Ari M Levine, Megan Koch, Julius Herzog, Juraj Kabat, Margery Smelkinson, Armando Arroyo-Mejias, Mian B Khalid, Disha Sharma, Alla Turshudzhyan, Sheila Kumar, Paneez Khoury, Amy D Klion, Gregory M Constantine
{"title":"Three-dimensional modeling of sensory nerve architecture and eosinophil and mast cell interactions in eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease.","authors":"Ari M Levine, Megan Koch, Julius Herzog, Juraj Kabat, Margery Smelkinson, Armando Arroyo-Mejias, Mian B Khalid, Disha Sharma, Alla Turshudzhyan, Sheila Kumar, Paneez Khoury, Amy D Klion, Gregory M Constantine","doi":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag058","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag058","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Increased sensory nerve density has been described in type 2 inflammatory conditions and is linked to eosinophil and mast cell infiltration and neuropathic pain. To examine these relationships in eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, we developed a protocol using Ce3D (clearing-enhanced 3D) tissue clearing to evaluate mucosal gastrointestinal (GI) nerve remodeling and interactions with eosinophils and mast cells in whole-mount GI biopsies. Human gastric and esophageal biopsies were processed for 3-dimensional imaging. Tissues were fixed, permeabilized, and immunolabeled for mucosal nerves (Protein Gene Product 9.5), sensory neurons (substance P), eosinophils (eosinophil peroxidase), mast cells (tryptase), and epithelial cells (pan-cytokeratin). Vacuum-microwave-assisted staining was employed to enhance antibody penetration and protocol efficiency. Samples were cleared with Ce3D and imaged using confocal microscopy. Machine learning-enhanced quantitative analysis and modeling of nerve morphology and cellular interactions, including nerve length, branching, and spatial relationships between eosinophils, mast cells, and sensory neurons were performed. We established a 3-dimensional imaging method for whole-mount GI biopsies to characterize nerve architecture and eosinophil and mast cell interactions in the human esophagus and stomach. This approach enables high resolution and volumetric analyses and can be modified to assess other spatial neuroimmune interactions in human GI mucosal biopsies.</p>","PeriodicalId":16186,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Leukocyte Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13196879/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147874151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Uncovering the gut-immune-joint axis: causal links between gut Microbiota, immune cells, and osteoarthritis.","authors":"Yuxi Liu, Zhilei Zhang, Bing Zhao, Jingang Song, Chao Wei","doi":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag042","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gut microbiota have been increasingly implicated in osteoarthritis (OA), but causal pathways remain unclear. Using the Gut-Immune-Joint Axis framework, we analyzed publicly available genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics from one primary and 2 secondary datasets to evaluate genetically predicted associations between gut microbiota and OA and to test immune cells as potential mediators. Bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) identified 5 bacterial genera genetically associated with OA in the primary dataset, with no evidence of reverse causality. Two-step MR highlighted Bilophila and the immune cell subtype CD45 on CD33dim HLA DR + CD11b- as being associated with OA (P < 0.05), and multivariable MR suggested partial mediation by this immune cell (20.0%, P = 0.003). In secondary analyses, 2 genera were associated with knee OA (KOA) and 5 with hip OA (HOA), again without reverse genetic effects. Terrisporobacter, the HLA DR + CD4 + to T-cell ratio, and the HLA DR + CD4 + to lymphocyte ratio were associated with KOA (all P < 0.05), with mediation by the HLA DR + CD4 + to T-cell ratio (-12.0%, P = 0.001). Roseburia and Myeloid DC AC were associated with HOA (all P < 0.05). Collectively, these findings support causal links between specific gut microbial genera and OA and implicate immune-cell traits as mediators, strengthening the gut-immune-joint axis concept and highlighting potential therapeutic targets.</p>","PeriodicalId":16186,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Leukocyte Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147512576","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Transforming growth factor Beta/Smad3/GATA3 axis mediates the therapeutic effect of Ephedra sinica Stapf polysaccharide in allergic rhinitis.","authors":"Jingfei Zhang, Zhixuan Wu, Ru Zhang","doi":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag023","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a prevalent inflammatory disorder with limited therapeutic options. Ephedra sinica Stapf (ESP), a traditional Chinese herb, has shown potential in respiratory diseases, but its bioactive components and mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates the anti-inflammatory effects of ESP-B4, a key ESP-derived compound, in an AR rat model and explores its underlying molecular mechanisms to support novel drug development. An AR rat model was established via ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization. Transcriptome sequencing identified differentially expressed genes associated with ESP-B4 treatment. Nasal mucosal pathology was evaluated using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression levels of TGF-β, Smad3, GATA3, and inflammatory cytokines (IL-5, TNF-α) were measured via RT-qPCR and Western blot. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) was used to assess Smad3/GATA3 protein interactions. ESP-B4 significantly alleviated AR symptoms, reducing sneezing and nasal scratching frequency. HE staining confirmed improved nasal mucosal integrity with reduced epithelial damage and edema. Mechanistically, ESP-B4 downregulated TGF-β, Smad3, and GATA3 expression while disrupting their protein-protein interaction, leading to suppressed IL-5 and TNF-α levels. ESP-B4 exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects in AR by inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad3/GATA3 signaling axis. These findings highlight its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for AR and provide a scientific basis for further drug development.</p>","PeriodicalId":16186,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Leukocyte Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147290220","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mapping the sepsis immune landscape across age and source of infection: lessons from single-cell multi-omics.","authors":"Mihir R Atreya, Basilia Zingarelli","doi":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jleuko/qiag037","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":16186,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Leukocyte Biology","volume":"118 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147773801","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Di Yu, Zhongbin Lai, Jingzhao Xia, Qun Huang, Jin'er Zhang, Shaoyi He
{"title":"Weighted gene coexpression network analysis and machine learning identify mitochondria programmed cell death-related genes as diagnostic biomarkers for septic shock.","authors":"Di Yu, Zhongbin Lai, Jingzhao Xia, Qun Huang, Jin'er Zhang, Shaoyi He","doi":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag044","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag044","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Septic shock (SS), the most severe stage of sepsis, has a high mortality rate. Mitochondria-mediated programmed cell death (MPCD) plays a key role in SS pathogenesis, but its diagnostic value remains unclear. This study integrated the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) public dataset and used the weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) method to identify gene modules significantly associated with SS and intersected them with MPCD-related genes to obtain the SS-MPCD gene set. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression and Boruta algorithms screened key genes, with their diagnostic performance verified in an independent queue. Through single-cell transcriptome analysis, immune infiltration score (ssGSEA), and regulatory network construction [transcription factor {TF} microRNA {miRNA}, and protein-protein interaction {PPI}], the immune regulatory characteristics of candidate genes were systematically analyzed. Clinical blood samples were collected, and the expression levels of candidate genes were validated through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Finally, the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced SS mouse model was used for ACSL1 intervention, and its functional effects were evaluated by survival analysis, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), qRT-PCR, Western blot (WB), and immunofluorescence (IF). Four diagnostic genes were identified: ACSL1, BLOC1S1, SPTLC2, and TSPO. They were upregulated in SS patients and clinical samples, showed immune cell-specific expression, and were regulated by specific miRNAs/TFs. Immune profiling revealed a neutrophil- and Treg-dominated microenvironment. Inhibiting ACSL1 improved survival, reduced organ damage and inflammation, decreased apoptosis markers, and suppressed neutrophil/Treg infiltration. The study systematically identifies and preliminarily validates 4 MPCD-related diagnostic genes, offering insights into SS pathogenesis and potential early diagnosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":16186,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Leukocyte Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147574363","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"CCDC137 stabilizes S100A6 to activate the PI3K/AKT pathway and drive acute myeloid leukemia progression.","authors":"Xiaoying Zhao, Wenjing Zhang, Sirui Chen, Xu Dai, Xiang Yu, Mengzhuo Zheng, Yan Wang, Yajing Ma, Jiang Cheng, Weiwei Zheng","doi":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag040","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Coiled-coil domain-containing proteins (CCDCs) play pivotal roles in tumorigenesis by regulating gene transcription, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression. This study focuses on the function and mechanisms of CCDC137 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Our findings revealed that CCDC137 is significantly overexpressed in AML and is closely associated with poor patient prognosis. Functional experiments demonstrated that CCDC137 promotes cell proliferation and accelerates the cell cycle, thereby driving AML progression. Mechanistically, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) experiments confirm the interaction between CCDC137 and S100A6, which significantly enhanced S100A6 protein stability. Stable S100A6 then activates the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby mediating the oncogenic effects of CCDC137. This study revealed the mechanism by which CCDC137 drives AML progression by stabilizing S100A6 and activating the PI3K/AKT pathway, thus providing a novel target for AML-specific therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":16186,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Leukocyte Biology","volume":"118 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147662593","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sandrine Huot, Paul R Fortin, Cynthia Laflamme, Marc Pouliot
{"title":"Neutrophil FcγRI expression as a determinant of oxidative responses in human blood.","authors":"Sandrine Huot, Paul R Fortin, Cynthia Laflamme, Marc Pouliot","doi":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag048","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag048","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neutrophils express Fc receptors on their surface to trap immune complexes. While the roles of FcγRIIa and FcγRIIIb have been extensively studied in that context, that of FcγRI remains elusive. Recently, aggregated IgGs have been shown to induce rapid FcγRI up-regulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, but the biological relevance of this process is still unclear. In this study, incubation of blood samples from healthy volunteers with heat-aggregated IgGs, used as a model of immune complexes, rapidly up-regulated the surface expression of FcγRI, predominantly on neutrophils, as measured by flow cytometry. Stimulation of isolated neutrophils with aggregated IgGs resulted in the production of ROS in an FcγRI-dependent fashion, as monitored with a luminol-based chemiluminescence assay. Cytochalasin B potentiated FcγRI expression and ROS production. In resting blood, positive correlations between neutrophil FcγRI and ROS production were observed, both in healthy volunteers and patients with lupus. This study unveils a potentially central regulatory role for neutrophil FcγRI in ROS production, both in healthy individuals and patients with lupus, and identifies neutrophil FcγRI as a promising target to modulate oxidative response.</p>","PeriodicalId":16186,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Leukocyte Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147690491","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kristian W Antonsen, Henriette Mathiesen, Henriette N Friis, Boe S Sorensen, Morten N Andersen, Søren K Moestrup, Anders Etzerodt, Holger J Møller
{"title":"Human macrophage phagocytosis of lung cancer cells induced by CD47 blockade is augmented after knockdown of phagocytosis checkpoints mediated by siRNA-loaded lipid nanoparticles.","authors":"Kristian W Antonsen, Henriette Mathiesen, Henriette N Friis, Boe S Sorensen, Morten N Andersen, Søren K Moestrup, Anders Etzerodt, Holger J Møller","doi":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag043","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Macrophages can phagocytose tumor cells. However, tumor cells may avoid phagocytosis by activating macrophage-expressed phagocytosis checkpoints such as SIRPα, LILRB1, or Siglec-10. Here, we investigated whether LNPs loaded with siRNA (siRNA-LNPs), specifically neutralizing these checkpoints, may be used as a counter-regulatory approach to augment cancer cell phagocytosis in human macrophages. The NanoAssemblr Ignite platform was used to prepare siRNA-LNPs targeting genes of interest. Human monocyte-derived macrophages were generated in vitro from healthy anonymous blood donors and treated with one or more siRNA-LNPs under various conditions. Following treatments, the abundance of mRNA was analyzed by RT-qPCR, while membrane protein and soluble protein were measured by flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. Phagocytosis was assessed by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Target mRNAs were efficiently downregulated by siRNA-LNPs in a dose-dependent manner. Combination treatment targeting all 3 genes of interest was similar in knockdown effectiveness to a single treatment for each target. A single dose resulted in significant downregulation of mRNA and protein for up to 7 d and did not reduce macrophage viability. Repeated dosing further reduced target abundance. Importantly, we observed a synergy between LILRB1-siRNA-LNPs and CD47 blockade that increased macrophage phagocytosis of NCI-H196 lung cancer cells. In conclusion, transfection with siRNA-LNPs resulted in an efficient simultaneous downregulation of phagocytosis checkpoints in human macrophages and augmented macrophage phagocytosis of tumor cells in response to CD47 blockade in vitro. Using siRNA-LNPs in cancer therapy may be a promising potential approach to augment phagocytosis and the innate immune response against tumor growth.</p>","PeriodicalId":16186,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Leukocyte Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147512652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Asmaa H Mahmoud, Maria A Colombatti Olivieri, John P Bannantine, Gaber S Abdellrazeq
{"title":"Neutrophil biology and fate reprogramming in bacterial infections: mechanisms, plasticity, and therapeutic targeting.","authors":"Asmaa H Mahmoud, Maria A Colombatti Olivieri, John P Bannantine, Gaber S Abdellrazeq","doi":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag033","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neutrophils are essential leukocytes in bacterial infections, with their fate and immune regulation critically shaping disease outcomes. They eliminate pathogens through phagocytosis, degranulation, oxidative burst-mediated killing, and the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), yet these defenses can also trigger excessive inflammation and tissue damage. Recent advances, including single-cell and spatial transcriptomic profiling, have revealed remarkable neutrophil plasticity and subset heterogeneity, challenging the long-standing view of these cells as short-lived, uniform effectors. This review outlines an integrated framework of neutrophil immunity in bacterial infections, beginning with their development, recruitment, and in situ antimicrobial defense programs. We then examine how neutrophils adapt through immune signaling pathways, effector mechanisms, and fate-determining death programs that actively reshape inflammation and resolution. Within these adaptations, we highlight how host-derived cytokines, lipid mediators, and metabolic cues reprogram neutrophil functions toward either protective antimicrobial roles or pathological tissue-damaging programs. In parallel, bacterial pathogens exploit these same pathways to evade immune clearance. We further detail emerging therapeutic strategies targeting immune checkpoints, signaling nodes, and fate-regulating programs, offering promising avenues to recalibrate neutrophil activity, enhance bacterial control, and reduce immunopathology. To exemplify these principles in vivo, we focus on 2 granulomatous diseases, tuberculosis and paratuberculosis, where neutrophils exhibit context-dependent dysfunctions, including excessive NETosis, metabolic rewiring, and impaired phagocytic clearance. Collectively, these insights position neutrophil fate reprogramming as a central regulatory axis of leukocyte immunity and a tractable target for host-directed therapy in bacterial infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":16186,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Leukocyte Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147520984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Re-defining granulomas: bacterial effectors, host circuits, and spatially resolved immunity.","authors":"Daniel S C Butler","doi":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag045","DOIUrl":"10.1093/jleuko/qiag045","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Granulomas are organized immune aggregates of myeloid and lymphoid cells that arise when the host fails to eliminate persistent stimuli; however, their function remains paradoxical, by promoting both protection from systemic dissemination while also promoting a niche for microbial survival. Traditionally defined by histopathology and morphology, granulomas are now being revisited with high-throughput \"omics approaches. The findings reveal previously unrecognized cellular diversity and cytokine gradients that together shape granuloma behavior. Across diverse pathogens, including Mycobacterium, Salmonella, Yersinia, and Brucella, bacterial effector proteins actively remodel macrophage activation states and cytokine responses to shape granuloma architecture. In parallel, host-driven programs involving IFN-mediated macrophage activation, regulatory cytokine niches, and fibroblast-dependent tissue remodeling establish an immunological landscape in which bacteria operate strategies to survive. Studies of granuloma biology reveal conserved cellular modules that transcend bacterial taxa and mirror features of noninfectious granulomatous inflammation, including iNOS+ core, fibroblast/macrophage cuffs, neutrophil rims, and suppressive macrophage niches. In this review, we integrate these insights to propose a unifying framework in which granulomas represent adaptive but imperfect tissue responses balancing protection and pathology. Understanding how microbial effectors and host immune circuits jointly determine granuloma fate is essential for identifying mechanisms that could be targeted by host-directed strategies to therapeutically reprogram granulomatous inflammation to favor antimicrobial resolution.</p>","PeriodicalId":16186,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Leukocyte Biology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147592679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}