Interferons and epigenetic mechanisms in training, priming and tolerance of monocytes and hematopoietic progenitors [ATAC-seq]
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Training and priming of innate immune cells involve preconditioning by PAMPs, DAMPs and/or cytokines that elicits stronger induction of inflammatory genes upon secondary challenge. Previous models distinguish training and priming based upon whether immune activation returns to baseline prior to secondary challenge. Tolerance is a protective mechanism whereby potent stimuli induce refractoriness to secondary challenge. Training and priming are important for innate memory responses that protect against infection, efficacy of vaccines, and maintaining innate immune cells in a state of readiness; tolerance prevents toxicity from excessive immune activation. Dysregulation of these processes can contribute to pathogenesis of autoimmune/inflammatory conditions, post-COVID-19 hyperinflammatory states, or sepsis- associated immunoparalysis. Training, priming and tolerance regulate similar ‘signature’ inflammatory genes such as TNF, IL6 and IL1B and utilize overlapping epigenetic mechanisms. We review how interferons (IFNs), best known for activating Jak-STAT signaling and interferon- stimulated genes, also play a key role regulating training, priming and tolerance via chromatin- mediated mechanisms. We present new data on how monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation modulates IFN-g-mediated priming, changes AP-1 and CEBP activity, and attenuates superinduction of inflammatory genes. We present a ‘training-priming continuum’ model that integrates IFN-mediated priming into current concepts about training and tolerance and proposes a central role for STAT1 and IRF1.
Project description:Training and priming of innate immune cells involve preconditioning by PAMPs, DAMPs and/or cytokines that elicits stronger induction of inflammatory genes upon secondary challenge. Previous models distinguish training and priming based upon whether immune activation returns to baseline prior to secondary challenge. Tolerance is a protective mechanism whereby potent stimuli induce refractoriness to secondary challenge. Training and priming are important for innate memory responses that protect against infection, efficacy of vaccines, and maintaining innate immune cells in a state of readiness; tolerance prevents toxicity from excessive immune activation. Dysregulation of these processes can contribute to pathogenesis of autoimmune/inflammatory conditions, post-COVID-19 hyperinflammatory states, or sepsis- associated immunoparalysis. Training, priming and tolerance regulate similar ‘signature’ inflammatory genes such as TNF, IL6 and IL1B and utilize overlapping epigenetic mechanisms. We review how interferons (IFNs), best known for activating Jak-STAT signaling and interferon- stimulated genes, also play a key role regulating training, priming and tolerance via chromatin- mediated mechanisms. We present new data on how monocyte-to-macrophage differentiation modulates IFN-g-mediated priming, changes AP-1 and CEBP activity, and attenuates superinduction of inflammatory genes. We present a ‘training-priming continuum’ model that integrates IFN-mediated priming into current concepts about training and tolerance and proposes a central role for STAT1 and IRF1.
Project description:Chronic inflammation characteristic for infectious and inflammatory disease is mediated by hyperproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and increased cytokine-mediated crosstalk between innate immune cells and the endothelial lining. Although there is increasing evidence that adaptive and innate immune cells can develop ‘immunological memory’ by ‘immune training’, little is known whether in endothelial cells this process also takes place. We investigated whether endothelial cells develop ‘cytokine memory’ by repeatedly exposing them to IFN-γ and TNF-α, key cytokines involved in the regulation of chronic inflammation. Global transcriptome and chromatin accessibility assessment (ATAC-seq) upon repeated stimulation revealed all characteristics for immune training phenotypes (priming, training, and tolerance). In addition to enhanced induction of HLA genes, cytokine-dependent expression, and opening of chromatin regions associated with immune response genes were observed in endothelial cells upon training. Twenty genes, including TLR2, IL1B, and HDAC9, that are known to be involved in inducing training of innate immune cells, also showed the “trained immunity” pattern upon TNF-α stimulation in endothelial cells. Using an advanced 3D vessel-on-chip model, we further show that a significantly higher number of monocytes adhere to trained endothelial cells. Importantly, we found several differentially opened chromatin regions harboring SNPs associated with COVID-19, sepsis, and cardiovascular diseases. In summary, our findings show that endothelial cells also exhibit a “trained immunity” response upon chronic inflammation.
Project description:Chronic inflammation characteristic for infectious and inflammatory disease is mediated by hyperproduction of proinflammatory cytokines and increased cytokine-mediated crosstalk between innate immune cells and the endothelial lining. Although there is increasing evidence that adaptive and innate immune cells can develop ‘immunological memory’ by ‘immune training’, little is known whether in endothelial cells this process also takes place. We investigated whether endothelial cells develop ‘cytokine memory’ by repeatedly exposing them to IFN-γ and TNF-α, key cytokines involved in the regulation of chronic inflammation. Global transcriptome and chromatin accessibility assessment (ATAC-seq) upon repeated stimulation revealed all characteristics for immune training phenotypes (priming, training, and tolerance). In addition to enhanced induction of HLA genes, cytokine-dependent expression, and opening of chromatin regions associated with immune response genes were observed in endothelial cells upon training. Twenty genes, including TLR2, IL1B, and HDAC9, that are known to be involved in inducing training of innate immune cells, also showed the “trained immunity” pattern upon TNF-α stimulation in endothelial cells. Using an advanced 3D vessel-on-chip model, we further show that a significantly higher number of monocytes adhere to trained endothelial cells. Importantly, we found several differentially opened chromatin regions harboring SNPs associated with COVID-19, sepsis, and cardiovascular diseases. In summary, our findings show that endothelial cells also exhibit a “trained immunity” response upon chronic inflammation.
Project description:Macrophages are major effector cells and antigen presenting cells of the innate immune system and classical activation of macrophage function requires interferon–γ (IFN-γ) pretreatment (priming) and TLR stimuli, which promotes inflammatory responses though high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and lower level of the anti-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in microbicidal and tumoricidal effect. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of IFN-γ priming remains elusive. In this study, we explored the effect of IFN-γ on macrophages at miRNA level and discovered that miR-3473b, which was down-regulated after IFN-γ priming, could attenuate the priming effect of IFN-γ. Molecular study revealed that miR-3473b promoted Akt/GSK3 signaling and IL-10 production through directly targeting PTEN to suppress inflammatory response and tumor-suppressing capability of macrophages. In summary, our data demonstrate that IFN-γ beef up macrophage inflammatory response and tumor suppressing capacity by limiting miR-3473b-mediated PTEN suppression. Our work identified an IFN-γ/miR-3473b/Akt axis in the regulation of macrophage function and activation. the assay was performed with 5 μg total RNA samples from both normal BMM (labeled by Cy3) and BMM primed by IFN-γ (100U/ml) for 4 h(labeled by Cy5), normal BMM serves as control.
Project description:CD14+ monocytes, the predominant population in human blood, are primarily engaged in host defense and pro-inflammatory cytokine responses. Aberrant monocyte activity causes life-threatening cytokine storms, while dysfunctional monocytes lead to 'immunoparalysis.' Understanding the mechanisms controlling monocyte functions is therefore paramount. Here, we reveal platelets' vital role in human monocytes' pro-inflammatory responses. Natural low platelet counts in patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) , platelet depletion in healthy human monocytes, or in vivo platelet depletion in mice, result in monocyte immunoparalysis, characterized by reduced pro-inflammatory gene expression and weakened cytokine responses to immune challenge. Remarkably, supplementation with fresh platelets reverses monocyte immunoparalysis. In mice, thrombocytopenia results in down-regulation of myeloid innate immune genes, and compromised host defense transcriptional programs in monocytes despite normal responses to LPS. Platelets control monocyte cytokines independently of traditional cross-talk pathways, acting as reservoirs of transcription factors like NF?B and MAPK p38. We pinpointed a vesicle-derived NF?B2 transfer to human monocytes by mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Functionally, platelets proportionally restored impaired cytokine secretion in human monocytes lacking MAPK p38a and NF?B p65 and NF?B2. We unveil the intercellular transfer of inflammatory regulators, positioning platelets as central checkpoints in monocyte-mediated inflammation.
Project description:In this study we investigated the mechanisms involved in memory T-cell mediated protection using mice vaccinated with the intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Our working hypothesis was that rapid activation of cells of the innate immune system, in particular inflammatory Ly6C+ monocytes, were essential in effective protection, in a memory T cell-dependent manner. Thus we generated a comprehensive comparison of the genetic program of activated Ly6C+ monocytes during a primary or a secondary infection with Listeria monocytogenes, at 8 hours post challenge infection. Abstract of corresponding publication: Cells of the innate immune system are essential for host defenses against primary microbial pathogen infections, yet their involvement in effective memory responses of vaccinated individuals has been poorly investigated. Here we show that memory T cells instruct innate cells to become potent effector cells in a systemic and a mucosal model of infection. Memory T cells controlled phagocyte, dendritic cell and NK or NK T cell mobilization and induction of a strong program of differentiation, which included their expression of effector cytokines and microbicidal pathways, all of which were delayed in non-vaccinated hosts. Disruption of IFN-gamma-signaling in Ly6C+ monocytes, dendritic cells and macrophages impaired these processes and the control of pathogen growth. These results reveal how memory T cells, through rapid secretion of IFN-gamma, orchestrate extensive modifications of host innate immune responses that are essential for effective protection of vaccinated hosts. Overall design: Inflammatory monocytes were purified (see below for isolation method) from 4 groups of 3 individual mice each (triplicate): (i) uninfected mice, (ii) primary infected, (iii) secondary infected, (iv) secondary infected and T-cell depleted 1 day before. Isolation of cells was done on 3 different days for true biological replicates.
Project description:The initial exposure to pathogens and commensals confers innate immune cells the capacity to respond distinctively upon a second stimulus. This training capacity might play key functions in developing an adequate innate immune response to the continuous exposure to bacteria. However, the mechanisms involved in induction of trained immunity by commensals remain mostly unexplored. A. muciniphila represents an attractive candidate to study the promotion of these long-term responses. Here, we show that priming of macrophages with live A. muciniphila enhances bacterial intracellular survival and decreases the release of pro- and anti-inflammatory signals, lowering the production of TNF and IL-10. Global transcriptional analysis of macrophages after a secondary exposure to the bacteria showed the transcriptional rearrangement underpinning the phenotype observed compared to acutely exposed cells, with the increased expression of genes related to phagocytic capacity and those involved in the metabolic adjustment conducing to innate immune training. Accordingly, key genes related to bacterial killing and pro-inflammatory pathways were downregulated. These data demonstrate the importance of specific bacterial members in the modulation of local long-term innate immune responses, broadening our knowledge of the association between gut microbiome commensals and trained immunity as well as the anti-inflammatory probiotic potential of A. muciniphila.
Project description:Trained immunity and immune tolerance have been identified as long-term response patterns of the innate immune system. The causes of these opposing reactions remain elusive. Here we report about differential inflammatory responses of microglial cells derived from neonatal mouse brain to increasing doses of the endotoxin LPS. Prolonged priming with ultra-low LPS doses provokes trained immunity, i.e. increased production of pro-inflammatory mediators in comparison to the unprimed control. In contrast, priming with high doses of LPS induces immune tolerance implying decreased production of inflammatory mediators and pronounced release of anti-inflammatory cytokines. Investigation of the signaling processes and cell functions involved in these memory-like immune responses reveals essential role of phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ), one of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase species highly expressed in innate immune cells. Together, our data suggest profound influence of preceding contacts with pathogens on the immune response of microglia. The impact of these interactions – trained immunity or immune tolerance - appears to be shaped by pathogen dose.
Project description:More than half of all brain tumour survivors experience debilitating and often progressive cognitive decline after treatment with radiotherapy. Microglia, the tissue-resident macrophages of the brain, have been implicated in this decline. In response to various insults microglia can develop innate immune memory (IMM), which can either enhance (priming) or repress (tolerance) the response to subsequent inflammatory challenges. Here, we investigated whether radiation can affect the IMM of microglia by irradiating the brains of rats and later exposing them to a second inflammatory challenge. Transcriptomic profiling of microglia isolated from irradiated rats showed a stronger immune response to a second inflammatory insult demonstrating that radiation can lead to long-lasting molecular reprogramming of microglia. Transcriptomic analysis of post-mortem non-tumour brain tissue of glioblastoma patients indicates that radiation-induced microglial priming is conserved in humans. Targeting microglial priming after radiotherapy or avoiding further inflammatory insults could decrease progressive radiotherapy-induced cognitive decline.
Project description:Helicobacter pylori is a widespread Gram-negative pathogen involved in a variety of gastrointestinal diseases, including gastritis, ulceration, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and gastric cancer. Immune responses aimed at eradication of H. pylori often prove futile, and paradoxically play a crucial role in the degeneration of epithelial integrity and disease progression. We have previously shown that H. pylori infection of primary human monocytes increases their potential to respond to subsequent bacterial stimuli – a process that may be involved in the generation of exaggerated, yet ineffective immune responses directed against the pathogen. In this study, we show that H. pylori-induced monocyte priming is not a common feature of Gram-negative bacteria, as Acinetobacter lwoffii induces tolerance to subsequent Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Although the increased reactivity of H. pylori-infected monocytes seems to be specific to H. pylori, it appears to be independent of its virulence factors Cag pathogenicity island (CagPAI), cytotoxin associated gene A (CagA), vacuolating toxin A (VacA) and g-glutamyl transferase (g-GT). Utilizing whole-cell proteomics complemented with biochemical signaling studies, we show that H. pylori infection of monocytes induces a unique proteomic signature compared to other pro-inflammatory priming stimuli, namely LPS and the pathobiont A. lwoffii. Contrary to these tolerance- inducing stimuli, H. pylori priming leads to accumulation of NF-кB proteins, including p65/RelA, and thus to the acquisition of a monocyte phenotype more responsive to subsequent LPS challenge. The plasticity of pro-inflammatory responses based on abundance and availability of intracellular signaling molecules may be a heretofore underappreciated form of regulating innate immune memory as well as a novel facet of the pathobiology induced by H. pylori