@article{UngernSternbergZerneckeSeizer2018, author = {Ungern-Sternberg, Saskia N. I. von and Zernecke, Alma and Seizer, Peter}, title = {Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer EMMPRIN (CD147) in cardiovascular disease}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {19}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {2}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms19020507}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285014}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The receptor EMMPRIN is involved in the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases and in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction. There are several binding partners of EMMPRIN mediating the effects of EMMPRIN in cardiovascular diseases. EMMPRIN interaction with most binding partners leads to disease progression by mediating cytokine or chemokine release, the activation of platelets and monocytes, as well as the formation of monocyte-platelet aggregates (MPAs). EMMPRIN is also involved in atherosclerosis by mediating the infiltration of pro-inflammatory cells. There is also evidence that EMMPRIN controls energy metabolism of cells and that EMMPRIN binding partners modulate intracellular glycosylation and trafficking of EMMPRIN towards the cell membrane. In this review, we systematically discuss these multifaceted roles of EMMPRIN and its interaction partners, such as Cyclophilins, in cardiovascular disease.}, language = {en} } @article{LauruschkatEtterSchnacketal.2021, author = {Lauruschkat, Chris D. and Etter, Sonja and Schnack, Elisabeth and Ebel, Frank and Sch{\"a}uble, Sascha and Page, Lukas and R{\"u}mens, Dana and Dragan, Mariola and Schlegel, Nicolas and Panagiotou, Gianni and Kniemeyer, Olaf and Brakhage, Axel A. and Einsele, Hermann and Wurster, Sebastian and Loeffler, Juergen}, title = {Chronic occupational mold exposure drives expansion of Aspergillus-reactive type 1 and type 2 T-helper cell responses}, series = {Journal of Fungi}, volume = {7}, journal = {Journal of Fungi}, number = {9}, issn = {2309-608X}, doi = {10.3390/jof7090698}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-245202}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Occupational mold exposure can lead to Aspergillus-associated allergic diseases including asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Elevated IL-17 levels or disbalanced T-helper (Th) cell expansion were previously linked to Aspergillus-associated allergic diseases, whereas alterations to the Th cell repertoire in healthy occupationally exposed subjects are scarcely studied. Therefore, we employed functional immunoassays to compare Th cell responses to A. fumigatus antigens in organic farmers, a cohort frequently exposed to environmental molds, and non-occupationally exposed controls. Organic farmers harbored significantly higher A. fumigatus-specific Th-cell frequencies than controls, with comparable expansion of Th1- and Th2-cell frequencies but only slightly elevated Th17-cell frequencies. Accordingly, Aspergillus antigen-induced Th1 and Th2 cytokine levels were strongly elevated, whereas induction of IL-17A was minimal. Additionally, increased levels of some innate immune cell-derived cytokines were found in samples from organic farmers. Antigen-induced cytokine release combined with Aspergillus-specific Th-cell frequencies resulted in high classification accuracy between organic farmers and controls. Aspf22, CatB, and CipC elicited the strongest differences in Th1 and Th2 responses between the two cohorts, suggesting these antigens as potential candidates for future bio-effect monitoring approaches. Overall, we found that occupationally exposed agricultural workers display a largely balanced co-expansion of Th1 and Th2 immunity with only minor changes in Th17 responses.}, language = {en} } @article{SpitzelWagnerBreyeretal.2022, author = {Spitzel, Marlene and Wagner, Elise and Breyer, Maximilian and Henniger, Dorothea and Bayin, Mehtap and Hofmann, Lukas and Mauceri, Daniela and Sommer, Claudia and {\"U}{\c{c}}eyler, Nurcan}, title = {Dysregulation of immune response mediators and pain-related ion channels is associated with pain-like behavior in the GLA KO mouse model of Fabry disease}, series = {Cells}, volume = {11}, journal = {Cells}, number = {11}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells11111730}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-275186}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Fabry disease (FD) is a rare life-threatening disorder caused by deficiency of the alpha-galactosidase A (GLA) enzyme with a characteristic pain phenotype. Impaired GLA production or function leads to the accumulation of the cell membrane compound globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) in the neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of FD patients. Applying immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT PCR) analysis on DRG tissue of the GLA knockout (KO) mouse model of FD, we address the question of how Gb3 accumulation may contribute to FD pain and focus on the immune system and pain-associated ion channel gene expression. We show a higher Gb3 load in the DRG of young (<6 months) (p < 0.01) and old (≥12 months) (p < 0.001) GLA KO mice compared to old wildtype (WT) littermates, and an overall suppressed immune response in the DRG of old GLA KO mice, represented by a reduced number of CD206\(^+\) macrophages (p < 0.01) and lower gene expression levels of the inflammation-associated targets interleukin(IL)1b (p < 0.05), IL10 (p < 0.001), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) (p < 0.05), and leucine rich alpha-2-glycoprotein 1 (LRG1) (p < 0.01) in the DRG of old GLA KO mice compared to old WT. Dysregulation of immune-related genes may be linked to lower gene expression levels of the pain-associated ion channels calcium-activated potassium channel 3.1 (KCa3.1) and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 channel (TRPA1). Ion channel expression might further be disturbed by impaired sphingolipid recruitment mediated via the lipid raft marker flotillin-1 (FLOT1). This impairment is represented by an increased number of FLOT1\(^+\) DRG neurons with a membranous expression pattern in old GLA KO mice compared to young GLA KO, young WT, and old WT mice (p < 0.001 each). Further, we provide evidence for aberrant behavior of GLA KO mice, which might be linked to dysregulated ion channel gene expression levels and disturbed FLOT1 distribution patterns. Behavioral testing revealed mechanical hypersensitivity in young (p < 0.01) and old (p < 0.001) GLA KO mice compared to WT, heat hypersensitivity in young GLA KO mice (p < 0.001) compared to WT, age-dependent heat hyposensitivity in old GLA KO mice (p < 0.001) compared to young GLA KO mice, and cold hyposensitivity in young (p < 0.001) and old (p < 0.001) GLA KO mice compared to WT, which well reflects the clinical phenotype observed in FD patients.}, language = {en} } @article{SchapovalovaGorlovadeMunteretal.2022, author = {Schapovalova, Olesia and Gorlova, Anna and de Munter, Johannes and Sheveleva, Elisaveta and Eropkin, Mikhail and Gorbunov, Nikita and Sicker, Michail and Umriukhin, Aleksei and Lyubchyk, Sergiy and Lesch, Klaus-Peter and Strekalova, Tatyana and Schroeter, Careen A.}, title = {Immunomodulatory effects of new phytotherapy on human macrophages and TLR4- and TLR7/8-mediated viral-like inflammation in mice}, series = {Frontiers in Medicine}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Medicine}, issn = {2296-858X}, doi = {10.3389/fmed.2022.952977}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-286301}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background While all efforts have been undertaken to propagate the vaccination and develop remedies against SARS-CoV-2, no satisfactory management of this infection is available yet. Moreover, poor availability of any preventive and treatment measures of SARS-CoV-2 in economically disadvantageous communities aggravates the course of the pandemic. Here, we studied a new immunomodulatory phytotherapy (IP), an extract of blackberry, chamomile, garlic, cloves, and elderberry as a potential low-cost solution for these problems given the reported efficacy of herbal medicine during the previous SARS virus outbreak. Methods The key feature of SARS-CoV-2 infection, excessive inflammation, was studied in in vitro and in vivo assays under the application of the IP. First, changes in tumor-necrosis factor (TNF) and lnteurleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) concentrations were measured in a culture of human macrophages following the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge and treatment with IP or prednisolone. Second, chronically IP-pre-treated CD-1 mice received an agonist of Toll-like receptors (TLR)-7/8 resiquimod and were examined for lung and spleen expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and blood formula. Finally, chronically IP-pre-treated mice challenged with LPS injection were studied for "sickness" behavior. Additionally, the IP was analyzed using high-potency-liquid chromatography (HPLC)-high-resolution-mass-spectrometry (HRMS). Results LPS-induced in vitro release of TNF and IL-1β was reduced by both treatments. The IP-treated mice displayed blunted over-expression of SAA-2, ACE-2, CXCL1, and CXCL10 and decreased changes in blood formula in response to an injection with resiquimod. The IP-treated mice injected with LPS showed normalized locomotion, anxiety, and exploration behaviors but not abnormal forced swimming. Isoquercitrin, choline, leucine, chlorogenic acid, and other constituents were identified by HPLC-HRMS and likely underlie the IP immunomodulatory effects. Conclusions Herbal IP-therapy decreases inflammation and, partly, "sickness behavior," suggesting its potency to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection first of all via its preventive effects.}, language = {en} } @article{HungDreherDiessneretal.2022, author = {Hung, Sophia and Dreher, Liane and Diessner, Joachim and Schwarz, Stefan and Ohlsen, Knut and Hertlein, Tobias}, title = {MRSA infection in the thigh muscle leads to systemic disease, strong inflammation, and loss of human monocytes in humanized mice}, series = {Frontiers in Immunology}, volume = {13}, journal = {Frontiers in Immunology}, issn = {1664-3224}, doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2022.892053}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-278050}, year = {2022}, abstract = {MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is the second-leading cause of deaths by antibiotic-resistant bacteria globally, with more than 100,000 attributable deaths annually. Despite the high urgency to develop a vaccine to control this pathogen, all clinical trials with pre-clinically effective candidates failed so far. The recent development of "humanized" mice might help to edge the pre-clinical evaluation closer to the clinical situation and thus close this gap. We infected humanized NSG mice (huNSG: (NOD)-scid IL2R\(_γ\)\(^{null}\) mice engrafted with human CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells) locally with S. aureus USA300 LAC* lux into the thigh muscle in order to investigate the human immune response to acute and chronic infection. These mice proved not only to be more susceptible to MRSA infection than wild-type or "murinized" mice, but displayed furthermore inferior survival and signs of systemic infection in an otherwise localized infection model. The rate of humanization correlated directly with the severity of disease and survival of the mice. Human and murine cytokine levels in blood and at the primary site of infection were strongly elevated in huNSG mice compared to all control groups. And importantly, differences in human and murine immune cell lineages surfaced during the infection, with human monocyte and B cell numbers in blood and bone marrow being significantly reduced at the later time point of infection. Murine monocytes in contrast behaved conversely by increasing cell numbers. This study demonstrates significant differences in the in vivo behavior of human and murine cells towards S. aureus infection, which might help to sharpen the translational potential of pre-clinical models for future therapeutic approaches.}, language = {en} } @article{SaintFleurLominyMausVaethetal.2018, author = {Saint Fleur-Lominy, Shella and Maus, Mate and Vaeth, Martin and Lange, Ingo and Zee, Isabelle and Suh, David and Liu, Cynthia and Wu, Xiaojun and Tikhonova, Anastasia and Aifantis, Iannis and Feske, Stefan}, title = {STIM1 and STIM2 Mediate Cancer-Induced Inflammation in T Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia}, series = {Cell Reports}, volume = {24}, journal = {Cell Reports}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1016/j.celrep.2018.08.030}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-227259}, pages = {3045-3060}, year = {2018}, abstract = {T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is commonly associated with activating mutations in the NOTCH1 pathway. Recent reports have shown a link between NOTCH1 signaling and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in T-ALL. Here, we investigate the role of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) mediated by the Ca2+ channel ORAI1 and its activators STIM1 and STIM2 in T-ALL. Deletion of STIM1 and STIM2 in leukemic cells abolishes SOCE and significantly prolongs the survival of mice in a NOTCH1-dependent model of T-ALL. The survival advantage is unrelated to the leukemic cell burden but is associated with the SOCE-dependent ability of malignant T lymphoblasts to cause inflammation in leukemia-infiltrated organs. Mice with STIM1/STIM2-deficient T-ALL show a markedly reduced necroinflammatory response in leukemia-infiltrated organs and downregulation of signaling pathways previously linked to cancer-induced inflammation. Our study shows that leukemic T lymphoblasts cause inflammation of leukemia-infiltrated organs that is dependent on SOCE.}, language = {en} } @article{KarnatiGuntasRajendranetal.2022, author = {Karnati, Srikanth and Guntas, Gulcan and Rajendran, Ranjithkumar and Shityakov, Sergey and H{\"o}ring, Marcus and Liebisch, Gerhard and Kosanovic, Djuro and Erg{\"u}n, S{\"u}leyman and Nagai, Michiaki and F{\"o}rster, Carola Y.}, title = {Quantitative lipidomic analysis of Takotsubo syndrome patients' serum}, series = {Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine}, number = {797154}, issn = {2297-055X}, doi = {10.3389/fcvm.2022.797154}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-270832}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), also known as the transient left ventricular apical ballooning syndrome, is in contemporary times known as novel acute cardiac syndrome. It is characterized by transient left ventricular apical akinesis and hyperkinesis of the basal left ventricular portions. Although the precise etiology of TTS is unknown, events like the sudden release of stress hormones, such as the catecholamines and the increased inflammatory status might be plausible causes leading to the cardiovascular pathologies. Recent studies have highlighted that an imbalance in lipid accumulation might promote a deviant immune response as observed in TTS. However, there is no information on comprehensive profiling of serum lipids of TTS patients. Therefore, we investigated a detailed quantitative lipid analysis of TTS patients using ES-MSI. Our results showed significant differences in the majority of lipid species composition in the TTS patients compared to the control group. Furthermore, the computational analyses presented was able to link the altered lipids to the pro-inflammatory cytokines and disseminate possible mechanistic pathways involving TNFα and IL-6. Taken together, our study provides an extensive quantitative lipidome of TTS patients, which may provide a valuable Pre-diagnostic tool. This would facilitate the elucidation of the underlying mechanisms of the disease and to prevent the development of TTS in the future.}, language = {en} } @article{Freitag‐WolfMunzJungeetal.2021, author = {Freitag-Wolf, Sandra and Munz, Matthias and Junge, Olaf and Graetz, Christian and Jockel-Schneider, Yvonne and Staufenbiel, Ingmar and Bruckmann, Corinna and Lieb, Wolfgang and Franke, Andre and Loos, Bruno G. and Jepsen, S{\o}ren and Dommisch, Henrik and Schaefer, Arne S.}, title = {Sex-specific genetic factors affect the risk of early-onset periodontitis in Europeans}, series = {Journal of Clinical Periodontology}, volume = {48}, journal = {Journal of Clinical Periodontology}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1111/jcpe.13538}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-262445}, pages = {1404 -- 1413}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Aims Various studies have reported that young European women are more likely to develop early-onset periodontitis compared to men. A potential explanation for the observed variations in sex and age of disease onset is the natural genetic variation within the autosomal genomes. We hypothesized that genotype-by-sex (G × S) interactions contribute to the increased prevalence and severity. Materials and methods Using the case-only design, we tested for differences in genetic effects between men and women in 896 North-West European early-onset cases, using imputed genotypes from the OmniExpress genotyping array. Population-representative 6823 controls were used to verify that the interacting variables G and S were uncorrelated in the general population. Results In total, 20 loci indicated G × S associations (P < 0.0005), 3 of which were previously suggested as risk genes for periodontitis (ABLIM2, CDH13, and NELL1). We also found independent G × S interactions of the related gene paralogs MACROD1/FLRT1 (chr11) and MACROD2/FLRT3 (chr20). G × S-associated SNPs at CPEB4, CDH13, MACROD1, and MECOM were genome-wide-associated with heel bone mineral density (CPEB4, MECOM), waist-to-hip ratio (CPEB4, MACROD1), and blood pressure (CPEB4, CDH13). Conclusions Our results indicate that natural genetic variation affects the different heritability of periodontitis among sexes and suggest genes that contribute to inter-sex phenotypic variation in early-onset periodontitis.}, language = {en} } @article{GrassingerFlorenMuelleretal.2021, author = {Grassinger, Julia Maria and Floren, Andreas and M{\"u}ller, Tobias and Cerezo-Echevarria, Argi{\~n}e and Beitzinger, Christoph and Conrad, David and T{\"o}rner, Katrin and Staudacher, Marlies and Aupperle-Lellbach, Heike}, title = {Digital lesions in dogs: a statistical breed analysis of 2912 cases}, series = {Veterinary Sciences}, volume = {8}, journal = {Veterinary Sciences}, number = {7}, issn = {2306-7381}, doi = {10.3390/vetsci8070136}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-242690}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Breed predispositions to canine digital neoplasms are well known. However, there is currently no statistical analysis identifying the least affected breeds. To this end, 2912 canine amputated digits submitted from 2014-2019 to the Laboklin GmbH \& Co. KG for routine diagnostics were statistically analyzed. The study population consisted of 155 different breeds (most common: 634 Mongrels, 411 Schnauzers, 197 Labrador Retrievers, 93 Golden Retrievers). Non-neoplastic processes were present in 1246 (43\%), tumor-like lesions in 138 (5\%), and neoplasms in 1528 cases (52\%). Benign tumors (n = 335) were characterized by 217 subungual keratoacanthomas, 36 histiocytomas, 35 plasmacytomas, 16 papillomas, 12 melanocytomas, 9 sebaceous gland tumors, 6 lipomas, and 4 bone tumors. Malignant neoplasms (n = 1193) included 758 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC), 196 malignant melanomas (MM), 76 soft tissue sarcomas, 52 mast cell tumors, 37 non-specified sarcomas, 29 anaplastic neoplasms, 24 carcinomas, 20 bone tumors, and 1 histiocytic sarcoma. Predisposed breeds for SCC included the Schnauzer (log OR = 2.61), Briard (log OR = 1.78), Rottweiler (log OR = 1.54), Poodle (log OR = 1.40), and Dachshund (log OR = 1.30). Jack Russell Terriers (log OR = -2.95) were significantly less affected by SCC than Mongrels. Acral MM were significantly more frequent in Rottweilers (log OR = 1.88) and Labrador Retrievers (log OR = 1.09). In contrast, Dachshunds (log OR = -2.17), Jack Russell Terriers (log OR = -1.88), and Rhodesian Ridgebacks (log OR = -1.88) were rarely affected. This contrasted with the well-known predisposition of Dachshunds and Rhodesian Ridgebacks to oral and cutaneous melanocytic neoplasms. Further studies are needed to explain the underlying reasons for breed predisposition or "resistance" to the development of specific acral tumors and/or other sites.}, language = {en} } @article{SchaeferZernecke2020, author = {Sch{\"a}fer, Sarah and Zernecke, Alma}, title = {CD8\(^+\) T cells in atherosclerosis}, series = {Cells}, volume = {10}, journal = {Cells}, number = {1}, issn = {2073-4409}, doi = {10.3390/cells10010037}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-220170}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Atherosclerotic lesions are populated by cells of the innate and adaptive immune system, including CD8\(^+\) T cells. The CD8\(^+\) T cell infiltrate has recently been characterized in mouse and human atherosclerosis and revealed activated, cytotoxic, and possibly dysfunctional and exhausted cell phenotypes. In mouse models of atherosclerosis, antibody-mediated depletion of CD8\(^+\) T cells ameliorates atherosclerosis. CD8\(^+\) T cells control monopoiesis and macrophage accumulation in early atherosclerosis. In addition, CD8\(^+\) T cells exert cytotoxic functions in atherosclerotic plaques and contribute to macrophage cell death and necrotic core formation. CD8\(^+\) T cell activation may be antigen-specific, and epitopes of atherosclerosis-relevant antigens may be targets of CD8\(^+\) T cells and their cytotoxic activity. CD8\(^+\) T cell functions are tightly controlled by costimulatory and coinhibitory immune checkpoints. Subsets of regulatory CD25\(^+\)CD8\(^+\) T cells with immunosuppressive functions can inhibit atherosclerosis. Importantly, local cytotoxic CD8\(^+\) T cell responses may trigger endothelial damage and plaque erosion in acute coronary syndromes. Understanding the complex role of CD8\(^+\) T cells in atherosclerosis may pave the way for defining novel treatment approaches in atherosclerosis. In this review article, we discuss these aspects, highlighting the emerging and critical role of CD8\(^+\) T cells in atherosclerosis.}, language = {en} }