scholarly journals Phosphorylated ERK1/2 in CD4 T cells is associated with acute GVHD in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 667-671
Author(s):  
Hidekazu Itamura ◽  
Takero Shindo ◽  
Satoshi Yoshioka ◽  
Takayuki Ishikawa ◽  
Shinya Kimura

Abstract To diagnose graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) is sometimes difficult. We showed previously that MEK inhibitors selectively suppress murine GVHD while retaining antiviral and antitumor immunity. Here, we asked whether the RAS/MEK/ERK pathway is activated in human allo-HSCT recipients with GVHD, and whether the phosphorylated ERK1/2 can be a biomarker of GVHD. Peripheral blood was sequentially collected from 20 allo-HSCT recipients: 1 bone marrow transplant, 7 peripheral blood stem cell transplants (PBSCT), and 12 cord blood transplants. Ten of the 20 allo-HSCT recipients developed GVHD, and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in T and B cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Occurrence of acute GVHD was associated with phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in CD4+ T cells at day 30 (P < .001), which was suppressed by ex vivo exposure to a MEK inhibitor trametinib at clinically achievable concentrations. In particular, ERK1/2 was phosphorylated preferentially in naive/central memory CD4+ T cells. Notably, phosphorylation of ERK1/2 fell as GVHD improved. These results suggest that phosphorylation status of ERK1/2 in peripheral blood CD4+ T cells may be a future biomarker for diagnosing human GVHD, and the potential efficacy of MEK inhibitors against human GVHD.

2009 ◽  
Vol 206 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muzlifah Haniffa ◽  
Florent Ginhoux ◽  
Xiao-Nong Wang ◽  
Venetia Bigley ◽  
Michal Abel ◽  
...  

Animal models of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have been used to analyze the turnover of bone marrow–derived cells and to demonstrate the critical role of recipient antigen-presenting cells (APC) in graft versus host disease (GVHD). In humans, the phenotype and lineage relationships of myeloid-derived tissue APC remain incompletely understood. It has also been proposed that the risk of acute GVHD, which extends over many months, is related to the protracted survival of certain recipient APC. Human dermis contains three principal subsets of CD45+HLA-DR+ cells: CD1a+CD14− DC, CD1a−CD14+ DC, and CD1a−CD14+FXIIIa+ macrophages. In vitro, each subset has characteristic properties. After transplantation, both CD1a+ and CD14+ DC are rapidly depleted and replaced by donor cells, but recipient macrophages can be found in GVHD lesions and may persist for many months. Macrophages isolated from normal dermis secrete proinflammatory cytokines. Although they stimulate little proliferation of naive or memory CD4+ T cells, macrophages induce cytokine expression in memory CD4+ T cells and activation and proliferation of CD8+ T cells. These observations suggest that dermal macrophages and DC are from distinct lineages and that persistent recipient macrophages, although unlikely to initiate alloreactivity, may contribute to GVHD by sustaining the responses of previously activated T cells.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darius Sairafi ◽  
Arwen Stikvoort ◽  
Jens Gertow ◽  
Jonas Mattsson ◽  
Michael Uhlin

Background. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a serious complication after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). We designed a functional assay for assessment of individual risk for acute GVHD.Study Design and Methods. Blood samples were collected from patients and donors before HSCT. Two groups of seven patients each were selected, one in which individuals developed acute GVHD grades II–IV and one in which none showed any clinical signs of GVHD. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from donors were incubated in mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLCs) with recipient PBMCs. The cells were characterized by flow cytometry before and after MLC.Results. Samples from donors in the GVHD group contained significantly lower frequencies of naïveγδT-cells and T-cells expressing NK-cell markers CD56 and CD94. Donor samples in this group also exhibited lower frequencies of naïve CD95+T-cells compared to controls. After MLC, there were dissimilarities in the CD4/CD8 T-cell ratio and frequency of CD69+T-cells between the two patient groups, with the non-GVHD group showing higher frequencies of CD8+and CD69+T-cells.Conclusion. We conclude that a thorough flow cytometric analysis of donor cells for phenotype and allogeneic reactivity may be of value when assessing pretransplant risk for severe acute GVHD.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (35) ◽  
pp. 4535-4544 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annalisa Ruggeri ◽  
Annalisa Paviglianiti ◽  
Fernanda Volt ◽  
Chantal Kenzey ◽  
Hanadi Rafii ◽  
...  

Background: Circulating endothelial cells (CECs), originated form endothelial progenitors (EPCs) are mature cells not associated with vessel walls and detached from the endothelium. Normally, they are present in insignificant amounts in the peripheral blood of healthy individuals. On the other hand, elevated CECs and EPCs levels have been reported in the peripheral blood of patients with different types of cancers and other diseases. Objective: This review aims to provide an overview on the characterization of CECs and EPCs, to describe isolation methods and to identify the potential role of these cells in hematological diseases and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods: We performed a detailed search of peer-reviewed literature using keywords related to CECs, EPCs, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and hematological diseases (hemoglobinopathies, hodgkin and non-hodgkin lymphoma, acute leukemia, myeloproliferative syndromes, chronic lymphocytic leukemia). Results: CECs and EPCs are potential biomarkers for several clinical conditions involving endothelial turnover and remodeling, such as in hematological diseases. These cells may be involved in disease progression and in the neoplastic process. Moreover, CECs and EPCs are probably involved in endothelial damage which is a marker of several complications following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Conclusion: This review provides information about the role of CECs and EPCs in hematological malignancies and shows their implication in predicting disease activity as well as improving HSCT outcomes.


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