Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, results in the development of granulomas in affected tissues. These structures are formed by a myeloid cell core including multinucleated giant cells and surrounded by T lymphocytes. We studied mechanisms of survival, formation and functions of giant cells in Mycobacterium granulomas. Previously, our group showed that the cytokine IL-17A induces the fusion of dendritic cells (DC). Here, we identified molecules induced by the IL-17A genetic program in myeloid cells: BFL1 regulated DC survival, while the chemokines CCL2 and CCL20 directed clustering required for DC fusion. In situ, in human TB granulomas, we found that IL-17A was expressed by T lymphocytes while BFL1, CCL2 and CCL20 were expressed by the mono- and multi-nucleated myeloid cells. Then we characterized phenotype, immune functions and microbicidal activity of IL-17A-treated DC and their derived giant cells. They expressed a mixed DC-macrophage phenotype, retained classical DC functions, synthesized several destructive enzymes and had increased and differential microbicidal activities against Mycobacterium species. We named GMIC (giant myeloid inflammatory cells) these IL-17A-dependent giant cells, and propose that they constitute a new inflammatory myeloid effector with potent microbicidal activities. Altogether, our results show that IL-17A may participate in the maintenance of the myeloid core of human tuberculosis granuloma by promoting the formation of GMIC with potent destructive and microbicidal functions. The molecular mechanisms we have documented should help the development of new tuberculosis therapeutic and vaccination strategies.

Dans la tuberculose, Mycobacterium tuberculosis forme des granulomes dans les poumons avec, au centre, des cellules myéloïdes mono et multi-nucléées et autour, des lymphocytes. Nous avons étudié la biologie des cellules géantes dans ces granulomes tuberculeux : formation, mécanismes de survie et fonctions. Notre groupe a publié que l’IL-17A déclenche la fusion des cellules dendritiques (DC). Notre travail démontre que cette cytokine induit BCL2A1/BFL1, qui régule la survie des DC et les chémokines CCL2 et CCL20 qui dirigent le regroupement nécessaire à leur fusion. In situ, l'IL-17A est exprimée par les lymphocytes T de la couronne du granulome tuberculeux. BCL2A1, CCL2 et CCL20 sont exprimés par les cellules myéloïdes mono-et multi-nucléées. Ensuite, nous avons caractérisé le phénotype, les fonctions immunitaires et l'activité microbicide des DC traitées par l'IL-17A. Nous avons trouvé qu’elles co-expriment des marqueurs de DC et de macrophages, conservent les fonctions classiques des DC, synthétisent un profil spécifique d’enzymes destructrices et exercent une microbicidie variable suivant les souches de Mycobactéries. Nous avons nommé GMIC (Giant Myeloid Inflammatory Cell), ces cellules géantes induites par l'IL-17A. Nous proposons qu'elles constituent un nouvel effecteur myéloïde qui contrôle les mycobactéries. Ainsi, l'IL-17A participerait au maintien du cœur myéloïde du granulome tuberculeux en favorisant la formation des cellules géantes possédant des fonctions destructrices et microbicides. Les mécanismes moléculaires que nous avons documentés devraient permettre le développement de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques et vaccinales contre la tuberculose. / Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, results in the development of granulomas in affected tissues. These structures are formed by a myeloid cell core including multinucleated giant cells and surrounded by T lymphocytes. We studied mechanisms of survival, formation and functions of giant cells in Mycobacterium granulomas. Previously, our group showed that the cytokine IL-17A induces the fusion of dendritic cells (DC). Here, we identified molecules induced by the IL-17A genetic program in myeloid cells: BFL1 regulated DC survival, while the chemokines CCL2 and CCL20 directed clustering required for DC fusion. In situ, in human TB granulomas, we found that IL-17A was expressed by T lymphocytes while BFL1, CCL2 and CCL20 were expressed by the mono- and multi-nucleated myeloid cells. Then we characterized phenotype, immune functions and microbicidal activity of IL-17A-treated DC and their derived giant cells. They expressed a mixed DC-macrophage phenotype, retained classical DC functions, synthesized several destructive enzymes and had increased and differential microbicidal activities against Mycobacterium species. We named GMIC (giant myeloid inflammatory cells) these IL-17A-dependent giant cells, and propose that they constitute a new inflammatory myeloid effector with potent microbicidal activities. Altogether, our results show that IL-17A may participate in the maintenance of the myeloid core of human tuberculosis granuloma by promoting the formation of GMIC with potent destructive and microbicidal functions. The molecular mechanisms we have documented should help the development of new tuberculosis therapeutic and vaccination strategies.