Biology subjects

McNamara, C. A.

Publications and source records attributed to McNamara, C. A..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Spatial multi-omics reveals novel vascular adipocyte and B cell biology in human abdominal aortic aneurysm

Objective: Perivascular Adipose Tissue (PVAT), tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS), and the B lymphocytes they harbor have been implicated in regulating vascular diseases, including abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Yet, the relationship of adipose tissue to TLS and B cell responses is poorly understood. Approach and Results: Here, we used a multi-omic approach to rigorously define the landscape of human AAA and characterize the adipocyte and TLS microenvironment with regard to B-cell responses to vascular antigens in human AAA and control non-aneurysmal abdominal aortas. Single-nucleus and single-cell RNA sequencing identified transcripts for lipogenesis, lipolysis, extracellular remodeling, haptotactic and chemotactic factors, with potential to recruit CD44+ leukocytes within AAAs. Immunohistology and Visium HD spatial transcriptomics revealed that at least two adipocyte types exist: one in the PVAT and another as isolated clusters in the medial-adventitial region in human AAAs but not in control aortas. Further characterization of these medial-adventitial adipocytes in the AAAs showed close association with TLSs. Mature TLSs recapitulated the organization of functional secondary lymphoid structures, with multiple B-cell follicles clustered to form a nodular structure partly covered by a layer of smooth muscle cells. The TLSs harbored isotype-switched B cells expressing IgG1, IgG3, or IgA, with dominant kappa chain usage and abundant IgG antibodies to aortic wall. Myeloid cells in AAA were implicated in promoting B cell effects, as they were the primary producers of B-cell activating factor (BAFF), a cytokine that promotes B cell infiltration, survival, and function. Conclusion: Altogether, our results support a novel model in which new adipocytes in the medial-adventitial layer produce factors that promote early TLS formation, and BAFF produced by myeloid cells promotes the survival and maturation of vascular wall-antigen-exposed B cells, leading to mature TLS formation, production of antibodies to AAA antigens, fueling inflammation and AAA growth.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2024

A protective role for B-1 cells and oxidation-specific epitope IgM in lung fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a morbid fibrotic lung disease with limited treatment options. The pathophysiology of IPF remains poorly understood, and elucidation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of IPF pathogenesis is key to the development of new therapeutics. B-1 cells are an innate B cell population which play an important role linking innate and adaptive immunity. B-1 cells spontaneously secrete natural IgM and prevent inflammation in several disease states. One class of these IgM recognize oxidation-specific epitopes (OSE), which have been shown to be generated in lung injury and to promote fibrosis. A main B-1 cell reservoir is the pleural space, adjacent to the typical distribution of fibrosis in IPF. In this study, we demonstrate that B-1 cells are recruited to the lung during injury where they secrete IgM to OSE (IgMOSE). We also show that the pleural B-1 cell reservoir responds to lung injury through regulation of the chemokine receptor CXCR4. Mechanistically we show that the transcription factor Id3 is a novel negative regulator of CXCR4 expression. Using mice with B-cell specific Id3 deficiency, a model of increased B-1b cells, we demonstrate decreased bleomycin-induced fibrosis compared to littermate controls. Furthermore, we show that mice deficient in secretory IgM (sIgM-/-) have higher mortality in response to bleomycin-induced lung injury, which is partially mitigated through airway delivery of the IgMOSE E06. Additionally, we provide insight into potential mechanisms of IgM in attenuation of fibrosis through RNA sequencing and pathway analysis, highlighting complement activation and extracellular matrix deposition as key differentially regulated pathways.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2022

Sex differences in coronary artery disease and diabetes revealed by scRNA-Seq and CITE-Seq of human CD4+ T cells

BackgroundDespite the decades-old knowledge that diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), the reasons for this association are only partially understood. Among the immune cells involved in CVD development, accumulating evidence supports the critical role of T cells as drivers and modifiers of this condition. CD4+ T cells are commonly found in atherosclerotic plaques. The activity and distribution of CD4+ T cell subsets differs between the sexes. MethodsPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of 61 men and women who underwent cardiac catheterization were interrogated by single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq, [~]200,000 cells) combined with 49 protein markers (CITE-Seq). Coronary artery disease (CAD) was quantified using Gensini scores, with scores above 30 considered CAD+ and below 6 considered CAD-. Four pairs of groups were matched for clinical and demographic parameters. To test how DM changed cell proportions and gene expression, we compared matched groups of diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. We analyzed 41,782 single CD4+ T cell transcriptomes for sex differences in 61 mostly statin-treated coronary artery disease patients with and without DM. ResultsWe identified 16 clusters in CD4 T cells. The proportion of cells in CD4 cluster 8 (CD4T8, CCR2+ Em) was significantly decreased in CAD+, especially among DM+ participants. The proportions of cells in CD4T2, CD4T11, CD4T16 were increased and CD4T13 was decreased in CAD+ among DM+Statin+ participants. CD4T12 was increased in DM+ participants. In female participants, CD4T8, 12, and 13 were decreased compared to in male participants. In CD4 T cells, 31 genes showed significant and coordinated upregulation in both CAD and DM. The DM gene signature was partially additive to the CAD gene signature. ConclusionsWe conclude that CAD and DM are clearly reflected in PBMC transcriptomes and that significant differences exist between women and men and between subjects treated with statins or not.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

Combined protein and transcript single cell RNA sequencing reveals cardiovascular disease and HIV signatures

Cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are frequently collected and provide disease- and treatment-relevant data in clinical studies. Here, we developed combined protein (40 antibodies) and transcript single cell (sc)RNA sequencing in PBMCs. Among 31 participants in the WIHS Study, we sequenced 41,611 cells. Using Boolean gating followed by Seurat UMAPs and Louvain clustering, we identified 58 subsets among CD4 T, CD8 T, B, NK cells and monocytes. This resolution was superior to flow cytometry, mass cytometry or scRNA-sequencing without antibodies. Since the transcriptome was not needed for cell identification, combined protein and transcript scRNA-Seq allowed for the assessment of disease-related changes in transcriptomes and cell type proportion. As a proof-of-concept, we showed such differences between healthy and matched individuals living with HIV with and without cardiovascular disease. In conclusion, combined protein and transcript scRNA sequencing is a suitable and powerful method for clinical investigations using PBMCs.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

Identification of Human Immune Cell Subtypes Most Vulnerable to IL-1β-induced Inflammatory Signaling Using Mass Cytometry

IL-1{beta} has emerged as a key mediator of the cytokine storm linked to high morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 and blockade of the IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) with Anakinra has entered clinical trials in COVID-19 subjects. Yet, knowledge of the specific immune cell subsets targeted by IL-1{beta} and IL-1{beta}-induced signaling pathways in humans is limited. Utilizing mass cytometry (CyTOF) of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, we identified effector memory CD4 T cells and CD4-CD8low/-CD161+ T cells as the circulating immune subtypes with the greatest expression of p-NF-{kappa}B in response to IL-1{beta} stimulation. Notably, CCR6 distinctly identified T cells most responsive to IL-1{beta}. Other subsets including CD11c myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs), classical monocytes (CM), two subsets of natural killer cells (CD16-CD56brightCD161- and CD16-CD56dimCD161+) and a population of lineage-(Lin-) cells expressing CD161 and CD25 also showed IL-1{beta}-induced expression of p-NF-kB. The IL-1R antagonist, Anakinra significantly inhibited IL-1{beta}-induced p-NF-kB in the CCR6+ T cells and CD11c mDCs with a trending inhibition in CD14 monocytes and Lin-CD161+CD25+ cells. IL-1{beta} also induced a rapid but much less robust increase in p-p38 expression as compared to p-NF-kB in the majority of these same immune cell subsets. Prolonged IL-1{beta} stimulation greatly increased p-STAT3 and to a much lesser extent p-STAT1 and p-STAT5 in T cell subsets, monocytes, DCs and the Lin-CD161+CD25+ cells suggesting IL-1{beta}-induced production of downstream STAT-activating cytokines, consistent with its role in cytokine storm. Interindividual heterogeneity and inhibition of this activation by Anakinra raises the intriguing possibility that assays to measure IL-1{beta}-induced p-NF-kB in CCR6+ T cell subtypes could identify those at higher risk of cytokine storm and those most likely to benefit from Anakinra therapy.

immunology↗