Hepatitis C virus (HCV) induces a high rate of chronic infection via dysregulation of host immunity. We have previously shown that T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain protein-3 (Tim-3) is up-regulated on monocyte/macrophages (M/Mφ) during chronic HCV infection; little is known, however, about the transcription factor that controls its expression in these cells. In this study, we investigated the role of transcription factor, T-box expressed in T cells (T-bet), in Tim-3 expression in M/Mφ in the setting of HCV infection. We demonstrate that T-bet is constitutively expressed in resting CD14+ M/Mφ in the peripheral blood. M/Mφ from chronically HCV-infected individuals exhibit a significant increase in T-bet expression that positively correlates with an increased level of Tim-3 expression. Up-regulation of T-bet is also observed in CD14+ M/Mφ incubated with HCV+ Huh7.5 cells, as well as in primary M/Mφ or monocytic THP-1 cells exposed to HCV core protein in vitro, which is reversible by blocking HCV core/gC1qR interactions. Moreover, the HCV core-induced up-regulation of T-bet and Tim-3 expression in M/Mφ can be abrogated by incubating the cells with SP600125 – an inhibitor for the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signalling pathway. Importantly, silencing T-bet gene expression decreases Tim-3 expression and enhances interleukin-12 secretion as well as signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 phosphorylation. These data suggest that T-bet, induced by the HCV core/gC1qR interaction, enhances Tim-3 expression via the JNK pathway, leading to dampened M/Mφ function during HCV infection. These findings reveal a novel mechanism for Tim-3 regulation via T-bet during HCV infection, providing new targets to combat this global epidemic viral disease.

Coronary heart disease, an inflammatory disease, is the leading cause of death globally. White blood cell counts (including monocytes) are easily available biomarkers of systemic inflammation. Monocyte subtypes can be measured by flow cytometry and classified into classical (CD14high, CD16neg), intermediate (CD14high, CD16+) and non-classical (CD14+, CD16high) with distinct functional properties. The goal of this study was to investigate the association of monocyte total count and its subtypes with cardiovascular risk groups defined by the Framingham Risk Score, which is used to estimate the 10-year risk of developing myocardial infarction or predict mortality following coronary heart disease. We also aimed to investigate whether monocyte counts are associated with relevant cardiovascular risk factors not included in the Framingham Risk Score, such as carotid atherosclerotic plaque and intima-media thickness. Our data came from the LIFE-Adult study, a population-based cohort study of 10,000 randomly selected participants in Leipzig, Germany. Data was gathered using self-administered questionnaires and physical examinations. Carotid plaques and intima-media thickness were measured using carotid artery sonography. Monocyte subtypes in blood were determined by 10-color flow cytometry for a total of 690 individuals. In a multivariate regression analysis adjusting for the risk factors BMI, intima-media thickness, presence of carotid plaques and diabetes mellitus, monocyte subtypes and total count were found to be significantly associated with the dichotomized Framingham Risk Score (≥10% versus <10%): Odds ratios [95% confidence interval] for monocyte subtypes: classical: 11.19 [3.79–34.26]; intermediate: 2.27 [1.11–4.71]; non-classical: 4.18 [1.75–10.20]; total: 14.59 [4.61–47.95]. In absence of prospective data, the FRS was used as a surrogate for CHD. Our results indicate that monocyte counts could provide useful predictive value for cardiovascular disease risk.

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Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a common swine pathogen but also poses a threat to human health in causing meningitis and severe cases of streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (STSLS). Therefore, it is crucial to understand how S. suis interacts with the host immune system during bacteremia. As S. suis has the ability to introduce d-alanine into its lipoteichoic acids (LTAs), we investigated the working hypothesis that cell wall modification by LTA d-alanylation influences the interaction of S. suis with porcine blood immune cells. We created an isogenic mutant of S. suis strain 10 by in-frame deletion of the d-alanine d-alanyl carrier ligase (DltA). d-alanylation of LTAs was associated with reduced phagocytosis of S. suis by porcine granulocytes, reduced deposition of complement factor C3 on the bacterial surface, increased hydrophobicity of streptococci, and increased resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs). At the same time, survival of S. suis was not significantly increased by LTA d-alanylation in whole blood of conventional piglets with specific IgG. However, we found a distinct cytokine pattern as IL-1β but not tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels were significantly reduced in blood infected with the ΔdltA mutant. In contrast to TNF-α, activation and secretion of IL-1β are inflammasome-dependent, suggesting a possible influence of LTA d-alanylation on inflammasome regulation. Especially in the absence of specific antibodies, the association of S. suis with porcine monocytes was reduced by d-alanylation of its LTAs. This dltA-dependent phenotype was also observed with a non-encapsulated dltA double mutant indicating that it is independent of capsular polysaccharides. High antibody levels caused high levels of S. suis—monocyte—association followed by inflammatory cell death and strong production of both IL-1β and TNF-α, while the influence of LTA d-alanylation of the streptococci became less visible. In summary, the results of this study expand previous findings on d-alanylation of LTAs in S. suis and suggest that this pathogen specifically modulates association with blood leukocytes through this modification of its surface.

The dichotomy between type 1 and 2 conventional DCs under steady-state conditions is well defined. Bosteels et al. demonstrate that, upon inflammation, cDC2s acquire a hybrid inf-cDC2 phenotype, sharing phenotype, gene expression, and function with cDC1s and monocyte-derived cells, to optimally boost CD4 and CD8 immunity via Fc receptors.

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Background: There is evidence that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels reflect the intensity of the inflammatory response in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and have a predictive value for clinical outcomes. However, little is known about the effect of mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) on the inflammatory response in patients with CS complicating AMI. Therefore, we conducted a biomarker study to investigate the effect of MTH on MCP-1 levels in patients with CS complicating AMI. Methods: In the randomized mild hypothermia in cardiogenic shock (SHOCK-COOL) trial, 40 patients with CS complicating AMI were enrolled and assigned to MTH (33 ◦C) for 24 h or normothermia at a 1:1 ratio. Blood samples were collected at predefined time points at the day of admission/day 1, day 2 and day 3. Differences in MCP-1 levels between and within the MTH and normothermia groups were assessed. Additionally, the association of MCP-1 levels with the risk of all-cause mortality at 30 days was analyzed. Missing data were accounted for by multiple imputation as sensitivity analyses. Results: There were differences in MCP-1 levels over time between patients in MTH and normothermia groups (P for interaction = 0.013). MCP-1 levels on day 3 were higher than on day 1 in the MTH group (day 1 vs day 3: 21.2 [interquartile range, 0.25–79.9] vs. 125.7 [interquartile range, 87.3–165.4] pg/mL; p = 0.006) and higher than in the normothermia group at day 3 (MTH 125.7 [interquartile range, 87.3–165.4] vs. normothermia 12.3 [interquartile range, 0–63.9] pg/mL; p = 0.011). Irrespective of therapy, patients with higher levels of MCP-1 at hospitalization tended to have a decreased risk of all-cause mortality at 30 days (HR, 2.61; 95% CI 0.997–6.83; p = 0.051). Conclusions: The cooling phase of MTH had no significant effect on MCP-1 levels in patients with CS complicating AMI compared to normothermic control, whereas MCP-1 levels significantly increased after rewarming. Trial registration: NCT01890317.

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In the framework of this thesis, we focused on two inflammatory markers, MCP-1, and galectin-3, to evaluate the impact of MTH on inflammation levels in patients suffering from AMI complicated by CS. Furthermore, the relationship between MCP-1 and galectin-3 levels within the first three days of post-admission and the risk of 30-day all-cause mortality was also investigated.