An Adenoviral Vector Encoding Full-Length Dectin-1 Promotes Aspergillus-Induced Innate Immune Response in Macrophages
LUNG
Authors: Xia, Di; Sun, Wen-Kui; Tan, Ming-Ming; Ding, Yuan; Liu, Zhi-Cheng; Li, Pei; Qian, Qian; Su, Xin; Shi, Yi
Abstract
Introduction The incidence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) has increased significantly over the last two decades. Alveolar macrophages (AMs) represent the first line of pulmonary host response to Aspergillus conidia. Recognition of conidia by AMs involves Dectin-1 (CLEC7A), which is a conserved structure to combine beta-glucans. The deficiency of Dectin-1 results in impaired fungal killing and uncontrolled growth of Aspergillus fumigatus. Thus, we hypothesized that high expression of Dectin-1 would enhance the host recognition and fungal killing. Methods We set out to develop an adenoviral vector encoding full-length Dectin-1 (Ad-Dectin-1-EGFP) and then transfect it to MH-S cells. Transfect cell model was verified by using real-time RT-PCR, Western blot, flow cytometric, and confocal microscopic assays. And also, the function of Dectin-1 was explored by measuring cytokine release and killing ability during the course of A. fumigatus infection. Results We constructed a recombinant adenovirus which could upregulate the expression of Dectin-1 and verified that Dectin-1 was expressed on cell membrane. The function of Dectin-1 was also demonstrated by its ability in promoting the production of cytokines and increasing the killing ability during the course of A. fumigatus infection. Conclusions An adenoviral vector was successfully applied to the production of a recombinant adenovirus encoding full-length Dectin-1, and also, its function in Aspergillus-induced innate immune response was demonstrated.
Single-cell transcriptomics combined with interstitial fluid proteomics defines cell type-specific immune regulation in atopic dermatitis
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
Authors: Rojahn, Thomas B.; Vorstandlechner, Vera; Krausgruber, Thomas; Bauer, Wolfgang M.; Alkon, Natalia; Bangert, Christine; Thaler, Felix M.; Sadeghyar, Farzaneh; Fortelny, Nikolaus; Gernedl, Victoria; Rindler, Katharina; Elbe-Buerger, Adelheid; Bock, Christoph; Mildner, Michael; Brunner, Patrick M.
Abstract
Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease, but its complex pathogenesis is only insufficiently understood, resulting in still limited treatment options. Objective: We sought to characterize AD on both transcriptomic and proteomic levels in humans. Methods: We used skin suction blistering, a painless and nonscarring procedure that can simultaneously sample skin cells and interstitial fluid. We then compared results with conventional biopsies. Results: Suction blistering captured epidermal and most immune cells equally well as biopsies, except for mast cells and nonmigratory CD163+ macrophages that were only present in biopsy isolates. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we found comparable transcriptional profiles of key inflammatory pathways between blister and biopsy AD, but suction blistering was superior in cell-specific resolution for high-abundance transcripts (KRT1/KRT10, KRT16/KRT6A, S100A8/S100A9), which showed some background signals in biopsy isolates. Compared with healthy controls, we found characteristic upregulation of AD-typical cytokines such as IL13 and IL22 in T(H)2 and T(H)22 cells, respectively, but we also discovered these mediators in proliferating T cells and natural killer T cells, that also expressed the antimicrobial cytokine IL26. Overall, not T cells, but myeloid cells were most strongly enriched in AD, and we found dendritic cell (CLEC7A, amphiregulin/AREG, EREG) and macrophage products (CCL13) among the top upregulated proteins in AD blister fluid proteomic analyses. Conclusion: These data show that by using cutting-edge technology, suction blistering offers several advantages over conventional biopsies, including better transcriptomic resolution of skin cells, combined with proteomic information from interstitial fluid, unraveling novel inflammatory players that shape the cellular and proteomic microenvironment of AD.