Interleukin-7 Availability Is Maintained by a Hematopoietic Cytokine Sink Comprising Innate Lymphoid Cells and T Cells

Martin, Christopher E.,Spasova, Darina S.,Frimpong-Boateng, Kwesi,Kim, Hee-Ok,Lee, Minji,Kim, Kwang Soon,Surh, Charles D. Elsevier 2017 Immunity Vol.47 No.1

<P><B>Summary</B></P> <P>Interleukin-7 (IL-7) availability determines the size and proliferative state of the resting T cell pool. However, the mechanisms that regulate steady-state IL-7 amounts are unclear. Using experimental lymphopenic mouse models and IL-7-induced homeostatic proliferation to measure IL-7 availability in vivo, we found that radioresistant cells were the source of IL-7 for both CD4<SUP>+</SUP> and CD8<SUP>+</SUP> T cells. Hematopoietic lineage cells, although irrelevant as a source of IL-7, were primarily responsible for limiting IL-7 availability via their expression of IL-7R. Unexpectedly, innate lymphoid cells were found to have a potent influence on IL-7 amounts in the primary and secondary lymphoid tissues. These results demonstrate that IL-7 homeostasis is achieved through consumption by multiple subsets of innate and adaptive immune cells.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> IL-7 is produced by radioresistant cells and not by hematopoietic cells </LI> <LI> IL-7R expressed by hematopoietic cells controls IL-7 availability </LI> <LI> ILCs outcompete T cells for IL-7 by resisting IL-7-mediated IL-7R downregulation </LI> <LI> ILCs are more resistant to IL-7-mediated downmodulation of FOXO1 </LI> </UL> </P>

Role of Interleukin-7 in the Development of and Recovery from Radiation-Induced Lymphopenia: A Post-hoc Analysis of a Prospective Cohort

변화경,정승연,김경진,성진실 대한암학회 2021 Cancer Research and Treatment Vol.53 No.4

Purpose Radiation-induced lymphopenia is associated with worse outcomes in solid tumors. We assessed the impact of interleukin-7 (IL-7), a key cytokine in lymphocyte homeostasis, on radiation-induced lymphopenia. Materials and Methods A post-hoc analysis was performed in a prospective cohort of 98 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who were treated with radiotherapy in 2016-2018. Blood IL-7 levels were assayed before and at the end of radiotherapy. Acute severe lymphopenia (ASL) was defined as a total lymphocyte count of < 200/μL during radiotherapy. Cox and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of survival and ASL development, respectively. Results Patients with ASL (n=41) had significantly poorer overall survival than those without (12.0 months vs. 25.3 months, p=0.001). Patients with lymphocyte recovery showed significantly longer overall survival than those without (21.8 months vs. 10.3 months, p=0.042). ASL was an independent predictor of poor survival (hazard ratio, 2.07; p=0.015). Patients with ASL had significantly lower pre-radiotherapy IL-7 levels (2.07 pg/mL vs. 3.01 pg/mL, p=0.010). A high pre-radiotherapy IL-7 level was an independent predictor of a reduced risk of ASL development (hazard ratio, 0.40; p=0.004). IL-7 levels reflected a feedback response to ASL, with a higher ΔIL-7 in patients with ASL and a lower ΔIL-7 in those without ASL (0.48 pg/mL vs. –0.66 pg/mL, p < 0.001). Post-radiotherapy IL-7 levels were significantly positively correlated with the total lymphocyte counts at 2 months. Conclusion IL-7 is associated with the development of and recovery from ASL, which may impact survival. To overcome radiation-induced lymphopenia, a novel strategy using IL-7 may be considered.

Interleukin-7 Enhances the in Vivo Anti-tumor Activity of Tumor-reactive CD8⁺ T cells with Induction of IFN-gamma in a Murine Breast Cancer Model

Yuan, Chun-Hui,Yang, Xue-Qin,Zhu, Cheng-Liang,Liu, Shao-Ping,Wang, Bi-Cheng,Wang, Fu-Bing Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.1

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a potent anti-apoptotic cytokine that enhances immune effector cell functions and is essential for lymphocyte survival. While it known to induce differentiation and proliferation in some haematological malignancies, including certain types of leukaemias and lymphomas, little is known about its role in solid tumours, including breast cancer. In the current study, we investigated whether IL-7 could enhance the in vivo antitumor activity of tumor-reactive $CD8^+$ T cells with induction of IFN-${\gamma}$ in a murine breast cancer model. Human IL-7 cDNA was constructed into the eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1, and then the recombinational pcDNA3.1-IL-7 was intratumorally injected in the TM40D BALB/C mouse graft model. Serum and intracellular IFN-${\gamma}$ levels were measured by ELISA and flow cytometry, respectively. $CD8^+$ T cell-mediated cytotoxicity was analyzed using the MTT method. Our results showed that IL-7 administration significantly inhibited tumor growth from day 15 after direct intratumoral injection of pcDNA3.1-IL-7. The anti-tumor effect correlated with a marked increase in the level of IFN-${\gamma}$ and breast cancer cells-specific CTL cytotoxicity. In vitro cytotoxicity assays showed that IL-7-treatment could augment cytolytic activity of $CD8^+$ T cells from tumor bearing mice, while anti-IFN-${\gamma}$ blocked the function of $CD8^+$ T cells, suggesting that IFN-${\gamma}$ mediated the cytolytic activity of $CD8^+$ T cells. Furthermore, in vivo neutralization of $CD8^+$ T lymphocytes by CD8 antibodies reversed the antitumor benefit of IL-7. Thus, we demonstrated that IL-7 exerts anti-tumor activity mainly through activating $CD8^+$ T cells and stimulating them to secrete IFN-${\gamma}$ in a murine breast tumor model. Based on these results, our study points to a potential novel way to treat breast cancer and may have important implications for clinical immunotherapy.

Erratum: Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Contribute to the Protective Immunity Induced by Intranasal Treatment with Fc-fused Interleukin-7 against Lethal Influenza Virus Infection

강문철,박한욱,최동훈,최영우,박윤지,성영철,이승우 대한면역학회 2017 Immune Network Vol.17 No.6

Developing a novel vaccine that can be applied against multiple strains of influenza virus is of utmost importance to human health. Previously, we demonstrated that the intranasal introduction of Fc-fused IL-7 (IL-7-mFc), a long-acting cytokine fusion protein, confers long-lasting prophylaxis against multiple strains of influenza A virus (IAV) by inducing the development of lung-resident memory-like T cells, called TRM-like cells. Here, we further investigated the mechanisms of IL-7-mFc-mediated protective immunity to IAVs. First, we found that IL-7-mFc treatment augments the accumulation of pulmonary T cells in 2 ways: recruiting blood circulating T cells into the lung and expanding T cells at the lung parenchyma. Second, the blockade of T cell migration from the lymph nodes (LNs) with FTY720 treatment was not required for mounting the protective immunity to IAV with IL-7-mFc, suggesting a more important role of IL-7 in T cells in the lungs. Third, IL-7-mFc treatment also recruited various innate immune cells into the lungs. Among these cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) play an important role in IL-7-mFc-mediated protective immunity through reducing the immunopathology and increasing IAV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. In summary, our results show that intranasal treatment with IL-7-mFc modulates pulmonary immune responses to IAV, affecting both innate and adaptive immune cells.

Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Contribute to the Protective Immunity Induced by Intranasal Treatment with Fc-fused Interleukin-7 against Lethal Influenza Virus Infection

Kang, Moon Cheol,Park, Han Wook,Choi, Dong-Hoon,Choi, Young Woo,Park, Yunji,Sung, Young Chul,Lee, Seung-Woo 한국조명·전기설비학회 2017 한국조명·전기설비학회 학술대회논문집 Vol. No.

<P>Developing a novel vaccine that can be applied against multiple strains of influenza virus is of utmost importance to human health. Previously, we demonstrated that the intranasal introduction of Fc-fused IL-7 (IL-7-mFc), a long-acting cytokine fusion protein, confers long-lasting prophylaxis against multiple strains of influenza A virus (IAV) by inducing the development of lung-resident memory-like T cells, called T<SUB>RM</SUB>-like cells. Here, we further investigated the mechanisms of IL-7-mFc-mediated protective immunity to IAVs. First, we found that IL-7-mFc treatment augments the accumulation of pulmonary T cells in 2 ways: recruiting blood circulating T cells into the lung and expanding T cells at the lung parenchyma. Second, the blockade of T cell migration from the lymph nodes (LNs) with FTY720 treatment was not required for mounting the protective immunity to IAV with IL-7-mFc, suggesting a more important role of IL-7 in T cells in the lungs. Third, IL-7-mFc treatment also recruited various innate immune cells into the lungs. Among these cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) play an important role in IL-7-mFc-mediated protective immunity through reducing the immunopathology and increasing IAV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. In summary, our results show that intranasal treatment with IL-7-mFc modulates pulmonary immune responses to IAV, affecting both innate and adaptive immune cells.</P>

Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Contribute to the Protective Immunity Induced by Intranasal Treatment with Fc-fused Interleukin-7 against Lethal Influenza Virus Infection

강문철,박한욱,최동훈,최영우,박윤지,성영철,이승우 대한면역학회 2017 Immune Network Vol.17 No.5

Developing a novel vaccine that can be applied against multiple strains of influenza virus is of utmost importance to human health. Previously, we demonstrated that the intranasal introduction of Fc-fused IL-7 (IL-7-mFc), a long-acting cytokine fusion protein, confers long-lasting prophylaxis against multiple strains of influenza A virus (IAV) by inducing the development of lung-resident memory-like T cells, called TRM-like cells. Here, we further investigated the mechanisms of IL-7-mFc-mediated protective immunity to IAVs. First, we found that IL-7-mFc treatment augments the accumulation of pulmonary T cells in 2 ways: recruiting blood circulating T cells into the lung and expanding T cells at the lung parenchyma. Second, the blockade of T cell migration from the lymph nodes (LNs) with FTY720 treatment was not required for mounting the protective immunity to IAV with IL-7-mFc, suggesting a more important role of IL-7 in T cells in the lungs. Third, IL-7-mFc treatment also recruited various innate immune cells into the lungs. Among these cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) play an important role in IL-7-mFc-mediated protective immunity through reducing the immunopathology and increasing IAV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. In summary, our results show that intranasal treatment with IL-7-mFc modulates pulmonary immune responses to IAV, affecting both innate and adaptive immune cells.

Caspase-3-like Death Protease is Inhibited by Interleukin-7

Hong, Soon-Duck,Lee, Sang-Han,Tsuruo, Takashi,Lee, Dong-Sun Korean Society of Life Science 1999 Journal of Life Science Vol.9 No.1

Highly metastatic mouse T-lymphoma CS21 cells can grow in vitro when cocultured with CA12 lymph node stromal cells, but they undergo apoptotic cell death when separated from CA12 stromal cells. It has been found that cysteine and interleukin-7(IL-7) as antiapoptotic soluble factors that produced by CA12 stromal cells. In this study, we report that an ICE family protease is activated in CS21 cells when separated from CA12 stromal cells and cultured alone. Enzyme purification using an avidin affinity column revealed that the involved cysteine protease possessed caspase3-like death protease activity. In addition, when IL-7 was added to CS21 cell culture, the protease activity could not be detected during partial purification of the enzyme. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that the caspase3-like protease activation is suppressed by IL-7 as an antiapoptotic factor that leads to abrogation of apoptosis execution.

Anti-inflammatory effect of artemisinin on uric acid-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation through blocking interaction between NLRP3 and NEK7

Kim, Seong-Kyu,Choe, Jung-Yoon,Park, Ki-Yeun Elsevier 2019 Biochemical and biophysical research communication Vol.517 No.2

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P><B>Objective</B></P> <P>Artemisinin is a potent anti-malarial agent that plays a potent role in regulating inflammatory disorders. NEK7 is a major interacting partner with NLRP3 in NLRP3 inflammasome. The aim of this study was to clarify the anti-inflammatory effect of artemisinin on activation of uric acid-induced NLRP3 inflammasome through regulation of NEK7.</P> <P><B>Methods</B></P> <P>Human macrophage U937 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), monosodium urate (MSU) crystals, or artemisinin were used in <I>in vitro</I> study. Intracellular potassium (K<SUP>+</SUP>) level was measured in U937 cells treated with and without artemisinin. Expression of target genes or proteins NEK7, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and NF-κB signaling molecules was measured. MSU crystal-induced arthritis model was used for <I>in vivo</I> study.</P> <P><B>Results</B></P> <P>Gout patients showed higher NLRP3 and NEK7 mRNA expression, compared to controls. Enhanced expression of NLRP3, caspase-1, and IL-1β was noted in macrophages treated with LPS (10 ng/ml) and MSU crystals (0.1 mg/ml), which was markedly suppressed by treatment with artemisinin (1, 10, and 100 μM). Artemisinin significantly inhibited interaction between NLRP3 and NEK7 in NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Artemisinin (10 and 100 μM) attenuated intracellular K<SUP>+</SUP> efflux in macrophages stimulated with LPS and MSU crystals. Artemisinin suppressed foot and ankle swelling in MSU crystal-induced arthritis mice.</P> <P><B>Conclusion</B></P> <P>This study revealed that artemisinin inhibited activation of NLRP3 inflammasome by suppressing interaction between NEK7 and NLRP3 in uric acid-induced inflammation.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Enhanced NLRP3 and NEK mRNA expression was noted in gout patients. </LI> <LI> Artemisinin inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation in LPS-primed macrophages treated with MSU crystals. </LI> <LI> Anti-inflammatory effect of artemisinin is induced by suppression of interaction between NEK and NLRP3. </LI> </UL> </P>

Therapeutic Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Ecklonia cava on Inhibition of Inflammation

Kim, Moon-Moo,Lee, Sang-Hoon,Ngo, Dai-Nghiep,Jung, Won-Kyo,Kim, Se-Kwon The Korean Society for Marine Biotechnology 2007 한국해양바이오학회지 Vol.2 No.2

만성염증은 치주염, 대장염, 간염 및 관절염과 밀접한 관련성이 있다고 알려져 있다. 최근에 항염증제가 해양자원으로부터 개발되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 감태 (EC)가 항염증효과가 있다는 것이 발견되었다. 갈조류에 속하는 감태의 에탄올 추출물이 RAW 264.7 세포에서 tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ interleukin-$1{\beta}$, interleukin-6 and prostaglandin $E_2$와 같은 염증매개체의 생성에 탁월한 효과를 나타내었다. 더욱이 reporter gene assay 및 western blot 분석 에 서 감태추출물은 대식세포에서 염증매개체의 발현을 조절하는 NF-${\kappa}B$ 전사인자의 불활성화를 통하여 항염증효과를 나타내었다. 뿐만 아니라 감태추출물은 만성염증에 중요한 역할을 하는 기질금속단백질의 활성을 억제 하였다. 이러한 결과는 갑태추출물이 만성염증을 억제하는데 잠재적으로 이용될 수 있다는 것을 암시하고 있다. Chronic inflammation has been known to have a close relationship with several diseases including periodontitis, colitis, hepatitis and arthritis. Recently anti-inflammatory agents have been developed from marine natural resources. In this study, Ecklonia cava (EC) was found to have anti-inflammatory effect. Ethanolic extract of EC belonging to brown algae exhibited an excellent inhibitory effect on the production of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-$1{\beta}$, interleukin-6 and prostaglandin $E_2$ by RA W264.7 cells. Furthermore, in reporter gene assay and western blot analysis, EC extract exerted anti-inflammatory effect via inactivation of NF-${\kappa}B$ transcription factor that regulates the expression of these inflammatory mediators in macrophages. In addition, EC extract inhibited the activity of matrix metalloproteinase that play an important role in chronic inflammation. These results suggest that EC extract may provide a pharmaceutical potential in inhibiting chronic inflammation.

괴화 추출물이 대식세포에서의 nitric oxide와 interleukin-6의 생성에 미치는 영향

이지은,이주연,최점일,김종관,김성조,Lee, Ji-Eun,Lee, Ju-Youn,Choi, Jeom-Il,Kim, Chong-Kwan,Kim, Sung-Jo 대한치주과학회 2005 Journal of Periodontal & Implant Science Vol.35 No.1

Both nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been thought to have a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal disease as it does in other inflammatory diseases, and the inhibitors of NO and IL-6 production have been considered as potential anti-inflammatory agents. In this study, we evaluated methanol extract of Sophorae Flos for inhibition of NO and IL-6 production in Prevotella intermedia LPS-induced mouse macrophages RAW264.7 cells. Dried Sopharae Flos was sliced, and extracted with 100% methanol. LPS from p. intermedia ATCC 25611 was prepared by the standard hot phenol-water method. NO production was assayed by measuring the accumulation of nitrite in culture supematants and IL-6 was measured using mouse IL-6 ELISA kit. Western blot analysis of iNOS and analysis of reverse transcription (RT)-PCR products were carried out. The methanol extract of Sophorae Flos concentration-dependently reduced the production of NO and the expression of iNOS protein and mRNA in RAw264.7 cells treated with P. intermedia LPS. Sophorae Flos also suppressed IL-6 production and the expression of IL-6 mRNA in RAw264.7 cells stimulated by P. intermedia LPS. The inhibition of NO and IL-6 production by Sophorae Flos may be useful in the therapy of inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis. This hypothesis, however, remains to be tested.