Group 1 Innate Lymphocyte-Derived IFN-γ Regulates Macrophage Alternative Activation In Colon Cancer

Background: Tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) is an important innate immune cell-subset in tumor microenvironment, and that is also a pivotal orchestrator of tumor-promoting inflammation and tumor progression. Evidence proved that TAMs are up-regulated in a great number of cancers, and most of them are alternative activated M2 phenotype, which greatly promote the progress of cancer diseases. Group 1 innate lymphocytes including conventional NK cells and type 1 innate lymphocytes (ILC1s), are abundant in intestinal tissue, and characterized by expressing transcription factor T-bet and secreting interferon (IFN)-γ, which can promote the macrophage to classically activated anti-tumor M1 phenotype. However, the relationship between these two cell subsets remains unclear in colon cancer. Methods: Flow cytometry was used to detect the percentage of M1 phenotype macrophage, M2 phenotype macrophage and group 1 innate lymphocytes in colon cancer tissue and paracancer healthy colon tissue of AOM/DSS-induced colon cancer mice model. In vitro isolating group 1 innate lymphocytes and inducing bone marrow-derived macrophage to detect the cross-talk when co-cultured. Adoptively transfer or blocking group 1 innate lymphocytes in vivo to investigate the role of group 1 innate lymphocytes on tumor-infiltrating macrophage and the tumor growth. Results: We found that M1 phenotype macrophage and group 1 innate lymphocytes were down-regulated in colon cancer tissue, and they were positively correlated. Group 1 innate lymphocytes promoted macrophage to classically activated M1 phenotype in vitro, and that could be blocked by anti-IFN-γ. In vivo results showed that the administration of group 1 innate lymphocytes-blocking antibody anti-NK1.1 could decrease the number of M1 phenotype macrophage in tumor tissue of MC38 tumor-bearing mice and promote the tumor growth, while adoptively transferring group 1 innate lymphocytes led to tumor-inhibiting and level of M1 phenotype macrophage up-regulating in MC38 tumor-bearing mice. Conclusions: Our studies preliminarily prove that group 1 innate lymphocytes promote the alternative activation of M1 macrophage by secreting IFN-γ to inhibit the progress of colon cancer for the first time, which may provide an insight in the immunotherapy of colon cancer.

Role of Macrophage Polarization in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome is a familiar and destructive clinical condition characterized by progressive, swift and impaired pulmonary state. It leads to mortality if not managed in a timely manner. Recently the role of imbalanced macrophage polarization has been reported in ARDS. Macrophages are known for their heterogeneity and plasticity. Under different microenvironmental stimuli, they (M0) can switch between classically activated macrophage (M1) and alternatively activated (M2) states. This switch is regulated by several signaling pathways and epigenetic changes. In this review, the importance of macrophage M1 and M2 has been discussed in the arena of ARDS citing the phase-wise impact of macrophage polarization. This will provide a further understanding of the molecular mechanism involved in ARDS and will help in developing novel therapeutic targets. Various biomarkers that are currently used concerning this pathophysiological feature have also been summarized.

Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Regulator Correction Attenuates Heart Failure-Induced Lung Inflammation

Background and Purpose: Heart failure (HF) affects 64 million people worldwide. Despite advancements in prevention and therapy, quality of life remains poor for many HF patients due to target organ damage. Pulmonary manifestations of HF are well-established. However, difficulties in the treatment of HF patients with chronic lung phenotypes remain, as standard therapies are often complicated by contraindications. Here, we verify the downregulation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) in the HF lung, a concept that may provide new mechanism-based therapies for HF patients with pulmonary complications. Experimental Approach: Ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in mice was used to induce myocardial infarction (MI). At 10 weeks post-MI, pharmacological CFTR corrector therapy (Lumacaftor (Lum)) was applied systemically or lung-specific for 2 weeks, and the lungs were analysed using histology, flow cytometry, Western blotting, and qPCR. Key Results: Experimental HF associated with an apparent lung phenotype characterized by reduction of pulmonary CFTR+ cells, vascular remodelling, and pronounced tissue inflammation as evidenced by infiltration of pro-inflammatory monocytes and elevation of classically-activated macrophages in the lung. PharmacologicalCFTR correction with Lum mitigated the HF-induced downregulation of pulmonary CFTR expression, increased the proportion of CFTR+ cells in the lung, and diminished the HF-associated elevation of classically-activated non-alveolar macrophages within the lungs with implication for vessel wall thickness. Conclusion and Implications: Collectively, our data suggest that pharmacological CFTR correction possesses the capacity to alleviate HF-induced inflammation in the lung and may emerge as treatment option for HF patients with chronic lung phenotypes.

Macrophage Innate Training Induced by IL-4 Activation Enhances OXPHOS Driven Anti-Mycobacterial Responses

Macrophages are key innate immune cells for determining the outcome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Polarization with IFNγ and LPS into the “classically activated” M1 macrophage enhances pro-inflammatory and microbicidal responses, important for eradicating the bacterium. By contrast, “alternatively activated” M2 macrophages, polarized with IL-4, oppose bactericidal mechanisms and allow mycobacterial growth. These activation states are accompanied by distinct metabolic profiles, where M1 macrophages favor near exclusive use of glycolysis, whereas M2 macrophages up-regulate oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Here we demonstrate that activation with IL-4 counterintuitively induces protective innate memory against mycobacterial challenge. This was associated with enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine responses and killing capacity. Moreover, despite this switch towards a phenotype that is more akin to classical activation, IL-4 trained macrophages do not demonstrate M1-typical metabolism, instead retaining heightened use of OXPHOS. Moreover, inhibition of OXPHOS with oligomycin, 2-deoxy glucose or BPTES all impeded heightened pro-inflammatory cytokine responses from IL-4 trained macrophages. Lastly, this work identifies that IL-10 negatively regulates protective IL-4 training, impeding pro-inflammatory and bactericidal mechanisms. In summary, this work provides new and unexpected insight into alternative macrophage activation states in the context of mycobacterial infection.

Transcriptome profiling reveals new insights into the roles of neuronal nitric oxide synthase on macrophage polarization towards classically activated phenotype

In response to various stimuli, naïve macrophages usually polarize to M1 (classically activated) or M2 (alternatively activated) cells with distinct biological functions. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1) is involved in M1 macrophage polarization at an early stage. Here, we show for the first time that NOS1 is dispensable for M2 macrophage polarization for the first time. Further, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) regulated by NOS1 signaling in M1-polarized macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were characterized by transcriptome analysis of wild-type (WT) and NOS1 knockout mouse macrophages. Thousands of affected genes were detected 2 h post LPS challenge, and this wide-ranging effect became greater with a longer stimulation time (8 h post LPS). NOS1 deficiency caused dysregulated expression of hundreds of LPS-responsive genes. Most DEGs were enriched in biological processes related to transcription and regulation of the immune and inflammatory response. At 2 h post-LPS, the toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway, cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction, and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway were the major pathways affected, whereas the main pathways affected at 8 h post-LPS were Th1 and Th2 cell differentiation, FoxO, and AMPK signaling pathway. Identified DEGs were validated by real-time quantitative PCR and interacted in a complicated signaling pathway network. Collectively, our data show that NOS1 is dispensable for M2 macrophage polarization and reveal novel insights in the role of NOS1 signaling at different stages of M1 macrophage polarization through distinct TLR4 plasma membrane-localized and endosome-internalized signaling pathways.

New Therapeutic Tools to Shape Monocyte Functional Phenotypes in Leishmaniasis

In the innate immunity to Leishmania infection tissue-resident macrophages and inflammatory monocytes accumulate host-cell, effector, and efferocytosis functions. In addition, neutrophils, as host, effector, and apoptotic cells, as well as tissue-resident and monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) imprint innate and adaptive immunity to Leishmania parasites. Macrophages develop phenotypes ranging from antimicrobial M1 to parasite-permissive M2, depending on mouse strain, Leishmania species, and T-cell cytokines. The Th1 (IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-4) cytokines, which induce classically-activated (M1) or alternatively-activated (M2) macrophages, underlie resistance versus susceptibility to leishmaniasis. While macrophage phenotypes have been well discussed, new developments addressed the monocyte functional phenotypes in Leishmania infection. Here, we will emphasize the role of inflammatory monocytes to access how potential host-directed therapies for leishmaniasis, such as all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) and the ligand of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-Kappa B (RANKL) might modulate immunity to Leishmania infection, by directly targeting monocytes to develop M1 or M2 phenotypes.

The Crosstalk between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Macrophages in Bone Regeneration: A Systematic Review

Bone regeneration is a complex and well-coordinated process that involves crosstalk between immune cells and resident cells in the injury site. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising strategy to enhance bone regeneration. Growing evidence suggests that macrophages have a significant impact on osteogenesis during bone regeneration. However, the precise mechanisms by which macrophage subtypes influence bone regeneration and how MSCs communicate with macrophages have not yet been fully elucidated. In this systematic literature review, we gathered evidence regarding the crosstalk between MSCs and macrophages during bone regeneration. According to the PRISMA protocol, we extracted literature from PubMed and Embase databases by using “mesenchymal stem cells” and “macrophages” and “bone regeneration” as keywords. Thirty-three studies were selected for this review. MSCs isolated from both bone marrow and adipose tissue and both primary macrophages and macrophage cell lines were used in the selected studies. In conclusion, anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2) have significantly more potential to strengthen bone regeneration compared with naïve (M0) and classically activated macrophages (M1). Transplantation of MSCs induced M1-to-M2 transition and transformed the skeletal microenvironment to facilitate bone regeneration in bone fracture and bone defect models. This review highlights the complexity between MSCs and macrophages, providing more insight into the polarized macrophage behavior in this evolving field of osteoimmunology. The results may serve as a useful reference for definite success in MSC-based therapy based on the critical interaction with macrophages.

POS0333 ALTERED MACROPHAGE POLARIZATION PHENOTYPES IN SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

Background:Fos-like 2 (Fosl-2) is a transcription factor of the AP-1 family and has a broad range in inducing cellular changes affecting fibrosis and inflammatory responses. Pathological effects of Fosl-2 have been associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In addition, increased expression of Fosl-2 has been detected in human SSc monocyte-derived macrophages [1]. Monocytes and macrophages play a central role in activating and propagating acute inflammation followed by pathological fibrosis and organ dysfunction. The classification of the macrophage polarization phenotype can be assigned based on the stimulus, for example into classically-activated M(LPS), and alternatively-activated M(IL-4) macrophages [2]. However, the role of the Fosl-2 transcription factor in macrophage polarization remains elusive.Objectives:To investigate the role of Fosl-2 in macrophage polarization in SSc using Fosl-2 overexpressing transgenic (Fosl-2 tg) mice and human blood-derived macrophages from SSc patients.Methods:Thiogylcolate-elicited peritoneal macrophages were isolated from wild-type (wt) and Fosl-2 tg mice. Human peripheral CD14+ blood-derived monocytes were isolated and differentiated to macrophages (hMDM) from healthy controls and SSc patients. Murine and human macrophages were polarized with LPS (10 ng/ml), LPS + recombinant mouse IFN-γ (10 ng/ml), recombinant mouse, resp. human IL-4 (10 ng/ml) or remained untreated. Macrophage surface marker expression was assessed by flow cytometry using a mouse (F4/80, CD11b, CD86, CD80, CD38, MHCII, CD206, PD-L1, PD-L2, CD36) or human (CD38, CD40, CD86, PD-L2, PD-L1, CD163, CD206) designed polarization panel. Phagocytic activity was detected with pHrodo Red E.coli particles by flow cytometry. Gene expression and secretion of pro- and anti-inflammatory markers were measured by RT-qPCR, standard ELISAs and Griess Assay for nitric oxide production.Results:After LPS stimulation, mRNA levels of IL-1β (p<0.01, n=11-12), TNF-α (p=0.05, n=11-12) and IFN-γ (p<0.05, n=7) were reduced, whereas expression of IL-10 (p<0.05, n=11-12) was enhanced in Fosl-2 tg peritoneal macrophages in comparison to wt cells. Secretion of TNF-α (p<0.01, n=9-11) and nitric oxide (p<0.01, n=9) was impaired in Fosl-2 tg peritoneal macrophages compared to wt cells after LPS stimulation. Peritoneal macrophages were analyzed directly after isolation for macrophage polarization cell surface marker expression. Fosl-2 tg peritoneal macrophages showed an increase in the F4/80+CD11b+PD-L2+CD36+ cell population (p<0.01, n=3-6) compared to peritoneal macrophages from wt mice.The expression of cell surface markers of non-polarized and IL-4 stimulated SSc hMDM (n=17) showed an increased percentage of CD40+CD86+CD206+PD-L2+CD163+ cells (p<0.05) compared to healthy control hMDM (n=7). Phagocytic activity was enhanced in SSc hMDM (n=7) compared to healthy untreated (p<0.05), LPS (p=0.05) and IL-4 (p<0.05) hMDM (n=5).Conclusion:Our animal data indicates a role of Fosl-2 in regulating macrophage polarization with a shift from a classically-activated to an alternatively-activated phenotype. Similarly, SSc hMDM resemble a functional M(IL-4) alternative macrophage phenotype.Thus, maintaining a balanced proportion of classically- and alternatively-activated macrophage phenotypes may be an effective tool to control macrophage function in SSc.References:[1]Moreno-Moral, A., et al., Changes in macrophage transcriptome associate with systemic sclerosis and mediate GSDMA contribution to disease risk. Ann Rheum Dis, 2018. 77(4): p. 596-601.[2]Kania, G., M. Rudnik, and O. Distler, Involvement of the myeloid cell compartment in fibrogenesis and systemic sclerosis. Nat Rev Rheumatol, 2019. 15(5): p. 288-302.Disclosure of Interests:Amela Hukara: None declared, Michal Rudnik: None declared, Chantal Brigitta Rufer: None declared, Oliver Distler Speakers bureau: Actelion, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Medscape, Novartis, Roche, Menarini, Mepha, MSD, iQone, Pfizer, Consultant of: Abbvie, Actelion, Acceleron Pharma, Amgen, AnaMar, Arxx Therapeutics, Bayer, Baecon Discovery, Blade Therapeutics, Boehringer, CSL Behring, ChemomAb, Corpuspharma, Curzion Pharmaceuticals, Ergonex, Galapagos NV, GSK, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inventiva, Italfarmaco, iQvia, Kymera, Medac, Medscape, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, MSD, Roche, Sanofi, UCB, Lilly, Target BioScience, Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Actelion, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Kymera Therapeutics, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Przemyslaw Blyszczuk: None declared, Gabriela Kania: None declared

Methylglyoxal Drives a Distinct, Nonclassical Macrophage Activation Status

Metabolic complications in diabetic patients are driven by a combination of increased levels of nutrients and the presence of a proinflammatory environment. Methylglyoxal (MG) is a toxic byproduct of catabolism and has been strongly associated with the development of such complications. Macrophages are key mediators of inflammatory processes and their contribution to the development of metabolic complications has been demonstrated. However, a direct link between reactive metabolites and macrophage activation has not been demonstrated yet. Here, we show that acute MG treatment activated components of the p38 MAPK pathway and enhanced glycolysis in primary murine macrophages. MG induced a distinct gene expression profile sharing similarities with classically activated proinflammatory macrophages as well as metabolically activated macrophages usually found in obese patients. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a set of 15 surface markers specifically upregulated in MG-treated macrophages, thereby establishing a new set of targets for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes under high MG conditions, including diabetes. Overall, our study defines a new polarization state of macrophages that may specifically link aberrant macrophage activation to reactive metabolites in diabetes.