Project description:To study the regulation of candidate genes from our study in human cells, we analyzed CD4+ T cells from blood and CSF of MA patients and age and sex matched idiopathic intracranial hypertension controls We analyzed 40845 cells in control blood, 807 cells in control CSF, 29749 cells in MS blood and 15768 cells in MS CSF
Project description:B cell-depleting therapies are effective in multiple sclerosis (MS), yet many patients progress toward disability, highlighting the need for improved interventions. To identify new therapeutic targets, we generated a single-cell RNA-seq atlas of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), brain, and blood from non-inflammatory controls and patients with MS or other neuroinflammatory diseases. We found disease-associated enrichment of class-switched IgG⁺ B cells and plasma cells in the CSF of patients with MS. Unbiased analysis revealed a rare subset of activated PD-1⁺, TCR-restricted, B-cell recruiting T follicular helper-like cells enriched in MS CSF. To therapeutically target this population, we developed PD-1-directed CAR T cells that selectively depleted pathogenic PD-1⁺ CD4 T cells. In a murine model of neuroinflammation, this approach attenuated CNS inflammation and improved clinical outcomes, particularly when using an IL-10-armored CAR construct. These findings establish a cellular framework for CNS-localized adaptive immunity in MS and outline a strategy for its selective disruption.
Project description:Objective Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) binds exclusively the c-Met surface receptor, and the HGF/c-Met axis regulates T-cell function in autoimmune diseases. We analyzed c-Met expression on human CD4 T cells in the blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) versus non-inflammatory neurological disease (NIND), to better understand the role of CD4 T cells in MS. Methods We recruited 34 untreated MS patients (aged 28–43 years) and 10 NIND (aged 34–51 years) who underwent paired blood and CSF sampling at the time of diagnosis work-up. Phenotypic and functional CD4 T cells characterization was determined by flow cytometry and bulk RNA sequencing. Adhesion and transmigration capacities were studied to further characterize the function of c-Met+ CD4 T cells. Results c-Met+ memory CD4 T cells were detected at higher levels in both blood (median of 1.98%) and CSF (5.88%) in MS compared to NIND (0.37% and 0.68% respectively) (p<0.0001). Ex vivo c-Met+ CD4 T cells exhibited higher levels of GM-CSF, IL-17, IFN-γ and double positive IL-17+IFN-γ+ expression, compared with c-Met- CD4 T cells. c-Met+ CD4 T cells expressed increased levels of integrins – Itgα4β1 (VLA-4) and ItgαLβ2 (LFA-1) – compared with c-Met- CD4 T cells. Anti-Itgα4 (natalizumab) and anti-ItgαLβ2 (odulimomab) inhibited CD4 T cell transmigration with predominant inhibition of CD4 T cells expressing c-Met. Interpretation These results emphasize c-Met as an immune marker of highly pro-inflammatory and migratory CD4 T lymphocytes in both the periphery and central nervous system of MS patients.
Project description:Gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement is a major determinant for subsequent morbidity and mortality arising during graft versus host disease (GVHD). CD4+ T cells that produce GM-CSF have emerged as central mediators of inflammation in this tissue site as GM-CSF serves as a critical cytokine link between the adaptive and innate arms of the immune system. However, cellular heterogeneity within the CD4+ GM-CSF+ T cell population due to the concurrent production of other inflammatory cytokines has raised questions as to whether these cells have a common ontology or if there exists a unique CD4+ GM-CSF+ subset that differs from other defined T helper (TH) subtypes. Using single cell RNA sequencing analysis, we identified two CD4+ GM-CSF+ T cell populations that arose during GVHD and were distinguishable by the presence or absence of IFN-γ co-expression. CD4+ GM-CSF+ IFN-γ- T cells which emerged preferentially in the colon had a distinct transcriptional profile, employed unique gene regulatory networks, and possessed a non-overlapping TCR repertoire when compared to CD4+ GM-CSF+ IFN-γ+ T cells as well as all other transcriptionally defined CD4+ T cell populations in the colon. Functionally, this CD4+ GM-CSF+ T cell population contributed to pathological damage in the GI tract which was critically dependent upon signaling through the IL-7 receptor but was independent of type 1 interferon signaling. Thus, these studies help to unravel heterogeneity within CD4+ GM-CSF+ T cells that arise during GVHD and define a developmentally distinct colitogenic TH GM-CSF+ subset that mediates immunopathology.
Project description:Objective: Progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) often corresponds to irreversible disability in MS patients. Cellular changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have provided biomarkers and mechanisms in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) but remain understudied in primary and secondary progressive MS (summarized herein as PMS). Methods: We combined retrospective flow cytometry of CSF cells from RRMS (n = 169), PMS (n = 56), and non-inflammatory controls (n = 74) with prospective CSF single-cell transcriptomics of 35 individuals (11 controls, 12 RRMS, and 12 PMS) and with confirmatory CSF ELISA. Available CSF single cell data from age-matched and Alzheimer’s disease served as additional controls. Results: Proportions of CD14+ monocytes in CSF are increased in PMS and correlated with clinical surrogate markers of progression. Transcriptionally, these monocytes resembled border-associated macrophages (BAM)-like cells with a chronically activated antigen-presenting phenotype. Additionally, these monocytes shared some features with disease-associated microglia/macrophages (DAM), previously identified in neurodegeneration. Induction of DAM-associated molecules, including transcribed and soluble TREM2, was unique to SPMS and supported its differential diagnosis. Interpretation: We thus identified MS stage-specific CSF signatures and shared cellular features of degeneration detectable in CSF of PMS patients.
Project description:Objective: Progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) often corresponds to irreversible disability in MS patients. Cellular changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have provided biomarkers and mechanisms in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) but remain understudied in primary and secondary progressive MS (summarized herein as PMS). Methods: We combined retrospective flow cytometry of CSF cells from RRMS (n = 169), PMS (n = 56), and non-inflammatory controls (n = 74) with prospective CSF single-cell transcriptomics of 35 individuals (11 controls, 12 RRMS, and 12 PMS) and with confirmatory CSF ELISA. Available CSF single cell data from age-matched and Alzheimer’s disease served as additional controls. Results: Proportions of CD14+ monocytes in CSF are increased in PMS and correlated with clinical surrogate markers of progression. Transcriptionally, these monocytes resembled border-associated macrophages (BAM)-like cells with a chronically activated antigen-presenting phenotype. Additionally, these monocytes shared some features with disease-associated microglia/macrophages (DAM), previously identified in neurodegeneration. Induction of DAM-associated molecules, including transcribed and soluble TREM2, was unique to SPMS and supported its differential diagnosis. Interpretation: We thus identified MS stage-specific CSF signatures and shared cellular features of degeneration detectable in CSF of PMS patients.
Project description:We performed scRNAseq on purified CD4+ T cells and monocytes from age-matched healthy and TRAF6-/- patient cells collected before the treatment to characterize the abnormalities. CD4+ T cells from the TRAF6-/- patient exhibited an activated transcriptome, while examination of the monocytes revealed normal representation of major subsets.