Secretory IgMs (SIgMs) were amongst the first identified immunoglobulins. However, their importance was not fully understood and recent advances have shown they play a key role in establishing and ...promoting commensal gut tolerance in mice and humans. The true interactions between SIgMs and the microbiota remain controversial and we aim to consolidate current knowledge in this review. Through comprehensive examination of SIgMs and their corresponding B cell secretors in several different pathological immunological contexts, we review the presumed role of these molecules in gut tolerance, inflammatory bowel diseases, and lung immunity. As SIgMs harbor a mostly tolerogenic function, we posit that their inclusion in further immunological research is paramount.
Human secretory immunoglobulin-M (SIgM) is mostly natural IgM and shapes the colonization of mucosal surfaces.SIgMs can selectively bind commensal bacteria at mucosal surfaces and may have overlapping functions with SIgAs in healthy humans and mice.SIgM can regulate B cell development.SIgMs can promote central and mucosal tolerance, which might influence the development and outcomes of autoimmune conditions in mice and humans.The B-1 cell pool produces the bulk of natural IgM and has regulatory functions in the establishment of tolerance in mice.If robustly elicited, SIgM might be potentially beneficial in helping to treat certain pathologies such as infections or autoimmune diseases, although robust testing is still warranted.
Bladder cancer (BC) is a prevalent malignancy with significant morbidity and mortality. Over the years, the landscape of bladder cancer treatment has witnessed notable advancements, particularly in ...the realm of immunotherapy. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising adjunct to organ-preserving approaches, harnessing the immune system's potential to target and eliminate cancer cells. Organ preservation strategies offer viable alternatives to radical cystectomy to avoid the morbidities associated with radical surgery, as well as to respond to the needs of patients unfit for or who have refused surgery. However, the challenge lies in achieving durable disease control while minimizing treatment-related toxicities. This review highlights the significance of immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) antibodies, in the treatment of localized bladder cancer. The clinical efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors, as both neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies in combination with radiation or chemotherapy, is discussed. Moreover, the potential of immunotherapies beyond immune checkpoint inhibition, including combinations with bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) instillations and/or investigational gene therapies, is explored. Furthermore, the predictive value of the tumour immune microenvironment for the success of these strategies is examined. Understanding the complex interplay between tumour immunity and therapeutic interventions can aid in identifying predictive biomarkers and tailoring personalized treatment strategies. Further research and clinical trials are warranted to optimize the use of immunotherapy in conjunction with organ-preserving therapies, potentially leading to enhanced patient outcomes and quality of life.
Intestinal microfold cells are the primary pathway for translocation of secretory IgA (SIgA)-pathogen complexes to gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Uptake of SIgA/commensals complexes is important for ...priming adaptive immunity in the mucosa. This study aims to explore the effect of SIgA retrograde transport of immune complexes in Crohn's disease (CD). Here we report a significant increase of SIgA transport in CD patients with NOD2-mutation compared to CD patients without NOD2 mutation and/or healthy individuals. NOD2 has an effect in the IgA transport through human and mouse M cells by downregulating Dectin-1 and Siglec-5 expression, two receptors involved in retrograde transport. These findings define a mechanism of NOD2-mediated regulation of mucosal responses to intestinal microbiota, which is involved in CD intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis.
MIBC is a highly lethal disease, and the patient survival rate has not improved significantly over the last decades. UPPL is a cell line that can be used to recapitulate the luminal-like molecular ...subtype of bladder cancer and to discover effective treatments to be translated in patients. Here, we investigate the effects of combinational treatments of radiotherapy and immunotherapy in this recently characterized UPPL tumor-bearing mice. We first characterized the baseline tumor microenvironment and the effect of radiation, anti-PD-L1, and combinatorial treatments. Then, the mice were re-challenged with a second tumor (rechallenged tumor) in the contralateral flank of the first tumor to assess the immunological memory. Radiation slowed down the tumor growth. All treatments also decreased the neutrophil population and increased the T cell population. Anti-PD-L1 therapy was not able to synergize with radiation to further delay tumor growth. Furthermore, none of the treatments were able to generate immune memory. The treatments were not sufficient to induce a significant and lasting pool of memory cells. We show here that anti-PD-L1 treatment added to radiotherapy was not enough to achieve T cell-mediated memory in UPPL tumors. Stronger T cell activation signals may be required to enhance radiation efficacy in luminal-like bladder cancer.MIBC is a highly lethal disease, and the patient survival rate has not improved significantly over the last decades. UPPL is a cell line that can be used to recapitulate the luminal-like molecular subtype of bladder cancer and to discover effective treatments to be translated in patients. Here, we investigate the effects of combinational treatments of radiotherapy and immunotherapy in this recently characterized UPPL tumor-bearing mice. We first characterized the baseline tumor microenvironment and the effect of radiation, anti-PD-L1, and combinatorial treatments. Then, the mice were re-challenged with a second tumor (rechallenged tumor) in the contralateral flank of the first tumor to assess the immunological memory. Radiation slowed down the tumor growth. All treatments also decreased the neutrophil population and increased the T cell population. Anti-PD-L1 therapy was not able to synergize with radiation to further delay tumor growth. Furthermore, none of the treatments were able to generate immune memory. The treatments were not sufficient to induce a significant and lasting pool of memory cells. We show here that anti-PD-L1 treatment added to radiotherapy was not enough to achieve T cell-mediated memory in UPPL tumors. Stronger T cell activation signals may be required to enhance radiation efficacy in luminal-like bladder cancer.
The role of YAP/TAZ, two transcriptional co-activators involved in several cancers, was investigated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Fibroblast like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with RA or ...osteoarthritis were cultured in 2D or into 3D synovial organoids. Arthritis rat model (n=28) and colitis mouse model (n=21) were used. YAP/TAZ transcriptional activity was inhibited by verteporfin (VP). Multiple techniques were used to assess gene and/or protein expression and/or localization, cell phenotype (invasion, proliferation, apoptosis), bone erosion, and synovial stiffness.
YAP/TAZ were transcriptionally active in arthritis (19-fold increase for CTGF expression, a YAP target gene, in RA
OA organoids; p<0.05). Stiff support of culture or pro-inflammatory cytokines further enhanced YAP/TAZ transcriptional activity in RA FLS. Inhibiting YAP/TAZ transcriptional activity with VP restored a common phenotype in RA FLS with a decrease in apoptosis resistance, proliferation, invasion, and inflammatory response. Consequently, VP blunted hyperplasic lining layer formation in RA synovial organoids.
, VP treatment strongly reduced arthritis severity (mean arthritic index at 3.1 in arthritic group
2.0 in VP treated group; p<0.01) by restoring synovial homeostasis and decreasing systemic inflammation. YAP/TAZ transcriptional activity also enhanced synovial membrane stiffening
, thus creating a vicious loop with the maintenance of YAP/TAZ activation over time in FLS. YAP/TAZ inhibition was also effective in another inflammatory model of mouse colitis.
Our work reveals that YAP/TAZ were critical factors during arthritis. Thus, their transcriptional inhibition could be relevant to treat inflammatory related diseases.
Secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) can travel to and from the lumen and transport antigen to subepithelial cells. However, IgM can also multimerize into functional secretory component-bound ...immunoglobulin. While it is already known that both SIgA and SIgM undergo transcytosis to be secreted at the mucosal surface, only SIgA has been shown to perform retrotranscytosis through microfold cells (M cells) of the Peyer’s patch. Here, we investigate whether SIgM could also be taken up by M cells via retrotranscytosis. This transport involves FcμR binding at the apical membrane of M cells. We then demonstrate that SIgM can be exploited by SIgM-p24 (HIV-capsid protein) complexes during immunization in the nasal- or gut-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT or GALT), conferring efficient immune responses against p24. Our data demonstrate a mucosal function of SIgM, which could play a role in the regulation of mucosal immunity.
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•SIgM is taken up by TOSO+ M cells of the murine GALT and the NALT•SIgM is retro-transported toward DC-SIGN+ DCs from lymphoid tissues•SIgM-based complexes result in mucosal and systemic antigen-specific antibody responses
Rochereau et al. investigate the transport of SIgM across the murine nasal and gut mucosa. They provide evidence that IgM is taken up by mucosal M cells and then retro-transported toward cells in lymphoid tissues. This function of SIgM could play an important role in the regulation of mucosal immunity.
Human secretory immunoglobulins (SIg) A1 and SIgA2 guide mucosal responses toward tolerance or inflammation, notably through reverse‐transcytosis, the apical‐to‐basal transport of IgA2 immune ...complexes via M cells of gut Peyer's patches. As such, the maintenance of a diverse gut microbiota requires broad affinity IgA and glycan–glycan interaction. Here, we asked whether IgA1 and IgA2‐microbiota interactions might be involved in dysbiosis induction during inflammatory bowel diseases. Using stool HPLC‐purified IgA, we show that reverse‐transcytosis is abrogated in ulcerative colitis (UC) while it is extended to IgA1 in Crohn's disease (CD). 16S RNA sequencing of IgA‐bound microbiota in CD and UC showed distinct IgA1‐ and IgA2‐associated microbiota; the IgA1+ fraction of CD microbiota was notably enriched in beneficial commensals. These features were associated with increased IgA anti‐glycan reactivity in CD and an opposite loss of reactivity in UC. Our results highlight previously unknown pathogenic properties of IgA in IBD that could support dysbiosis.
Synopsis
IBD (both CD and UC) is characterized by dysbiosis and altered immune pathways that lead to and sustain prolonged inflammation in the gut. As IgA are the main drivers of commensal selection in the healthy gut, this study aimed at assessing subclass‐related structure and functions of IgA in both CD and UC.
Evidence of a chain of subclass‐dependent functional disparities between CD and UC IgAs affecting antibody glycosylation, transport across epithelia, and affinity, which may interfere in optimal commensal selection to promote dysbiosis
While only IgA2 could undergo RT in non‐IBD, IgA1 in CD had the ability to do so and neither IgA1 nor IgA2 were able to in UC.
Despite predominant dual IgA1 and IgA2 binding on stool microbiota, CD associates with enriched commensal binding in the IgA1+ fraction, and UC with a marked reduction in IgA overall reactivity
IBD (both CD and UC) is characterized by dysbiosis and altered immune pathways that lead to and sustain prolonged inflammation in the gut. As IgA are the main drivers of commensal selection in the healthy gut, this study aimed at assessing subclass‐related structure and functions of IgA in both CD and UC.
Human IgA could be from different isotypes (IgA1/IgA2) and/or isoforms (monomeric, dimeric, or secretory). Monomeric IgA mainly IgA1 are considered as an anti‐inflammatory isotype whereas ...dimeric/secretory IgA have clearly dual pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory effects. Here, we show that IgA isotypes and isoforms display different binding abilities to FcαRI, Dectin‐1, DC‐SIGN, and CD71 on monocyte‐derived dendritic cells (moDC). We describe that IgA regulate the expression of their own receptors and trigger modulation of moDC maturation. We also demonstrate that dimeric IgA2 and IgA1 induce different inflammatory responses leading to cytotoxic CD8+ T cells activation. moDC stimulation by dimeric IgA2 was followed by a strong pro‐inflammatory effect. Our study highlights differences regarding IgA isotypes and isoforms in the context of DC conditioning. Further investigations are needed on the activation of adaptive immunity by IgA in the context of microbiota/IgA complexes during antibody‐mediated immune selection.
IgA isotypes and isoforms bind on different receptors on moDC and regulate their maturation. Monomeric IgA have low capacity to promote DC activation. Dimeric IgA2 promote inflammatory responses leading to cytotoxic CD8+ T cells activation.
Exhaustion of CD8⁺ T cells severely impedes the adaptive immune response to chronic viral infections. Despite major advances in our understanding of the molecular regulation of exhaustion, the ...cytokines that directly control this process during chronicity remain unknown. We demonstrate a direct impact of IL-2 and IL-15, two common gamma-chain–dependent cytokines, on CD8⁺ T-cell exhaustion. Common to both cytokine receptors, the IL-2 receptor β (IL2Rβ) chain is selectively maintained on CD8⁺ T cells during chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and hepatitis C virus infections. Its expression correlates with exhaustion severity and identifies terminally exhausted CD8⁺ T cells both in mice and humans. Genetic ablation of the IL2Rβ chain on CD8⁺ T cells restrains inhibitory receptor induction, in particular 2B4 and Tim-3; precludes terminal differentiation of highly defective PD-1hi effectors; and rescues memory T-cell development and responsiveness to IL-7–dependent signals. Together, we ascribe a previously unexpected role to IL-2 and IL-15 as instigators of CD8⁺ T-cell exhaustion during chronic viral infection.
Abstract BACKGROUND: Radiation therapy (RT) is a bladder-sparing option for Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC), yet encounters a 30% non-response rate, with half of the patients succumbing to ...metastasis. Preclinical models demonstrate enhanced antitumor responses with RT combined with PD-1/PD-L1 blockade but give limited insight into the determinants of success for such combination therapies (CT). The gut microbiome, pivotal in conditioning local and peripheral immunity, influences PD-1-based immunotherapy efficacy in various cancers. Immune profiling indicates heightened systemic and antitumor immunity in responders with a favorable gut microbiome, enriched in Akkermansia muciniphila, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibacterium. Oral gavage of immunogenic bacteria further enhances combined RT and anti-PD-L1 therapy. We thus aim to 1) elucidate the role of patients’ microbiome in shaping anti-tumor immune responses to CT, and 2) use its composition as a predictive factor for CT success. METHODS: We performed shotgun metagenomics on microbial DNA from fecal materials of MIBC RT responders (R, n=26) and non-responders (NR, n=11). Fecal homogenates from donors were gavaged into germ-free (GF) mice. Three weeks post-gavage, MB49 tumor cells were subcutaneously delivered to mice, randomized into four groups: control, anti-PD-L1, RT, and RT + anti-PD-L1. Tumors were harvested seven days post-treatment for single-cell RNA-seq and TCR sequencing (10X Genomics), while stool samples were collected weekly for 16S sequencing. RESULTS: Significant gut microbial disparities were observed between R and NR MIBC patients, with particular enrichment in known promoters of anti-PD-L1 response, such as Phocaeicola dorei in R. Transplantation of R microbiome into GF mice resulted in significant increases in predicted survival, tumor growth delay, and counts of effector CD4+ T cell infiltration in the RT+PD-L1 arm. Conversely, NR microbiome transplantation correlated with increased neutrophil and Treg infiltration, abrogating the survival tumor growth delay benefits of the combination arm. Spatial tissue analyses revealed higher neutrophil densities around CD8+ T cells in all NR arms. Single-cell RNA-seq of tumor-infiltrating immune cells unveiled skewed CD4 and CD8 polarization between R and NR in vivo batches. SIGNIFICANCE: To our knowledge, this is the first study to use FMT as a modulator of response in the context of radiation therapy combinations in MIBC. Our results highlight that the gut microbiome alone may condition a favorable immune terrain for combinatorial therapies involving radiation. This offers strong predictive value for personalized therapeutic approaches in selecting patients who will benefit the most from bladder-sparing therapies. Citation Format: Eva Michaud, Sabina Fehric, Cynthia Faubert, Bertrand Routy, Irah King, José Joao Mansure, Wassim Kassouf. Gut microbial drivers of response to bladder-sparing therapy in human muscle-invasive bladder cancer enhance immunotherapy efficacy and limit immunosuppression following fecal microbiome transplantation in vivo abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6694.