bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumor-Infiltrating Macrophages Induce Apoptosis in Activated CD8+ T Cells by a Mechanism Requiring Cell Contact and Mediated by Both the Cell-Associated Form of TNF and Nitric Oxide
Authors: Saio Masanao , Radoja Sasa , Marino Mike , Frey Alan B.
Published: April 2014

We have investigated the ability of different cells present in murine tumors to induce apoptosis of activated CD8+ T cells in vitro. Tumor cells do not induce apoptosis of T cells; however, macrophages that infiltrate tumors are potent inducers of apoptosis. Tumor macrophages express cell surface-associated TNF, TNF type I (CD120a) and II (CD120b) receptors, and, upon contact with T cells which induces release of IFN-γ from T cells, secrete nitric oxide. Killing of T cells in vitro is blocked by Abs to IFN-γ, TNF, CD120a, or CD120b, or N-methyl-l-arginine. In concert with that finding, tumor macrophages isolated from either TNF type I or type II receptor −/− mice are not proapoptotic and do not produce nitric oxide upon contact with activated T cells. Control macrophages do not express TNF receptors or release nitric oxide. Tumor cells or tumor-derived macrophages do not express FasL, and blocking Abs to either Fas or FasL have no effect on macrophage-mediated T cell killing. These results demonstrate that macrophages which infiltrate tumors are highly proapoptotic and may be responsible for elimination of activated antitumor T cells within the tumor bed.
Role of CD28 for the Generation and Expansion of Antigen-Specific CD8+ T Lymphocytes During Infection withListeria monocytogenes
Authors: Mittrücker Hans-Willi , Kursar Mischo , Köhler Anne , Hurwitz Robert , Kaufmann Stefan H. E.
Published: April 2014

Infection of mice with the intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes results in a strong CD8+ T cell response that is critical for efficient control of infection. We used CD28-deficient mice to characterize the function of CD28 during Listeria infection, with a main emphasis on Listeria-specific CD8+ T cells. Frequencies and effector functions of these T cells were determined using MHC class I tetramers, single cell IFN-γ production and Listeria-specific cytotoxicity. During primary Listeria infection of CD28−/− mice we observed significantly reduced numbers of Listeria-specific CD8+ T cells and only marginal levels of specific IFN-γ production and cytotoxicity. Although frequencies were also reduced in CD28−/− mice during secondary response, we detected a considerable population of Listeria-specific CD8+ T cells in these mice. In parallel, IFN-γ production and cytotoxicity were observed, revealing that Listeria-specific CD8+ T cells in CD28−/− mice expressed normal effector functions. Consistent with their impaired CD8+ T cell activation, CD28−/− mice suffered from exacerbated listeriosis both after primary and secondary infection. These results demonstrate participation of CD28 signaling in the generation and expansion of Ag-specific CD8+ T cells in listeriosis. However, Ag-specific CD8+ T cells generated in the absence of CD28 differentiated into normal effector and memory T cells.
CD40 Ligand Promotes Priming of Fully Potent Antitumor CD4+ T Cells in Draining Lymph Nodes in the Presence of Apoptotic Tumor Cells
Authors: Fujita Nanae , Kagamu Hiroshi , Yoshizawa Hirohisa , Itoh Kazuhisa , Kuriyama Hideyuki , Matsumoto Naoya , Ishiguro Takuro , Tanaka Junta , Suzuki Eiichi , Hamada Hirofumi , Gejyo Fumitake
Published: April 2014

The presence or absence of CD4+ T cell help can determine the direction of adaptive immune responses toward either cross-priming or cross-tolerance. It has been demonstrated that interactions of CD40-CD40 ligand can replace CD4+ T cell help and enable dendritic cells to prime cytotoxic T cells. Here, we demonstrate that antitumor reactivity induced in regional lymph nodes (LNs) by s.c. injection of CD40 ligand (CD40L)-transduced tumor (MCA205 CD40L) showed far superior therapeutic efficacy against established brain tumors of a weakly immunogenic fibrosarcoma, MCA205, when adoptively transferred. Coinjection of apoptotic, but not necrotic parental tumor cells with CD40L-expressing tumor cells caused a strong synergistic induction of antitumor reactivity in tumor-draining LNs. Freshly isolated T cells from LNs immunized with apoptotic parental tumor cells and MCA205 CD40L were capable of mediating regression of the parental tumor in vivo. In contrast, T cells derived from LNs immunized without MCA205 CD40L required ex vivo anti-CD3/IL-2 activation to elicit therapeutic activity. On anti-CD3/IL-2 activation, cells from LNs immunized with MCA205 CD40L exhibited superior per cell antitumor reactivity. An in vitro depletion study revealed that either CD4+ or CD8+ T cells could mediate therapeutic efficacy but that the antitumor efficacy mediated by CD4+ T cells was far superior. Cytosolic flow cytometric analyses indicated that priming of CD4+ cells in LNs draining CD40L-expressing tumors was polarized to the Th1 type. This is the first report that fully potent antitumor CD4+ T cell priming was promoted by s.c. injection of CD40L-transduced tumor in the presence of apoptotic tumor cells.
Dysregulated Expression of Pre-Tα Reveals the Opposite Effects of Pre-TCR at Successive Stages of T Cell Development
Authors: Lacorazza H. Daniel , Porritt Helen E. , Nikolich-Žugich Janko
Published: April 2014

The pre-TCR complex (TCRβ-pre-TCRα chain (pTα)), first expressed in a fraction of CD8−4−CD44−25+ (DN3) cells, is believed to facilitate or enable an efficient transition from the CD8−4− double-negative (DN) to the CD8+4+ double-positive (DP) developmental stage. Subsequent to pre-TCR expression, DN3 thymocytes receive survival, proliferation, and differentiation signals, although it is still unclear which of these outcomes are directly induced by the pre-TCR. To address this issue, we generated mice bearing a range of pTα transgene copy number under the transcriptional control of the p56lck proximal promoter. All lines exhibited increased DN3 cycling, accelerated DN3/4 transition, and improved DN4 survival. However, the high copy number lines also showed a selective reduction in thymic cellularity due to increased apoptosis of DP thymocytes, which could be reversed by the ectopic expression of Bcl-2. Our results suggest that transgenic pTα likely caused apoptosis of DP thymocytes due to competitive decrease in surface TCRαβ formation. These results highlight the critical importance of precise temporal and stoichiometric regulation of pre-TCR and TCR component expression.
Tolerance, Mixed Chimerism, and Chronic Transplant Arteriopathy
Authors: Russell Paul S. , Chase Catharine M. , Sykes Megan , Ito Hiroshi , Shaffer Juanita , Colvin Robert B.
Published: April 2014

Much evidence supports the conclusion that immunological responses to donor-specific incompatibilities are a major factor in producing “chronic” transplant rejection, including the arteriopathy (atherosclerosis) commonly present. Our experiments explored the effects of altered immunological responsiveness to these Ags on the formation of arteriopathy in transplanted mouse hearts. Specific immunological nonreactivity, or tolerance, was induced either by neonatal administration of allogeneic spleen cells (from F1 donors between class I-mismatched donor and recipient strains), resulting in “classical” immunological tolerance, or by bone marrow infusion to suitably prepared adult recipients, either fully MHC mismatched or class I mismatched, yielding “mixed chimerism.” Both approaches obviated systemic graft-versus-host effects. In both groups, donor-specific skin grafts survived perfectly and donor cell chimerism persisted. Specific Abs were undetectable in all recipients. Most transplants to either group of tolerant recipients developed striking vasculopathy in their coronary arteries (12 of 15 in neonatal tolerance and 15 of 23 in mixed chimeras). Neointimal infiltrates included CD4 and CD8 T cells and macrophages. Only 2 of 29 contemporary isotransplants showed any evidence of vasculopathy. Recipients essentially incapable of T and B cell responses (C.B-17/SCID and RAG1−/−) were also used. Transplants into these animals developed vasculopathy in 16 of 31 instances. Accordingly, in this setting, vasculopathy develops in the presence of H-2 gene-determined incompatibility even with minimal conventional immune reactivity. Perhaps innate responsiveness, that could include NK cell activity, can create such arteriopathic lesions. More evidence is being sought regarding this process.
Immature Human Dendritic Cells Express Asialoglycoprotein Receptor Isoforms for Efficient Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis
Authors: Valladeau Jenny , Duvert-Frances Valérie , Pin Jean-Jacques , Kleijmeer Monique J. , Ait-Yahia Smina , Ravel Odile , Vincent Claude , Vega Felix , Helms Alison , Gorman Dan , Zurawski Sandra M. , Zurawski Gerard , Ford John , Saeland Sem
Published: April 2014

In a search for genes expressed by dendritic cells (DC), we have cloned cDNAs encoding different forms of an asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR). The DC-ASGPR represents long and short isoforms of human macrophage lectin, a Ca2+-dependent type II transmembrane lectin displaying considerable homology with the H1 and H2 subunits of the hepatic ASGPR. Immunoprecipitation from DC using an anti-DC-ASGPR mAb yielded a major 40-kDa protein with an isoelectric point of 8.2. DC-ASGPR mRNA was observed predominantly in immune tissues. Both isoforms were detected in DC and granulocytes, but not in T, B, or NK cells, or monocytes. DC-ASGPR species were restricted to the CD14-derived DC obtained from CD34+ progenitors, while absent from the CD1a-derived subset. Accordingly, both monocyte-derived DC and tonsillar interstitial-type DC expressed DC-ASGPR protein, while Langerhans-type cells did not. Furthermore, DC-ASGPR is a feature of immaturity, as expression was lost upon CD40 activation. In agreement with the presence of tyrosine-based and dileucine motifs in the intracytoplasmic domain, mAb against DC-ASGPR was rapidly internalized by DC at 37°C. Finally, intracellular DC-ASGPR was localized to early endosomes, suggesting that the receptor recycles to the cell surface following internalization of ligand. Our findings identify DC-ASGPR/human macrophage lectin as a feature of immature DC, and as another lectin important for the specialized Ag-capture function of DC.
Molecular Evolution of Catalytic Antibodies in Autoimmune Mice
Authors: Sun Jialin , Takahashi Naoko , Kakinuma Hiroyuki , Nishi Yoshisuke
Published: April 2014

Catalytic Abs (catAbs) preferentially evolved in autoimmune MRL/MPJ-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice upon immunization with the phosphonate transition-state analogue (TSA), but this did not happen in normal BALB/c mice. The majority of the catAbs from MRL/lpr mice were from several independent clones of the same family. Most of them had a lysine at position 95 in the heavy chain (H95), which is at the junctional region. This residue, which interacts with the phosphonate moiety of the TSA and presumably is involved in the catalytic activity, was not changed even after expansive evolution following multiple mutations. By contrast, the majority that arose from BALB/c mice were the non-catAbs, which were quite different in the sequence from the catAbs from MRL/lpr mice, but they were clonally related to one another, so most of them were originated from a single clone. In the MRL/lpr mice, the catalytic subsets that existed in the initial repertoire were effectively captured by the phosphonyl oxygens in the TSA by interacting with the lysine at H95. In the BALB/c mice, however, another noncatalytic subset with only the binding capability directed to a moiety other than the phosphonate moiety was alternatively evolved, because of the lowest abundance or elimination of the catalytic subsets.
Comparison of Chimpanzee and Human Leukocyte Ig-Like Receptor Genes Reveals Framework and Rapidly Evolving Genes
Authors: Canavez Flavio , Young Neil T. , Guethlein Lisbeth A. , Rajalingam Raja , Khakoo Salim I. , Shum Benny P. , Parham Peter
Published: April 2014

The leukocyte receptor complex (LRC) on human chromosome 19 contains related Ig superfamily killer cell Ig-like receptor (KIR) and leukocyte Ig-like receptor (LIR) genes. Previously, we discovered much difference in the KIR genes between humans and chimpanzees, primate species estimated to have ∼98.8% genomic sequence similarity. Here, the common chimpanzee LIR genes are identified, characterized, and compared with their human counterparts. From screening a chimpanzee splenocyte cDNA library, clones corresponding to nine different chimpanzee LIRs were isolated and sequenced. Analysis of genomic DNA from 48 unrelated chimpanzees showed 42 to have all nine LIR genes, and six animals to lack just one of the genes. In structural diversity and functional type, the chimpanzee LIRs cover the range of human LIRs. Although both species have the same number of inhibitory LIRs, humans have more activating receptors, a trend also seen for KIRs. Four chimpanzee LIRs are clearly orthologs of human LIRs. Five other chimpanzee LIRs have paralogous relationships with clusters of human LIRs and have undergone much recombination. Like the human genes, chimpanzee LIR genes appear to be organized into two duplicated blocks, each block containing two orthologous genes. This organization provides a conserved framework within which there are clusters of faster evolving genes. Human and chimpanzee KIR genes have an analogous arrangement. Whereas both KIR and LIR genes can exhibit greater interspecies differences than the genome average, within each species the LIR gene family is more conserved than the KIR gene family.
Characterization of CDw92 as a Member of the Choline Transporter-Like Protein Family Regulated Specifically on Dendritic Cells
Authors: Wille Stefan , Szekeres Andreas , Majdic Otto , Prager Elisabeth , Staffler Günther , Stöckl Johannes , Kunthalert Duangkamol , Prieschl Eva E. , Baumruker Thomas , Burtscher Helmut , Zlabinger Gerhard J. , Knapp Walter , Stockinger Hannes
Published: April 2014

CDw92 is a 70-kDa surface protein broadly expressed on leukocytes and endothelial cells. In this manuscript, we present the molecular cloning of the CDw92 molecule by using a highly efficient retroviral expression cloning system. Sequence analysis of the CDw92 cDNA revealed a length of 2679 bp. The 1959-bp open reading frame encodes a protein of 652 amino acids. Computational analysis of the CDw92 protein sequence indicates 10 transmembrane domains, three potential N-linked glycosylation sites, and an amino acid stretch in the C-terminal region that is related to the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif. Comparison of the sequence of the CDw92 clone presented in this study with various database entries show that it is a C-terminal variant of human choline transporter-like protein 1, a member of a recently identified family of multitransmembrane surface proteins. Furthermore, we found that CDw92 is stably expressed on monocytes, PBLs, and endothelial cells, as we did not yet find modulation of expression by various stimuli on these cells. In contrast to this factor-independent expression of CDw92, we detected a specific regulation of CDw92 on monocyte-derived dendritic cells (Mo-DCs). Maturation of Mo-DCs by ionomycin or calcium ionophore resulted in down-regulation of CDw92 and incubation of these cells with IL-10 in a specific re-expression. Moreover, targeting of CDw92 on LPS-treated Mo-DCs by CDw92 mAb VIM15b augmented the LPS-induced IL-10 production 2.8-fold. Together, these data suggest a crucial role of the CDw92 protein in the biology and regulation of the function of leukocytes in particular DCs.
Multiple Carboxyl-Terminal Regions of the EBV Oncoprotein, Latent Membrane Protein 1, Cooperatively Regulate Signaling to B Lymphocytes Via TNF Receptor-Associated Factor (TRAF)-Dependent and TRAF-Independent Mechanisms
Authors: Busch Lisa K. , Bishop Gail A.
Published: April 2014

Latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is an EBV-encoded transforming protein that strongly mimics the B cell-activating properties of a normal cellular membrane protein, CD40. LMP1 and CD40 both associate with the cytoplasmic adapter proteins called TNFR-associated factors (TRAFs). TRAFs 1, 2, and 3 bind to a region of LMP1 that is essential for EBV to transform B lymphocytes, carboxyl-terminal activating region (CTAR) 1. However, studies of transiently overexpressed LMP1 molecules, primarily in epithelial cells, indicated that a second region, CTAR2, is largely responsible for LMP1-mediated activation of NF-κB and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. To better understand LMP1 signaling in B lymphocytes, we performed a structure-function analysis of the LMP1 C-terminal cytoplasmic domain stably expressed in B cell lines. Our results demonstrate that LMP1-stimulated Ig production, surface molecule up-regulation, and NF-κB and c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation require both CTAR1 and CTAR2, and that these two regions may interact to mediate LMP1 signaling. Furthermore, we find that the function of CTAR1, but not CTAR2, correlates with TRAF binding and present evidence that as yet unidentified cytoplasmic proteins may associate with LMP1 to mediate some of its signaling activities.
Manipulation of Avidity to Improve Effectiveness of Adoptively Transferred CD8+ T Cells for Melanoma Immunotherapy in Human MHC Class I-Transgenic Mice
Authors: Bullock Timothy N. J. , Mullins David W. , Colella Teresa A. , Engelhard Victor H.
Published: April 2014

The adoptive transfer of tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells into tumor-bearing hosts provides an attractive alternative to vaccination-based active immunotherapy of melanoma. The development of techniques that result in the preferential expansion of tumor-reactive T cells is therefore of great importance. In this study, we report the generation of HLA-A*0201-restricted CD8+ T cell populations that recognize either tyrosinase369–376 or gp100209–217 from tolerant human class I MHC-transgenic mice by using single amino acid-substituted variant peptides. Low peptide concentration or restimulation with the parent peptide was used to enhance the functional avidity, defined by stimulation of IFN-γ accumulation, and cross-reactivity of the resulting T cell populations. We found a direct correlation between the ability of a T cell population to respond in vitro to low concentrations of the precise peptide expressed on the tumor and its ability to delay the outgrowth of B16 melanoma after adoptive transfer. Surprisingly, we found that some T cells that exhibited high functional avidity and were effective in controlling tumor outgrowth exhibited low structural avidity, as judged by MHC-tetramer staining. Our results establish strategies for the development and selection of CD8+ T cell populations that persist despite peripheral tolerance, and that can control melanoma outgrowth. Furthermore, they support the use of human MHC class I-transgenic mice as a preclinical model for developing effective immunotherapies that can be rapidly extended into therapeutic settings.
The Capsular Polysaccharides ofCryptococcus neoformansActivate Normal CD4+ T Cells in a Dominant Th2 Pattern
Authors: Almeida Geisy M. , Andrade Regis M. , Bento Cleonice A. M.
Published: April 2014

Capsular components of Cryptococcus neoformans induce several deleterious effects on T cells. However, it is unknown how the capsular components act on these lymphocytes. The present study characterized cellular and molecular events involved in immunoregulation of splenic CD4+ T cells by C. neoformans capsular polysaccharides (CPSs). The results showed that CPSs induce proliferation of normal splenic CD4+ T cells, but not of normal CD8+ T or B lymphocytes. Such proliferation depended on physical contact between CPSs and viable splenic adherent cells (SAC) and CD40 ligand-induced intracellular signal transduction. The absence of lymphoproliferation after fixation of SAC with paraformaldehyde has discarded the hypothesis of a superantigen-like activation. The evaluation of a cytokine pattern produced by the responding CD4+ T lymphocytes revealed that CPSs induce a dominant Th2 pattern, with high levels of IL-4 and IL-10 production and undetectable inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IFN-γ. Blockade of CD40 ligand by relevant mAb down-regulated the CPS-induced anti-inflammatory cytokine production and abolished the enhancement of fungus growth in cocultures of SAC and CD4+ T lymphocytes. Our findings suggest that CPSs induce proliferation and differentiation of normal CD4+ T cells into a Th2 phenotype, which could favor parasite growth and thus important deleterious effects to the host.
HIV Mucosal Vaccine: Nasal Immunization with rBCG-V3J1 Induces a Long Term V3J1 Peptide-Specific Neutralizing Immunity in Th1- and Th2-Deficient Conditions
Authors: Hiroi Takachika , Goto Hironobu , Someya Kenji , Yanagita Manabu , Honda Mitsuo , Yamanaka Noboru , Kiyono Hiroshi
Published: April 2014

In the vaccine strategy against HIV, bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), a live attenuated strain of Mycobacterium bovis, is considered to be one of potential vectors for mucosal delivery of vaccine Ag. We analyzed the induction of the Ag-specific Ab response by nasal immunization with recombinant BCG vector-based vaccine (rBCG-V3J1) that can secrete the V3 principal neutralizing epitope of HIV. Mice were nasally immunized with rBCG-V3J1 (10 μg) three times at weekly intervals. Four weeks after the initial immunization, high titers of V3J1-specific IgG Abs were seen in serum. These high levels of HIV-specific serum IgG responses were maintained for >12 mo following nasal immunization without any booster immunization. V3J1-specific IgG-producing cells were detected in mononuclear cells isolated from spleen, nasal cavity, and salivary gland of the nasally vaccinated mice. Nasal rBCG-V3J1 also induced high levels of prolonged HIV-specific serum IgG responses in Th1 (IFN-γ−/−)- or Th2 (IL-4−/−)-immunodeficient mice. Further, IgG3 was highest among V3 peptide-specific IgG subclass Ab responses in these immunodeficient mice as well as in wild-type mice. In addition, this Ag-specific serum IgG Abs induced by nasal immunization with rBCG-V3J1 possessed the ability to neutralize clinical isolate of HIV in vitro. These results suggested that the nasal rBCG-V3J1 system might be used as a therapeutic vaccine in addition to a prophylaxis vaccine for the control of AIDS.
Surfactant Protein D Enhances Clearance of Influenza A Virus from the Lung In Vivo
Authors: LeVine Ann Marie , Whitsett Jeffrey A. , Hartshorn Kevan L. , Crouch Erika C. , Korfhagen Thomas R.
Published: April 2014

Mice lacking surfactant protein surfactant protein D (SP-D−/−) and wild-type mice (SP-D+/+) were infected with influenza A virus (IAV) by intranasal instillation. IAV infection increased the endogenous SP-D concentration in wild-type mice. SP-D-deficient mice showed decreased viral clearance of the Phil/82 strain of IAV and increased production of inflammatory cytokines in response to viral challenge. However, the less glycosylated strain of IAV, Mem/71, which is relatively resistant to SP-D in vitro, was cleared efficiently from the lungs of SP-D−/− mice. Viral clearance of the Phil/82 strain of IAV and the cytokine response were both normalized by the coadministration of recombinant SP-D. Since the airway is the usual portal of entry for influenza A virus and other respiratory pathogens, SP-D is likely to play an important role in innate defense responses to IAV.
The Development of a Th1-Type Response and Resistance toLeishmania majorInfection in the Absence of CD40-CD40L Costimulation
Authors: Padigel Udaikumar M. , Perrin Peter J. , Farrell Jay P.
Published: April 2014

CD40-CD40L interactions have been shown to be essential for the production of IL-12 and IFN-γ and control of L. major infection. In contrast, C57BL/6 mice deficient in CD28 develop a dominant Th1-type response and heal infection. In this study, we investigate the effects of a deficiency in both CD40L and CD28 molecules on the immune response and the course of L. major infection. We compared infection in mice genetically lacking CD40L (CD40L−/−), CD28 (CD28−/−), or both (CD40L−/−CD28−/−), and in C57BL/6 mice, all on a resistant background. Although CD40L−/− mice failed to control infection, CD28−/− and CD40L−/−CD28−/− mice, as well as C57BL/6 mice, spontaneously resolved their infections. Healing mice had reduced numbers of lesion parasites compared with nonhealing CD40L−/− mice. At wk 9 of infection, we detected similar levels of IL-4, IFN-γ, IL-12p40, and IL-12Rβ2 mRNA in draining lymph nodes of healing C57BL/6, CD28−/−, and CD40L−/−CD28−/− mice, whereas CD40L−/− mice had increased mRNA levels for IL-4 but reduced levels for IFN-γ, IL-12p40, and IL-12Rβ2. In a separate experiment, blocking of the CD40-CD40L pathway using Ab to CD40L led to an exacerbation of infection in C57BL/6 mice, but had little or no effect on infection in CD28−/− mice. Together, these results demonstrate that in the absence of CD28 costimulation, CD40-CD40L interaction is not required for the development of a protective Th1-type response. The expression of IL-12p40, IL-12Rβ2, and IFN-γ in CD40L−/−CD28−/− mice further suggests the presence of an additional stimulus capable of regulating IL-12 and its receptors in absence of CD40-CD40L interactions.
Therapeutic Administration of Anti-PcrV F(ab′)2 in Sepsis Associated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Shime Nobuaki , Sawa Teiji , Fujimoto Junichi , Faure Karine , Allmond Leonard R. , Karaca Timur , Swanson Britta L. , Spack Edward G. , Wiener-Kronish Jeanine P.
Published: April 2014

The effects of rabbit-derived polyclonal Ab against PcrV, a protein involved in the translocation of type III secreted toxins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was investigated in two animal models of P. aeruginosa sepsis. In a mouse survival study, the i.v. administration of anti-PcrV IgG after the airspace instillation of a lethal dose of P. aeruginosa resulted in the complete survival of the animals. In a rabbit model of septic shock associated with Pseudomonas-induced lung injury, animals treated with anti-PcrV IgG intratracheally or i.v. had significant decreases in lung injury, bacteremia, and plasma TNF-α and significant improvement in the hemodynamic parameters associated with shock compared with animals treated in a similar manner with nonspecific control IgG. The administration of anti-PcrV F(ab′)2 showed protective effects comparable to those of whole anti-PcrV IgG. These results document that the therapeutic administration of anti-PcrV IgG blocks the type III secretion system-mediated virulence of P. aeruginosa and prevents septic shock and death, and that these protective effects are largely Fc independent. We conclude that Ab therapy neutralizing the type III secretion system has significant potential against lethal P. aeruginosa infections.
Inhibition of Nitric Oxide Synthase Initiates Relapsing Remitting Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Rats, Yet Nitric Oxide Appears to be Essential for Clinical Expression of Disease
Authors: O’Brien Nikki C. , Charlton Brett , B. Cowden William , Willenborg David O.
Published: April 2014

Myelin basic protein-CFA-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats is an acute monophasic disease from which animals recover. In this model, spontaneous relapses do not occur and rats develop a resistance to further active reinduction of disease. Previously, we reported that oral administration of the NO synthase inhibitor N-methyl-l-arginine acetate (l-NMA) to recovered rats precipitated a second episode of disease in 100% of animals. Further studies now show that this second clinical episode is actually a chronic relapsing disease that persists for months. This occurs only in rats that have recovered from actively induced EAE and not in rats recovered from passively induced EAE, suggesting the need for a peripheral Ag depot to induce secondary disease. We have also determined that clinical signs of EAE in l-NMA-treated recovered rats do not appear until l-NMA treatment has stopped. This is despite the fact that, at the same time point, CNS inflammatory lesions in symptomless animals receiving l-NMA are qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those with severe disease symptoms from whom l-NMA treatment has been withdrawn. The latter animals have significantly higher levels of reactive nitrogen intermediates in the cerebrospinal fluid than the former group. This study examines the mechanism of reinduction of disease by l-NMA treatment, and the findings suggest a dual role for NO in regulation of pathology in EAE that is dependent on site and timing of NO production.
Complement Inhibitor, Complement Receptor 1-Related Gene/Protein y-Ig Attenuates Intestinal Damage After the Onset of Mesenteric Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Mice
Authors: Rehrig Scott , Fleming Sherry D. , Anderson Jimie , Guthridge Joel M. , Rakstang Jonathan , E. McQueen Charles , Holers V. Michael , Tsokos George C. , Shea-Donohue Terez
Published: April 2014

Complement receptor 1-related gene/protein y (Crry) is a murine membrane protein that regulates the activity of both classical and alternative complement pathways. We used a recombinant soluble form of Crry fused to the hinge, CH2, and CH3 domains of mouse IgG1 (Crry-Ig) to determine whether inhibition of complement activation prevents and/or reverses mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury in mice. Mice were subjected to 30 min of ischemia, followed by 2 h of reperfusion. Crry-Ig was administered either 5 min before or 30 min after initiation of the reperfusion phase. Pretreatment with Crry-Ig reduced local intestinal mucosal injury and decreased generation of leukotriene B4 (LTB4). When given 30 min after the beginning of the reperfusion phase, Crry-Ig resulted in a decrease in ischemia/reperfusion-induced intestinal mucosal injury comparable to that occurring when it was given 5 min before initiation of the reperfusion phase. The beneficial effect of Crry-Ig administered 30 min after the initiation of reperfusion coincided with a decrease in PGE2 generation despite the fact that it did not prevent local infiltration of neutrophils and did not have a significant effect on LTB4 production. These data suggest that complement inhibition protects animals from reperfusion-induced intestinal damage even if administered as late as 30 min into reperfusion and that the mechanism of protection is independent of neutrophil infiltration or LTB4 inhibition.
Plasmodium bergheiInfection in Mice Induces Liver Injury by an IL-12- and Toll-Like Receptor/Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88-Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Adachi Keishi , Tsutsui Hiroko , Kashiwamura Shin-Ichiro , Seki Ekihiro , Nakano Hiroki , Takeuchi Osamu , Takeda Kazuyoshi , Okumura Ko , Van Kaer Luc , Okamura Haruki , Akira Shizuo , Nakanishi Kenji
Published: April 2014

Malaria, caused by infection with Plasmodium spp., is a life cycle-specific disease that includes liver injury at the erythrocyte stage of the parasite. In this study, we have investigated the mechanisms underlying Plasmodium berghei-induced liver injury, which is characterized by the presence of apoptotic and necrotic hepatocytes and dense infiltration of lymphocytes. Although both IL-12 and IL-18 serum levels were elevated after infection, IL-12-deficient, but not IL-18-deficient, mice were resistant to liver injury induced by P. berghei. Neither elevation of serum IL-12 levels nor liver injury was observed in mice deficient in myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), an adaptor molecule shared by Toll-like receptors (TLRs). These results demonstrated a requirement of the TLR-MyD88 pathway for induction of IL-12 production during P. berghei infection. Hepatic lymphocytes from P. berghei-infected wild-type mice lysed hepatocytes from both uninfected and infected mice. The hepatocytotoxic action of these cells was blocked by a perforin inhibitor but not by a neutralizing anti-Fas ligand Ab and was up-regulated by IL-12. Surprisingly, these cells killed hepatocytes in an MHC-unrestricted manner. However, CD1d-deficient mice that lack CD1d-restricted NK T cells, were susceptible to liver injury induced by P. berghei. Collectively, our results indicate that the liver injury induced by P. berghei infection of mice induces activation of the TLR-MyD88 signaling pathway which results in IL-12 production and activation of the perforin-dependent cytotoxic activities of MHC-unrestricted hepatic lymphocytes.
Human Eosinophils Induce Mucin Production in Airway Epithelial Cells Via Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Activation
Authors: Burgel Pierre-Regis , Lazarus Stephen C. , Tam Dominic Cheng-Wei , Ueki Iris F. , Atabai Kamran , Birch Martha , Nadel Jay A.
Published: April 2014

Eosinophil recruitment and mucus hypersecretion are characteristic of asthmatic airway inflammation, but eosinophils have not been shown to induce mucin production. Because an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) cascade induces MUC5AC mucin in airways, and because EGFR is up-regulated in asthmatic airways, we examined the effect of eosinophils on MUC5AC mucin production in NCI-H292 cells (a human airway epithelial cell line that produces mucins). Eosinophils were isolated from the peripheral blood of allergic patients, and their effects on MUC5AC mucin gene and protein synthesis were assessed using in situ hybridization and ELISAs. When IL-3 plus GM-CSF or IL-3 plus IL-5 were added to eosinophils cultured with NCI-H292 cells, MUC5AC mucin production increased; eosinophils or cytokines alone had no effect. Eosinophil supernatant obtained by culturing eosinophils with IL-3 plus GM-CSF or IL-3 plus IL-5 also increased MUC5AC synthesis in NCI-H292 cells, an effect that was prevented by selective EGFR inhibitors (AG1478, BIBX1522). Supernatant of activated eosinophils induced EGFR phosphorylation in NCI-H292 cells. Supernatant of activated eosinophils contained increased concentrations of TGF-α protein (an EGFR ligand) and induced up-regulation of TGF-α expression and release in NCI-H292 cells. A blocking Ab to TGF-α reduced activated eosinophil-induced MUC5AC synthesis in NCI-H292 cells. These results show that activated eosinophils induce mucin synthesis in human airway epithelial cells via EGFR activation, and they implicate TGF-α produced by eosinophils and epithelial cells in the EGFR activation that results in mucin production in human airway epithelium.
Accelerated Fas-Mediated Apoptosis of Monocytes and Maturing Macrophages from Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Relevance to In Vitro Impairment of Interaction with iC3b-Opsonized Apoptotic Cells
Authors: Shoshan Yigal , Shapira Izhak , Toubi Elias , Frolkis Inna , Yaron Michael , Mevorach Dror
Published: April 2014

Impaired handling of apoptotic cells has been suggested as an important factor in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and a role for complement in the removal of apoptotic cells was shown recently. We studied the in vitro function of macrophages from 40 patients with SLE and their matched controls in the removal of heterologous apoptotic cells opsonized by iC3b. Interaction index of apoptotic cells opsonized by iC3b was significantly lower in patients with SLE and averaged 71% ± 37 of that of healthy individuals (p < 0.002) and 69% ± 35 of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (p < 0.007). SLE patients had increased apoptosis of both freshly isolated monocytes (p < 0.001) and maturing macrophages (p < 0.04) that led to decreased density of monocyte-derived macrophages. Apoptosis was inhibited by adding soluble Fas receptor indicating Fas-mediated apoptosis. As demonstrated in both healthy controls and patients with SLE, decreased macrophage density by itself caused significant decreased uptake of apoptotic cells by the remaining macrophages. Maintaining normal density in SLE patients either by an increased initial density or by using soluble Fas restored the interaction capacity of the individual macrophages in the majority of patients. We concluded that impaired in vitro interaction of iC3b-opsonized apoptotic cells with macrophages from patients with SLE was mainly associated with Fas-dependent accelerated apoptosis of the monocytes/macrophages. Accelerated apoptosis of phagocytes may represent a novel in vitro mechanism of impairment of interaction with apoptotic cells that, apart from reducing the number of professional phagocytes, alters the function of the remaining macrophages.
Y Box-Binding Factor Promotes Eosinophil Survival by Stabilizing Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor mRNA
Authors: Capowski Elizabeth E. , Esnault Stéphane , Bhattacharya Saswati , Malter James S.
Published: April 2014

Short-lived peripheral blood eosinophils are recruited to the lungs of asthmatics after allergen challenge, where they become long-lived effector cells central to disease pathophysiology. GM-CSF is an important cytokine which promotes eosinophil differentiation, function, and survival after transit into the lung. In human eosinophils, GM-CSF production is controlled by regulated mRNA stability mediated by the 3′ untranslated region, AU-rich elements (ARE). We identified human Y box-binding factor 1 (YB-1) as a GM-CSF mRNA ARE-specific binding protein that is capable of enhancing GM-CSF-dependent survival of eosinophils. Using a transfection system that mimics GM-CSF metabolism in eosinophils, we have shown that transduced YB-1 stabilized GM-CSF mRNA in an ARE-dependent mechanism, causing increased GM-CSF production and enhanced in vitro survival. RNA EMSAs indicate that YB-1 interacts with the GM-CSF mRNA through its 3′ untranslated region ARE. In addition, endogenous GM-CSF mRNA coimmunoprecipitates with endogenous YB-1 protein in activated eosinophils but not resting cells. Thus, we propose a model whereby activation of eosinophils leads to YB-1 binding to and stabilization of GM-CSF mRNA, ultimately resulting in GM-CSF release and prolonged eosinophil survival.
Ceramide Regulates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and Akt Activity in Human Alveolar Macrophages
Authors: Monick Martha M. , Mallampalli Rama K. , Carter Aaron B. , Flaherty Dawn M. , McCoy Diann , Robeff Pamela K. , Peterson Michael W. , Hunninghake Gary W.
Published: April 2014

The phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase pathway is an important regulator of cell survival. In human alveolar macrophages, we found that LPS activates PI 3-kinase and its downstream effector, Akt. LPS exposure of alveolar macrophages also results in the generation of ceramide. Because ceramide exposure induces apoptosis in other cell types and the PI 3-kinase pathway is known to inhibit apoptosis, we determined the relationship between LPS-induced ceramide and PI 3-kinase activation in alveolar macrophages. We found that ceramide exposure activated PI 3-kinase and Akt. When we blocked LPS-induced ceramide with the inhibitor D609, we blocked LPS-induced PI 3-kinase and Akt activation. Evaluating cell survival after ceramide or LPS exposure, we found that blocking PI 3-kinase induced a significant increase in cell death. Because these effects of PI 3-kinase inhibition were more pronounced in ceramide- vs LPS-treated alveolar macrophages, we also evaluated NF-κB, which has also been linked to cell survival. We found that LPS, to a greater degree than ceramide, induced NF-κB translocation to the nucleus. As a composite, these studies suggest that the effects of ceramide exposure in alveolar macrophages may be very different from the effects described for other cell types. We believe that LPS induction of ceramide results in PI 3-kinase activation and represents a novel effector mechanism that promotes survival of human alveolar macrophages in the setting of pulmonary sepsis.
Inhibition of NF-κB-Dependent T Cell Activation Abrogates Acute Allograft Rejection
Authors: Finn Patricia W. , Stone James R. , Boothby Mark R. , Perkins David L.
Published: April 2014

Using a heterotopic model of transplantation, we investigated the role of T cell activation in vivo during allograft rejection in I-κB(ΔN)-transgenic mice that express a transdominant inhibitor of NF-κB in T cells. Our results show indefinite prolongation of graft survival in the I-κB(ΔN)-transgenic recipients. Interestingly, at the time of rejection of grafts in wild-type recipients, histology of grafts in the I-κB(ΔN)-transgenic recipients showed moderate rejection; nevertheless, grafts in the I-κB(ΔN) recipients survived >100 days. Analysis of acute phase cytokines, chemokine, chemokine receptors, and immune responses shows that the blockade of NF-κB activation in T cells inhibits up-regulation of many of these parameters. Interestingly, our data also suggest that the T cell component of the immune response exerted positive feedback regulation on the expression of multiple chemokines that are produced predominantly by non-T cells. In conclusion, our studies indicate NF-κB activation in T cells is necessary for acute allograft rejection.
Preferential Usage of TCR-Vβ17 by Peripheral and Cutaneous T Cells in Nickel-Induced Contact Dermatitis
Authors: Büdinger Lioba , Neuser Nicole , Totzke Uwe , Merk Hans F. , Hertl Michael
Published: April 2014

Nickel (Ni) is one of the most common contact sensitizers in man, and Ni-induced contact dermatitis is considered as a model of hapten-induced delayed type hypersensitivity. Previous studies indicated that Ni-reactive T cells derived from Ni-allergic individuals preferentially express distinct TCR-Vβ chains. However, data on the TCR-Vβ repertoire of Ni-responsive T cells are not consistent. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the TCR-Vβ receptors of Ni-responsive peripheral and cutaneous T cells in a cohort of 17 donors with Ni-induced contact dermatitis in comparison with those of 6 healthy controls. Peripheral NiSO4-responsive T lymphocytes showed a significant overexpression of TCR-Vβ17 and the frequency of TCR-Vβ17+ T cells correlated significantly with the in vitro reactivity of PBMC to NiSO4. In addition, the cutaneous infiltrate of Ni-induced patch test reactions consisted primarily of Vβ17+ T cells. The majority of patch test-derived NiSO4-responsive T cells of three allergic donors were TCR-Vβ17+, whereas patch test-derived NiSO4 unresponsive T cells of four additional donors did not express TCR-Vβ17. Skin-derived Ni-responsive T cell lines from three donors uniformly secreted the Th2 cytokine, IL-5, but no IFN-γ or IL-10. These in vitro and in vivo findings strongly suggest that T cells with a restricted TCR-Vβ repertoire, i.e., Vβ17, predominate in NiSO4-induced contact dermatitis and may be crucial in the effector phase of Ni hypersensitivity.
Cutting Edge: A/WySnJ Transitional B Cells Overexpress the Chromosome 15 ProapoptoticBlkGene and Succumb to Premature Apoptosis
Authors: Amanna Ian J. , Clise-Dwyer Karen , Nashold Faye E. , Hoag Kathleen A. , Hayes Colleen E.
Published: April 2014

Better knowledge of peripheral B lymphocyte homeostasis is needed to address the human hypogammaglobulinemia diseases. A defect in the Bcmd gene shortens the B cell life span and causes B cell deficiency in A/WySnJ mice. Previous genetic mapping placed Bcmd near Srebf2 on chromosome 15. Inspection of the human chromosome 22 syntenic region identified the proapoptotic Bik gene as a candidate. Two mapping methods placed the homologous mouse gene, Blk, near Srebf2. The Blk genomic structure was highly homologous to Bik. Sequence analysis ruled out coding region mutations, but Blk transcripts were overly abundant in sorted A/WySnJ T1 B cells. Moreover, enriched transitional B cells showed a cell-autonomous defect leading to excessive apoptosis. Thus, Bcmd may be a direct mutation in Blk, or in a gene involved in Blk regulation, such that excess expression pushes the A/WySnJ transitional B cells past the apoptosis checkpoint to cell death.
Cutting Edge: Histone Acetylation and Recombination at the TCRγ Locus Follows IL-7 Induction
Authors: Huang Jiaqiang , Durum Scott K. , Muegge Kathrin
Published: April 2014

IL-7 signaling is required for V(D)J recombination at the TCRγ locus. We have recently reported that IL-7 controls chromatin accessibility for RAG-mediated cleavage. Inhibition of histone deacetylase substituted for the IL-7 signal, indicating a role for histone acetylation in altering chromatin accessibility. We found a greatly reduced histone 3 and histone 4 acetylation level in IL-7Rα−/− thymocytes in comparison with RAG−/− thymocytes or fetal thymocytes. Sterile transcripts, indicating an open chromatin configuration, were suppressed in IL-7Rα−/− and IL-7−/−RAG−/− thymocytes. Moreover, exogenously added IL-7 induced sterile transcripts from the TCRγ constant region in cultured thymocytes from IL-7−/−RAG−/− mice. This induction correlated with increased histone acetylation at the J-promoter and C-enhancer regulatory elements at the TCRγ locus. These results suggest that IL-7 regulates chromatin accessibility for V(D)J recombination by specifically altering histone acetylation within the TCRγ locus.
Cutting Edge: Induction of Follicular Homing Precedes Effector Th Cell Development
Authors: Schaerli Patrick , Loetscher Pius , Moser Bernhard
Published: April 2014

Transition from naive to Ag-experienced effector/memory CD4+ T cells is initiated during contact with APC in secondary lymphoid tissue. Here, we demonstrate that the CXCR5 is a marker for recently activated memory CD4+ T cells. CXCR5 is rapidly induced during contact with Ag-presenting dendritic cells, well before T cell expansion and effector cell development, and is irreversibly lost on terminally differentiated effector cells. Furthermore, immunization of human volunteers with a recall Ag results in rapid accumulation of Ag-responsive, CXCR5-expressing CD4+ T cells in peripheral blood. Early acquisition of a new migration program enables T zone CD4+ T cells to develop into follicular B helper T cells or, alternatively, into circulating memory CD4+ T cells. Together, CXCR5 unequivocally defines pre-effector memory CD4+ T cells generated during ongoing immune responses.
Cutting Edge: Positive Selection Induced by a Self-Peptide with TCR Antagonist Activity
Authors: Santori Fabio R. , Brown Stuart M. , Lu Yun , Neubert Thomas A. , Vukmanović Stanislav
Published: April 2014

Antagonist-like engagement of the TCR has been proposed to induce T cell selection in the thymus. However, no natural TCR ligand with TCR antagonist activity is presently known. Using a combination of bioinformatics and functional testing we identified the first self-peptide that can both deliver antagonist-like signals and promote T cell selection in the thymus. The peptide is presented by appropriate MHC class I molecules in vivo. Thus, endogenous antagonist peptides exist and may be involved in TCR repertoire selection.
The Activatory Receptor 2B4 Is Expressed In Vivo by Human CD8+ Effector αβ T Cells
Authors: Speiser Daniel E. , Colonna Marco , Ayyoub Maha , Cella Marina , Pittet Mikaël J. , Batard Pascal , Valmori Danila , Guillaume Philippe , Liénard Danielle , Cerottini Jean-Charles , Romero Pedro
Published: April 2014

The membrane receptor 2B4 is a CD2 family member that is involved in lymphocyte activation. A fraction of human CD8+ αβ T cells up-regulate 2B4 in vivo, and here we demonstrate that this correlates with the acquisition of effector cell properties such as granzyme B and perforin expression, rapid IFN-γ production, and down-regulation of the lymph node homing chemokine receptor CCR7. In PBLs from healthy donors, cytomegalovirus-specific effector T cells were 2B4 positive, whereas naive melanoma Ag (Melan-A/melanoma Ag recognized by T cells-1)-specific T cells were 2B4 negative. In melanoma patients, Melan-A-specific T cells up-regulated 2B4 in parallel with in vivo differentiation. This occurred in PBLs after vaccination with Melan-A peptides and in tumor-infiltrated lymph nodes, likely through disease-associated activation of Melan-A-specific T cells. Thus, 2B4 expression correlates with CD8+ T cell differentiation in vivo.