Highlights • IL-1β/IL-6/LL-37/IL-19/IL-17A/CXCL1/CXCL2 increased in PPPP as compared to NPPPP. • No significant difference of IL-23 in PPPP as compared to NPPPP. • IL-22+ but not IL-17A+ mast cells ...were higher in PPPP as compared to NPPPP. • IL-17A pathway may play a more important role in PPPP than in NPPPP
Dendritic cells (DCs) orchestrate the immune response establishing immunity versus tolerance. These two opposite functions may be dictated by DC maturation status with maturity linked to ...immunogenicity. DCs directly interact with trillions of noninvasive intestinal bacteria in vivo, a process that contributes to gut homeostasis. We here evaluated the maturation program elicited in human DCs by direct exposure to commensal-related bacteria (CB) in the absence of inflammatory signals. We showed that eight gram(+) and gram(-) CB strains up-regulated costimulatory molecule expression in DCs and provoked a chemokine receptor switch similar to that activated by gram(+) pathogens. CB strains may be classified into three groups according to DC cytokine release: high IL-12 and low IL-10; low IL-12 and high IL-10; and low IL-12 and IL-10. All CB-treated DCs produced IL-1beta and IL-6 and almost no TGF-beta. Yet, CB instructed DCs to convert naive CD4+ T cells into hyporesponsive T cells that secreted low or no IFN-gamma, IL-10, and IL-17 and instead, displayed suppressor function. These data demonstrate that phenotypic DC maturation combined to an appropriate cytokine profile is insufficient to warrant Th1, IL-10-secreting T regulatory Type 1 (Tr1), or Th17 polarization. We propose that commensal flora and as such, probiotics manipulate DCs by a yet-unidentified pathway to enforce gut tolerance.
The past decades have been marked by spectacular progress towards understanding how dendritic cells (DCs) interact with T cells to elicit protective immune responses to fight infectious diseases and ...cancer. DCs that are lying at the interface between innate and adaptive immunity, are educated in peripheral tissues prior to their journey to the secondary lymphoid organs (SLO) whereby they dictate different classes of T cell responses. Uncontrolled or unwanted inflammatory responses are the price to pay to eliminate pathogens. However, if not self-limited, they may induce collateral damages that result in chronic inflammation often associated with autoimmune disorders. CD47 and its two ligands, i.e. thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1) and SIRP-alpha, were identified as a previously unappreciated inhibitory axis of DC and T cell functions. TSP-1 is predominantly a negative regulator of DC and T cell function while basal SIRP-alpha ligation on APC by CD47 enforces tolerance. Yet, CD47/SIRP-alpha interaction positively controls DC and innate cell transendothelial migration. Due to the promiscuity of the protein interactions for CD47 and its ligands, it is quite interesting to note that deletion of the CD47 gene in mice largely agrees with the in vitro data with human cells. In fact, the well-conserved tissue distribution of CD47 and SIRP-alpha across species may facilitate the transition from bench to bedside. We thus propose CD47/TSP-1/SIRP-alpha axis as an important sensor to maintain homeostasis and regulate innate and adaptive immune responses.
Early and high-level production of IL-12 is crucial for effective immune responses against pathogens. Up until now, the cells providing this initial IL-12 have remained elusive. Here we show that a ...subset of human blood dendritic cells (DC) is the principal and primary source of IL-12p70 when blood leukocytes are stimulated with the TLR4-ligand LPS or with CD40-ligand. These so-called slanDC are characterized by the 6-sulfo LacNAc modification of PSGL-1, which is identified by the mAb M-DC8. The IL-12 response of slanDC requires a few hours of in vitro maturation, which is completely blocked in the presence of erythrocytes. This inhibition of maturation depends on the expression of CD47 on erythrocytes and of its ligand SIRPα on DC. While strictly controlled in the blood by erythrocytes, the high IL-12- and TNF-α-producing capacity of slanDC in tissues may be critical in fighting off pathogens; if uncontrolled, it may lead to adverse inflammatory reactions.
Abstract The low molecular weight compound VAF347, and its pro-drug version VAG539, interact with the transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) on monocytes to mediate its ...anti-inflammatory activity in vitro and in vivo . AhR is a crucial factor for IL-22 production, which regulates skin and gut homeostasis. Here we investigated whether VAF347 might control the differentiation of naïve T cells into IL-22-secreting cells and/or regulate IL-22 production by memory T cells. Human monocytes exposed to VAF347 differentiated into dendritic cells capable of instructing a naïve CD4+ T cell differentiation program that promoted IL-22 secretion and concomitantly inhibited IL-17 production. Whilst AhR ligation by VAF347 on naïve CD4+ T cells favored the development of single IL-22-secreting cells (Th22), it suppressed the generation of T cells secreting either IL-22 and IFN-γ or IL-17 and IFN-γ. In contrast, memory T cells were refractory to AhR regulation since VAF347, AhR antagonist or AhR gene silencing did not modulate the production of any of these cytokines. Interfering with AhR functions using VAF347 may provide an efficient way to intervene with autoimmune disease since it would enhance the host protective function mediated by IL-22 while preventing the development of Th cells secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Thrombospondin 1 (TSP) elicits potent antiinflammatory activities in vivo, as evidenced by persistent, multiorgan inflammation in TSP null mice. Herein, we report that DCs represent an abundant ...source of TSP at steady state and during activation. Human monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells (iDCs) spontaneously produce TSP, which is strongly enhanced by PGE2 and to a lesser extent by transforming growth factor (TGF) beta, two soluble mediators secreted by macrophages after engulfment of damaged tissues. Shortly after activation via danger signals, DCs transiently produce interleukin (IL) 12 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, thereby eliciting protective and inflammatory immune responses. Microbial stimuli increase TSP production, which is further enhanced by IL-10 or TGF-beta. The endogenous TSP produced during early DC activation negatively regulates IL-12, TNF-alpha, and IL-10 release through its interactions with CD47 and CD36. After prolonged activation, DCs extinguish their cytokine synthesis and become refractory to subsequent stimulation, thereby favoring the return to steady state. Such "exhausted" DCs continue to release TSP but not IL-10. Disrupting TSP-CD47 interactions during their restimulation restores their cytokine production. We conclude that DC-derived TSP serves as a previously unappreciated negative regulator contributing to arrest of cytokine production, further supporting its fundamental role in vivo in the active resolution of inflammation and maintenance of steady state.