REVIEW article

Front. Immunol., 17 July 2012

Sec. Alloimmunity and Transplantation

Volume 3 - 2012 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2012.00208

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells: mechanisms of action and recent advances in their role in transplant tolerance

  • ND

    Nahzli Dilek 1,2

  • RV

    Romain Vuillefroy de Silly 1,3

  • GB

    Gilles Blancho 1,3,4*

  • BV

    Bernard Vanhove 1,3,4

  • 1. INSERM, UMR-S 1064, Nantes, France

  • 2. Effimune S.A.S, Nantes, France

  • 3. Faculté de Médecine, Université de Nantes, Nantes, France

  • 4. Institute of Transplantation - Urology - Nephrology, University Hospital of Nantes (Academia), INSERM Unit 643, Nantes, France

Abstract

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) are a heterogeneous population of immature hematopoietic precursors known to suppress immune responses in infection, chronic inflammation, cancer, and autoimmunity. In this paper, we review recent findings detailing their mode of action and discuss recent reports that suggest that MDSC are also expanded during transplantation and that modulation of MDSC can participate in preventing graft rejection as well as graft-versus-host disease.

INTRODUCTION

In the 1980s, a new cell population known as natural suppressor cells, distinct from T and NK cells, was described in tumor-bearing mice (; ). Generated in bone marrow under the influence of soluble factors produced by tumors, these cells derive from a mixed and heterogeneous population of myeloid cells found at different differentiation stages. They have been defined as myeloid suppressive cells because of their ability to suppress immune responses (, , ). To minimize the confusion with existing mesenchymal stem cells, proposed to name these cells “myeloid-derived suppressor cells” (MDSC). In mice, MDSC accumulate in the lymphatic organs () after the development of various diseases such as infections (; ; ), chronic inflammation, tumor growth, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD; ) and immune stress due to superantigen stimulation (staphylococcal endotoxin A, SEA; ). In mice, MDSC are characterized by the expression of myeloid cell markers, such as GR-1 (Ly6G and Ly6C) and CD11b (), as well as immature cell markers, such as CD31 (). Two subsets of MDSC were also described: monocytic MDSC, which have CD11b+Ly6G-Ly6CHigh phenotype, and granulocytic MDSC, which have CD11b+Ly6G+Ly6C+/- phenotype (; ). Other markers correlated to their suppressive function have been identified as CD80 (), CD115 (), or CD16 (). They also express MHC class I molecules, but not MHC class II molecules (). In humans, MDSC accumulate in cancer patients (; ) and are defined by the expression of immature markers such as CD34, CD33, CD15, and CD16. Moreover, CD14+HLA-DR-/low MDSC have been recently characterized in cancer patients (), suggesting that as is the case with mice, various human tumors induce different MDSC subsets. In the presence of appropriate growth factors [IL-4 + granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or TNF-α + GM-CSF], MDSC can differentiate into efficient antigen-presenting cells (APC), either DC or macrophages by increasing the expression of costimulatory molecules and MHC class II molecules (; ).

CONTROL OF MDSC BY CYTOKINES

Many studies have shown that inflammatory environments induce the production and the accumulation of MDSC able to block CD4 and CD8- immune responses and lead to cancer development. Indeed, tumor cells secrete a large variety of cytokines that allow the recruitment of MDSC in lymphoid organs or peripheral blood and direct their differentiation into suppressor cells (). That global inflammation controls MDSC recruitment is best illustrated by observations showing that the reduction of inflammatory potential in IL-1R-/- mice allows delaying MDSC accumulation and then reducing tumor and metastatic growth (; Figure 1). One key factor controlling MDSC expansion and the development of cancer is peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ; ). Also vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; ), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF; ) or IL-6 () are required for MDSC expansion (). Indeed, they prevent MDSC differentiation into mature DC through a mechanism involving the activation of STAT3 signaling pathway (; ). By contrast, in a mouse cancer model, the use of siRNA blocking expression of stem cell factor (SCF) or blockade of SCF/c-kit receptor interaction allowed to reduce MDSC expansion and restore T lymphocyte proliferation, thus resulting in tumor rejection (). GM-CSF also induces MDSC expansion which suppresses tumor-specific CD8+ T cell response. However, in combination with IL-4, GM-CSF induces MDSC differentiation into mature DC capable to activate immune responses (; ). PGE2 also, as well as other COX2 activators as lipopolysaccharide, IL-1β, and IFN-γ, by inducing expression of COX2 in monocytes, blocks their differentiation into mature DCs and induces a typical MDSC phenotype (; ). In addition IFN-γ produced by T cells in tumor-bearing mice was shown to make MDSC responsive to IL-13 and suppressive (). Another important factor is Hsp72 that was shown essential for expansion, activation, and suppressive function of murine and human MDSC, also through STAT3 signaling pathway (). Another study demonstrated that injection of fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) encoding adenoviruses in tumor-bearing mice resulted in the increase of spleen DC, T, B lymphocytes and NK cells but also of MDSC which dominated and blocked anti-tumor activity of effector cells (). Finally, it was recently shown that the complement anaphylatoxin C5a increases tumor infiltrating MDCS and gives them a suppressive activity through reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) regulation (). Several tumor-derived factors such as TGF-β, IL-3, IL-6, IL-10, platelet-derived growth factors, and GM-CSF could also induce ROS production by MDSC (). Beside soluble factors, MDSC are controlled by their expression of Fas which leads to cell apoptosis after contact with Fas-L positive activated T cells ().

FIGURE 1

; ), TCR CD3ζ nitrosylation (, ), and natural Treg (nTreg) expansion (, ), while iNOS activity leads to T cell apoptosis (; ) and inhibition of T cell proliferation (; ). (B) eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase. NOX2, NADPH oxidase 2. The enzyme induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and, together with eNOS and/or iNOS activities, can induce RNS production. NOX2 leads to inhibition of T cell proliferation through ROS production (), TCR CD3ζ nitration () and MHC class I nitration (). (C) HO-1, heme oxygenase 1. The enzyme leads to inhibition of T cell proliferation probably through CO production (). (D) Cys, cysteine. Cys2, cystine. GSH, glutathione. MDSC compete with dendritic cells (DCs) for Cys2 import from the extracellular milieu. This prevents DCs from providing sufficient Cys to T cells for GSH production, thus inhibiting T cell proliferation (). Dotted arrows show physiological import/export inhibited by MDSC activity. (E) ADAM17, ADAM metallopeptidase domain 17. ADAM17 activity leads to cleavage of L-selectin (CD62L) ectodomain resulting in inhibition of the homing to lymph nodes and sites of inflammation (). (F) Membrane-bound TGF-β1 leads to NK cell anergy, resulting in inhibition of NKG2D and IFN-γ expression (). TGF-β production leads to inhibition of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL; ). In an IFN-γ rich environment, TGF-β plus IL-10 lead to expansion of induced-Treg (iTreg; ). IL-10 production promotes Th2 deviation and macrophage type 2 (Mφ2) polarization that secrete lower amounts of IL-12 and higher amounts of IL-10 (). Question marks denote suggested, but unproven, participations.

MECHANISMS OF SUPPRESSION

Several regulatory mechanisms have been associated to MDSC and new ones are being uncovered (summarized in Figure 2), a phenomenon probably due to their heterogeneity. Following an immune stress due to GM-CSF production by tumor cells, MDSC accumulate in lymphoid organs where they suppress proliferation of and cytokine production by T and B cells activated by alloantigens () or by CD3 stimulation (). Indeed, MDSC block the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phases in a contact-dependent manner (; ). The suppressive activity of MDSC also depends on the release of IFN-γ by target T cells (). MDSC can also inhibit NK cell activity through membrane-bound TGF-β1, resulting in inhibition of IFN-γ and NKG2D expression (). The effect shows a high efficacy since addition in vitro of only 3% of MDSC was able to completely block T cell proliferation (). To control T cell response and in response to signals provided by activated T cells, activated MDSC use two enzymes involved in L-arginine metabolism: iNOS which allows NO generation () and arginase 1 (Arg1) which depletes arginine from the environment (; ; ). These two mechanisms of action appear to be used by monocytic and granulocytic subtypes of MDSC, respectively (). In vitro, iNOS inhibitors (L-NMMA) combined or not with Arg1 inhibitors (; ) block inhibition of T cells by MDSC. Similarly, phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors delay tumor progression by decreasing Arg1 and iNOS expression and by regulating the suppressive machinery of MDSC. The activation of either of these enzymes inhibits T cell proliferation by interfering with the transduction of intracellular signals and by inducing T cell apoptosis (; ). In fact, the loss of L-arginine inhibits T cell proliferation through several mechanisms such as the decrease of CD3ζ chain expression and the inhibition of Cyclin D3and Cyclin-dependent Kinase (cdk)-4 upregulation (, , ; ). Interestingly, arginine deprivation of T cells can reproduce the activity of MDSC by blocking the cell cycle at the G0/G1 stage (). Regulation of L-arginine concentration in the microenvironment is therefore an important mechanism to modulate CD3ζ chain expression of T cell receptor (TCR) and T cell function. Another important consequence of Arg1 activity is the induction of expansion of natural T regulatory cells (nTreg; ). The second mechanism of action involving iNOS and NO production suppresses T cell function through other mechanisms involving the inhibition of JAK3 and STAT5, a mechanism shared with suppressive macrophages (), the inhibition of MHC class II expression () and the induction of T cell apoptosis (; ). showed for the first time that another enzyme, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), is also associated with suppressive function of MDSC. Indeed, endotoxin-induced MDSC produce IL-10 and express HO-1, an enzyme involved in the response to oxidative stress and featuring immunomodulatory and cytoprotective properties. Specific HO-1 inhibition by tin protoporphyrin completely canceled suppression and IL-10 production by MDSC, showing the important role of this enzyme in MDSC function.

FIGURE 2

); macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF; ); IL-6 (); peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ; ); vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF; ; ); stem cell factor (SCF; ); IL-13 (); Hps72 (); and fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L; ). Agonists of the COX2 pathway also result in expansion of MDSC, including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IL-1β, and IFN-γ (). The complement anaphylatoxin C5a is also described to induce MDSC (). (B) Blockade of SCF/c-kit interaction or SCF blockade by siRNA reduce MDSC expansion (). The combination of IL-4 and GM-CSF inhibits MDSC function by inducing their differentiation into mature DC (; ).

In addition to their direct suppressive action, MDSC may also have an indirect action on the inhibition of T lymphocyte proliferation by promoting the development of inducible CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T regulatory cells (iTreg; ). The development of these Treg is independent from “classical” MDSC suppressive mechanisms involving arginine metabolism, but is linked to IL-10 plus TGF-β production. Moreover, preventing CD80 expression on MDSC or the use of anti-CTLA-4 antibodies delay tumor growth, suggesting that CTLA-4/CD80 interaction between MDSC and Treg is necessary for their activity or their development (). Another study analyzed the interaction of MDSC with macrophages in a mouse cancer model and showed that, through IL-10 secretion, MDSC induced a type-2 polarization of macrophages which is characterized by a decrease of IL-12 secretion and that promotes tumor growth (). IL-10 secretion by MDSC might also account for the Th2 deviation associated with MDSC activity (). In addition, cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) cytotoxicity can be prevented by MDSC through TGF-β production ().

More recently, RNS, and particularly peroxynitrites, emerged as a key mediator of T cell function suppression by MDSC. Indeed, peroxynitrites are a product of a chemical reaction between NO and superoxide anion, and is one of the most powerful oxidizers. It induces amino acid nitration and nitrosylation such as cysteine, methionine, tryptophan, and tyrosine (). High levels of peroxynitrites have been found in areas where inflammatory cells and MDSC accumulate. These high levels of peroxynitrites have been also associated with tumor progression in many types of cancer (; ; ; ; ; ) which have been linked to the absence of T cell responses. One study indeed reported the infiltration of differentiated but inactivated CD8+ T cells in prostate adenocarcinoma in human (). It appears that the peroxynitrite production by MDSC during direct contacts with T cells leads to TCR and CD8 molecule nitration, changing the specific binding peptide of T cells and making them intensive to specific antigen stimulation (). Also, it has been shown that MDSC are able to induce TCR/CD3ζ complex disruption through tyrosine nitrosylation/nitration, partly through NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) activity (). This might explain some conflicting results showing T cell function defects without modification of CD3ζ expression, especially since CD3ζ might be degraded later on (). Further, in tumor cells peptide binding to MHC class I can be prevented by MDSC-induced MHC nitration through RNS production in a NOX2-dependent manner (). Another important factor that contributes to suppressive activity of MDSC is the production of ROS. The increase production of ROS has emerged as one of the main features of MDSC in tumor-bearing mice and cancer patients (; ; ; ; ; ; ), partly through NOX2 activity (). In vitro inhibition of ROS production by MDSC derived from these mice and patients completely cancels the suppressive effect of these cells (; ; ).

Two other mechanisms of suppression have been recently identified. First, by expressing ADAM metallopeptidase domain 17 (ADAM17), MDSC induce the cleavage of L-selectin (CD62L) ectodomain on T cells, a membrane molecule involved in the migration of naïve T cells into lymph nodes. Thus, CD4 and CD8 cells become unable to migrate into lymph nodes or inflammatory sites where they are supposed to be activated (). Finally, two studies identified a new mechanism of suppression based on modulation of local amino acid metabolism and homeostasis. This mechanism, shared with FoxP3+ Treg is called cysteine/cystine deprivation (, ). Some time ago, it has been described that mammalian cells can obtain cysteine through three main pathways (). Foremost, they can metabolize cysteine from methionine through transsulfuration, a pathway catalyzed by cystathionase, a pyridoxal phosphate dependent rate-limiting enzyme. Cells can also import cystine (the oxidized form of cysteine) from the extracellular environment through the Xc- transporter that also exports glutamate at the same time. Alternatively cells can import cysteine from the extracellular environment through the alanine–serine–cysteine (ASC) neutral amino acid transporter (that can also export cysteine). However, the ASC pathway is limited by the fact that cysteine in the medium or in plasma, is predominantly present under its oxidized form, cystine, which cannot use the ASC transporter. Cysteine is a non-essential amino acid because it can be produced through the transsulfuration pathway. However its production is vital considering this is the limiting precursor in the production of the tripeptide glutathione, the major intracellular antioxidant molecule. In order to proliferate, T cells need to produce glutathione in a sufficient manner and thus need to replenish cysteine content to allow glutathione turnover (). They do express the ASC neutral amino acid transporter but are deficient in cystathionase and Xc- transporter. Of interest, showed that after APC–T cell interaction, APC allows the conversion of cystine into cysteine in the medium, thereby providing cysteine in the reduced form to T cells in order to proliferate. This is, in part, due to a process involving APC import of cystine from the medium by the Xc- transporter, followed by its intracellular reduction (i.e., the redox potential being highly reduced inside cells) and by subsequent export of cysteine through the ASC transporter. The model therefore presents APC as “feeder cells” for T cells, delivering cysteine that otherwise would be lacking for T cell proliferation. Recently, studied mouse MDSC in a tumor context. They showed that MDSC express the Xc- transporter, but lack the cystathionase enzyme and the ASC transporter. Thus, MDSC seem to possess the same capacities as APC to import cystine, but are unable to export cysteine and can therefore be considered as “cystine/cysteine sinks.” Interestingly, by adding a donor of cysteine, or a reducing agent (i.e., β-mercaptoethanol), that allows conversion of cystine to cysteine in the medium, the MDSC-induced T cells suppression was partially prevented, suggesting indeed that MDSC inhibit T cell proliferation, in part, by depleting the environment of cysteine (). Consistent with these results, by co culturing APC with MDSC, observed reduced levels of extracellular cysteine contents as compared to APC alone. All these results argue for a new mechanism of suppression involving cysteine homeostasis: MDSC may import cystine from the medium and induce cystine starvation in the microenvironment (since they do not export it), thus preventing APC from providing sufficient cysteine for T cells proliferation.

MDSC AND TRANSPLANTATION

In transplantation, in contrast with Treg, the role of MDSC is not well characterized. It was first described in a renal allograft tolerance induction model in rats. In this model, tolerance was induced by selective costimulation blockade (). An accumulation of CD3-ClassII-CD11b+CD80/86+ cells was observed in the blood of tolerant recipients and cells with a similar phenotype were also detected into the tolerated graft. These cells identified as MDSC inhibited proliferation of effector T cells and induced a contact-dependent apoptosis in an iNOS-dependent manner. The importance of iNOS was highlighted by the observation that administration of iNOS inhibitors induced rejection of tolerated allograft. Another study showed that SHIP (inositol polyphosphate-5-phosphatase) deficient mice were able to accept an allogeneic bone marrow transplant without developing GVHD. SHIP is involved in the regulation of cell survival, proliferation, and differentiation of myeloid cells as well as in the regulation of MDSC homeostasis (). Thereby, the inhibition of GVHD in these SHIP-/- mice appears to be due to accumulation of MDSC which suppress allogeneic T cell responses (; ). Also in mice, adoptive transfer of functional MDSC generated in vitro from murine embryonic stem cells (ES) prevented GVHD via IL-10 and iNOS and was able to induce the development of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg (). Likewise, showed that bone marrow-derived MDSC inhibited GVHD by an Arg1 dependent mechanism, which itself is regulated by IL-13. There has also been evidence that MDSC use the HO-1 to suppress alloreactivity (). In another mouse skin graft model, the in vivo induction of Gr-1+CD11b+ MDSC by Neupogen, the recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) or the induction of CD4+Foxp3+ Treg by IL-2 complexes (IL-2C) similarly prolonged allograft survival (). Interestingly, when animals were treated with a combination of IL-2C and Neupogen, a further increase of Treg was observed. This observation suggested a possible cooperation between MDSC and Treg to promote allograft survival. Such a MDSC–Treg cooperation had also been studied in vitro: it was shown that MDSC interaction with activated effector T cells resulted in the upregulation of iNOS and in the activation of the suppressive action whereas interaction with activated Treg cells failed to upregulate iNOS. As a result MDSC could block effector T cell proliferation but could not block proliferation of Treg cells (). However, molecular interactions driving this differential suppression on T effector and T regulatory cells have not been elucidated.

Another mechanism of action of MDSC uncovered in the context of transplantation involves the inhibitory receptors Ig-like transcript 2 (ILT2), an inhibitory TCR whose activation causes a decrease of T cell activation. In a model of skin allograft in mice, ILT2 interaction with HLA-G was shown to induce expansion of a MDSC population with a significant suppressive activity (). In addition, survival of skin allografts was prolonged after adoptive transfer of MDSC from ILT2 transgenic mice. In that case, MDSC accumulated into the graft. MDSC expansion resulting from HLA-G/ILT2 interaction appeared to induce VEGF and GM-CSF. ILT2 transgenic mice also have an increased expression of Arg1, probably due to IL-4 and IL-13 over-expression in MDSC ().

MDSC can modulate rejection after pancreatic islets allografts in diabetic mice (). Indeed adoptive transfer of MDSC derived from bone marrow and generated by GM-CSF and IL-6 increases significantly the percentage of long-term survival mice transplanted with allogeneic islets in the absence of immunosuppression. Tolerance was achieved by inhibition of IFN-γ producing T cells and was found dependent on the expression by myeloid cells of regulatory transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPβ), a downstream target of Ras signaling involved in positive and negative cell cycle regulation. Finally, in a mouse tolerance model of heart transplantation, the group of Ochando showed increased numbers of CD11b+CD115+Gr1+ monocytic MDSC. Shortly after transplantation they migrated from the bone marrow to the transplant where they participated in the induction of Treg and prevented initiation of adaptive immune responses (). Lastly, elevated frequencies of circulating CD14Neg and CD14Pos MDSC have recently been recorded in patients recipients of renal transplants and CD14Neg MDSC were found associated with occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma in these patients (). Thus MDSC has potential functional relevance in kidney graft recipients with respect to transplant tolerance but also cancer immunosurveillance. The reported involvement of MDSC in transplantation is summarized in Table 1.

Table 1

PhenotypeSpeciesModelsMechanismsReference
CD3-ClassII-CD11b+CD80/86+RatRenal transplant toleranceAccumulation; iNOS
Gr-1+CD11b+MouseGVHD inhibitionAltered Ag processing by DC,
CD115+Gr-1+F4/80+MouseGVHD preventionIL-10; iNOS
CD11b+Ly6GlowLy6C+MouseGVHD inhibitionArg1
Gr-1+CD11b+MouseSkin allograft; long-term survivaliNOS
Gr-1+CD11b+MouseSkin allograft; long-term survivalArg1
Gr-1+CD11b+ IL-4Rα+MouseIslet allograft toleranceC/EBPβ factor; Arg1; iNOS
Gr-1+CD115+CD11b+MouseCardiac transplant toleranceIFN-γ-dependent pathways
CD33+HLA-DR-CD11b+CD14+/-HumanRenal transplantationAccumulation

Reported involvement of MDSC in transplantation.

In conclusion, probably due to their heterogeneous origin, MDSC use several suppressive mechanisms which enable them to control adaptive immune responses. In addition to their recognized role in tumor tolerance, they potentially exert a role in the induction and maintenance of transplant tolerance. However, whether MDSC generated post-transplantation result from creeping inflammation and interferes with immunosurveillance or potentially constitute an appropriate immune regulatory response, as recently explored (), remains to be established. Further phenotyping MDSC post-transplantation in humans might help deciphering their potential “physiological” role and understanding whether, in spite of their non-specific immunosuppressive activity, they might be used in cell therapies in synergy with existing immunosuppressive therapies.

Statements

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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Summary

Keywords

immune suppression, myeloid suppressor cells, tolerance, transplantation

Citation

Dilek N, Vuillefroy de Silly R, Blancho G and Vanhove B (2012) Myeloid-derived suppressor cells: mechanisms of action and recent advances in their role in transplant tolerance. Front. Immun. 3:208. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2012.00208

Received

27 March 2012

Accepted

30 June 2012

Published

17 July 2012

Volume

3 - 2012

Edited by

Ilias I. N. Doxiadis, Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands

Reviewed by

Philippe Saas, Etablissement Français du Sang Bourgogne Franche-Comté, France Attilio Bondanza, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Italy

Copyright

*Correspondence: Gilles Blancho, Institute of Transplantation - Urology - Nephrology, University Hospital of Nantes (Academia), INSERM Unit 643, Immeuble Jean Monnet - Hotel Dieu, 30 Boulevard Jean Monnet, 44 093 Nantes, France. e-mail:

This article was submitted to Frontiers in Alloimmunity and Transplantation, a specialty of Frontiers in Immunology.

Disclaimer

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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