Neuigkeiten
Paper published in Neurobiology of Disease
Exploring the heterogeneous transcriptional response of the CNS to systemic LPS and Poly(I:C)
Daniel Bormann 1, Dragan Copic 2, Katharina Klas 1, Martin Direder 3, Christian J Riedl 4, Giulia Testa 4, Hannes Kühtreiber 1, Emilia Poreba 5, Simon Hametner 4, Bahar Golabi 5, Melanie Salek 1, Carmen Haider 4, Verena Endmayr 4, Lisa E Shaw 5, Romana Höftberger 4, Hendrik J Ankersmit 1, Michael Mildner 6
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, Applied Immunology Laboratory, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Aposcience AG, 1200 Vienna, Austria.
2Department of Thoracic Surgery, Applied Immunology Laboratory, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Aposcience AG, 1200 Vienna, Austria; Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
3Department of Thoracic Surgery, Applied Immunology Laboratory, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Aposcience AG, 1200 Vienna, Austria; Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
4Division of Neuropathology and Neurochemistry, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
5Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
6Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Electronic address: michael.mildner@meduniwien.ac.at.
Abstract
Peripheral contact to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) evokes a systemic innate immune response which is rapidly relayed to the central nervous system (CNS). The remarkable cellular heterogeneity of the CNS poses a significant challenge to the study of cell type and stimulus dependent responses of neural cells during acute inflammation. Here we utilized single nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNAseq), serum proteome profiling and primary cell culture methods to systematically compare the acute response of the mammalian brain to the bacterial PAMP lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and the viral PAMP polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (Poly(I:C)), at single cell resolution. Our study unveiled convergent transcriptional cytokine and cellular stress responses in brain vascular and ependymal cells and a downregulation of several key mediators of directed blood brain barrier (BBB) transport. In contrast the neuronal response to PAMPs was limited in acute neuroinflammation. Moreover, our study highlighted the dominant role of IFN signalling upon Poly(I:C) challenge, particularly in cells of the oligodendrocyte lineage. Collectively our study unveils heterogeneous, shared and distinct cell type and stimulus dependent acute responses of the CNS to bacterial and viral PAMP challenges. Our findings highlight inflammation induced dysregulations of BBB-transporter gene expression, suggesting potential translational implications on drug pharmacokinetics variability during acute neuroinflammation. The pronounced dependency of oligodendrocytes on IFN stimulation during viral PAMP challenges, emphasizes their limited molecular viral response repertoire.
Paper published in European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery
Revisiting aortic valve prosthesis choice in patients younger than 50 years: 10 years results of the AUTHEARTVISIT Study
Denise Traxler1,2,3; Pavla Krotka4; Berthold Reichardt5, Dragan Copic1,2,6; Cecilia Veraar2,7; Michael Mildner8, Ralph Wendt9, Johann Auer10, Julia Mascherbauer11, Hendrik Jan Ankersmit1,2 and Alexandra Graf4
1 Clinic of Thoracic Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
2 Laboratory for Cardiac and Thoracic Diagnosis, Regeneration and Applied Immunology, Austria
3 Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
4 Center for Medical Data Science, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
5 Austrian Social Health Insurance Fund, Eisenstadt, Austria.
6 Division of Nephrology and Dialysis, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
7 Division of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
8 Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
9 Department of Nephrology, St. Georg Hospital, Leipzig, Germany.
10 Department of Internal Medicine I with Cardiology and Intensive Care, St. Josef Hospital Braunau, Braunau am Inn, Austria
11 Department of Internal Medicine 3, University Hospital St. Poelten, Austria
Abstract
Objectives: This population-based cohort study investigated mid-term outcome after surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) with a bioprosthetic or mechanical valve prosthesis in patients aged <50 years in a European social welfare state.
Methods: We analyzed patient data from the main social insurance carriers in Austria (2010–2020). Subsequent patient-level record linkage with national health data provided patient characteristics and clinical outcome. Survival, reoperation, myocardial infarction, heart failure, embolic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage, bleeding other than intracerebral hemorrhage, and major adverse cardiac events were evaluated as outcomes.
Results: A total of 991 patients were analyzed. Regarding demographics, no major differences between groups were observed. Multivariable Cox regression revealed no significant difference in overall survival (p=0.352) with a median follow up time of 6.2 years. Reoperation-free survival was decreased (HR=1.560 [1.076–2.262], p=0.019) and the risk for reoperation was increased (HR=2.770 [1.402–5.472], p=0.003) in patients who received bioprostheses. Estimated probability of death after reoperation was 0.23 [CL: 0.08–0.35] after two years and 0.34 [CL: 0.06–0.53] after ten years over both groups. Regarding further outcomes, no significant differences between the two groups were observed.
Conclusion: In patients below 50 years of age receiving AVR, implantation of bioprostheses when compared to mechanical heart valve prostheses was associated with a significantly higher rate of reoperations and reduced reoperation-free survival. Nevertheless, we could not observe a difference in overall survival. However, long-term follow up has to evaluate that a significantly lower rate of reoperations may translate in consistently improved long-term survival.
Poster Session Award for Daniel Bormann
Dr Daniel Bormann was awarded the Poster Session Award of the YSA PhD Symposium 2023 for the poster "Exploring the Heterogeneous Transcriptional Response of the CNS to LPS and Poly (I:C): Insights from Single Cell Transcriptomics"
Paper akzptiert in der Zeitschrift Cells
Antithymocyte globulin inhibits CD8+ T-cell effector functions 2 via the paracrine induction of PDL-1 on monocytes
Copic D, Direder M, Klas K, Bormann D, Laggner M, Ankersmit HJ, Mildner M.
Abstract: Background: Antithymocyte globulins (ATG) are T-cell-depleting antibodies used in solid organ transplantation for induction therapy in sensitized patients with a high risk of graft rejection. Previously described effects besides the depletion of T cells suggest additional modes of action and identified further cellular targets. Methods: We examined the transcriptional changes arising in immune cells from human blood after ex vivo stimulation with ATG at the single-cell level to uncover additional mechanisms by which ATG regulates T-cell activity and effector functions. Findings: Analysis of the paracrine factors present in the plasma of ATG-treated whole blood revealed high levels of chemokines and cytokines, including interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Furthermore, we identify an increase in the surface expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PDL-1) on monocytes mediated by the released paracrine factors. In addition, we show that this induction is dependent on the acti- 28
vation of JAK/STAT signaling via the binding of IFN-γ to interferon-γ receptor 1 (IFN-γR1). Lastly, we demonstrate that the modulation of the immune-regulatory axis of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD1) on activated CD8+ T cells with PDL-1 found on monocytes mediated by ATG potently inhibits effector functions including proliferation and granzyme B release of activated T cells. Interpretation: Together, our findings represent a novel mode of action by which ATG exerts its immunosuppressive effects.
Fig. 2. ATG upregulated CD274 in monocytes from whole blood ex vivo. (A) Feature plot for CD274 of untreated, isotype- and ATG-treated white blood cells. Monocytes, FCGR3A+ monocyted and dendritic cells are annotated, red colour gradient inidicates expression level.
Theodor-Billroth-Preis 2022 für Dr.in Vera Vorstandlechner
Wir freuen uns, dass die Mitarbeiterin unserer Arbeitsgruppe, Dr.in Vera Vorstandlechner,
mit dem Theodor-Billroth-Preis 2022
der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Chirurgie
für ihre Arbeit: "The serine proteases dipeptidyl-peptitase 4 and urokinase are key molecules in human and mouse scar formation"
ausgezeichnet wird.
Die Urkundenverleihung findet am 16.06.2022 im Rahmen der Vollversammlung der Gesellschaft, von 12:30–14:30 Uhr im Billrothhaus, Frankgasse 8, 1010 Wien statt.