Project description:Single-cell RNA sequencing in seven anti-Ri autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) patients and three controls showed that neuron-reactive CD8+ T cells are cytotoxic KIR+ CD8+ regulatory T cells. In Ri-AIE, these cells had reduced KIR and IKZF2 (Helios) expression, alongside activated TCR signaling and elevated TNF and IFNG. They also overexpressed TOX, linked to brain-infiltrating cytotoxicity. These findings suggest a loss of regulatory function in KIR+ CD8+ T cells contributes to Ri-AIE pathogenesis.
Project description:We developed a B-cell-mediated mouse model of Anti-N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor autoimmune encephalitis (AE) by immunization with a GluN1359–378 peptide. In our model, mice display a series of symptoms that recapitulate autoimmune encephalitis such as anxiety behaviour and spatial memory impairment (Wagnon et al, Brain 2020) . Proteomic analysis of AE meninges showed enrichment of differentially expressed proteins in biological processes associated with B cell activation and cytokine signalling pathways.
Project description:In 2022, a global mpox outbreak occurred, and remains a concern today. The T cell memory response to MPXV infection has not been fully investigated. In this study, we evaluated this response in convalescent and MVA-BN vaccinated individuals using VACV-infected cells. Detailed phenotypic and scRNAseq analysis was focused on the immunodominant HLA-A*02:01-G5R18-26-specific CD8+ T cell response. T cells from convalescent individuals showed greater cytotoxicity, migratory potential to site of infection and TCR clonal expansion. Our study suggests a better functional profile of MPXV-specific memory T cells induced by natural infection, which may have an implication on the long-term protective responses to future infection.
Project description:Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a cholestatic autoimmune liver disease secondary to an autoreactive T cell response against intrahepatic small bile ducts. Multiple murine models have demonstrated the critical role of effector CD8+T cells in this response and our work has used IL-12p40-/-IL-2Rα-/- mice (DKO mice) to study this issue. Herein we first demonstrated that use of either a CD8a knock-out or an anti-CD8a antibody prevents/reduces biliary immunopathology. Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing analysis identifies CD8+ tissue resident memory T cells (Trm) in the liver of DKO mice, which highly express activation and cytotoxicity associated markers and have the ability to induce apoptosis of bile duct epithelial cells. Liver CD8+Trm cells also upregulate expression of several immune checkpoint molecules and in particular we identified PD-1 as a specific liver CD8+Trm cell marker in this model. Based on these data we constructed a novel chimeric antigen receptor containing a PD-L1 extracellular domain to target PD-1-expressing CD8+Trm cells. Importantly, treatment of DKO mice with PD-1 targeting CAR-T cells selectively depleted liver CD8+Trm cells in vivo and alleviated autoimmune cholangitis.
Project description:The specific mechanisms underlying effector pathways in autoimmune liver disease remain enigmatic and therefore constructing appropriate murine models to investigate disease pathogenesis becomes critical. A spontaneous severe murine model of autoimmune liver disease has been previously established in dnTGFβRII Aire-/- mice, exhibiting disease phenotypes that resemble both human primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The data suggest that auto-reactive liver-specific CD8+ T cells are the primary pathogenic cells in liver injury. In this study, these data are advanced through the use of both single-cell sequencing and extensive in vitro analysis. The results identify a specific expanded pathogenic subset of PD-1+CD8+ T cells in the liver, exhibiting strong functional activity and cytotoxicity against target cells. Depletion of PD-1+CD8+ T cells using CAR-T cells effectively alleviates the disease. GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis is found to be aberrantly activated in the livers of model mice, and treatment with a GSDMD-specific inhibitor significantly inhibits disease progression. In vitro experiments reveal that PD-1+CD8+ T cells can induce the pyroptosis of hepatocytes through elevated production of granzyme B and perforin-1. These results provide a novel explanation for the cytotoxic activity of pathogenic liver PD-1+CD8+ T cells in autoimmune liver diseases and offer potential therapeutic targets.