bioRxiv Science⌕ Search

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2024.09.07.611010

Antigen-specificity of clonally-enriched CD8+ T cells in multiple sclerosis

Abstract

CD8+ T cells are the dominant lymphocyte population in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions where they are highly clonally expanded. The clonal identity, function, and antigen specificity of CD8+ T cells in MS are not well understood. Here we report a comprehensive single-cell RNA-seq and T cell receptor (TCR)-seq analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood from a cohort of treatment-naive MS patients and control participants. A small subset of highly expanded and activated CD8+ T cells were enriched in the CSF in MS that displayed high activation, cytotoxicity and tissue-homing transcriptional profiles. Using a combination of unbiased and targeted antigen discovery approaches, MS-derived CD8+ T cell clonotypes recognizing Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antigens and multiple novel mimotopes were identified. These findings shed vital insight into the role of CD8+ T cells in MS and pave the way towards disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=131 SRC="FIGDIR/small/611010v2_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (30K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a0b738org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@5cf5c2org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@10abdccorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@32c7b2_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG O_FLOATNOGraphical SummaryC_FLOATNO Created in BioRender. Sabatino, J. (2024) BioRender.com/e66l598 C_FIG

Source connections

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Mittl, K., Hayashi, F., Dandekar, R., Schubert, R. D., Gerdts, J., Oshiro, L., Loudermilk, R., Greenfield, A. L., Augusto, D. G., Ramesh, A., Tran, E., Koshal, K., Kizer, K., Dreux, J., Cagalingan, A., Schustek, F., Flood, L., Moore, T., Kirkemo, L. L., Cooper, T., Harms, M., Gomez, R., University of California, San Francisco MS-EPIC Team,, Sibener, L., Cree, B. A. C., Hauser, S. L., Hollenbach, J. A., Gee, M., Wilson, M. R., Zamvil, S., Sabatino, J. J.. 2024-09-07. Antigen-specificity of clonally-enriched CD8+ T cells in multiple sclerosis. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.09.07.611010

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

Ksp37 is a rapidly mobilized NK cell secretory protein that engages FGF2

A key feature of natural killer (NK) cells is their preloaded arsenal of effector molecules, allowing them to rapidly respond upon activation. In this study, we characterized a previously unexplored secretory protein, termed killer-specific secretory protein of 37 kDa (Ksp37), which is highly abundant in differentiated CD56dim NK cells. Ksp37 is rapidly secreted in a dose-dependent and JAK-1 dependent manner upon low levels of cytokine stimulation, making it a sensitive readout for NK cell activation. Following secretion, intracellular levels were rapidly replenished, preserving responsiveness to subsequent cytokine stimulation. We found that Ksp37 is stored in polarized intracellular compartments distinct from those containing canonical cytotoxic effector molecules, including granzyme B and perforin, which require stronger stimulation for release. Lastly, we identified Ksp37 as a novel binding partner of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). This opens new avenues of exploration for the role of NK cells in remodeling their extracellular environment by modulating the FGF2-FGFR1 axis, which plays a key role in tumor growth, angiogenesis and tissue repair.

immunology↗

ACE-engineered human iPSC-derived neutrophils enhance host defense against multidrug-resistant bacterial infections

Severe neutropenia predisposes patients to life-threatening infections, while donor-dependent granulocyte transfusions are limited by availability and variable cell quality. Here, we engineered human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to constitutively or inducibly express angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and differentiated them into functional ACE-engineered neutrophils (ACE-iNeu). ACE expression enhanced granulocytic maturation, reactive oxygen species generation, inflammatory cytokine production, and antimicrobial signaling. ACE-iNeu exhibited enhanced bactericidal activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Following adoptive transfer into neutropenic mice, ACE-iNeu significantly reduced circulating and tissue bacterial burdens. Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed ACE-associated alterations in adenine nucleotide abundance and developmental and inflammatory pathways. Together, these findings establish ACE engineering as a strategy to enhance the production and antimicrobial function of human iPSC-derived neutrophils and support further preclinical development of engineered granulocyte therapies for severe drug-resistant infections.

immunology↗

Tetravalent dengue mRNA vaccination orchestrates balanced four-serotype immunity with durable memory and protection in mice.

An effective dengue vaccine must establish durable immunity across four dengue virus (DENV) serotypes, evade antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), and overcome immune imprinting from prior exposure. Here, we developed TetprM-E mRNA-LNP, a tetravalent vaccine comprising LNP-formulated nucleoside-modified mRNAs encoding DENV1-4 precursor membrane-envelope (prM-E) antigens, and evaluated its immunogenicity, durability, protection and breath across serotype-specific immune backgrounds. Three immunization strategies elicited neutralizing titers greater than 1:1500 against each serotype. Passive transfer of immune sera conferred 100% survival and reduced viremia after lethal DENV2 challenge in immunocompromised mice. Vaccination induced DENV envelope (env)-specific CD8+T cells and CD4-dependent germinal-center responses. DENV env-binding antibodies persisted for 34 weeks alongside DENV env-specific memory B cells. Vaccine-elicited sera showed no measurable in vitro ADE. Although monovalent priming initially biased antibody responses, TetprM-E mRNA-LNP vaccination broadened neutralization across DENV1-4 regardless of priming serotype. Together, TetprM-E mRNA-LNP elicits broad, durable, and protective immunity despite serologic constraints from pre-existing immunity.

immunology↗