Biology subjects

Serra, P.

Publications and source records attributed to Serra, P..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

Splenic granulopoiesis and S100A9 drive resistance to checkpoint inhibitors conferred by liver metastases

Here, we investigate why liver metastases reduce the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (CPI). The poor prognosis of patients with liver metastases is associated with a systemic increase in neutrophils. Using experimental models, we confirm that mice with liver metastases respond poorly to CPI, have elevated neutrophils and suppress the response of subcutaneous lesions to CPI. We demonstrate that liver metastases, acting partly via IL-6, boost granulopoiesis in the spleen and promote the generation of immature S100A9hi neutrophils that suppress T-cell proliferation. Human liver metastases exhibit a similar increase in S100A9hi neutrophils. Neutrophil depletion attenuates the growth of liver metastases, but not subcutaneous metastases. Moreover, genetic deletion of S100A9 enables liver metastases to be effectively treated with CPI, and prevents liver metastases from suppressing the response in subcutaneous metastases. Thus, we document how liver metastases specifically change splenic granulopoiesis leading to changes in the microenvironment of non-hepatic lesions, and how targeting a key neutrophil protein restores the efficacy of CPI.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2024

T-follicular helper cells are epigenetically poised to transdifferentiate into T-regulatory type-1 cells

Chronic antigenic stimulation can trigger the formation of IL-10-producing T-regulatory type 1 (TR1) cells in vivo. We have recently shown that T follicular helper (TFH) cells are precursors of TR1 cells and that the TFH-to-TR1 cell transdifferentiation process is characterized by the progressive loss and acquisition of opposing transcription factor gene expression programs that evolve through at least one transitional cell stage. Here, we use a broad range of bulk and single-cell transcriptional and epigenetic tools to investigate the epigenetic underpinnings of this process. At the single cell level, the TFH-to-TR1 cell transition is accompanied by both, downregulation of TFH cell-specific gene expression due to loss of chromatin accessibility, and upregulation of TR1 cell-specific genes linked to chromatin regions that remain accessible throughout the transdifferentiation process, with minimal generation of new open chromatin regions. By interrogating the epigenetic status of accessible TR1 genes on purified TFH and conventional T cells, we find that most of these genes, including Il10, are already poised for expression at the TFH cell stage. Whereas these genes are closed and hypermethylated in Tconv cells, they are accessible, hypomethylated and enriched for H3K27ac-marked and hypomethylated active enhancers in TFH cells. These enhancers are enriched for binding sites for the TFH and TR1-associated transcription factors TOX-2, IRF4 and c-MAF. Together, these data suggest that the TR1 gene expression program is genetically imprinted at the TFH cell stage.

immunology↗

bioRxiv2020

Highly sensitive and specific multiplex antibody assays to quantify immunoglobulins M, A and G against SARS-CoV-2 antigens

Reliable serological tests are required to determine the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 antigens and to characterise immunity to the disease in order to address key knowledge gaps in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quantitative suspension array technology (qSAT) assays based on the xMAP Luminex platform overcome the limitations of rapid diagnostic tests and ELISA with their higher precision, dynamic range, throughput, miniaturization, cost-efficacy and multiplexing capacity. We developed three qSAT assays to detect IgM, IgA and IgG to a panel of eight SARS-CoV-2 antigens including spike (S), nucleoprotein (N) and membrane (M) protein constructs. The assays were optimized to minimize processing time and maximize signal to noise ratio. We evaluated the performance of the assays using 128 plasmas obtained before the COVID-19 pandemic (negative controls) and 115 plasmas from individuals with SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis (positive controls), of whom 8 were asymptomatic, 58 had mild symptoms and 49 were hospitalized. Pre-existing IgG antibodies recognizing N, M and S2 proteins were detected in negative controls suggestive of cross-reactive to common cold coronaviruses. The best performing antibody isotype/antigen signatures had specificities of 100% and sensitivities of 94.94% at [≥]14 days since the onset of symptoms and 96.08% at [≥]21 days since the onset of symptoms, with AUC of 0.992 and 0.999, respectively. Combining multiple antibody markers as assessed by qSAT assays has the highest efficiency, breadth and versatility to accurately detect low-level antibody responses for obtaining reliable data on prevalence of exposure to novel pathogens in a population. Our assays will allow gaining insights into antibody correlates of immunity required for vaccine development to combat pandemics like the COVID-19.

immunology↗