Despite effective antibiotics, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of tuberculosis, still infects nearly one-third of the world's population. While key immune factors including CD4+ T cells and IFNg production have been identified, there are still many antimicrobial mechanisms yet to be explored. Here we characterized the role of invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells and GM-CSF during Mtb infection.

The macrophage receptors that mediate phagocytosis of Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease spirochete, are unknown despite this cell type's importance in promoting pathogen clearance and inflammation-mediated tissue damage. We now demonstrate that the β2 integrin, Complement Receptor 3 (CR3), mediates the phagocytosis of opsonized and non-opsonized spirochetes by murine macrophages and human monocytes. Although, expression of the surface proteins, CspA and OspE, protects B. burgdorferi from complement-mediated phagocytosis, the versatility of CR3 counteracts the ability of B. burgdorferi to interfere with complement activation and complement-derived opsonins, thus minimizing the bacteria's anti-complement strategy. Interaction of the spirochete with the integrin is not sufficient to internalize B. burgdorferi; however, phagocytosis occurs when the GPI-anchored protein, CD14, is coexpressed in CHO-CR3 cells. CR3-mediated phagocytosis occurs independently of MyD88-induced or inside-out signals but requires the translocation of the integrin to cholesterol rich membrane microdomains. Interestingly, the absence of CR3 leads to marked increases in production of TNF in vitro and in vivo, in spite of reduced spirochetal uptake. Overall, our data establish CR3 as a MyD88-independent phagocytic receptor for B. burgdorferi that also participates in the modulation of the proinflammatory output of macrophages. Macrophages are critical cellular components of the immune response to infectious agents. During infection with B. burgdorferi, macrophages infiltrate the cardiac tissue and induce the activation of invariant NKT cells, leading to the production of the protective cytokine IFNγ. The interaction of macrophages with infectious agents leads to the activation of several signaling cascades, including mitogen activated protein kinases, such as p38 MAP kinase. We now demonstrate that p38 MAP kinase-mediated responses are critical components to the immune response during infection with B. burgdorferi. The inhibition of p38 MAP kinase does not alter the ability of macrophages to phagocytose B. burgdorferi; however, inhibition of p38 during infection with B. burgdorferi results in increased carditis. Through the generation of transgenic mice that express a dominant negative form of p38 MAP kinase specifically in macrophages, we demonstrate that this kinase regulates the production of the iNKT attracting chemokine, MCP-1 and the infiltration of these cells to the cardiac tissue during infection. Overall, the inhibition of p38 MAP kinase during infection with B. burgdorferi specifically in macrophages results in the deficient infiltration of iNKT cells and their diminished production of IFNγ, leading to increased bacterial burdens and inflammation. These results show that p38 MAP kinase provides critical checkpoints for the protective immune response to the spirochete during infection of the heart.

Les cellules iNKT (de l’anglais invariant Natural Killer T) constituent un sous-type particulier de lymphocytes T caractérisé par un profil de type inné. Ces cellules répondent rapidement à des antigènes lipidiques et glycolipidique présentés par le CD1d, une glycoprotéine exprimée par les différentes cellules présentatrices d'antigène. Suite à l’activation, les cellules iNKT sont capables de produire de grandes quantités de cytokines anti-inflammatoires et pro-inflammatoires et elles sont impliquées dans différentes maladies, telles que l'allergie, l'auto-immunité, le cancer et les infections, parmi lesquelles la leishmaniose. Les parasites protozoaires de les espèces Leishmania sont les agents causaux de la leishmaniose, une maladie tropicale négligée dont la manifestation la plus grave affecte les organes viscéraux et qui peut être mortelle si elle n'est pas traitée. Le succès de l'infection dépend de la capacité du parasite à maitriser la réponse immunitaire de l'hôte. Récemment, quelques groupes, y compris le nôtre, ont observé que les parasites Leishmania libèrent des vésicules extracellulaires (VE). Les VE sont formées par une bicouche membranaire lipidique, contenant des lipides, des protéines et du matériel génétique et elles peuvent transmettre des molécules dérivées des pathogènes aux cellules hôte sans contact direct entre les cellules. Les VE produites par les parasites Leishmania et aussi par d’autres protozoaires ont été associés à des effets pro-parasite car elles favorisent un environnement plus permissif à l'établissement de l'infection. Dans cette thèse, nous avons étudié l'effet du matériel extracellulaire (ME), correspondant aux VE et aux molécules non-associées aux VE, libéré par les promastigotes de L. infantum sur les cellules iNKT. Dans le début de ce travail, il a été observé que le ME de L. infantum empêche l'expansion ex-vivo des cellules iNKT humaines à partir de cellules mononucléaires du sang périphérique. Cela a mis en évidence la communication entre les cellules iNKT et le ME de L. infantum, ce qui a été exploré par la suite. Le ME de L. infantum module la capacité très importante des cellules iNKT à produire des cytokines. En effet, le ME de L. infantum empêche la production des différentes cytokines par les cellules iNKT, comme par exemple IL-4 et IFNγ. De plus, nous avons aussi démontré que le ME de L. infantum compète avec l’α-GalCer, un agoniste très puissant des cellules iNKT, pour la liaison à la molécule CD1d, ce qui justifie l’effet inhibiteur dans l'activation des cellules iNKT. Nous avons aussi montré que les lipides qui sont présents dans chaque fraction du ME de L. infantum ont un rôle très important dans l’inhibition de l'activation et l'expansion des cellules iNKT. Ainsi, le ME de L. infantum, par ces lipides, peut participer à l’altération de l’activation des cellules iNKT dépendante du CD1d. Cela ajoute une nouvelle évidence de la contribution du ME de L. infantum dans la subversion de la réponse immunitaire de l’hôte. La communication entre le ME libéré par un pathogène et les cellules iNKT a été étudié pour la première fois, ce qui a suggéré un mécanisme de modulation de ces cellules qui n’avait jamais été décrit. Ce travail ouvre des perspectives pour l'étude de l'interaction de ME libéré par d'autres pathogènes avec des cellules iNKT. De plus, l'analyse des lipides contenus dans le ME de L. infantum pourra aboutir à la découverte de nouvelles molécules spécifiques pour inhiber les cellules iNKT. Cela apporterait des avantages significatifs dans les approches cliniques ciblant la modulation de l'activation des cellules iNKT. / The invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells constitute a particular subset of T lymphocytes characterized by an innate-like profile. These cells rapidly respond to lipid and glycolipid antigens bound by the glycoprotein CD1d expressed by different antigen presenting cells. Once activated, they release large amounts of anti- and proinflammatory cytokines. Thus, iNKT cells are endowed with a remarkable immunomodulatory potential and they have been implicated in different disorders, such as allergy, autoimmunity, cancer and infection, among which is leishmaniasis. Leishmania spp. are a group of protozoan parasites that includes the causative agents of leishmaniasis. This is a neglected tropical disease in which the most severe form of manifestation affects visceral organs and could be fatal if left untreated. Importantly, the success of Leishmania infection relies on the capacity of the parasite to subvert host immune responses. Recently, a few groups, including ours, observed that Leishmania parasites release extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are vesicles formed by a lipid bilayer membrane, containing other lipids, proteins and genetic material on their surface as well as in their lumen. Due to their potential to transmit messages between pathogens and host cells without a direct cell contact, they have been a focus of great interest regarding infection. EVs derived from Leishmania and other protozoan parasites have been associated with pro-parasite effects, by creating a more permissive environment to the establishment of the infection. Herein, we studied the effect of the extracellular material (ExM), which encloses both EVs and vesicle-depleted material, released by L. infantum promastigotes in iNKT cells. In the first steps of this work, it was observed that L. infantum ExM is capable of impairing the expansion of human iNKT cells ex vivo from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This evidenced the cross-talk between iNKT cells and L. infantum ExM that we explored further. L. infantum ExM also modulates the important capacity of iNKT cells to release cytokines, impairing the production of different cytokines, such as IL-4 and IFNγ by these cells. Furthermore, we also show that L. infantum ExM competes with α-GalCer, a potent iNKT cell agonist, for CD1d binding, which justifies its effect in the impairment of iNKT cell activation. Additionally, we also proved the lipids present in each fraction of L. infantum ExM take an important role in the inhibition of iNKT cell activation and expansion. Thus, L. infantum ExM, through their lipids, is suggested to participate in the impairment of CD1d-mediated activation of iNKT cells, adding a new evidence regarding the contribution of the parasite ExM to subvert host immune responses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the cross-talk between the ExM released by a microbe and iNKT cells was assessed, shedding light on a mechanism of iNKT cell modulation that remained unexplored so far. This opens new perspectives regarding the study of the interaction of the ExM released by other pathogens with iNKT cells. Moreover, a further analysis of the lipid content of L. infantum ExM might allow the finding of new inhibitory molecules specific to iNKT cells, which can bring significant advantages in clinical approaches targeting the modulation of iNKT cell activation.

Interleukin (IL)-1beta is a powerful pro-inflammatory cytokine with important roles in directing both innate and adaptive immunity. As a result, its production is tightly controlled, with the synthesis of an inactive form (pro-IL-1beta) and the requirement of a second signal. This induces the formation of the inflammasome, a macromolecular complex which mediates the maturation of IL-1beta into the bioactive cytokine. Given its significance, it is important to identify mechanisms of IL-1beta induction and modulation. Firstly, we describe serum amyloid A (SAA), an acute phase protein with immunomodulatory properties, as a novel inducer of IL-1beta. Using cells from genetically modified mice, the molecular mechanisms responsible were dissected, demonstrating the receptors TLR2 and NLRP3 as required for this effect. By instilling SAA into mice, we also show that SAA is able to induce IL-1beta production in vivo. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells have also been shown to be important modulators of immunity, mediating both pro- and anti-inflammatory responses. iNKT cells are non-conventional T lymphocytes which recognise glycolipid in the context of CD1d, with the ability to interact with immature antigen presenting cells in an autoreactive manner. We link the regulatory ability of iNKT cells with IL-1beta production, showing that a low activation signal leads to the induction of an IL-13-dominated cytokine profile, as well as weak engagement of the CD40-CD40L pathway. We show for the first time that through these mechanisms, iNKT cells are able to dampen the secretion of IL-1beta upon subsequent stimulation of dendritic cells. We hypothesise that this effect of iNKT cells is important in controlling inflammatory responses in vivo, and demonstrate exacerbated IL-1beta production and inflammation during influenza virus infection of iNKT cell-deficient animals. This novel anti-inflammatory property of iNKT cells may be harnessed in the therapeutic intervention of inflammatory disorders.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:50:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-11-25 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Células iNKT restritas a CD1d são protetoras contra o desenvolvimento de melanoma murino, B16F10-Nex2, subcutaneamente em animais singênicos. Essa proteção pode ser deduzida pelo desenvolvimento acelerado do tumor em animais geneticamente deficientes na expressão de CD1d (CD1d-KO), com sobrevida significantemente menor do que a observada com animais WT submetidos ao mesmo desafio de células tumorais. CD1d é uma família de glicoproteínas relacionadas a MHC classe I, envolvidas na apresentação, principalmente em células dendríticas, de antígenos lipídicos para células iNKT. No presente trabalho focalizamos a identificação do lipídeo endógeno expresso em células de melanoma capaz de induzir uma resposta de vigilância imune baseada em células iNKT. Verificamos também a possibilidade de proteger animais contra o desenvolvimento tumoral utilizando células dendríticas primadas com o lipídeo endógeno. A extração dos componentes lipídicos de melanoma foi realizada a partir de tumores crescidos in vivo, evitando-se assim artefatos do cultivo celular in vitro. Foram testados três diferentes protocolos de extração (A, B e C), obtendo-se 14 frações diferentes que foram testadas na ativação do hibridoma DN32.D3, uma linhagem de células NKT murinas imortalizadas. A fração F3 do protocolo A (F3A) ativou o hibridoma DN32.D3 medido pela produção de IL-2. Para uma eficiente apresentação dos lipídeos dessa fração utilizamos com sucesso células dendríticas de medula óssea (BMDC) nos ensaios in vitro e in vivo, para apresentação de F3A e glicolipídeos ativadores de células NKT, agalactosilceramida (a-GalCer) e isoglobotrihexosilceramida (iGb3). Na tentativa de isolar o composto estimulatório presente em F3A de melanoma, essa fração foi analisada por HPTLC revelada com diversos reagentes específicos para resíduos de ácido siálico, açúcares neutros, fosfato e lipídeos totais. A fração também foi submetida a separações em colunas de sílica, ensaio de “immunostaining” quimioluminescente com lectina de Bandeiraea simplicifolia e análises em espectrometria de massa, onde foram identificados gangliosídeos como GM3 bem como glicoesfingolipídeos neutros como iGb3, Gb3, iGb4 e Gb4 por ESI-LIT-MS (electrosptray ionization-linear íon trap-mass spectrometry). Quando iGb3 foi incubado com BMDC e testado com células DN32D3 essas foram ativadas produzindo IL-2. GM3 consistentemente era um inibidor dessa ativação de células iNKT. Ensaios de citotoxicidade foram então realizados e verificamos que células de NKT estimuladas por BMDC incubadas com a-GalCer ou iGb3 circundavam as células tumorais B16F10-Nex2 visualizadas em microscopia de fluorescência e, em ensaio in vitro, as células NKT promoviam lise de até 40% das células tumorais B16F10-Nex2. Realizamos então ensaios in vivo, onde camundongos foram inoculados endovenosamente com células do melanoma murino e tratados ou não com células dendríticas primadas com a-GalCer ou iGb3. Ao excisarmos os pulmões dos animais, notamos que os grupos tratados com lipídeos ativadores de células NKT tinha cerca de 4 vezes menos nódulos pulmonares que o grupo não tratado. Nossos resultados mostram que o melanoma murino B16F10-Nex2 possui a molécula iGb3 e sua precursora iGb4, capaz de ativar células NKT conferindo a essas capacidade citotóxica in vitro contra o melanoma. Esse lipídeo (iGb3) também mostrou um efeito protetor contra metástases pulmonares oriundas do melanoma murino quando apresentado por células dendríticas utilizadas em protocolo de terapia celular. Esse é o primeiro trabalho mostrando que efetivamente um glicolipídeo endógeno ligante de CD1d é capaz de ativar células NKT com efeito protetor antitumoral, através de terapia celular com células dendríticas. Palavras chave: Melanoma B16F10-Nex2, células iNKT, glicoesfingolipídeos iGb3 e iGb4 GM3, células dendríticas, imuno vigilância. / CD1d-restricted iNKT cells are protective against the murine melanoma B16F10- Nex2 growing subcutaneously in syngeneic animals. This is inferred from the fast tumor growth in animals genetically deficient in CD1d (CD1d-KO), which showed a survival time significantly shorter than that of WT animals equally challenged with tumor cells. CD1d belongs to a family of glycoproteins resembling MHC class I, involved in the presentation, chiefly in dendritic cells, of lipidic antigens to iNKT cells. In the present work we focus on the identification of an endogenous lipid component expressed in melanoma cells able to induce an immunosurveillance response based on iNKT. We also investigated the possibility of animal protection against tumor development by using dendritic cells primed with the endogenous lipid. The extraction of membrane lipid components was carried out from in vivo grown tumors, thus avoiding artifacts from the in vitro grown cultures. Three different extraction protocols were tested (A, B, C), and 14 different fractions were obtained and tested for the activation of hybridoma DN32.D3, a cell line of immortalized murine NKT cells. Fraction F3 of protocol A (F3A) activated hybridoma DN32.D3 to produce IL-2. For an efficient presentation of lipids from this fraction we successfully used bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDC) on in vitro and in vivo assays. F3A and NKT-cell activating glycolipids, agalactosylceramide (a-GalCer) and isoglobohexosylceramide (iGb3), were tested. In the attempt to isolate the stimulatory component present in the melanoma F3A fraction, HPTLC was used and revealed with several specific reagents for sialic acid residues, neutral sugars, phosphate and total lipids. The fraction was also separated in silica columns, immunostained with Bandeiraea simplicifolia BS-1 lectin and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Ganglioside GM3 and neutral glycosphingolipids iGb3, Gb3, iGb4 and Gb4 were identified by ESI-LIT-MS (electrospray ionization- linear ion trap- mass spectrometry). By incubation of iGb3 with BMDC and these with DN32.D3 cells, the latter were activated to produce IL-2. GM3 consistently inhibited the activation of iNKT cells. Cytotoxicity assays were then carried out, in which we found that NKT cells stimulated by BMDC, primed with a-GalCer or iGb3, encircled the B16F10-Nex2 tumor cells as visualized by fluorescent microscopy. NKT cells promoted lysis of up to 40% of tumor cells. In vivo tests showed that mice injected endovenously with murine melanoma cells and treated with dendritic cells primed with a-GalCer or iGb3, had lungs with 4-fold fewer nodules than an equally challenged but untreated group. The present results show that the murine melanoma B16F10-Nex2 expresses iGb3 and its precursor iGb4, being able to activate NKT cells and conferring them a cytotoxic activity in vitro against melanoma. Such lipid (iGb3) was also protective in vivo reducing the melanoma pulmonary metastases when presented by dendritic cells used in cellular therapy protocol. This is the fist work showing effectively that an endogenous CD1d-restricted glycolipid able to activate iNKT cells display a protective antitumor effect, using cellular therapy with dendritic cells. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

L’objectif de cette thèse a été d’optimiser la réponse immunitaire anti-tumorale induite par les cellules dendritiques (DC) et les cellules iNKTs, en réponse à la prise en charge du KRN7000 (a-galactosyl-céramide) par la molécule CD1d située sur les DCs. Le premier axe de travail visait à synthétiser de nouveaux analogues du KRN7000, en fonctionnalisant la position C6 du sucre et en greffant un groupement phényl sur l’une des chaînes grasses. Les études in vitro ont montré que les modifications apportées par rapport au KRN7000 n’ont pas altéré la prise en charge des molécules obtenues par les DCs. Dans tous les cas, une sécrétion de cytokines a pu être observée. Des études complémentaires visant à décrire le profil cytokinique in vivo sont en cours. Le second axe a consisté en la mise au point d’une stratégie de vectorisation du KRN7000 afin de favoriser sa présentation aux DCs, en l’associant à des molécules d’intérêt comme un peptide spécifique d’une tumeur, une molécule de ciblage des DCs ou des ligands des TLRs. Dans les conditions utilisées, le phénomène d’anergie induit classiquement par l’administration répétée du KRN7000 n’a pas pu être levé. Cependant, nous avons montré d’une part que le KRN7000 vectorisé dans les liposomes est toujours pris en charge par les cellules dendritiques, et d’autre part qu’une réponse immunitaire se traduisant par la production de cytokines par les cellules iNKTs est induite. / The aim of this project was to optimize the anti-tumor immune response induced by dendritic and iNKTs cells, in response to KRN7000 (a-galactosyl-ceramide), which interacts with CD1d molecule situated on DCs. At first we synthesized new analogues of KRN7000, by functionalizing the C6 position of the carbohydrate moiety and by grafting a phenyl group on one of the fatty chain. In vitro studies indicated that chemical modifications of KRN7000 did not alter its interaction with CD1d. In all cases, cytokine secretion was observed. Further studies are in progress to describe the in vivo cytokine profile. In a second step, we developed liposomal constructs incorporating KRN7000 to optimize its presentation to DCs. Some constructions containing KRN7000 were able to associate a peptide, a targetting molecule of DCs or TLR ligands. Even if the anergy phenomenon induced by repeated administrations of KRN7000 could not be regulated by the use of liposomes, we have shown that encapsulated KRN7000 is still supported by DCs and that an immune response resulting in cytokines secretion by iNKT cells is induced.

Pour optimiser les stratégies vaccinales anti-tumorales, l’activation des cellules du système immunitaire inné est cruciale pour générer l’expansion des lymphocytes T spécifiques des antigènes tumoraux. Les lymphocytes T Natural Killer invariant (iNKT) représentent une famille unique de lymphocytes T innés ayant des propriétés immunomodulatrices puissantes. Ces cellules reconnaissent via leur récepteur T des antigènes glycolipidiques présentés par la molécule CD1d exprimée par les cellules présentatrices d’antigènes. L'alpha-galactosylcéramide (α-GalCer), un puissant activateur des cellules iNKT, est en développement clinique dans le cancer. Les cellules dendritiques (DCs) sont équipées pour activer les cellules iNKT and promouvoir de puissantes réponses immunitaires adaptatives. Considérant la capacité unique des DC CD8α+ à présenter de façon croisée les antigènes aux lymphocytes T CD8+, notre objectif a visé à délivrer l’α-GalCer (considéré ici comme un adjuvant) et des antigènes tumoraux aux DC CD8α+ dans le but de générer de puissantes réponses T cytotoxiques anti-tumorales. Pour cela, les antigènes ont été incorporés dans des nanoparticules de PLGA décorées à leur surface avec des anticorps anti-Clec9a, un marquer exprimé spécifiquement par les DC CD8α+. Nos résultats montrent chez la souris que la co-délivrance simultanée de l’α-GalCer et d’auto-antigènes tumoraux (Trp2 et gp100) aux DC CD8α+ promeut une forte réponse anti-tumorale dans un contexte prophylactique et thérapeutique. Nous démontrons que cet effet vaccinal est dû aux cellules iNKT (mais pas aux lymphocytes T auxiliaires) et aux lymphocytes T CD8+. L’efficacité vaccinale est corrélée à un rapport supérieur entre les lymphocytes T CD8+ spécifiques des antigènes tumoraux et les lymphocytes T CD4+ régulateurs au sein des tumeurs. Chez l’homme, la co-administration de l’α-GalCer et de l’antigène tumoral (Mélan A) aux DC BDCA3+ (les équivalents humains des DC CD8α+) induit une forte expansion des lymphocytes T CD8+ spécifiques du Mélan-A in vitro. Nos résultats montrent pour la première fois que la tolérance aux auto-antigènes tumoraux peut être levée en exploitant la fonction «helper» des cellules iNKT et mettent en évidence de nouvelles approches thérapeutiques contre le développement tumoral. / To optimize anti-tumor vaccine strategies, exploitation of cells of the innate immune system to assist the expansion of tumor antigen-specific T cells is of interest. Invariant Natural Killer T lymphocytes (iNKT) are a unique population of “innate-like” T cells endowed with potent immunomodulatory properties. These cells recognize through their T cell receptor glycolipids presented by the CD1d molecule expressed by antigen presenting cells. Alpha-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer), a potent iNKT cell activator, is in clinical development in cancer. Dendritic cells (DC) are well equipped to trigger iNKT cells activation and to promote adaptive immune responses. Regarding the unique ability of CD8α+ DCs to cross-present antigens to CD8+ T cell response, we intended to deliver α-GalCer (viewed here as an adjuvant) and tumor antigens to CD8α+ DCs with the aim to generate efficient antitumor cytotoxic T cells. To this end, antigens were incorporated in PLGA-based nanoparticles decorated with anti-Clec9a antibodies, a marker specifically expressed by CD8α+ DCs. Our results show (mouse system) that simultaneous co-delivery of α-GalCer and tumor selfantigens (Trp2 and gp100) to CD8α+ DCs promotes strong anti-tumor responses in prophylactic and therapeutic settings. We attributed the therapeutic effects of the vaccine to iNKT cells (but not to T-helper lymphocytes) and to CD8+ T lymphocytes. The efficacy was correlated with a high ratio of tumor antigen specific CD8+ T cells to CD4+ regulatory T lymphocytes infiltrating the tumor. In human, co-administration of α-GalCer and a tumor antigen (Melan A) to DC BDCA3+ (the human equivalent of CD8α+ DCs) strongly induces the expansion of Melan-A specific CD8+ T lymphocytes in vitro. Our results demonstrate that tolerance to self-antigens can be abrogated by manipulating the NKT cells’ helper functions and shed light on novel therapeutic approaches for controlling tumor development.

Le syndrome d'ischémie-reperfusion (IR), inhérent à la transplantation rénale, est caractérisé par un infiltrat leucocytaire important et des lésions tissulaires graves dont les signaux initiateurs restent à ce jour peu décrits. Postulant que la libération d'alarmines par les cellules en nécrose est décisive dans ce processus, l'objectif principal du présent travail a été d'étudier la contribution de l'alarmine IL-33 dans la genèse des lésions tissulaires dans un modèle murin d'IR rénale. Nos résultats montrent que l'IL-33 est rapidement libérée du rein après IR comme protéine circulante, dès une heure de reperfusion. Les souris IL-33gt/gt, déficientes en IL-33, sont moins sensibles aux lésions induites par l’IR, comme l'attestent le maintien de la fonction rénale et des lésions histologiques atténuées avec un recrutement de polynucléaires neutrophiles (PNN) diminué par rapport aux souris contrôles. Ceci est associé à la perte du recrutement de cellules iNKT productrices d'IFN-γ/IL-17A. Parallèlement, les souris Jα18KO, déficientes en cellules iNKT et protégées contre les lésions d'IR, possèdent également des niveaux élevés d'IL-33 circulante. Nous proposons donc que l'IL-33 endogène contribue aux lésions d'IR en favorisant le recrutement de cellules iNKT, conduisant ainsi à un recrutement amplifié de PNN au niveau du rein lésé. Notre étude, en identifiant l'alarmine IL-33 comme un médiateur précoce de la réponse immunitaire innée induite par l'IR rénale, mettant en jeu les cellules iNKT, contribue à la compréhension des mécanismes impliqués dans la genèse des lésions associées à la greffe rénale et permet de proposer de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques. / Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in renal transplantation is characterized by leukocyte infiltration and tissue damage. However, the signals that initiate these events remain poorly understood. Assuming that alarmin release by necrotic cells during IRI is critical, the main objective of the present study was to investigate the role of alarmin IL-33 in kidney injury using a mouse model of renal IR. We observed release of IL-33 shortly after kidney IR concomitantly with an increase in plasma levels of IL-33 within one hour of reperfusion. IL-33 deficient mice (IL-33gt/gt) exhibited reduced renal IR-induced injury, as attested by function preservation, reduced histological change and attenuation of neutrophil recruitment compared to control mice. This was associated with the loss of IFN-γ/IL-17A-producing iNKT cell recruitment. In the meantime, iNKT cell-deficient (Jα18KO) mice, also protected against IRI, have increased levels of circulating IL-33.These findings lead us to propose that endogenous IL-33 contributes to kidney IRI by promoting iNKT cell recruitment and cytokine production, thereby promoting amplified neutrophil recruitment to the injured kidney. The present study identifies the nuclear alarmin interleukin (IL)-33 as an important and early mediator of innate immune response, involving iNKT cells, following experimental kidney ischemia-reperfusion in mice. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of IR-induced injury and may lead to new therapeutic insights into renal-induced injury associated with renal transplantation.

Les cellules iNKT et T CDS innées sont présumées contribuer à l'irnmunosurveillance (IS) des cancers et sont fonctionnellement déficientes dans la leucémie myéloïde chronique (LMC). Notre hypothèse était que ces défauts résultent de l'incapacité des cellules dendritiques myéloïdes (mDC) à les activer. Des analyses par cytométrie en flux et microscopie confocale ont révélé une baisse de l'expression membranaire de CD 1 d, qui présente les antigènes aux cellules iNKT, à la surface des mDC des patients LMC, par comparaison aux sujets sains. Ce défaut n'est associé ni à un défaut de maturation des mDC, comme le montre l'expression normale de HLA-DR et de CDS6, ni à une baisse d'expression intracellulaire de CDld ou de son transcrit. Ces résultats sont conciliables avec une rétention intracellulaire. Le traitement in vitro des mDC des patients LMC avec un inhibiteur de la protéine ROCK restaure partiellement l'expression de surface de CD 1 d et la présentation antigénique par CD Id, alors qu'il n'a eu aucun effet sur les mDC des sujets sains. Nous proposons que la protéine ROCK, qui est activée par le domaine DH-PH de BCR-ABL, interfere avec la réponse immunitaire dépendant des lymphocytes iNKT au cours de la LMC par régulation négative de l'expression membranaire de CDld des mDC. Le fait que les cellules iNKT et T CDS innées retrouvent des fonctions normales après rémission complète de la LMC est en faveur d'une génération de cellules T CD8 innées dépendante des cellules iNKT, comme décrit chez la souris. Notre travail suggère une implication des cellules iNKT et T CD8 innées dans l'IS de la LMC et révèle l'axe ROCK/mDC comme une nouvelle cible thérapeutique dans la maladie. / CDld-restricted iNKT cells and innate CD8 T cells are believed to play a key role in cancer immune surveillance and are functionally deficient in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Herein, we have hypothesized that this defect might originate from BCR-ABL-dependent dysfunctions in myeloid dendritic cells (mDC). Indeed, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy revealed that cell-surface expression of CDld was downregulated in CML mDC, relative to healthy donor (HD) controls. The decreased cell-surface display of CDld could not be ascribed to defective mDC differentiation, as attested by normal expression of HLA-DR and the CD86 maturation marker. On the other hand, reduced membrane expression was not associated with decreased intracytoplasmic levels of CDld or its mRNA transcripts, consistent with intracellular retention. ln vitro treatrnent of CML mDC with the Rho-associated protein Kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632 partially restored both cell-surface CDld expression and CDld-mediated antigen presentation, while it had no effect on HD mDC. We propose that ROCK, which is most likely activated by the DH-PH domain of BCR-ABL, mediates iNKT-cell immune subversion in CML patients by downregulating CDld expression on CML mDC. Remarkably, both iNKT cells and innate CD8 T cells retumed to nonnal after complete CML remission, a finding consistent with a iN KT cell-dependent generation of innate CD8 T cells, similarly to the observations in mice. Ali in ali, our study supports the possible contribution of iNKT/innate CD8 T cells to tumor surveillance in CML, and reveals the ROCK/mDC axis as a new potential target to restore immune surveillance in CML.