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PubMed2001

Prolactin production by immune cells.

Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone and a cytokine that plays an important role in rodent and human immune responses, including autoimmune diseases. However, many cells and tissues other than the pituitary make PRL, including immune cells. Here, we will present the evidence demonstrating PRL synthesis by different subtypes of immune cells from humans, mice and rats, describe the regulation of PRL gene expression in human lymphocytes, and discuss the functions of PRL made by immune cells. Finally, we will present evidence for involvement of immune cell PRL in human autoimmune disease and suggest how it might play a unique immunoregulatory role.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

CD8+ CTLs are essential for protective immunity against Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection.

Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a protozoan parasite that has been implicated recently as a cause of opportunistic infection in immunocompromised individuals. Protective immunity in the normal host is T cell-dependent. In the present study, the role of individual T cell subtypes in immunity against this parasite has been studied using gene knockout mice. Whereas CD4-/- animals resolved the infection, mice lacking CD8+ T cells or perforin gene succumbed to parasite challenge. The data obtained in these studies suggest that E. cuniculi infection induces a strong and early CD8+ T response that is important for host protection. The CD8+ T cell-mediated protection depends upon the CTL activity of this cell subset, as the host is rendered susceptible to infection in the absence of this function. This is the first report in which a strong dependence upon the cytolytic activity of host CD8+ T cells has been shown to be important in a parasite infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Plasma cell-CD8+ T cell co-enrichment distinguishes immunotherapy-responsive hepatocellular carcinoma subtypes.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterised by significant racial disparities in incidence and outcomes, yet whether these reflect distinct tumour biology or differential distribution of molecular subtypes among immunotherapy patients remains unclear. METHODS: We characterised molecular heterogeneity among 46 patients with HCC of differing background population from the NCI-CLARITY cohort receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, using transcriptomic and genomic profiling, with validation across multiple independent cohorts. RESULTS: Differential expression analysis comparing African American versus non-African American patients identified 126 genes, of which 55 demonstrated tumour-specific expression across independent validation cohorts with paired tumour-normal samples. Consensus clustering revealed two molecular subtypes with no significant race association, indicating these clusters capture tumour-intrinsic biology rather than ancestry. The genomic landscape showed minimal differences between subtypes. A prognostic signature derived from these expression profiles demonstrated significant risk stratification in the NCI-CLARITY cohort and TCGA-LIHC, but not in Asian cohorts, suggesting population-specific applicability. Immune deconvolution revealed that the two subtypes represent distinct immune microenvironments: one subtype exhibited markedly elevated plasma cell infiltration with strong plasma cell-CD8+T cell correlation suggesting coordinated adaptive immunity, along with elevated tertiary lymphoid structure signatures. The other subtype showed regulatory T cell-macrophage correlation and enrichment for immune-excluded phenotypes. The immune-enriched subtype trended towards higher immunotherapy response rates. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular heterogeneity in HCC reveals distinct tumour-immune ecosystems that transcend racial classification. Tumour immune heterogeneity in HCC reflects distinct molecular patterns, with immune hot tumours characterised by elevated tertiary lymphoid structure signatures and enriched plasma cell and CD8+T cells. These patterns may serve as prognostic biomarkers for immunotherapy patient stratification and demonstrate the value of diverse cohort representation in identifying clinically relevant therapeutic targets.

Gastrointestinal Cancer↗
PubMed1999

Somatostatin receptor subtype expression in cells of the rat immune system during adjuvant arthritis.

Somatostatin is a neuropeptide that is widely distributed throughout the body. It acts as a neurohormone and a neurotransmitter and may also have an immunomodulatory role. The genes for five subtypes of somatostatin receptors (sst) have been cloned, suggesting that the diverse effects of the peptide might be mediated by different receptors. We are interested in studying the role of sst ininflammation, using an animal model. Because of the up-regulation of sst expression in inflamed joints in human rheumatoid arthritis, we chose rat adjuvant arthritis as an experimental model. In order to determine which of the sst subtypes might be important in immune modulation, subtype expression in leukocytes isolated from different lymphoid tissues of the rat was studied. Also, the expression levels of the most abundantly expressed sst mRNAs in leukocytes from spleen and blood were compared in rats with adjuvantarthritis and controls, using a semi-quantitative approach. Furthermore, the effect of systemic administration of a long-acting somatostatin analogue, octreotide, which binds selectively to sst subtypes 2 and 5 (sst2 and sst5), on the incidence and the severity of rat adjuvant arthritis, was studied. The main sst expressed in cells of the rat immune system, both resting and activated, were found to be sst3 and sst4. This contrasts with the human and murine situations, in which sst2 appears to be the main subtype expressed in the immune system. No quantitative differences in sst subtype mRNA levels in leukocytes from spleen and blood were found between rats with adjuvant arthritis and controls. Finally, no effect of systemic administration of octreotide on either the incidence or severity of adjuvant arthritis in Lewis rats was found. As octreotide binds selectively to sst2 and sst5, the absence of an immunomodulatory effect of this analogue in rat adjuvant arthritis corroborates our finding that these sst subtypes are not expressed in cells of the rat immune system. In conclusion, cells of the rat immune system appear to express a spectrum of sst (sst3 and sst4) different from that found in human granulomatous and autoimmune disease (mainly sst2). Therefore, the rat adjuvant arthritis model appears to be suitable only for studying the immunomodulatory effects of somatostatin analogues which have a high affinity for sst3 and sst4, but not for studying the immunomodulatory effects of octreotide, which has a high affinity only for sst2 and sst5.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Autoimmune myocarditis: cellular mediators of cardiac dysfunction.

Immune mediators play a critical role in the pathogenesis and outcomes of a number of cardiac diseases. This review summarizes recent findings on the composition of the inflammatory infiltrate and the role of different types and subtypes of immune cells and their products in mediating cardiac dysfunction in experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM). CD4+ T cells are required for initiation of myocarditis and their numbers in the heart infiltrate correlate with systolic dysfunction during disease progression. Other immune cells, including CD8+ T cells, granulocytes, and mast cells, can directly affect cardiomyocyte function. When regulatory mechanisms fail, the local damage leads to cardiomyocyte death, replacement fibrosis and overall cardiac dysfunction. EAM provides insights into the role of the immune system in the development of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and heart failure and may serve as a general paradigm for autoimmune organ-specific tissue damage.

Animals↗
PubMed2025

Digital Immunophenotyping of Lung Atypical Carcinoids and Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinomas Identifies Three Subtypes With Specific Tumor-Immune Microenvironment Features.

Atypical carcinoids (ACs) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas (LCNECs) are defined by the WHO as intermediate- and high-grade lung neuroendocrine neoplasms, respectively, based on morphological criteria; however, treatment strategies remain debated. Given the emerging role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in cancer prognosis and therapy response, this study aimed to characterize the immune landscape of ACs and LCNECs comprehensively. Immunohistochemistry for T-cell markers (CD3, CD8), immune checkpoints (PD-1, PD-L1), HLA molecules (HLA-DR, HLA-I), and fibroblasts (&#x3b1;-SMA) was performed on a re-evaluated cohort of 56 ACs and 104 LCNECs. Digital image analysis quantified intra-tumor (iTILs) and stromal (sTILs) CD3 and CD8 TILs in the whole slide and in specific tumor regions (invasive margin [IM] and central tumor [CT]). LCNECs exhibited significantly higher stromal T-cell infiltration, immune checkpoint expression, and HLA compared to ACs (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001), while &#x3b1;-SMA was more prominent in ACs. No ACs showed PD-L1 tumor expression. Digital quantification confirmed greater iTILs and sTILs in LCNECs across all regions, with moderate concordance to manual counts. Interestingly, TIL parameters were higher at the IM than in the CT (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). Using Boruta feature selection algorithm, Principal Component Analysis and Hierarchical Clustering, three patient clusters were identified: Cluster 1 (mainly ACs, low TILs, favorable prognosis), Cluster 2 (mixed histology, intermediate TILs, moderate prognosis), and Cluster 3 (mostly LCNECs, high TILs, poor prognosis), with distinct TME marker profiles. PD-L1 tumor expression was strongly linked to Cluster 3. These findings suggest that ACs and LCNECs may be stratified into three distinct immune clusters, highlighting the heterogeneity of their tumor microenvironment and providing a rationale for further translational studies.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

In vitro T cell immune responses to the preS2 antigen of the hepatitis B virus envelope protein in preS2 + S vaccine recipients. Absence of cross-reactivity of subtypes at a major T cell recognition site.

The immune responses to hepatitis B virus envelope antigen were investigated in 16 vaccine recipients after immunization with a recombinant yeast-derived preS2 + S (adw) vaccine for hepatitis B virus. After the completion of the three-slot immunization series, all vaccine recipients developed antibody to the S domain and anti-preS2 antibody. In vitro proliferative responses to preS2 (120-174) peptide were demonstrated in 10 of 16 vaccine recipients. Although reactivity could be demonstrated through the length of the preS2 peptide, the principal site of proliferative activity was contained within the preS2 (146-165) region of the peptide. The principal T cell reactive site coincides with a region of significant amino acid variability of the different hepatitis B virus serotypes. Cross-reactivity with a serotype (ayw) not present in the preS2 + S vaccine could not be demonstrated at this widely recognized T cell epitope. The low level of cross-reactivity demonstrated in a limited subset of the vaccine recipients was mediated through nondominant T cell reactive sites contained in the relatively conserved preS2 (120-146) region of the molecule. The identification of widely recognized but serotype-specific T cell epitopes in the preS2 region of the hepatitis B virus envelope antigen may be an important consideration in future vaccine development.

Cross Reactions↗
PubMed2025

Integration of multiple omics reveals key targets and cellular mechanisms for intervention in sarcopenia.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia, an age-related syndrome characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function, presents a significant global health burden with limited therapeutic interventions. This study integrates genomic causality, multi-tissue omics, and cellular mediation analyses to identify and prioritize mechanistically grounded therapeutic targets. METHODS: A multi-tiered analytical framework was applied, beginning with two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to infer causal relationships between 4907 plasma proteins (cis-pQTLs from 35,559 individuals) and sarcopenia traits in Pan-UK Biobank participants. Bayesian colocalization and transcriptomic validation in human sarcopenia muscle biopsies were employed to prioritize targets. Cellular mediation analysis quantified contributions of immune and stromal cell subtypes to protein-trait pathways using transcriptomic deconvolution. RESULTS: MR identified 1237 plasma proteins causally associated with sarcopenia traits, with six targets (HGFAC, GATM, HMOX2, F2, LMAN2L, HPGDS) validated through colocalization, transcriptomic expression, and sarcopenia-related dysregulation. Cellular mediation revealed immune mechanisms underlying HGFAC's effects, with CD4+ regulatory T cells mediating 3.49 % of its impact on sarcopenia traits. Prothrombin exhibited muscle-protective effects independent of coagulation. CONCLUSION: This study establishes a causal map linking plasma proteins to sarcopenia through immune-stromal interactions. The integration of MR, multi-omics validation, and cellular mediation prioritizes six proteins as actionable targets, supporting repurposing of thrombin inhibitors and development of immunometabolic therapies. The framework bridges genomic causality with cellular pathophysiology, advancing precision strategies for age-related muscle decline.

Humans↗
PubMed2025

Tumor-immune partitioning and clustering algorithm for identifying tumor-immune cell spatial interaction signatures within the tumor microenvironment.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence supports the importance of characterizing the organizational patterns of various cellular constituents in the tumor microenvironment in precision oncology. Most existing data on immune cell infiltrates in tumors, which are based on immune cell counts or nearest neighbor-type analyses, have failed to fully capture the cellular organization and heterogeneity. METHODS: We introduce a computational algorithm, termed Tumor-Immune Partitioning and Clustering (TIPC), that jointly measures immune cell partitioning between tumor epithelial and stromal areas and immune cell clustering versus dispersion. As proof-of-principle, we applied TIPC to a prospective cohort incident tumor biobank containing 931 colorectal carcinoma cases. TIPC identified tumor subtypes with unique spatial patterns between tumor cells and T lymphocytes linked to certain molecular pathologic and prognostic features. T lymphocyte identification and phenotyping were achieved using multiplexed (multispectral) immunofluorescence. In a separate hepatocellular carcinoma cohort, we replaced the stromal component with specific immune cell types-CXCR3+CD68+ or CD8+-to profile their spatial relationships with CXCL9+CD68+ cells. RESULTS: Six unsupervised TIPC subtypes based on T lymphocyte distribution patterns were identified, comprising two cold and four hot subtypes. Three of the four hot subtypes were associated with significantly longer colorectal cancer (CRC)-specific survival compared to a reference cold subtype. Our analysis showed that variations in T-cell densities among the TIPC subtypes did not strictly correlate with prognostic benefits, underscoring the prognostic significance of immune cell spatial patterns. Additionally, TIPC revealed two spatially distinct and cell density-specific subtypes among microsatellite instability-high colorectal cancers, indicating its potential to upgrade tumor subtyping. TIPC was also applied to additional immune cell types, eosinophils and neutrophils, identified using morphology and supervised machine learning; here two tumor subtypes with similarly low densities, namely 'cold, tumor-rich' and 'cold, stroma-rich', exhibited differential prognostic associations. Lastly, we validated our methods and results using The Cancer Genome Atlas colon and rectal adenocarcinoma data (n = 570). Moreover, applying TIPC to hepatocellular carcinoma cases (n = 27) highlighted critical cell interactions like CXCL9-CXCR3 and CXCL9-CD8. CONCLUSIONS: Unsupervised discoveries of microgeometric tissue organizational patterns and novel tumor subtypes using the TIPC algorithm can deepen our understanding of the tumor immune microenvironment and likely inform precision cancer immunotherapy.

Humans↗
PubMed1990

Importance of subtype in the immune response to the pre-S(2) region of the hepatitis B surface antigen. I. T cell fine specificity.

Previous studies of murine T cell recognition of the pre-S(2) region of the hepatitis B surface Ag (HBsAg) identified high (H-2b,d,q), intermediate (H-2s,k), and low to nonresponder (H-2f) haplotypes. However, these studies utilized the y subtype of HBsAg. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of viral subtype on T cell recognition of the pre-S(2) region and to identify specific T cell recognition sites in a panel of H-2 congenic strains. Immunization with pre-S(2) containing HBsAg particles of the d and y subtypes indicated that T cell recognition of the pre-S(2) region is predominantly subtype-specific in murine strains of eight different H-2 haplotypes. Furthermore, the B10.M strain (H-2f) classified as a T cell nonresponder to the y subtype of the pre-S(2) region responds efficiently to the d subtype, indicating that pre-S(2) responder status can be subtype-dependent as well as subtype-specific. Studies using a truncated pre-S(2) polypeptide and synthetic peptides illustrated that the C-terminal sequence (p148-174) of the pre-S(2) region is the dominant focus of T cell recognition in multiple murine strains. Specifically, 17 distinct T cell recognition sites were defined within the C-terminal half of the pre-S(2) region. The fine specificity of T cell recognition of the pre-S(2) region was dependent on the H-2 haplotype of the responding strain. T cell recognition of all 17 sites was subtype specific, which is consistent with the fact that the C-terminal sequence is highly polymorphic between the d and y subtypes of the pre-S(2) region. Lastly, it was shown that the ability of synthetic peptides to elicit T cells cross-reactive with the native pre-S(2) region was variable and depended on the nature of the immunizing peptide. The pre-S(2)-containing HBsAg vaccines currently in clinical trials are composed of ra single subtype, either d or y. The results of this study suggest that both subtypes should be incorporated to increase the frequency of T cell responders to the pre-S(2) region, and to insure Th cell memory relevant to infection with hepatitis B virus of either the d or y subtypes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2006

The circadian clock Period 2 gene regulates gamma interferon production of NK cells in host response to lipopolysaccharide-induced endotoxic shock.

The Period 2 (Per2) gene is a key molecular component in controlling mammalian circadian rhythms at the levels of gene expression, physiology, and pathogenesis. Although many immune parameters, such as the number of different subtypes of circulating immune cells and the level of cytokine production in response to infection with bacteria and viruses, have been well documented to display a circadian pattern in mammals, the basic features of molecular clock components in the immune system and the role of clock genes in regulating host immune defenses remain uncharacterized. Previously, we have reported that circadian clock genes oscillate in human mononuclear cells. Here we report that Per2-deficient mice were more resistant to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxic shock than control wild-type mice. We further demonstrate that the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in the serum were dramatically decreased in Per2-/- mice following LPS challenge, while production of tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 was approximately normal, compared to that in control wild-type mice. Flow cytometric analyses confirmed that the cellularity of most of the immune cell subsets in the spleens of LPS-challenged mice was normal and that the impaired IFN-gamma production in Per2-/- mice was attributable to defective NK and NKT cell function. Our data suggest that Per2 is an important regulator of NK cell function, therefore providing the first direct link between the circadian clock system and innate immune responses.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Cooperation of two subtypes of PGE2 receptor, Gi coupled EP3 and Gs coupled EP2 or EP4 subtype].

Four prostaglandin E (EP) receptor subtypes have been identified and cloned, designated as EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4. These EP receptors are members of the G-protein coupled receptor family. EP3 receptor signals are primarily involved in inhibition of adenylyl cyclase via Gi activation, while EP2 and EP4 receptor signals cause a stimulation of adenylyl cyclase via Gs activation. Immune cells, such as mast cells, express multiple EP subtypes on their cell membranes, but few studies have been conducted to understand exactly what signals the main flow for the multiple subtypes expressing immune cells. We previously demonstrated that activation of Gi-coupled EP3 receptor exhibited a cooperative effect on cAMP synthesis induced by Gs-coupled EP2 receptor in COS-7 cells. Here we report that a selective EP4 agonist-induced adenylyl cyclase activity was augmented by simultaneous addition of a selective EP3 agonist in mastocytoma P-815 cells, which express mRNAs for both EP3 and EP4 subtypes. The augmentation in cAMP synthesis was found to be pertussis toxin-sensitive. P-815 cells are demonstrated to bind to Pronectin-F, a proteolytic fragment of fibronectin, in adhesion protein of the extracellular matrix, by addition of PGE2, which is mediated by PKA. The binding of P-815 cells to Pronectin-F mediated by EP4 receptor was augmented by the EP3 receptor. These findings indicate that two subtypes of PGE2 receptors, EP3 and EP4, cooperatively activate the cAMP-mediated adhesion event through induction of fibronectin ligand elicited by PGE2 in P-815 cells. Furthermore, the PGE2-induced adhesion response may contribute to the mast cell recruitment function on extracellular matrix during inflammation.

Adenylyl Cyclases↗
PubMed2005

Patients with solid tumors treated with high-temperature whole body hyperthermia show a redistribution of naive/memory T-cell subtypes.

An activation of the immune system might contribute to the therapeutic effect of whole body hyperthermia (WBH) in cancer patients. We explored immune and endocrine responses in patients undergoing high-temperature WBH. Identical parameters were investigated in a separate group of healthy volunteers undergoing physical exercise to rule out effects of sympathetic activation. Lymphocyte subpopulations, lymphocytic expression of a range of adhesion molecules, and serum concentrations of a variety of hormones and cytokines were assessed in cancer patients undergoing high-temperature (60 min at 41.0-41.8 degrees C) WBH (n = 25) and in a separate group of healthy volunteers (n = 10) performing strenuous physical exercise. WBH induced an increase in human growth hormone (hGH), ACTH, and cortisol as well as in TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-12R. We observed an increase in natural killer (NK) cells and CD56+ NK T cells shortly after initiation of WBH. In contrast, we found a decrease in T cells expressing L-selectin (CD62L) or alpha4beta7 integrin adhesion molecules mediating homing to lymphatic tissues. Accordingly, we observed a decrease in CD45RA+CCR7+ naive and CD45RA-CCR7+ central memory T cells. Numbers of CD45RA-CCR7- memory effector and CD45RA+CCR7 terminally differentiated T cells, on the other hand, remained unchanged. No comparable changes were observed in the group of healthy volunteers. In conclusion, patients with solid tumors treated with WBH show an increase in NK and NK T cells. In a later phase, plasma concentrations of IL-8, hGH, and cortisol increase, correlated with an influx of neutrophils into the peripheral blood. The alterations in T-cell populations suggest that WBH may induce naive and central-memory T cells to enter lymphatic tissue to await antigen exposure and effector T cells to migrate into peripheral tissues to exert their effector function. Although the exercise group may not be an appropriate control to proof the effect of WBH, these changes were not seen in the healthy volunteers performing physical exercise.

Female↗
PubMed2002

Serotonin transporter modulation in blood lymphocytes from patients with major depression.

1. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system which has been implicated in the aetiology and pathogenesis of affective disorders. The serononergic system also plays several roles in the immune system through the expression of a number of its receptor subtypes in the immune cells. 2. Following release serotonin is inactivated by reuptake into neurons and other cells by a specific serotonin sodium and chloride-dependent transporter molecule, whose structure has been elucidated. 3. Measurement [3H]paroxetine binding showed that human lymphocytes contain a high-affinity serotonin transporter. 4. To assess the serotonin function in major depression, we investigated serotonin transporter density in blood lymphocytes from patients with this disorder and selected according to the interview of the American Psychiatric Association. 5. Patients were divided into two groups and treated with two different antidepressant drugs, one group receiving fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, and another mirtazapine, an antagonist of alpha2-adrenergic auto and heteroreceptors, for a period of 6 weeks. 6. Blood samples were obtained before and after the treatment, lymphocytes were isolated by Ficoll/Hypaque gradient, subjected to differential adhesion to plastic, and cell membranes were prepared for binding assay of [3H]paroxetine. 7. Lymphocytes serotonin transporter number was significantly reduced, while the affinity was unchanged, in patients with major depression disorder as compare to controls. 8. In addition, there was a partial recovery in lymphocytes serotonin (5HT) transporter number in the period posterior to the antidepressants administration, accompanied with clinical and depression rating scales improvement. Serotonin was determined in platelet-poor plasma and in lymphocytes before and after drugs administration, showing a significant decrease in the patients treated compared to untreated and controls. 9. These results are evidence of the potential interaction between the nervous and immune systems. The mechanisms underlying this interaction are under study, and might be related to modifications in the expression or function of the serotonin transporters in lymphocytes of depressed patients.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗
PubMed2026

Single-cell profiling reveals a novel CAF subpopulation linking stromal heterogeneity to immune suppression in breast cancer subtypes.

BACKGROUND: The tumor microenvironment critically influences breast cancer (BC) progression, immune surveillance, and therapeutic response. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a heterogeneous stromal population, are key regulators of these processes, yet their subtype-specific contributions in BC remain insufficiently defined. METHODS: We integrated three single-cell RNA sequencing datasets from 29 BC patients to characterize stromal populations. Bulk RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were analyzed to assess correlations between CAF subsets and immune infiltration. Gene signatures were derived to identify subtype-specific CAF-immune interactions, prognostic markers, and potential predictors of chemotherapy response. RESULTS: Three conserved stromal populations (iCAFs, myCAFs, and pericytes) were identified, along with a previously unrecognized subset, the cluster 3 (CL3) CAF-like cells, referred as metabolic stressed CAF (msCAF). msCAF cells displayed transcriptional programs associated with antigen presentation, stress response, glycolysis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Their abundance was inversely correlated with T-cell infiltration and function, in a subtype-specific manner: triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) was enriched for msCAFs in immune-infiltrated but functionally constrained microenvironments, whereas Luminal A tumors exhibited weaker immune infiltration with heterogeneous CAF-immune associations. msCAFs were characterized by a conserved gene signature (HLA-A, HLA-C, IL32, EMP3) and subtype-specific genes related to T-cell exhaustion. Several genes demonstrated prognostic relevance with distinct patterns in Luminal A (IER3, TIMP1, TBX3, SEC61G) and TNBC (ADM, C4orf3, LDHA) tumors, as well as shared biomarkers (FN1, LOXL2, P4HA1). Multiple msCAF genes also predicted chemotherapy response, suggesting utility as treatment stratification biomarkers. CONCLUSION: msCAFs represent a clinically relevant CAF subset that drives immune suppression, impacts subtype-specific prognosis, and influences therapy response in BC. These findings highlight msCAFs as promising targets for enhancing immunotherapy and personalizing treatment strategies.

Humans↗
PubMed2006

K+ channel blockers: novel tools to inhibit T cell activation leading to specific immunosuppression.

During the last two decades since the identification and characterization of T cell potassium channels great advances have been made in the understanding of the role of these channels in T cell functions, especially in antigen-induced activation. Their limited tissue distribution and the recent discovery that different T cell subtypes carrying out distinct immune functions show specific expression levels of these channels have made T cell potassium channels attractive targets for immunomodulatory drugs. Many toxins of various animal species and a structurally diverse array of small molecules inhibiting these channels with varying affinity and selectivity were found and their successful use in immunosuppression in vivo was also demonstrated. Better understanding of the topological differences between potassium channel pores, detailed knowledge of toxin and small-molecule structures and the identification of the binding sites of blocking compounds make it possible to improve the selectivity and affinity of the lead compounds by introducing modifications based on structural information. In this review the basic properties and physiological roles of the voltage-gated Kv1.3 and the Ca2+-activated IKCa1 potassium channels are discussed along with an overview of compounds inhibiting these channels and approaches aiming at producing more efficient modulators of immune functions for the treatment of diseases like sclerosis multiplex and type I diabetes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Effects of selective type I and II adrenal steroid agonists on immune cell distribution.

Adrenal steroids exert their effects through two distinct adrenal steroid receptor subtypes; the high affinity type I, or mineralocorticoid, receptor and the lower affinity type II, or glucocorticoid, receptor. Adrenal steroids have well known effects on immune cell distribution, and although both type I and II receptors are expressed in immune cells and tissues, few data exist on the relative effects mediated through these two receptor subtypes. Accordingly, we administered selective type I and II adrenal steroid receptor agonists to young adult male Sprague-Dawley rats for 7 days and then measured immune cell distribution in the peripheral blood and spleen. Results were compared with those of similar studies using the naturally occurring glucocorticoid of the rat, corticosterone, which binds both type I and II receptors. The majority of the well characterized effects of adrenal steroids on peripheral blood immune cells (increased neutrophils and decreased lymphocytes and monocytes) were reproduced by the type II receptor agonist, RU28362. RU28362 decreased the numbers of all lymphocyte subsets [T-cells, B-cells, and natural killer (NK) cells] to very low absolute levels. The largest relative decrease (i.e. in percentage) was seen in B-cells, whereas NK cells exhibited the least relative decrease and actually showed a 2-fold increase in relative percentage during RU28362 treatment. Similar to RU28362, the type I receptor agonist, aldosterone, significantly reduced the number of lymphocytes and monocytes. In contrast to RU28362, however, aldosterone significantly decreased the number of neutrophils. Moreover, aldosterone decreased the number of T-helper cells and NK cells, while having no effect on the number of B-cells or T-suppressor/cytotoxic cells. Corticosterone at physiologically relevant concentrations had potent effects on immune cell distribution, which were indistinguishable from those of the type II receptor agonist, RU28362. Taken together, these results indicate that effects of adrenal steroids on immune cell distribution are dependent on the receptor subtype involved as well as the specific cell type targeted. These factors allow for varied and complex effects of adrenal steroids on the immune system under physiological conditions.

Aldosterone↗