TDP43). TDP43 can be cleaved by caspase-3 into its active form, TDP35, which might increase the level of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), while IRF3 may promote the proliferation of Th17 cells. Our preliminary study conducted in peripheral blood mononuclear cell of female NMOSD patients showed the same trend with above literatures. Based on those studies and our preliminary results, we hypothesized that in the CD4+ naïve T cells of female NMOSD patients, the downregulation of lncRNA Xist decreased its interaction with TDP43 and released more TDP43 to be cleaved to its active form TDP35, thereby inhibits IRF3 degradation, and then promotes the differentiation and proliferation of Th17 cells and induced the inflammation of female NMOSD patients. This study would shed further light on the immune regulation mechanism related to lncRNA Xist, which may play a key role in the sex bias of NMOSD.