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Author Spotlight: Achieving High-Purity In Vitro Differentiation of Th17 Cells Using Cytokine Concentration Modulation
Published on: October 25, 2024
Endogenous Ceramide 24:1 Constrains Th17-Driven Neutrophilic Inflammation by Antagonizing EP2 Signaling
Huan Liu1, Abudureyimujiang Aili2, Zheng Kuang3
1Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
Very-long-chain ceramides, like Cer24:1, are deficient in severe neutrophilic asthma (NA). Supplementation resolves airway inflammation by targeting the EP2 receptor on T cells, offering a new therapeutic strategy for NA.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Metabolomics
- Pulmonology
Background:
- Severe asthma involves chronic inflammation, with neutrophilic asthma (NA) being steroid-resistant and driven by Th17 cells.
- The role of specific lipid mediators in the Th17-neutrophil axis of NA is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify lipid species involved in Th17-driven neutrophilic airway inflammation in severe asthma.
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of identified lipids in NA.
Main Methods:
- Integrated lipidomic profiling of clinical samples (exhaled breath condensate, plasma, sputum) and a murine model.
- In vivo ceramide supplementation and genetic knockout (Smpd1) studies.
- Molecular docking, surface plasmon resonance, and functional assays to determine molecular targets and pathways.
Main Results:
- A deficiency in very-long-chain ceramides, particularly Cer24:1, was identified in NA patients and correlated with disease severity.
- Cer24:1 supplementation reduced airway hyperresponsiveness and neutrophilic infiltration in a murine model.
- Cer24:1 directly targets the prostaglandin E2 receptor EP2 on CD4+ T cells, suppressing JAK2-STAT3 signaling and Th17 differentiation.
Conclusions:
- Cer24:1 is an endogenous pro-resolving lipid that restrains neutrophilic inflammation in severe asthma.
- The EP2-STAT3 axis in Th17 cells is a key target for Cer24:1's anti-inflammatory effects.
- Cer24:1 represents a novel metabolic checkpoint and potential therapeutic target for severe neutrophilic asthma.
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