Qing-Feng Huang , Ge-Fei Wang , Yi-Meng Zhang , Cong Zhang , Ying-Qi Ran , Jian-Zhong He , Geng Wang , Xiu-E Xu , Shao-Hong Wang , Jian-Yi Wu , En-Min Li , Li-Yan Xu
{"title":"Lympho-myeloid aggregate-infiltrating CD20+ B cells display a double-negative phenotype and correlate with poor prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma","authors":"Qing-Feng Huang , Ge-Fei Wang , Yi-Meng Zhang , Cong Zhang , Ying-Qi Ran , Jian-Zhong He , Geng Wang , Xiu-E Xu , Shao-Hong Wang , Jian-Yi Wu , En-Min Li , Li-Yan Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.trsl.2024.11.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trsl.2024.11.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>According to morphological features, tumor-infiltrating B cells (TIL-Bs) can be classified as lympho-myeloid aggregates (LMAs) and tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs). As a disease with high incidence and mortality, research on esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) TIL-Bs is still unclear. Thus, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value and functional involvement of TIL-Bs in ESCC. Based on CD20 immunohistochemical staining of 147 ESCC samples, the TIL-Bs at different anatomic subregions (intra-tumor (T), invasive margin (IM) and peri-tumor (P)) were quantified and correlated with survival by Kaplan-Meier analyses. We found that LMAs were widely distributed throughout the whole section and were associated with poor prognosis, especially those located in the T subregion, which was contrary to the positive clinical significance of TLSs. Based on the number of LMAs and TLSs, a four-level immune type was constructed as an independent predictor for survival. Using multiplexed immunofluorescence (mIF) staining, we found that the main phenotype of infiltrating B cells in LMAs was CD20<sup>+</sup>IgD<sup>−</sup>CD27<sup>−</sup> double-negative (DN) B cells. DN B cells were abundant in ESCC tumor tissue, and their high expression was related to shortened overall survival time. Subsequently, we demonstrate a close relationship between DN B cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) using single cell RNA-seq data, bulk RNA-seq data and flow cytometry, and verified the spatial proximity of DN B cells and Tregs by mIF staining. Trajectory analysis and flow cytometry revealed that DN B cells highly expressed genes involved in the antigen processing and presentation pathway, such as HLA-DR. The abundance of DN B cells and LMAs in ESCC provides novel potential targets for optimal immunotherapy against ESCC.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23226,"journal":{"name":"Translational Research","volume":"275 ","pages":"Pages 48-61"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142635655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tiancheng Xu , Lei Yu , Yajuan Cao , Binghua Li , Yunzheng Li , Laizhu Zhang , Decai Yu
{"title":"Apolipoprotein A1-encoding recombinant adenovirus remodels cholesterol metabolism in tumors and the tumor microenvironment to inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma","authors":"Tiancheng Xu , Lei Yu , Yajuan Cao , Binghua Li , Yunzheng Li , Laizhu Zhang , Decai Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.trsl.2024.10.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trsl.2024.10.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor requiring effective treatments. Oncolytic viruses induce anti-tumor responses but have limited efficacy. Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) inhibits inflammation, modulates immunity, and promotes anti-oxidation. This study aims to construct an oncolytic adenovirus (Ad5)-ApoA1 for superior anti-tumor effects. We analyzed ApoA1 expression in tumors and its prognostic significance using public databases. Subsequently, we engineered a recombinant oncolytic adenovirus Ad5-ApoA1 and assessed its replication and oncolytic efficacy in vitro and in nude mice. The impact of Ad5-ApoA1 on the tumor microenvironment of HCC was evaluated through flow cytometry, transcriptome sequencing, single-cell sequencing, and other methodologies. Additionally, mechanisms of immune microenvironment modulation by Ad5-ApoA1 were explored. ApoA1 expression was down-regulated with HCC progression and significantly positively correlated with the prognosis of HCC patients. Ad5-ApoA1 exhibited robust oncolytic activity but showed no therapeutic effect on nude mice. However, it significantly inhibited HCC growth and prolonged the survival period of both healthy-immune and humanized immune-reconstituted NCG mice. Furthermore, Ad5-ApoA1 significantly promoted the expression of IFN-γ and GzmB in CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells while inhibiting the expression of PD-1 and LAG-3. Notably, the cholesterol content in the CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells studied was significantly correlated with the expression of PD-1 and LAG-3, with ApoA1 promoting cholesterol efflux and reducing cholesterol levels. Ad5-ApoA1 activates CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells by promoting large-scale viral replication. High levels of ApoA1 protein expression promote cholesterol efflux, inhibit CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell depletion, and reduce inflammatory factors, ultimately leading to superior therapeutic effects on hepatocellular carcinoma.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23226,"journal":{"name":"Translational Research","volume":"275 ","pages":"Pages 18-31"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142635654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Samsul Arefin , Neja Mudrovcic , Sam Hobson , Federico Pietrocola , Thomas Ebert , Liam J. Ward , Anna Witasp , Leah Hernandez , Lars Wennberg , Torbjörn Lundgren , Julia Steinmetz-Späh , Karin Larsson , Anders Thorell , Stefania Bruno , Marita Marengo , Vincenzo Cantaluppi , Peter Stenvinkel , Karolina Kublickiene
{"title":"Early vascular aging in chronic kidney disease: focus on microvascular maintenance, senescence signature and potential therapeutics","authors":"Samsul Arefin , Neja Mudrovcic , Sam Hobson , Federico Pietrocola , Thomas Ebert , Liam J. Ward , Anna Witasp , Leah Hernandez , Lars Wennberg , Torbjörn Lundgren , Julia Steinmetz-Späh , Karin Larsson , Anders Thorell , Stefania Bruno , Marita Marengo , Vincenzo Cantaluppi , Peter Stenvinkel , Karolina Kublickiene","doi":"10.1016/j.trsl.2024.11.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trsl.2024.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a strong risk factor for cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. We hypothesized that a senescent phenotype instigated by uremic toxins could account for early vascular aging (EVA) and vascular dysfunctions of microvasculature in end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients which ultimately lead to increased cardiovascular complication. To test this hypothesis, we utilized both in vivo, and ex vivo approaches to study endothelial and smooth muscle function and structure, and characterized markers related to EVA in 82 ESKD patients (eGFR <15 ml/min) and 70 non-CKD controls. In vivo measurement revealed no major difference in endothelial function between ESKD and control group, aside from higher stiffness detected in the microcirculation of ESKD participants. In contrast, ex vivo measurements revealed a notable change in the contribution of endothelium-derived factors and increased stiffness in ESKD patients vs. controls. In support, we demonstrated that ex vivo exposure of arteries to uremic toxins such as Trimethylamine N-oxide, Phenylacetylglutamine, or extracellular vesicles from CKD patients impaired endothelial function via diminishing the contribution of endothelium-derived relaxing factors such as nitric oxide and endothelium derived hyperpolarizing factor. Uremic arteries displayed elevated expression of senescence markers (p21CIP1, p16INK4a, and SA-β-gal), calcification marker (RUNX2), and reduced expression of Ki67, sirtuin1, Nrf2, and MHY11 markers, indicating the accumulation of senescent cells and EVA phenotype. Correspondingly, treating uremic vessel rings ex vivo with senolytic agents (Dasatinib + Quercetin) effectively reduced the senescence-associated secretory phenotype and changed the origin of extracellular vesicles. Notably, sex differences exist for certain abnormalities suggesting the importance of biological sex in the pathogenesis of vascular complications. In conclusion, the uremic microvasculature is characterized by a “senescence signature”, which may contribute to EVA and cardiovascular complications in ESKD patients and could be alleviated by treatment with senolytic agents.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23226,"journal":{"name":"Translational Research","volume":"275 ","pages":"Pages 32-47"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142607825","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xueqing Gu , Hanyujie Kang , Siyu Cao , Zhaohui Tong , Nan Song
{"title":"Blockade of TREM2 ameliorates pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis by modulating sphingolipid metabolism","authors":"Xueqing Gu , Hanyujie Kang , Siyu Cao , Zhaohui Tong , Nan Song","doi":"10.1016/j.trsl.2024.10.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trsl.2024.10.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic interstitial lung disease involving systemic inflammation and abnormal collagen deposition. Dysregulations in lipid metabolism, such as macrophage-dependent lipid catabolism, have been recognized as critical factors for the development of pulmonary fibrosis. However, little is known about the signaling pathways involved and the key regulators. Here we found that triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) plays a pivotal role in regulating the lipid handling capacities of pulmonary macrophages and triggering fibrosis. By integrating analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data from patients and mice with pulmonary fibrosis, we revealed that pulmonary macrophages consist of heterogeneous populations with distinct pro-fibrotic properties, and found that both sphingolipid metabolism and the expression of chemotaxis-related genes are elevated in fibrotic lungs. TREM2, a sensor recognizing multiple lipid species, is specifically upregulated in a subset of monocyte-derived macrophages. Blockade of TREM2 by conventional/conditional knock-out or soluble TREM2 administration can attenuate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. By utilizing scRNA Seq and lipidomics, we found that <em>Trem2</em> deficiency downregulates the synthesis of various sphingomyelins, and inhibits the expression of chemokines such as <em>Ccl2</em>. Together, our findings not only reveal the alterations in lipidomic profiles and the atlas of pulmonary macrophages during pulmonary fibrosis, but also suggest that targeting TREM2, the crucial regulator affecting both pulmonary sphingolipid metabolism and the chemokines secretion, can benefit pulmonary fibrosis patients in the future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23226,"journal":{"name":"Translational Research","volume":"275 ","pages":"Pages 1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142570823","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qijian Feng , Chang Su , Chuyi Yang , Minghai Wu , Xuelin Li , Xiaochun Lin , Yanmei Zeng , Jintao He , Yuan Wang , Lei Guo , Churan Wen , Feifei Cai , Jin Zhang , Xinzhao Fan , Meiping Guan
{"title":"RXRα/MR signaling promotes diabetic kidney disease by facilitating renal tubular epithelial cells senescence and metabolic reprogramming","authors":"Qijian Feng , Chang Su , Chuyi Yang , Minghai Wu , Xuelin Li , Xiaochun Lin , Yanmei Zeng , Jintao He , Yuan Wang , Lei Guo , Churan Wen , Feifei Cai , Jin Zhang , Xinzhao Fan , Meiping Guan","doi":"10.1016/j.trsl.2024.10.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trsl.2024.10.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cell senescence and metabolic reprogramming are significant features of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, the underlying mechanisms between cell senescence and metabolic reprogramming are poorly defined. Here, we report that retinoid X receptor α (RXRα), a key nuclear receptor transcription factor, regulates cell senescence and metabolic reprogramming in DKD. Through high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatic analysis and experimental validation, we confirmed the critical role of RXRα in promoting cell senescence and metabolic dysregulation in renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) induced by lipid overload. <em>In vivo, in situ</em> injection of AAV9-<em>shRxra</em> into the kidney reduced proteinuria, RTECs senescence and insulin resistance in DKD mice. <em>In vitro</em>, knockdown of RXRα markedly improved G2/M phase arrest and suppressed the expression of senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs). Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis and unbiased bioinformatics were employed to identify the direct interactions between RXRα and the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR), which were subsequently validated through coimmunoprecipitation. Gene network analysis revealed the collaborative regulatory role of RXRα and MR in RTECs senescence. In an accelerated aging mouse model, treatment with a MR antagonist has been shown to inhibite the RXRα/MR signaling, improve RTECs senescence, and reduce interstitial fibrosis and lipid deposition in the kidneys. These findings indicate that inhibition of RXRα/MR signaling could alleviate cell senescence during metabolic disorders. Thus, our study revealed that RXRα/MR signaling serves as a critical regulatory factor mediating the crosstalk between cell senescence and metabolic reprogramming, shedding light on a novel mechanism for targeting cell senescence and metabolic dysregulation in DKD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23226,"journal":{"name":"Translational Research","volume":"274 ","pages":"Pages 101-117"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142484805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Peihui Zhou, Ning Wang, Sijia Lu, Jie Xiong, Yao Zhang, Quanxin Jiang, Qiqi Qian, Qian Zhou, Junli Liu, Suzhen Chen
{"title":"Dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase activation alleviates diabetic kidney disease via AMPK-autophagy axis and mitochondrial protection","authors":"Peihui Zhou, Ning Wang, Sijia Lu, Jie Xiong, Yao Zhang, Quanxin Jiang, Qiqi Qian, Qian Zhou, Junli Liu, Suzhen Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.trsl.2024.09.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trsl.2024.09.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a severe complication of diabetes marked by deregulated glucose metabolism, remains enigmatic in its pathogenesis. Herein, we delved into the functional role of Dihydrolipoamide S-acetyltransferase (DLAT), a pivotal E2 component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC), in the context of DKD. Our findings revealed a downregulation of DLAT in the kidneys of diabetic patients, correlating inversely with kidney function. Parallel downregulation was observed in both high-fat diet/streptozotocin (HFD/STZ) and <em>db/db</em> mouse models, as well as in human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) cultured under hyperglycemic conditions. To further elucidate the role of endogenous DLAT in DKD, we employed genetic ablation of Dlat in mouse models. Dlat haploinsufficient mice exhibited exacerbated renal dysfunction, structural damage, fibrosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction under DKD conditions. Consistent with these findings, modulation of DLAT expression in HK-2 cells highlighted its influence on fibrosis, with overexpression attenuating Fibronectin and Collagen I levels, while downregulation exacerbated fibrosis. Mechanistically, we discovered that DLAT activates mitochondria autophagy through the Adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, thereby mitigating mitochondrial dysfunction associated with DKD progression. Inhibition of AMPK abrogated the protective effects of DLAT against mitochondrial dysfunction and DKD. Notably, we identified Hyperforin (HPF), a phytochemical, as a potential therapeutic agent. HPF activates DLAT and AMPK, subsequently ameliorating renal dysfunction, injuries, and fibrosis in both <em>in vivo</em> and <em>in vitro</em> models. In summary, our study underscores the pivotal role of DLAT and AMPK in kidney health and highlights the therapeutic potential of HPF in treating DKD.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23226,"journal":{"name":"Translational Research","volume":"274 ","pages":"Pages 81-100"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2024-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142402609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Helena C Bartels , Sodiq Hameed , Constance Young , Myriam Nabhan , Paul Downey , Kathleen M Curran , Janet McCormack , Aurelie Fabre , Walter Kolch , Vadim Zhernovkov , Donal J Brennan
{"title":"Spatial proteomics and transcriptomics of the maternal-fetal interface in placenta accreta spectrum","authors":"Helena C Bartels , Sodiq Hameed , Constance Young , Myriam Nabhan , Paul Downey , Kathleen M Curran , Janet McCormack , Aurelie Fabre , Walter Kolch , Vadim Zhernovkov , Donal J Brennan","doi":"10.1016/j.trsl.2024.09.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.trsl.2024.09.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In severe Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS), trophoblasts gain deep access in the myometrium (placenta increta). This study investigated alterations at the fetal-maternal interface in PAS cases using a systems biology approach consisting of immunohistochemistry, spatial transcriptomics and proteomics. We identified spatial variation in the distribution of CD4<sup>+</sup>, CD3<sup>+</sup> and CD8<sup>+</sup> T-cells at the maternal-interface in placenta increta cases. Spatial transcriptomics identified transcription factors involved in promotion of trophoblast invasion such as AP-1 subunits ATF-3 and JUN, and NFKB were upregulated in regions with deep myometrial invasion. Pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes demonstrated that degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and class 1 MHC protein were increased in increta regions, suggesting local tissue injury and immune suppression. Spatial proteomics demonstrated that increta regions were characterised by excessive trophoblastic proliferation in an immunosuppressive environment. Expression of inhibitors of apoptosis such as BCL-2 and fibronectin were increased, while CTLA-4 was decreased and increased expression of PD-L1, PD-L2 and CD14 macrophages. Additionally, CD44, which is a ligand of fibronectin that promotes trophoblast invasion and cell adhesion was also increased in increta regions. We subsequently examined ligand receptor interactions enriched in increta regions, with interactions with ITGβ1, including with fibronectin and ADAMS, emerging as central in increta. These ITGβ1 ligand interactions are involved in activation of epithelial–mesenchymal transition and remodelling of ECM suggesting a more invasive trophoblast phenotype. In PAS, we suggest this is driven by fibronectin via AP-1 signalling, likely as a secondary response to myometrial scarring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":23226,"journal":{"name":"Translational Research","volume":"274 ","pages":"Pages 67-80"},"PeriodicalIF":6.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142335635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}