Project description:Kilian2024 - Immune cell dynamics in Cue-Induced Extended Human Colitis Model
Single-cell technologies such as scRNA-seq and flow cytometry provide critical insights into immune cell behavior in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, integrating these datasets into computational models for dynamic analysis remains challenging. Here, Kilian et al., (2024) developed a deterministic ODE-based model that incorporates these technologies to study immune cell population changes in murine colitis. The model parameters were optimized to fit experimental data, ensuring an accurate representation of immune cell behavior over time. It was then validated by comparing simulations with experimental data using Pearson’s correlation and further tested on independent datasets to confirm its robustness. Additionally, the model was applied to clinical bulk RNA-seq data from human IBD patients, providing valuable insights into immune system dynamics and potential therapeutic strategies.
Figure 4c, obtained from the simulation of human colitis model is highlighted here.
This model is described in the article:
Kilian, C., Ulrich, H., Zouboulis, V.A. et al. Longitudinal single-cell data informs deterministic modelling of inflammatory bowel disease. npj Syst Biol Appl 10, 69 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41540-024-00395-9
Abstract:
Single-cell-based methods such as flow cytometry or single-cell mRNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) allow deep molecular and cellular profiling of immunological processes. Despite their high throughput, however, these measurements represent only a snapshot in time. Here, we explore how longitudinal single-cell-based datasets can be used for deterministic ordinary differential equation (ODE)-based modelling to mechanistically describe immune dynamics. We derived longitudinal changes in cell numbers of colonic cell types during inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from flow cytometry and scRNA-seq data of murine colitis using ODE-based models. Our mathematical model generalised well across different protocols and experimental techniques, and we hypothesised that the estimated model parameters reflect biological processes. We validated this prediction of cellular turnover rates with KI-67 staining and with gene expression information from the scRNA-seq data not used for model fitting. Finally, we tested the translational relevance of the mathematical model by deconvolution of longitudinal bulk mRNA-sequencing data from a cohort of human IBD patients treated with olamkicept. We found that neutrophil depletion may contribute to IBD patients entering remission. The predictive power of IBD deterministic modelling highlights its potential to advance our understanding of immune dynamics in health and disease.
This model was curated during the Hackathon hosted by BioMed X GmbH in 2024.
Project description:We report positional cloning and characterization of a novel Sting allele that fails to activate IFN production in the wild-derived mice of MOLF/Ei strain in response to HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) and Listeria monocytogenes both in vitro and in vivo. We show that previously uncharacterized mutations in the N-terminal of STING are responsible for low levels of IFN due to failure of MOLF STING to respond to cytosolic STING agonists such as 2â3âcGAMP, 5,6-Dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) or poly(deoxyadenylic-deoxythymidylic) acid (dAdT). Using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) for the analysis of DNA-responses in congenic C57BL6.StingMOLF/MOLF (MOLF STING) mouse macrophages, we show that these mutations in MOLF/Ei discriminate in responses between different STING agonists. Macrophages from C57BL6.StingB6/B6¬ (B6 STING), or B6 STING expressing littermates were stimulated as a positive control for STING activation, and STING -/- (STING KO) macrophages served as a negative control. To examine differential gene regulation downstream of murine Tmem173 (STING) allelic variants. We stimulated macrophages from B6 mice congenic for MOLF STING; macrophages from B6 STING expressing littermates were stimulated as a positive control for STING activation, and STING -/- (STING KO) macrophages served as a negative control. One replicate of RNA-seq reads after each stimulation provided. Conditions are peritoneal macrophages from B6 congenic mice expressing: B6 STING, MOLF STING, or STING KO stimulated with 2â3âcGAMP, 5,6-Dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA), poly(deoxyadenylic-deoxythymidylic) acid (dAdT), or no treatment. This constitutes a total of 12 reads analyzed in this data set.
Project description:Gene expression analysis of dsDNA90 stimulated human telomerase fibroblasts (hTERT-BJ1) after STING siRNA treatment. Genes whose expression that are affected by cytosolic DNA in a STING dependent manner will be identified and signaling pathways regulated by STING will be elucidated. hTERT-BJ1 cells were transfected with non-specific or STING siRNA for 72 hours followed by dsDNA90 stimulation for 3 hours. Total RNA was extracted for array analysis.
Project description:SB24011 upregulates cellular STING levels through inhibition of STING-TRIM29 E3 ligase interaction. We performed gene expression profiling using RNA-seq in Raw264.7 cells, to investigate the effect of SB24011 on 1) STING downstream pathways upon combination with cGAMP, or 2) the novel gene expressions upon STING upregulation by SB24011.
Project description:STING agonists are in clinical development, yet their mechanisms of action remain unclear. We used single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to analyze response to ADU-S100 in a mesothelioma patient specimen ex vivo.
Project description:Chronic stimulation of innate immune pathways by microbial agents or damaged tissue is known to promote inflammation-driven tumorigenesis by unclarified mechanisms1-3. Here we demonstrate that mutagenic 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), etoposide or cisplatin induces nuclear DNA leakage into the cytosol to intrinsically activate STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) dependent cytokine production. Inflammatory cytokine levels were subsequently augmented in a STING-dependent extrinsic manner by infiltrating phagocytes purging dying cells. Consequently, STING-/- mice, or wild type mice adoptively transferred with STING-/- bone marrow, were almost completely resistant to DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis compared to their wild type counterparts. Our data emphasizes, for the first time, a role for STING in the induction of cancer, sheds significant insight into the causes of inflammation-driven carcinogenesis, and may provide therapeutic strategies to help prevent malignant disease Total RNA obtained from wild type murine embryonic fibroblasts (WT MEFs), STING deficient MEFs (SKO), Trex1 deficient MEFs (TKO), and both STING and Trex1 deficient MEFs (STKO) treated with DMBA and examined cytokine production by these cells.
Project description:Activation of the STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) pathway by microbial or self-DNA, as well as cyclic di nucleotides (CDN), results in the induction of numerous genes that suppress pathogen replication and facilitate adaptive immunity. However, sustained gene transcription is rigidly prevented to avoid lethal STING-dependent pro-inflammatory disease by mechanisms that remain unknown. We demonstrate here that after autophagy-dependent STING delivery of TBK1 (TANK-binding kinase 1) to endosomal/lysosomal compartments and activation of transcription factors IRF3 (interferon regulatory factors 3) and NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa beta), that STING is subsequently phosphorylated by serine/threonine UNC-51-like kinase (ULK1/ATG1) and IRF3 function is suppressed. ULK1 activation occurred following disassociation from its repressor adenine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK), and was elicited by CDN’S generated by the cGAMP synthase, cGAS. Thus, while CDN’s may initially facilitate STING function, they subsequently trigger negative-feedback control of STING activity, thus preventing the persistent transcription of innate immune genes. Total RNA obtained from primary STING deficient mouse embryonic fibroblast reconstituted with mSTING (W), S365A variant (A), or S365D variant (D). These cells were transfected with dsDNA (ISD) for 3 hours.
Project description:Chronic stimulation of innate immune pathways by microbial agents or damaged tissue is known to promote inflammation-driven tumorigenesis by unclarified mechanisms1-3. Here we demonstrate that mutagenic 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA), etoposide or cisplatin induces nuclear DNA leakage into the cytosol to intrinsically activate STING (Stimulator of Interferon Genes) dependent cytokine production. Inflammatory cytokine levels were subsequently augmented in a STING-dependent extrinsic manner by infiltrating phagocytes purging dying cells. Consequently, STING-/- mice, or wild type mice adoptively transferred with STING-/- bone marrow, were almost completely resistant to DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis compared to their wild type counterparts. Our data emphasizes, for the first time, a role for STING in the induction of cancer, sheds significant insight into the causes of inflammation-driven carcinogenesis, and may provide therapeutic strategies to help prevent malignant disease Total RNA obtained from DMBA or acetone treated wild type (WT) or STING deficient (SKO) mouse skin or skin tumor was examined for gene expression.
Project description:Non-nucleotide stimulators of interferon gene (STING) agonists hold promise as immunotherapeutic agents for postsurgical adjuvant treatment of tumors. However, their limited effect duration hampers therapeutic effectiveness, necessitating prolonged administration of multiple doses that heightens infection risk and impacts patient compliance. Here, we develop an implantable dual-drug depot in a sandwich-like configuration, with a non-nucleotide STING agonist (MSA-2) in the outer layers of 3D-printed scaffolds and an immunogenic apoptosis inducer (doxorubicin, DOX) in the inner layer of electrospun fibers. We discover that MSA-2 can elicit endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated and general immunogenic apoptosis of cancer cells. The stimulations with tumor-associated antigens and damage-associated molecular patterns from cancer cells, along with proinflammatory factors secreted by matured dendritic cells and M1-polarized macrophages, can depolymerize intracellular microtubules guiding activated STING trafficking towards lysosomes for degradation. Collectively, the dual-drug depots can initiate a long-lasting cascaded immunotherapy and chemotherapy, suppressing postsurgical tumor recurrence and metastasis.