Biology subjects

Peebles, R. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Peebles, R. S..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Ovarian Hormones and Obesity Drive Th17-mediated Airway Inflammation through Estrogen Receptor Signaling

Obesity is a risk factor for increased prevalence and severity of asthma, particularly in females. As adults, females have increased prevalence of asthma compared to males. Yet, the mechanisms remain unclear on how sex hormones and obesity increase airway inflammation. We hypothesize that estrogen signaling through estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-) in T cells increased airway inflammation in the context of obesity. To test our hypothesis, we utilized a high fat (HFD) on female and male mice that underwent ovariectomy or gonadectomy or in Esr1fl/fl X Cd4Cre+ male and female mice. As controls, mice in similar groups were fed normal chow. After 8-12 weeks on diets, house dust mite (HDM) sensitization and challenge occurred in all mice. Lungs and BAL fluid were harvested 24 hours after the last challenge. Ovarian hormones and ER- signaling in T cells increased eosinophils, neutrophils, and Th17-mediated airway inflammation in the lungs of obese female mice. Additionally, using PBMCs from a well-characterized obese asthma cohort, we determined that obese women with asthma had increased Th17 cells compared to obese men with asthma. Our results show that ER- signaling in T cells increases Th17-mediated airway inflammation in obese mice and that Th17 cells circulate at higher frequencies in women with asthma compared to men with asthma. Further research into the interplay between hormonal signaling and immune responses in asthma is essential for developing personalized treatments. One Sentence SummaryEstrogen receptor-alpha signaling, in the context of obesity, increases allergen-induced Th17-mediated airway inflammation in female mice.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2023

Androgen Signaling Restricts Glutaminolysis to Drive Sex-Specific Th17 Metabolism

Females have increased prevalence of many Th17-mediated diseases. While androgen signaling decreases Th17-mediated inflammation, the mechanisms are not fully understood. Th17 cells rely on glutaminolysis; however, it remains unclear whether androgen receptor (AR) signaling in males modifies glutamine metabolism to suppress Th17-mediated inflammation. We show that Th17 cells from male humans and mice had decreased glutaminolysis compared to females, and AR signaling attenuated Th17 cell mitochondrial respiration and glutaminolysis. Using allergen-induced airway inflammation models, we determined females, but not males, had a critical reliance upon glutaminolysis for Th17-mediated airway inflammation, and AR signaling attenuated glutamine uptake by reducing expression of glutamine transporters. These findings were confirmed in circulating human Th17 cells with minimal reliance on glutamine uptake in male compared to female Th17 cells. We found that AR signaling attenuates glutaminolysis, demonstrating sex-specific metabolic regulation of Th17 cells with implications for design and implementation of Th17 or glutaminolysis targeted therapeutics. HighlightsO_LIHuman male CD4+ T cells have decreased expression of metabolic enzymes and decreased reliance on glutaminolysis compared to female CD4+ T cells. C_LIO_LIAndrogen signaling decreased mitochondrial metabolism in Th17 cells and decreased airway inflammation. C_LIO_LIAndrogen signaling decreased glutamine uptake and utilization in Th17 cells. C_LI

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

One mucosal administration of a live attenuated recombinant COVID-19 vaccine protects non-human primates from SARS-CoV-2

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the COVID-19 global pandemic. SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped RNA virus that relies on its trimeric surface glycoprotein, spike, for entry into host cells. Here we describe the COVID-19 vaccine candidate MV-014-212, a live attenuated, recombinant human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) expressing a chimeric SARS-CoV-2 spike as the only viral envelope protein. MV-014-212 was attenuated and immunogenic in African green monkeys (AGMs). One mucosal administration of MV-014-212 in AGMs protected against SARS-CoV-2 challenge, reducing by more than 200- fold the peak shedding of SARS-CoV-2 in the nose. MV-014-212 elicited mucosal immunity in the nose and neutralizing antibodies in serum that exhibited cross-neutralization against two virus variants of concern. Intranasally delivered, live attenuated vaccines such as MV-014-212 entail low-cost manufacturing suitable for global deployment. MV-014-212 is currently in phase 1 clinical trials as a single-dose intranasal COVID-19 vaccine.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2021

Selective pharmaceutical inhibition of PARP14 mitigates allergen-induced IgE and mucus overproduction in a mouse model of pulmonary allergic response

The type 2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13, which share use of an IL-4 receptor alpha chain and its nuclear induction of the transcription factor STAT6, are crucial in elicitation and maintenance of allergic conditions that include asthma. Prior work has shown a physical and functional association of STAT6 with PARP14, an ADP-ribosyl monotransferase. Moreover, elimination of all PARP14 expression by gene targeting led to altered recall antibody responses and attenuation of ovalbumin-specific allergic lung inflammation with no apparent health issues for mice lacking this protein. However, an unanswered question is whether or not inhibition of the catalytic function has any biological consequence since PARP14 has multiple functional domains apart from the portion that catalyzes ADP-ribosylation. As reported separately, iterative structural analyses and medicinal chemistry fostered the generation of a compound, RBN2759, that is highly selective in its inhibition of PARP14 with negligible impact on other members of the PARP gene family. We show here that administration of this compound to mice previously sensitized to the allergen Alternaria alternata achieved biochemically active levels and altered physiological responses to the antigen. These results show for the first time that in vivo administration of a specific inhibitor of the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity encoded by PARP14 is sufficient to alter biological responses. Specifically, the orally absorbable pharmaceutical compound decreased allergen-induced mucus, blunted the induced increases in circulating IgE, and prevented suppression of IgG2a. We conclude that the catalytic activity can contribute to pathogenesis in allergic processes and propose that other biological endpoints that depend on ADP-ribosylation by PARP14 can be targeted using selective inhibition.

immunology↗