VISTA Regulates Proinflammatory Function by Tissue Resident Peritoneal Macrophages in Response to Hemorrhagic Shock and Septic Challenge 2310024

F Fernando Gutierrez Garcia (Brown University) Y Yaping Chen J Joanna Renedo (Brown University) A Alfred Ayala (Brown University Health - RI Hospital)

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Traumatic injury, like hemorrhagic shock, serves as an immune predisposition ‘priming’ event, where upon a secondary challenge a heightened inflammatory response can occur, culminating in clinical complications such as septic multiple organ failure. Large (LPM) and small (SPM) peritoneal tissue resident macrophages play a significant role in peritoneal homeostatic functions and in initiating the local immune response upon injury/infection. V-domain Ig suppressor of T-cell Activation (VISTA) has a protective effect in response to shock and septic challenge able to suppress T-cell effector function and promoting an anti-inflammatory phenotype in monocyte-derived macrophages (Mo-Macs). However, VISTA function in tissue resident peritoneal macrophages in response to shock and sepsis has yet to be studied. Methods Using a ‘double hit’ shock and sepsis induced multiple organ injury mouse model, consisting of fixed pressure hemorrhagic shock (Hem) insult followed by sepsis through the cecal ligation & puncture (CLP) method, the effects of VISTA function on the immune contribution by resident peritoneal macrophages was characterized through flow cytometry. Results Our initial data shows that following Hem/CLP, VISTA expression is upregulated in LPMs but remains constant in SPMs and Mo-Macs. However, both LPMs and SPMs are significantly depleted from the peritoneum after Hem/CLP challenge. Lastly, pro-inflammatory markers are increased in SPMs and Mo-Macs, and VISTA deficiency leads to downregulation of MHCII expression in SPMs. Conclusion These results indicate that VISTA regulates the inflammatory SPM population through its constitutive expression in peritoneal macrophages as a mechanism that promotes an anti-inflammatory phenotype and through VISTA and MHCII mediated interaction with T cells. VISTA plays a novel role as a negative regulator of innate inflammation following shock and septic insult by regulating macrophage mediated inflammation through the activation of anti-inflammatory pathways. Funding Source R35 GM118097 Topic Categories Innate Immune Responses and Host Defense: Molecular Mechanisms (INM)

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 215, Issue Supplement_1
Published August 01, 2026
ISSN 0022-1767
Publisher American Association of Immunologists

Authors (4)

F

Fernando Gutierrez Garcia

Brown University

Y

Yaping Chen

J

Joanna Renedo

Brown University

A

Alfred Ayala

Brown University Health - RI Hospital