tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Sci Rep
. 2024 Oct 16;14(1):24235.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-75776-5. Immunomodulatory effect of IFN-γ licensed adipose-mesenchymal stromal cells in an in vitro model of inflammation generated by SARS-CoV-2 antigens
Elizabete Cristina Iseke Bispo[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Enrique Roberto Argañaraz[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Franscisco de Assis Rocha Neves[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Juliana Lott de Carvalho[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Felipe Saldanha-Araujo[SUP] 5 [/SUP]
Affiliations
In recent years, clinical studies have shown positive results of the application of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) in severe cases of COVID-19. However, the mechanisms of immunomodulation of IFN-γ licensed MSCs in SARS-CoV-2 infection are only partially understood. In this study, we first tested the effect of IFN-γ licensing in the MSC immunomodulatory profile. Then, we established an in vitro model of inflammation by exposing Calu-3 lung cells to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid and spike (NS) antigens, and determined the toxicity of SARS-CoV-2 NS antigen and/or IFN-γ stimulation to Calu-3. The conditioned medium (iCM) generated by Calu-3 cells exposed to IFN-γ and SARS-CoV-2 NS antigens was used to stimulate T-cells, which were then co-cultured with IFN-γ-licensed MSCs. The exposure to IFN-γ and SARS-CoV-2 NS antigens compromised the viability of Calu-3 cells and induced the expression of the inflammatory mediators ICAM-1, CXCL-10, and IFN-β by these cells. Importantly, despite initially stimulating T-cell activation, IFN-γ-licensed MSCs dramatically reduced IL-6 and IL-10 levels secreted by T-cells exposed to NS antigens and iCM. Moreover, IFN-γ-licensed MSCs were able to significantly inhibit T-cell apoptosis induced by SARS-CoV-2 NS antigens. Taken together, our data show that, in addition to reducing the level of critical cytokines in COVID-19, IFN-γ-licensed MSCs protect T-cells from SARS-CoV-2 antigen-induced apoptosis. Such observations suggest that MSCs may contribute to COVID-19 management by preventing the lymphopenia and immunodeficiency observed in critical cases of the disease.
Keywords: COVID-19; IFN-γ; Mesenchymal stem cells; Nucleocapsid; SARS-CoV-2; Spike; T-cells.
. 2024 Oct 16;14(1):24235.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-75776-5. Immunomodulatory effect of IFN-γ licensed adipose-mesenchymal stromal cells in an in vitro model of inflammation generated by SARS-CoV-2 antigens
Elizabete Cristina Iseke Bispo[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Enrique Roberto Argañaraz[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Franscisco de Assis Rocha Neves[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Juliana Lott de Carvalho[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Felipe Saldanha-Araujo[SUP] 5 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 39415027
- DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-75776-5
In recent years, clinical studies have shown positive results of the application of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) in severe cases of COVID-19. However, the mechanisms of immunomodulation of IFN-γ licensed MSCs in SARS-CoV-2 infection are only partially understood. In this study, we first tested the effect of IFN-γ licensing in the MSC immunomodulatory profile. Then, we established an in vitro model of inflammation by exposing Calu-3 lung cells to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid and spike (NS) antigens, and determined the toxicity of SARS-CoV-2 NS antigen and/or IFN-γ stimulation to Calu-3. The conditioned medium (iCM) generated by Calu-3 cells exposed to IFN-γ and SARS-CoV-2 NS antigens was used to stimulate T-cells, which were then co-cultured with IFN-γ-licensed MSCs. The exposure to IFN-γ and SARS-CoV-2 NS antigens compromised the viability of Calu-3 cells and induced the expression of the inflammatory mediators ICAM-1, CXCL-10, and IFN-β by these cells. Importantly, despite initially stimulating T-cell activation, IFN-γ-licensed MSCs dramatically reduced IL-6 and IL-10 levels secreted by T-cells exposed to NS antigens and iCM. Moreover, IFN-γ-licensed MSCs were able to significantly inhibit T-cell apoptosis induced by SARS-CoV-2 NS antigens. Taken together, our data show that, in addition to reducing the level of critical cytokines in COVID-19, IFN-γ-licensed MSCs protect T-cells from SARS-CoV-2 antigen-induced apoptosis. Such observations suggest that MSCs may contribute to COVID-19 management by preventing the lymphopenia and immunodeficiency observed in critical cases of the disease.
Keywords: COVID-19; IFN-γ; Mesenchymal stem cells; Nucleocapsid; SARS-CoV-2; Spike; T-cells.