bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ophthalmic Test for Horse Serum Sensitivity Contrasted with the Intradermal
Authors: Spicer Sophie
Published: January 2023

Before injecting antitoxin, it is important to ascertain the sensitivity of the patient to horse serum, so that any possible reaction may be prepared for and alleviated. It is desirable that the test given be both prompt and certain in its action.

To determine the relative value of the ophthalmic as compared with the intradermal sensitivity test, a series of 353 patients was tested with normal horse serum, at the Willard Parker Hospital, New York City. The series consisted of 247 diphtheria and 106 scarlet fever patients. Both tests were performed on each patient twenty minutes before administration of antitoxin, and readings were taken ten to twenty minutes and twenty-four hours after test.

Normal horse serum was used in different dilutions, namely: 1:10, 1:2, 1:1 with normal saline solution serving as the diluent, and finally straight, undiluted horse serum was employed.
Parenteral Denaturization of Foreign Proteins
Authors: Manwaring W. H. , Marino H. D. , Azevedo J. L. , Torbert H. C.
Published: January 2023

Summary and Conclusions

The rate of parenteral denaturization of horse proteins in horse serum immune dogs, therefore, is distinctly slower than the rate in normal dogs. There is not the rapid denaturization previously observed in hypersensitive dogs, all tests with hypersensitive donors being negative after the eighteenth hour (1). Nor is there the still more rapid denaturization one would predict from the unitarian conception of the relation of anaphylaxis to immunity. The biochemical properties or relationships responsible for rapid protein denaturization in hypersensitive dogs are apparently wholly absent or inoperative in immune dogs.

This finding is consistent with our previous conclusion of the non-identity of specific antibodies in hypersensitive and immune dogs (3).
Studies in Anaphylaxis
Authors: Van De Carr F. R. , Lyons WM. R. , Williams O. B.
Published: January 2023

Recent investigations on the inhibition of anaphylactic shock by use of a blood anti-coagulant indicate a close relationship between the gross symptoms of shock and changes in the dispersion of the blood colloids. Kyes and Strauser (1), by rendering the blood incoagulable with heparin, have prevented the symptoms of anaphylaxis in sensitized pigeons. In confirmatory papers (2) (3), we have reported observations which indicate that no symptoms of anaphylaxis may be recorded in the majority of cases, in guinea pigs hypersensitive to horse serum, provided the clotting time of the blood is changed with heparin. There were, however, some instances in which the animals reacted typically to the critical dose of antigen, although the blood had previously been rendered incoagulable.

It is the purpose of this paper to offer a possible explanation for these observations, and to present certain findings that tend to support the theory on the physico-chemical nature of anaphylaxis, in particular the nature of the symptoms observed in guinea pigs.
Studies in Hypersensitiveness
Authors: Heinbecker Peter
Published: January 2023

The Baffin Island Eskimo is not susceptible to the active principle of Toxicondendron radicans (L.).

This lack of susceptibility is considered to be due to a lack of contact, rather than to a lack of any racial characteristics essential to the development of susceptibility.
Subsets of activated CD4 T lymphocytes refractory for secretion of IL-2 are distinguished by expression of Ly-6A/E in BALB/c mice.
Authors: Codias E K , Malek T R
Published: January 2023

Ly-6A/E, a cell surface glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein that modulates T cell activation, is expressed on developing and mature T cells and is tightly regulated in a haplotype- and subset-specific manner. We examined whether Ly-6A/E(low)CD4+ and Ly-6A/E(high)CD4+ T cells comprised functional subsets. Peripheral CD4+ T cells were primed in vitro with Con A in the presence or absence of IL-4 or IFN-gamma, sorted for Ly-6A/E expression, and restimulated to induce lymphokine production. Regardless of priming conditions, IL-2 production by Ly-6A/E(high)CD4+ effector T cells was markedly reduced (mean = 83%) compared to the Ly-6A/E(low)CD4+ subset. The Ly-6A/E(high)CD4+ subset also produced less IFN-gamma than Ly-6A/E(low)CD4+ cells and little IL-4 when primed without exogenous IL-4. In contrast, Ly-6A/E(high)CD4+ cells primed with exogenous IL-4 produced ample IL-4 and IFN-gamma. Interestingly, the difference in IL-2 production between Ly-6A/E(low) and Ly-6A/E(high)CD4+ subsets was not due to a failure of the Ly-6A/E(low)CD4+ cells to become primed because substantially greater amounts of IL-2 and IL-4 were produced by the Con A-pretreated Ly-6A/E(low)CD4+ subset in comparison to unprimed Ly-6A/E(low)CD4+ cells. Taken together these data suggest Ly-6A/E marks a subset of CD4+ effector T cells that differs from Ly-6A/E(low)CD4+ cells by a greatly reduced capacity to produce IL-2 but not IL-4.
Naturally processed cytokine-derived peptide bound to HLA-class II molecules.
Authors: Harris P E , Maffei A , Liu Z , Colovai I , Reed E F , Inghirami G , Suciu-Foca N
Published: January 2023

Sequence analysis of HLA-class II (HLA-DR beta 1-1502 and 1104)-bound self-peptides from a transformed B cell line was performed. The sequences of naturally processed self-peptides bound to HLA-DR2 and DR5 were compared with protein and nucleic acid data bases for homology to known precursor proteins. Of the matches to known precursors, one peptide showed 100% homology to the third framework and CDR3 regions of Ig VH expressed by the line. Another peptide matched 100% to the human equivalent of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP). A synthetic peptide corresponding to the naturally processed form of MIP (KPGVIFLTKRSRQV) was shown to inhibit Ag-specific HLA-DR beta 1*1104-restricted T cell proliferation. This indicates that the MIP peptide binds to HLA-DR beta 1*1104. The MIP peptide belongs to a set of peptides that showed uniform NH2-terminal processing. In this set, proline always occurred as the second residue followed by a basic lysine or arginine in position nine. This suggests that final NH2-terminal processing of peptides precedes their binding to MHC molecules. A distinct, second set of peptides showed ragged NH2-terminii, as has been reported for other naturally processed MHC-class II-bound self-peptides.
Elevation of intracellular cAMP in human T lymphocytes by an anti-CD44 mAb.
Authors: Rothman B L , Kennure N , Kelley K A , Katz M , Aune T M
Published: January 2023

Regulation of lymphocyte responses to activation of the CD3/TCR complex by other cell surface proteins expressed on lymphocytes is a well established phenomenon. CD44 is an example of such a cell surface protein. Anti-CD44 mAb have been identified which either stimulate or inhibit lymphocyte function. Certain anti-CD44 mAb augment proliferation and IL-2 production by T cells stimulated through the CD2 or CD3/TCR pathways. An anti-CD44 mAb with opposing properties has also been identified. This mAb inhibits activation of human T cells by preventing the rise in [Ca2+]i stimulated by OKT3. The purpose of experiments reported here was to further characterize this phenomenon. The results show that the anti-CD44 mAb, 212.3, does not inhibit inositol phosphate turnover stimulated by OKT3 but does inhibit elevation of intracellular [Ca2+]i in these same cells. Addition of 212.3 to purified human T cells results in a rapid increase in intracellular levels of cAMP. Elevation of cAMP by 212.3 is time- and concentration-dependent. Activation of adenylate cyclase by forskolin also results in elevation of intracellular cAMP and inhibition of the increase in [Ca2+]i stimulated by OKT3. Taken together, these data suggest that CD44 may be positively coupled to adenylate cyclase and that activation of adenylate cyclase by the anti-CD44 mAb, 212.3, may mediate the inhibition of the OKT3-stimulated elevation of [Ca2+]i.
Analysis of T cell receptors specific for recognition of class IB antigens.
Authors: Lowen L C , Aldrich C J , Forman J
Published: January 2023

T cells that recognize a peptide presented by a self-class IA molecule generally use a restricted repertoire of V beta and V alpha receptors. In contrast, alloreactive T cells, which recognize alloantigens that present a wide array of peptides, use a diverse repertoire, particularly in the CDR3 loop. Because the T cell repertoire directed against class IB alloantigens is not known, we examined V-D-J sequences in V beta chains specific for Qa-1 and similar sequences in both V beta and V alpha chains specific for Qa-2. We observed that 14 Qa-1-specific clones use a limited number of V beta segments and 8 of 14 express V beta 8.2 and have a conservation of charged residues in the CDR3 loop, particularly between residues 99 and 101. Thirteen of the 14 clones rearrange to the second J beta cluster and use within this cluster is restricted. Alloreactive anti-Qa-1 T cells can be assigned into three different specificity groups based on a Qa-1 modifying gene, Qdm, as well as Qa-1 epitope expression on Tap-2-deficient RMA-S cells. Receptors from members of each specificity group are more similar in their CDR3 loop to each other than members of the other groups. These data lend support to the Qa-1 class IB Ag presenting a limited number of peptides to T cells or in some manner limiting the development of a diverse alpha beta T cell repertoire. The alpha- and beta-chains from nine alloreactive anti-Qa-2 clones were analyzed. V beta use was limited to use of V beta 7 or a member of the V beta 8 family. Rearrangements were solely to the second J beta cluster. The use of V alpha and J alpha segments were diverse. Although conserved residues or motifs were observed in the CDR3 regions of both the beta- and alpha-chains, the extent of conservation was less than that for anti-Qa-1 receptors. Anti-Qa-2 T cells can be divided into two specificities, Q6 and Q7. No common features were apparent between these groups.
Selection for amino acid sequence and J beta element usage in the beta chain of DBA/2V beta b- and DBA/2V beta a-derived myoglobin-specific T cell clones.
Authors: Ruberti G , Paragas V , Kim D , Fathman C G
Published: January 2023

Previous experiments in our laboratory have demonstrated that there is a marked restriction on the TCR beta-chain usage in DBA/2 mice in response to the sperm whale myoglobin (SpWMb) determinant 110-121, predominated by the use of the V beta 8.2 gene element. We analyzed the response of mice that had been genetically depleted of V beta 8+ T cells by generating a DBA/2 line that carries the V beta a TCR haplotype. Despite the very limited TCR repertoire expressed by DBA/2V beta a mice, they made an excellent response after immunization with the SpWMb 110-121 peptide. Data presented in this manuscript demonstrate that there is an equally restricted TCR V beta-chain utilization in the T-cell response to the determinant SpWMb 110-121 in DBA/2V beta a mice. Unexpectedly, there was a shift of MHC restriction of this determinant to T cells in the V beta a strain when compared with the V beta b strain of DBA/2 mice. We had previously demonstrated that DBA/2 mice utilized both the hybrid E alpha dA beta d MHC molecule as well as the conventional A alpha dA beta d molecule as presenting elements in response to SpWMb 110-121. Data presented in this manuscript demonstrate that the T-cell response in DBA/2V beta a mice is entirely restricted by the A alpha dA beta d MHC class II molecule. By analyzing a panel of SpWMb 110-121-specific T-cell clones from DBA/2V beta a mice, we were able to study the TCR repertoire expressed on T cells from mice that lack the V beta 8.2 gene. The V beta usage by the panel of clones analyzed was remarkably homogeneous. Thirteen of the 17 clones analyzed used the V beta 1 gene segment. Perhaps more striking was the junctional region nucleotide and amino acid sequences that were shared among these clones and that were similar to the V beta 8.2 clones analyzed previously. All clones assayed used the J beta 2.6 element, as did the great majority of the V beta 8.2 clones analyzed from DBA/2 (and B10.D2) V beta b mice. Importantly, in each strain of mice, irrespective of the V beta utilized, each TCR appeared to have selected an acidic amino acid in the beta-chain at position 100.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Implication of HLA-DR residues at positions 67, 71, and 86 in interaction between HLA-DR11 and peptide HA306-320.
Authors: Zeliszewski D , Golvano J J , Gaudebout P , Dorval I , Freidel C , Gebuhrer L , Betuel H , Borras-Cuesta F , Sterkers G
Published: January 2023

To get further insight into the role of three polymorphic DR residues located in one alpha-helix of the HLA-DR binding groove, we studied how natural substitutions at positions 67, 71, and 86 on DR11 molecules influence MHC binding and/or T cell recognition of peptide HA306-320 and of monosubstituted peptide analogues. Our results show that: 1) Reactivities of all HA306-320-specific T cell clones tested are decreased by DR substitution at position 86 and can even be lowered by additional substitutions at position 71, and at positions 71 plus 67, indicating that these three residues are functionally important. 2) The functional effects of substitutions at positions 67, 71, and/or 86 cannot be explained by a decreased affinity of HA306-320 for the substituted DR11 molecules, as determined in binding assays. 3) More likely, they are explained by modifications of the conformation, orientation, or location of the peptide once bound in the HLA groove, because each individual DR substitution at positions 86, 71, and 67 differentially affects the binding ability of the same panel of 50 monosubstituted analogues. 4) This interpretation is reinforced by the identification of a small set of monosubstituted analogues that can compensate the functional effects of DR substitutions at positions 86, 86 plus 71, or 86 plus 71 plus 67, and thus restore T cell reactivities. All together these results strongly suggest that residues 67, 71, and 86 play a key role in interactions with HA306-320, probably by modifying the way the peptide is bound within the binding groove of HLA-DR11. Using the same DR11.1-restricted clones, we identified putative T cell and DR contact residues of HA306-320 by comparing DR binding and T cell-activating capacity of the peptide analogues. This analysis suggests that: 1) Residues 310, 311, 312, 313, and 316 are putative TCR contacts. 2) Peptide HA306-320 anchors to DR11.1 molecules mainly via residue Y-309, possibly at the vicinity of DR residue 86, whereas peptide residues 315 and 317 constitute minor aggregotopes that would be at the vicinity of DR residues 71 and/or 67. 3) Finally, residues 308, 310, and 314 might also be on the MHC side of the DR-peptide-TCR complex.
Direct evidence that interferon-beta mediates enhanced HLA-class I expression in measles virus-infected cells.
Authors: Dhib-Jalbut S S , Cowan E P
Published: January 2023

Viral infection results in enhancement of HLA-class I expression in a number of cell types, including glial cells, which normally do not express these molecules. This enhancement may occur through a direct interaction between a viral component and the HLA-class I gene or indirectly through virus-induced soluble factors produced by infected cells. These include cytokines such as IFN-gamma, IFN-alpha/beta, and TNF-alpha, known to enhance class I expression. Measles virus (MV) infection of a human glioma cell line (U-105 MG) and of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells enhances the expression of HLA-class I molecules on these cells. The enhancement of HLA-class I is dependent on infectious virus, as antibody-neutralized MV has no effect on class I expression. In this study, we demonstrate the presence of an HLA-class I-enhancing factor in supernatants from MV-infected cells. The supernatant class I-enhancing factor is not IFN-gamma, IFN-alpha, or TNF-alpha because MV-infected cells did not produce measurable levels of these cytokines as detected by immunoassay or polymerase chain reaction. In contrast, IFN-beta is produced by the infected cells and the supernatant class I-enhancing factor could be entirely neutralized by antibodies to IFN-beta, but not antibodies to IFN-alpha, TNF-alpha, or non-immune sera. Furthermore, preincubation of cells with neutralizing antibodies to IFN-beta prior to infection blocked MV enhancement of HLA-class I completely in the U-105 MG cells and by as much as 74% in the umbilical vein endothelial cells. The results of these experiments provide direct evidence that enhanced HLA-class I expression in MV-infected cells is mediated primarily by IFN-beta.
CD2-deficient mice generate virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes upon infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.
Authors: Evans C F , Rall G F , Killeen N , Littman D , Oldstone M B
Published: January 2023

The major host response to many viral infections is the generation of virus-specific CTL. Many protein molecules on the surfaces of both CTL and target cells interact to mediate adhesion of the cells and generate signals that lead to T cell activation and proliferation of virus-specific CTL that then mediate lysis of infected cells. One such protein, CD2, has been shown to increase the binding affinity of CTL to infected cells, and, in addition, enhance CTL activation signals. To determine whether virus-specific CTL could be generated in the absence of CD2, mice lacking a functional CD2 gene were infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), and the responses to the virus were monitored. CD2-deficient mice infected intracerebrally with LCMV died as a consequence of CTL-mediated choriomeningitis, similar to control littermates. Additionally, CD2-deficient mice inoculated i.p. with LCMV cleared the infection by 2 wk postinfection, as did control mice. Viral clearance in these mice was shown to be due to the generation of a vigorous virus-specific MHC-restricted CTL response. Finally, to determine whether CD2 is essential for the generation of memory CTL, we examined the ability of CD2-deficient mice to generate memory CTL to LCMV and found normal memory CTL responses. Our results indicate that CD2 is not required for the generation of an LCMV-specific CTL response in vivo, nor is CD2 required for the maintenance or activation of memory CTL.
Conglutinin acts as an opsonin for influenza A viruses.
Authors: Hartshorn K L , Sastry K , Brown D , White M R , Okarma T B , Lee Y M , Tauber A I
Published: January 2023

Since the 1940's, non-Ig inhibitors of influenza A virus (IAV) hemagglutination activity and infectivity have been recognized in mammalian sera. Recently, the heat labile (beta) inhibitor of this type was identified by indirect methods as the lectin, conglutinin. In support of this hypothesis, we found that purified conglutinin strongly inhibited hemagglutination activity and infectivity of IAV. By using IAV strains with specific variations in glycosylation of the hemagglutinin molecule, we showed these effects to be mediated by binding of conglutinin to high mannose carbohydrate attachments on the viral hemagglutinin. Through the same mechanism conglutinin caused aggregation of IAV particles. Human neutrophils produce hydrogen peroxide upon exposure to IAV. Also, after a brief period of exposure to IAV, neutrophils exhibit depressed responsiveness (deactivation) upon exposure to other stimuli (e.g., chemotactic peptides). These phenomena may be related to the in vivo inflammatory response during IAV infection, and to the propensity of IAV-infected subjects to suffer bacterial superinfection. Pre-incubation of IAV with conglutinin markedly potentiated human neutrophil hydrogen peroxide production in response to the virus. This effect correlated with the ability of conglutinin to aggregate the virus. IAV treated with conglutinin also caused significantly less neutrophil deactivation than did the unopsonized virus. These enhancements of neutrophil respiratory burst responses by conglutinin were again mediated by binding of the lectin to viral carbohydrates. The mammalian C-type lectin family includes conglutinin, mannose-binding protein, and surfactant proteins A and D. These lectins may be important constituents of the initial host response to IAV, by inhibiting IAV infectivity directly, causing viral aggregation, and acting as opsonins to enhance phagocyte responses to the virus.
Multiple sites on IL-8 responsible for binding to alpha and beta IL-8 receptors.
Authors: Schraufstätter I U , Barritt D S , Ma M , Oades Z G , Cochrane C G
Published: January 2023

To define the structural features important for IL-8 binding to its two known receptors, mutants of IL-8 and melanoma growth-stimulating activity (MGSA) and chimerae consisting of segments of these two chemokines were constructed and purified from the pGEX 2T Escherichia coli expression vector. IL-8 alpha and beta receptors were expressed stably and individually in 293 kidney epithelial cells and HL60 human leukemia cells. The Kd for IL-8 itself and copy numbers for both receptors in transfected cells were comparable. Competition binding with 125I-labeled IL-8, however, showed large differences for several of the IL-8 mutants between alpha and beta receptors. The amino-terminal ELR sequence was important for IL-8 binding to the alpha receptor, but not sufficient for high affinity binding. Both rabbit IL-8 and MGSA share the ELR sequence with human IL-8, but compete poorly with it. The carboxyl terminus distal to amino acid 50 does not seem to mediate high affinity binding to the alpha receptor. A rabbit IL-8/human IL-8 chimera that differs in only eight amino acids from the human IL-8 sequence, was 150-fold lower in its affinity for the alpha receptor than human IL-8. In contrast, both the amino and carboxyl termini appear to be important for binding to the beta receptor. If the ELR sequence of IL-8 was substituted with alanines or if the carboxyl terminus distal to C50 was replaced with the MGSA sequence, a reduction occurred in binding competition. If both changes were introduced simultaneously, binding was abolished. Binding of MGSA was completely prevented by replacement of the ELR sequence with alanines. Ca2+ mobilization in HL60 cells transfected with the alpha or beta receptor was used to assess cell stimulation. The various mutant forms of IL-8 induced receptor activity with a pattern of sensitivity parallel to the competition binding affinities, indicating that both receptors are active.
Increased gene expression of acetylcholine receptor and myogenic factors in passively transferred experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis.
Authors: Asher O , Kues W A , Witzemann V , Tzartos S J , Fuchs S , Souroujon M C
Published: January 2023

The passive transfer of myasthenia gravis by injection of mAb against muscle acetylcholine receptor (AChR) alpha-subunit, results in increased expression of AChR subunit genes, mainly at synaptic regions. The gene expression of AChR and of other muscle-specific proteins is regulated in a similar manner in passively transferred experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) and in AChR-induced EAMG. Administration of AChR-specific mAb leads to a significant reduction in muscle AChR content and to an elevation in the mRNA levels corresponding to the adult, synaptic type of the receptor, as shown by Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses. The mRNA levels of the myogenic factors myogenin and MRF4 are also increased moderately, whereas MyoD transcript levels remain unchanged. Thus, passive transfer of EAMG by mAb directed to defined epitopes of AChR alpha-subunit provides a suitable model for analyzing and following the cascade of molecular events triggered by anti-AChR immunopathologic antibodies and may shed light on the regulatory mechanisms underlying the human disease as well.
CD2-CD4-CD8- lymph node T lymphocytes in MRL lpr/lpr mice are derived from a CD2+CD4+CD8+ thymic precursor.
Authors: Landolfi M M , Van Houten N , Russell J Q , Scollay R , Parnes J R , Budd R C
Published: January 2023

MRL lpr/lpr (lymphoproliferative, lpr) mice demonstrate an age-dependent lymphoproliferation and development of autoimmunity. Characteristic of the lymphoproliferation in these mice is the accumulation of large numbers of CD4-CD8-(CD4-8-),CD3+ T lymphocytes in their lymph nodes. The development of the CD4-8- cells, which also aberrantly express B220 and CD44 (Pgp-1) but are CD2-, has been shown to be thymus dependent. An unusual feature of lpr CD4-8-T lymphocytes is that although they appear unresponsive to stimulation, as defined by proliferation and IL-2 production, they have undergone thymic negative selection. As thymic deletion normally occurs at the CD4+CD8+ (CD4+8+) stage, this raises the dilemma that lpr CD4-8- T lymphocytes have either previously been CD4+8+, or they are able to undergo thymic selection as CD4-8- cells. We have addressed this question by examining the methylation status of the CD8 gene in MRL lpr CD4-8- lymph node cells. Demethylation of the CD8 gene has been shown to be an indicator of previous CD8 expression. We find that the CD8 gene in lpr CD4-8- lymph node cells, as well as in the abnormal B220+ CD4-8- lpr thymocytes, is demethylated, suggesting that these cells have previously expressed CD8. In addition, we find that the lpr CD4+8+ thymocyte population contains an increased percentage of atypical B220+, CD44+ cells that are virtually all CD2+. Taken together, these data are consistent with the lpr CD2-CD4-8- population of LNC having arisen from a CD2+ CD4+8+ thymic stage of differentiation.
Induction of HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vivo with hybrid HIV-1 V3:Ty-virus-like particles.
Authors: Layton G T , Harris S J , Gearing A J , Hill-Perkins M , Cole J S , Griffiths J C , Burns N R , Kingsman A J , Adams S E
Published: January 2023

In general, it has proven difficult to induce CTL responses using simple proteins or peptides without resorting to specialized adjuvants. In this study we show that particulate polymeric Ag in the form of hybrid Ty virus-like particles carrying the V3 region of HIV-1 gp120/160 envelope protein (V3:Ty-VLP) induce V3-specific CTL in BALB/c mice in the absence of adjuvant or lipid vehicle. In vitro restimulation of splenocytes with V3 peptide was necessary in order to generate effector CTL. Th cell activation was not required for this in vitro restimulation phase. The CTL induced by the V3:Ty-VLP were CD8+ve, H-2d-restricted, and HIV-1 isolate-specific (IIIB or MN). Co-administration of IIIB V3:Ty-VLP and MN V3:Ty-VLP primed both IIIB and MN V3-specific CTL. However, only IIIB V3-specific CTL were primed by hybrid Ty-VLP carrying IIIB, MN, and RF V3 loop sequences on the same particle indicating that there is intra- but not intermolecular competition between CTL epitopes. In direct comparisons, V3:Ty-VLP were substantially more potent than rgp120. Rgp160 and a 40mer IIIB V3 peptide both failed to prime V3-specific CTL. These data suggest that the particulate nature of hybrid Ty-VLP facilitates uptake into APC with subsequent access to the MHC class I processing pathway and that they may be useful vaccine vehicles for inducing cytolytic immunity against HIV-1 and other intracellular pathogens.
Possible pathogenic role of cationic anti-DNA autoantibodies in the development of nephritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.
Authors: Suzuki N , Harada T , Mizushima Y , Sakane T
Published: January 2023

Extensive studies in murine models of lupus nephritis have shown that cationic anti-DNA autoantibodies have nephritogenic potential. We have investigated whether cationic anti-DNA antibodies of IgG class are also produced in vivo in patients with active lupus nephritis. Antibodies against DNA in the sera from patients with SLE were purified by affinity chromatography on DNA-cellulose, followed by nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis and SDS-PAGE. The highly cationic anti-DNA antibodies of IgG class were prominent in the nonequilibrium pH gradient electrophoresis-immunoblots of the antibodies from the patients with active lupus nephritis. Decreased proteinuria after successful treatment with prednisolone was associated with disappearance of the cationic anti-DNA antibodies in the circulation. The cationic anti-DNA antibodies did bind to heparan sulfate, which is a major glycosaminoglycan in glomerular basement membrane, much better than did neutral anti-DNA antibodies. The results suggest that the cationic anti-DNA autoantibodies may play a certain role in the development of lupus nephritis. Our study demonstrates the strong association between the presence of cationic anti-DNA antibody and the development of lupus nephritis in humans.
Detection of glycosylation abnormality in rheumatoid IgG using N-acetylglucosamine-specific Psathyrella velutina lectin.
Authors: Tsuchiya N , Endo T , Matsuta K , Yoshinoya S , Takeuchi F , Nagano Y , Shiota M , Furukawa K , Kochibe N , Ito K
Published: January 2023

Although the galactose deficiency in the Asn297-linked sugar chains of serum IgG from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been established, structural analysis of sugar chains has not been readily available. Psathyrella velutina lectin (PVL) preferentially interacts with the N-acetylglucosamine beta 1-->2Man group, exposed at the termini of sugar chains in agalacto IgG. Biotinylated PVL reacted strongly in Western blotting with H chains of IgG derived from patients with RA. An ELISA-based assay for the detection of agalacto IgG was developed using recombinant protein G and biotinylated PVL in combination, and the screening of patients' sera was performed. PVL binding of serum IgG significantly correlated with percentage of galactose-deficient IgG determined by the structural analysis. Age-related slight increase in PVL binding was observed among normal controls. Patients with RA showed significantly higher PVL binding (37.90 +/- 42.25 U/ml, n = 93) as compared with normal controls (5.75 +/- 2.92 U/ml, n = 112) (p = 0.0001). Patients with SLE showed lower but still significant PVL binding (17.86 +/- 5.18 U/ml, n = 10, p = 0.0001). PVL binding correlated with C-reactive protein level in serial analysis of individual RA patients, and was significantly higher in the synovial fluid compared with paired serum samples. PVL binding assay may provide an ideal tool for the simple and sensitive detection of agalacto IgG.
Influence of the T cell receptor alpha-chain on T cell reactivity and tolerance to Mls-1 in T cell receptor beta-chain transgenic mice.
Authors: Blackman M A , Smith H P , Le P , Woodland D L
Published: January 2023

Previous analyses of a TCR V beta 8.1 transgenic mouse revealed multiple mechanisms of tolerance to the retroviral superantigen, Mls-1. Whereas some T cells were clonally deleted in the thymus, others became anergic in the periphery, or remained unaffected by the expression of Mls-1. In addition, a strong correlation between TCR alpha-chain usage and Mls-1 reactivity of individual transgenic V beta 8.1+ T cell hybridomas was established. Based on these observations, we speculated that the different mechanisms of tolerance were a consequence of the alpha-chain-mediated differences in Mls-1 reactivity. In the current studies, we make use of a V alpha 2-specific mAb to directly examine the role of the alpha-chain on tolerance in this transgenic model. We show, first, that V alpha 2+ CD4+ T cells, as a group, are relatively less Mls-1-reactive, and are elevated twofold in the periphery of Mls-1+ compared with Mls-1-V beta 8.1 transgenic mice. This elevated expression is also seen in the V alpha 2+ CD4+ population of mature thymocytes, but not in immature thymocytes. Second, Mls-1-induced neonatal tolerance in Mls-1-negative mice caused an increase of V alpha 2+ CD4+ T cells, comparable with the frequency of expression in transgenic mice that endogenously expressed Mls-1. Third, we have demonstrated a general correlation between the age-dependent increase in Mls-1-expression and the levels of V alpha 2+ CD4+ T cells during the first 4 wk of life. Taken together, these data suggest that the over-expression of V alpha 2+ CD4+ T cells in Mls-1+ mice is a consequence of mechanisms of tolerance, predominantly mediated by preferential lack of clonal deletion in the thymus. These data support the idea that clonal deletion is a competitive process and the influence of the TCR alpha-chain on the strength of Mls-1 reactivity of individual V beta 8.1+ transgenic T cells controls their susceptibility to clonal deletion.
Lack of voltage sensitive potassium channels and generation of membrane potential by sodium potassium ATPase in murine T lymphocytes.
Authors: Ishida Y , Chused T M
Published: January 2023

Voltage sensitive K+ channels, which are responsible for generation of membrane potential in most cells, are functionally absent in about one-third of peripheral murine T cells and greatly reduced in the rest as shown by resistance of their membrane potential to changes in extracellular potassium concentration and failure of K+ channel dependent volume regulation. Despite the absence of voltage- sensitive K+ channels, the membrane potential of peripheral T cells is between -60 and -70 mV, the same as thymocytes. A total of 40 to 70 mV of the membrane potential of peripheral T cells is produced by the direct electrogenic action of the asymmetric Na+K+ ATPase pump because the cells are depolarized by ouabain, an inhibitor of the pump, removal of extracellular potassium or reduction of temperature. The residual, ouabain-resistant membrane potential, is sensitive to the K+ channel blocker, quinine, and thus due to electrodiffusion through K+ channels. Na+ and K+ turnover, and sensitivity to ouabain, are the same in peripheral T cells and thymocytes. The predominant mechanism of membrane potential generation changes during T lymphocyte differentiation from electrodiffusion in the thymus to electrogenic in peripheral T cells and back to electrodiffusion upon peripheral cell activation.
Identification of a G protein coupled receptor induced in activated T cells.
Authors: Kaplan M H , Smith D I , Sundick R S
Published: January 2023

Many genes are induced after T cell activation to make a cell competent for proliferation and ultimately, function. Many of these genes encode surface receptors for growth factors that signal a cell to proliferate. We have cloned a novel gene (clone 6H1) that codes for a member of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily. This gene was isolated from a chicken activated T cell cDNA library by low level hybridization to mammalian IL-2 cDNA probes. The 308 amino acid open reading frame has seven hydrophobic, presumably transmembrane domains and a consensus site for interaction with G proteins. Tissue distribution studies suggest that gene expression is restricted to activated T cells. The message appears by 1 h after activation and is maintained for at least 45 h. Transcription of 6H1 is induced by a number of T cell stimuli and is inhibited by cyclosporin A, but not by cycloheximide. This is the first description of a member of this superfamily expressed specifically in activated T cells. The gene product may provide a link between T cell growth factors and G protein activation.
CD53, a protein with four membrane-spanning domains, mediates signal transduction in human monocytes and B cells.
Authors: Olweus J , Lund-Johansen F , Horejsi V
Published: January 2023

CD53 is a member of a novel family of molecules with four presumably membrane-spanning domains. The structure and functional characteristics of these molecules indicate that they may play an important role in transmembrane communication. We therefore investigated whether CD53 is involved in activation of human leukocytes. Cross-linking of cell-bound F(ab')2 fragments of two different anti-CD53 mAb with F(ab')2 anti-mouse Ig led to cytoplasmic calcium fluxes in B cells, monocytes, and granulocytes and activation of the monocyte oxidative burst. These responses were specific for CD53, as cross-linking of CD11a, CD18, CD35, CD43, CD44, CD45, or CDw50 did not induce leukocyte activation. Low concentrations of staurosporine (10 to 20 nM) completely inhibited PMA-mediated activation, but had no effect on CD53-mediated calcium fluxes and inhibited only partially CD53-mediated oxidative burst. This suggests that CD53-mediated signaling is largely independent of protein kinase C. CD53-mediated calcium fluxes were inhibited by high concentrations of staurosporine (300 to 500 nM) but not by ADP-ribosylating toxins, suggesting dependence on tyrosine kinases rather than GTP-binding proteins. The results indicate that CD53, like several other leukocyte Ag with four membrane-spanning regions, has the ability to mediate cell activation, and support the view that these molecules are involved in transmembrane communication.
Mechanisms of cytotoxicity used by human peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. The role of granule exocytosis.
Authors: Smyth M J , Ortaldo J R
Published: January 2023

The broad lytic properties of high buoyant density CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets were examined by activating these populations with anti-CD3 mAb and IL-2 for 1 to 5 days and testing their cytotoxic activity against various target cells. The effects of a variety of metabolic inhibitors and anti-TNF antibodies were examined to distinguish several different mechanisms of cytotoxicity used by CD4+ and CD8+ T cell effectors isolated from human PBL. In particular, activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were cytotoxic when redirected by an anti-nitrophenyl (NP)-anti-CD3 mAb heteroconjugate against NP-modified nucleated target cells (TC) and anucleated SRBC and also lysed L929 in a TNF-alpha-dependent manner. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells displayed distinct pathways of antibody-redirected lysis against NP-EL4, yet common mechanisms of SRBC redirected lysis by CD4+ and CD8+ efforts were implied by a similar pattern of sensitivity to cholera toxin, cyclosporin A (CsA), and EGTA. CsA inhibited CD4+ and CD8+ T cell redirected lysis of SRBC, but not EL4, suggesting that T cells redirectedly lyse nucleated and anucleated TC by different mechanisms. Cholera toxin, CsA, or EGTA pretreatment also significantly inhibited their release of alpha-N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-lysine-thiobenzylester-esterase activity suggesting that degranulation of CD4+ and CD8+ effectors may be a critical step in their redirected lysis of SRBC. Overall, these findings suggested that activated human PBL CD4+ or CD8+ effectors can lyse TC by at least three distinct mechanisms: 1) a CsA-sensitive redirected lysis of SRBC that correlates with exocytosis and presumably occurs via membrane lesions; 2) a CsA-insensitive redirected lysis of NP-modified nucleated TC that does not appear to involve exocytosis and is metabolically distinct in activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cell effectors; and 3) a direct TNF-dependent lysis of TNF-sensitive TC.
CD8 inhibits signal transduction through the T cell receptor in CD4-CD8- thymocytes from T cell receptor transgenic mice reconstituted with a transgenic CD8 alpha molecule.
Authors: van Oers N S , Teh S J , Garvin A M , Forbush K A , Perlmutter R M , Teh H S
Published: January 2023

T cell repertoire selection processes involve intracellular signaling events generated through the TCR. The CD4 and CD8 coreceptor molecules can act as positive regulators of TCR signal transduction during these developmental processes. In this report, we have used TCR transgenic mice to determine whether TCR signaling can be modulated by the CD8 coreceptor molecule. These mice express on the majority of their T cells a TCR specific for the male (H-Y) Ag presented by the H-2Db MHC class I molecule. We show that CD4-CD8-, but not CD4-CD8+, thymocytes expressing the H-Y TCR responded with high intracellular calcium fluxes to TCR/CD3 stimulation without extensive receptor cross-linking. To examine the effects of CD8 expression on intracellular signaling responses in the CD4-CD8- cells, the H-Y TCR transgenic mice were mated with transgenic mice that constitutively expressed the CD8 alpha molecule on all T cells. The expression of the CD8 alpha alpha homodimer in the CD4-CD8-thymocytes led to impaired intracellular calcium responses and less efficient protein tyrosine phosphorylation of substrates after TCR engagement. In male H-2b H-Y transgenic mice, the majority of thymocytes have been deleted with the surviving cells expressing a high density of the transgenic TCR and exhibiting either a CD4-CD8- or CD4-CD8lo phenotype. It has been postulated that these cells escaped deletion by down-regulating the CD8 molecule. In the H-Y TCR/CD8 alpha double transgenic male mice, the CD4-CD8lo cells were completely eliminated as a result of CD8 alpha expression. However, the CD4-CD8- T cells were not deleted despite normal levels of the CD8 alpha transgene expression. These results suggest that the CD4-CD8- thymocytes may not be susceptible to the same deletional mechanisms as other thymocytes expressing TCR-alpha beta.
Analysis of the preexisting and nuclear forms of nuclear factor of activated T cells.
Authors: Jain J , Miner Z , Rao A
Published: January 2023

The nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT)3 is an inducible DNA-binding protein that is essential for transcriptional induction of the IL-2 gene during T cell activation. NF-AT is thought to consist of two components: a ubiquitous, inducible nuclear component that we have identified as Fos and Jun proteins, and a preexisting, T cell-specific component (NF-ATp) which is the target for the immunosuppressive agents cyclosporin A (CsA) and FK506. We have previously shown that nuclear extracts from activated T cells form two inducible NF-AT complexes with an oligonucleotide corresponding to the distal NF-AT site of the murine IL-2 promoter, although hypotonic extracts of unstimulated T cells form a single complex containing NF-ATp. We show that the ability to detect NF-ATp in a gel shift assay, which is essential for purification and biochemical studies of this protein, is strikingly dependent on the precise sequence of the NF-AT oligonucleotide used as the labeled probe. Moreover we present evidence that the component that forms the faster-migrating ("lower") nuclear NF-AT complex is derived by a calcium-dependent, cyclosporin-sensitive, posttranslational modification of NF-ATp, and that Fos and Jun proteins stabilize its interaction with DNA. The results are discussed in the context of a model relating the two nuclear NF-AT complexes to NF-ATp.
Immunization of mice with Yersinia enterocolitica leads to the induction of antithyrotropin receptor antibodies.
Authors: Luo G , Fan J L , Seetharamaiah G S , Desai R K , Dallas J S , Wagle N , Doan R , Niesel D W , Klimpel G R , Prabhakar B S
Published: January 2023

It is well established that autoimmune Graves' disease, which is characterized by hyperthyroidism, is mediated by autoantibodies to the thyrotropin receptor (TSHr). Although what initially triggers this autoantibody response is not known, a number of studies have suggested that Yersinia enterocolitica, an enterobacteria, could initiate the immune response against the TSHr. In this study, we produced antibodies against purified extracellular domain of human TSHr (ETSHr) and showed that anti-ETSHr antibodies reacted with envelope preparations from Y. enterocolitica. This reactivity was specifically blocked by preincubating sera with purified ETSHr. Moreover, antibodies reactive with ETSHr were induced by immunizing mice with Y. enterocolitica but not with Shigella flexneri SA100, Salmonella typhimurium TML, and Listeria monocytogenes. Anti-Y. enterocolitica antisera specifically reacted with the ETSHr protein and the reactivity could be blocked both by ETSHr and Y. enterocolitica envelope proteins. Our studies provide the first direct evidence that immunization with Y. enterocolitica can lead to the production of antibodies capable of reacting with TSHr and might provide the initial stimulus necessary for breakdown of self-tolerance to TSHr, eventually leading to the development of autoimmunity to TSHr.
Role and effect of IL-2 in experimental visceral leishmaniasis.
Authors: Murray H W , Miralles G D , Stoeckle M Y , McDermott D F
Published: January 2023

In experimental visceral leishmaniasis, acquired resistance is T cell-dependent, involves IFN-gamma-activated macrophages, and is expressed in the tissues by granuloma formation. Resistance also correlates with Ag-stimulated IL-2 secretion; therefore, Leishmania donovani-infected BALB/c mice were treated with anti-IL-2 mAb or rIL-2 to determine the host defense effect of IL-2. In control mice, intracellular hepatic infection peaked at 2 wk and then declined coincident with granuloma development. In contrast, liver parasite burdens in anti-IL-2-treated mice continued to increase until after 4 wk, at which time mature granuloma formation was inhibited. Treatment of mice with continuously administered IL-2 reduced liver burdens by > 50% and led to marked accumulation of granuloma mononuclear cells. The IL-2-responsive mechanism was T cell-dependent and required both L3T4+ and Lyt-2+ cells. IL-2 enhanced IFN-gamma mRNA expression in vivo and was required for IFN-gamma secretion in vitro, and anti-IFN-gamma mAb administration abolished the antimicrobial effect of exogenous IL-2. These results: 1) identify the activity of endogenous IL-2 in both antileishmanial resistance and granuloma formation; 2) demonstrate that exogenous IL-2 can enhance the granulomatous tissue reaction; and 3) indicate that IL-2 treatment stimulates intracellular antimicrobial activity largely via the induction of IFN-gamma.
Expression of decay-accelerating factor (CD55) of the complement system on human spermatozoa.
Authors: Cervoni F , Oglesby T J , Fénichel P , Dohr G , Rossi B , Atkinson J P , Hsi B L
Published: January 2023

Human spermatozoa were analyzed for their expression of decay-accelerating factor (DAF, CD55), a glycolipid-anchored regulatory protein of the C casade. Morphologic data showed that DAF was localized at the acrosomal region of the sperm head. Analysis with anti-DAF antibody-immunoprecipitated proteins of acrosome-reached spermatozoa revealed a 44- to 54-kDa protein. Carbohydrate analysis of sperm DAF indicated that it contains nonsialated N- and O-linked sugars. The absence of mature oligosaccharides on this protein appears to account for the difference in molecular mass between sperm DAF and the 70-kDa DAF expressed on other human tissues. Sperm DAF reinserted into sheep E and inhibited C-mediated lysis. This effect was reversed by mAb, which block DAF function. These results indicate that sperm DAF also possesses a glycolipid anchor. The expression of DAF on acrosome-reacted spermatozoa suggests that it may act concomitantly with other C regulators such as membrane cofactor protein to modulate the activation of C in the immunocompetent female genital tract and protect acrosome-reacted spermatozoa from C-mediated attack.