bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gene Expressions of Toll-Like Receptor 2, But Not Toll-Like Receptor 4, Is Induced by LPS and Inflammatory Cytokines in Mouse Macrophages
Authors: Matsuguchi Tetsuya , Musikacharoen Tipayaratn , Ogawa Tomohiko , Yoshikai Yasunobu
Published: April 2014

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of mammalian homologues of Drosophila Toll and play important roles in host defense. Two of the TLRs, TLR2 and TLR4, mediate the responsiveness to LPS. Here the gene expression of TLR2 and TLR4 was analyzed in mouse macrophages. Mouse splenic macrophages responded to an intraperitoneal injection or in vitro treatment of LPS by increased gene expression of TLR2, but not TLR4. Treatment of a mouse macrophage cell line with LPS, synthetic lipid A, IL-2, IL-15, IL-1β, IFN-γ, or TNF-α significantly increased TLR2 mRNA expression, whereas TLR4 mRNA expression remained constant. TLR2 mRNA increase in response to synthetic lipid A was severely impaired in splenic macrophages isolated from TLR4-mutated C3H/HeJ mice, suggesting that TLR4 plays an essential role in the process. Specific inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase and p38 kinase did not significantly inhibit TLR2 mRNA up-regulation by LPS. In contrast, LPS-mediated TLR2 mRNA induction was abrogated by pretreatment with a high concentration of curcumin, suggesting that NF-κB activation may be essential for the process. Taken together, our results indicate that TLR2, in contrast to TLR4, can be induced in macrophages in response to bacterial infections and may accelerate the innate immunity against pathogens.
Toll-Like Receptor 4, But Not Toll-Like Receptor 2, Is a Signaling Receptor forEscherichiaandSalmonellaLipopolysaccharides
Authors: Tapping Richard I. , Akashi Sachiko , Miyake Kensuke , Godowski Paul J. , Tobias Peter S.
Published: April 2014

Two members of the mammalian Toll-like receptor (TLR) family, TLR2 and TLR4, have been implicated as receptors mediating cellular activation in response to bacterial LPS. Through the use of mAbs raised against human TLR2 and TLR4, we have conducted studies in human cell lines and whole blood to ascertain the relative contribution of these receptors to LPS induced cytokine release. We show that the contribution of TLR2 and TLR4 to LPS-induced cellular activation correlates with the relative expression levels of these two TLRs in a given cell type. In addition, we have found that significant differences in cell stimulatory activity exist between various smooth and rough LPS types that cannot be ascribed to known LPS structural features. These results suggest that impurities in the LPS may be responsible for some of the activity and this would be in agreement with recently published results of others. Upon repurification, none of the commercial LPS preparations activate cells through TLR2, but continue to stimulate cells with comparable activity through TLR4. Our results confirm recent findings that TLR4, but not TLR2, mediates cellular activation in response to LPS derived from both Escherichia coli and Salmonella minnesota. Additionally, we show that TLR4 is the predominant signaling receptor for LPS in human whole blood.
Amplification of IL-1β-Induced Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Expression by Superoxide in Rat Glomerular Mesangial Cells Is Mediated by Increased Activities of NF-κB and Activating Protein-1 and Involves Activation of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Pathways
Authors: Eberhardt Wolfgang , Huwiler Andrea , Beck Karl-Friedrich , Walpen Sebastian , Pfeilschifter Josef
Published: April 2014

The modulation of cell signaling by free radicals is important for the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Recently, we have shown that NO reduces IL-1β-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) expression in glomerular mesangial cells (MC). Here we report that exogenously administrated superoxide, generated by the hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase system (HXXO) or by the redox cycler 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphtoquinone, caused a marked amplification of IL-1β-primed, steady state, MMP-9 mRNA level and an increase in gelatinolytic activity in the conditioned medium. Superoxide generators alone were ineffective. Cytokine-induced steady state mRNA levels of TIMP-1, an endogenous inhibitor of MMP-9, were affected similarly by HXXO. Transient transfection of rat mesangial cells with 0.6 kb of the 5′-flanking region of the rat MMP-9 gene proved a transcriptional regulation of MMP-9 expression by superoxide. HXXO augmented the IL-1β-triggered nuclear translocation of p65 and c-Jun and, in parallel, increased DNA binding activities of NF-κB and AP-1. Mutation of either response element completely prevented MMP-9 promoter activation by IL-1β. Moreover, specific inhibitors of the classical extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade, partially reversed the HXXO-mediated effects on MMP-9 mRNA levels, thus demonstrating involvement of ERKs and p38 MAPKs in MMP-9 expression. Furthermore, IL-1β-triggered phosphorylation of all three MAPKs, including p38-MAPK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and ERK, was substantially enhanced by superoxide. Our data identify superoxide as a costimulatory factor amplifying cytokine-induced MMP-9 expression by interfering with the signaling cascades leading to the activation of AP-1 and NF-κB.
Cleavage of CD14 on Human Gingival Fibroblasts Cocultured with Activated Neutrophils Is Mediated by Human Leukocyte Elastase Resulting in Down-Regulation of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced IL-8 Production
Authors: Nemoto Eiji , Sugawara Shunji , Tada Hiroyuki , Takada Haruhiko , Shimauchi Hidetoshi , Horiuchi Hiroshi
Published: April 2014

Activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) release various types of proteases and express them on the cell surface. The proteases play important roles in PMN-mediated events. In the present study, flow cytometric analysis revealed that CD14 expression on human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) was markedly reduced by PMA-activated PMNs in a coculture system. We found that this reduction was caused by both secreted and cell surface proteases produced by activated PMNs. A protease responsible for the reduction was found to be human leukocyte elastase (HLE) secreted from the activated PMNs by use of various protease inhibitors, although HLE was only partially involved in CD14 reduction caused by cell-bound molecule(s) on fixed PMNs. Analysis with purified HLE revealed a time- and dose-dependent reduction of CD14 on HGF, and complete reduction was observed by 20 μg/ml HLE treatment for 30–60 min, but the other molecules such as CD26, CD59, CD157, and MHC class I on HGF were only slightly reduced. This reduction of CD14 resulted from direct proteolysis by HLE on the cell surface, because HLE reduced CD14 on fixed HGF and also on purified cell membranes. As a result of CD14 proteolysis, IL-8 production by HGF was suppressed when triggered by 10 ng/ml LPS, but not by IL-1α, indicating that HLE inhibited a CD14-dependent cell activation. These findings suggested that activated PMNs have a potential negative feedback mechanism for HGF function at the inflammatory site, particularly in periodontal tissues.
IL-17 Stimulates Intraperitoneal Neutrophil Infiltration Through the Release of GROα Chemokine from Mesothelial Cells
Authors: Witowski Janusz , Pawlaczyk Krzysztof , Breborowicz Andrzej , Scheuren Axel , Kuzlan-Pawlaczyk Malgorzata , Wisniewska Justyna , Polubinska Alicja , Friess Helmut , Gahl Gerhard M. , Frei Ulrich , Jörres Achim
Published: April 2014

IL-17 is a newly discovered cytokine implicated in the regulation of hemopoiesis and inflammation. Because IL-17 production is restricted to activated T lymphocytes, the effects exerted by IL-17 may help one to understand the contribution of T cells to the inflammatory response. We investigated the role of IL-17 in leukocyte recruitment into the peritoneal cavity. Leukocyte infiltration in vivo was assessed in BALB/Cj mice. Effects of IL-17 on chemokine generation in vitro were examined in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC). Administration of IL-17 i.p. resulted in a selective recruitment of neutrophils into the peritoneum and increased levels of KC chemokine (murine homologue of human growth-related oncogene α (GROα). Pretreatment with anti-KC Ab significantly reduced the IL-17-driven neutrophil accumulation. Primary cultures of HPMC expressed IL-17 receptor mRNA. Exposure of HPMC to IL-17 led to a dose- and time-dependent induction of GROα mRNA and protein. Combination of IL-17 together with TNF-α resulted in an increased stability of GROα mRNA and synergistic release of GROα protein. Anti-IL-17 Ab blocked the effects of IL-17 in vitro and in vivo. IL-17 is capable of selectively recruiting neutrophils into the peritoneal cavity via the release of neutrophil-specific chemokines from the peritoneal mesothelium.
Murine Eotaxin-2: A Constitutive Eosinophil Chemokine Induced by Allergen Challenge and IL-4 Overexpression
Authors: Zimmermann Nives , Hogan Simon P. , Mishra Anil , Brandt Eric B. , Bodette Thomas R. , Pope Samuel M. , Finkelman Fred D. , Rothenberg Marc E.
Published: April 2014

The generation of tissue eosinophilia is governed in part by chemokines; initial investigation has identified three chemokines in the human genome with eosinophil selectivity, referred to as eotaxin-1, -2, and -3. Elucidation of the role of these chemokines is dependent in part upon analysis of murine homologues; however, only one murine homologue, eotaxin-1, has been identified. We now report the characterization of the murine eotaxin-2 cDNA, gene and protein. The eotaxin-2 cDNA contains an open reading frame that encodes for a 119-amino acid protein. The mature protein, which is predicted to contain 93 amino acids, is most homologous to human eotaxin-2 (59.1% identity), but is only 38.9% identical with murine eotaxin-1. Northern blot analysis reveals three predominant mRNA species and highest constitutive expression in the jejunum and spleen. Additionally, allergen challenge in the lung with Asperigillus fumigatus or OVA revealed marked induction of eotaxin-2 mRNA. Furthermore, eotaxin-2 mRNA was strongly induced by both transgenic over-expression of IL-4 in the lung and administration of intranasal IL-4. Analysis of eotaxin-2 mRNA expression in mice transgenic for IL-4 but genetically deficient in STAT-6 revealed that the IL-4-induced expression was STAT-6 dependent. Recombinant eotaxin-2 protein induced dose-dependent chemotactic responses on murine eosinophils at concentrations between 1–1000 ng/ml, whereas no activity was displayed on murine macrophages or neutrophils. Functional analysis of recombinant protein variants revealed a critical role for the amino terminus. Thus, murine eotaxin-2 is a constitutively expressed eosinophil chemokine likely to be involved in homeostatic, allergen-induced, and IL-4-associated immune responses.
Alteration of Vβ Usage and Cytokine Production of CD4+ TCR ββ Homodimer T Cells by Elimination of Bacteroides vulgatus Prevents Colitis in TCR α-Chain-Deficient Mice
Authors: Kishi Daisuke , Takahashi Ichiro , Kai Yasuyuki , Tamagawa Hiroshi , Iijima Hideki , Obunai Suguru , Nezu Riichiro , Ito Toshinori , Matsuda Hikaru , Kiyono Hiroshi
Published: April 2014

A major pathogenic factor for the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the breakdown of the intestinal homeostasis between the host immune system and the luminal microenvironment. To assess the potential influence of luminal Ags on the development of IBD, we fed TCR α−/− mice an elemental diet (ED). ED-fed TCR α−/− mice showed no pathologic features of IBD, and their aberrant mucosal B cell responses were suppressed. Similar numbers of CD4+, TCR ββ homodimer T cells (ββ T cells) were developed in the colonic mucosa of ED-fed mice; however, Th2-type cytokine productions were lower than those seen in diseased regular diet (RD)-fed mice. The higher cytokine production in diseased RD-fed mice could be attributed to the high incidence of Bacteroides vulgatus (recovered in 80% of these mice), which can induce Th2-type responses of colonic CD4+, ββ T cells. In contrast, ED-fed TCR α−/− mice exhibited a diversification of Vβ usage of ββT cell populations from the dominant Vβ8 one associated with B. vulgatus in cecal flora to Vβ6, Vβ11, and Vβ14. Rectal administration of disease-free ED-fed mice with B. vulgatus resulted in the development of Th2-type CD4+, ββ T cell-induced colitis. These findings suggest that the ED-induced alteration of intestinal microenvironments such as the enteric flora prevented the development of IBD in TCR α−/− mice via the immunologic quiescence of CD4+, ββ T cells.
Neither B Lymphocytes Nor Antibodies Directed Against Self Antigens of the Islets of Langerhans Are Required for Development of Virus-Induced Autoimmune Diabetes
Authors: Holz Andreas , Dyrberg Thomas , Hagopian William , Homann Dirk , Herrath Matthias von , Oldstone Michael B. A.
Published: April 2014

We evaluated the role of the humoral arm of the immune response in causing or contributing to virus-induced diabetes. Transgenic mice expressing the nucleoprotein (NP) or glycoprotein (GP) of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) under control of the rat insulin promoter (RIP) in pancreatic β cells (RIP-LCMV) and RIP-LCMV mice with genetic dysfunction of B cells (RIP-LCMV × μMT/μMT) were compared for development of diabetes after challenge with LCMV. After inoculation with LCMV, B and T lymphocytes and macrophages infiltrated into pancreatic islets in RIP-LCMV mice, and over 50% of these mice generated Abs against host insulin or glutamate decarboxylase. However, neither B cells nor the autoantibodies played a direct role in the initiation, kinetics, or severity of the virus-induced diabetes as judged by comparing disease in RIP-LCMV mice to littermates whose functional B cells were genetically eliminated. Furthermore, the quality and quantity of T lymphocyte and macrophage infiltration was similar in the B cell-deficient and non-B cell-deficient RIP-LCMV mice. Although the development of autoantibodies to islet Ags had no direct influence on the pathogenesis of insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes mellitus, it served as a prediabetes marker, as such autoantibodies were often elevated before the onset of disease. Hence, the RIP-LCMV model is not only useful for understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms of how islets are destroyed and spared but also for evaluating therapeutic strategies before onset of clinical diabetes.
Progression from Acute to Chronic Disease in a Murine Parent-into-F1 Model of Graft-Versus-Host Disease
Authors: Tschetter Jolynne R. , Mozes Edna , Shearer Gene M.
Published: April 2014

The parent-into-immunocompetent-F1 model of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD) induces immune dysregulation, resulting in acute or chronic GVHD. The disease outcome is thought to be determined by the number of parental anti-F1 CTL precursor cells present in the inoculum. Injection of C57BL/6 (B6) splenocytes into (B6 × DBA/2)F1 (B6D2F1) mice (acute model) leads to extensive parental cell engraftment and early death, whereas injection of DBA/2 cells (chronic model) results in little parental cell engraftment and a lupus-like disease. This study demonstrated that injection of BALB/c splenocytes into (BALB/c × B6)F1 (CB6F1) mice resulted in little engraftment of parental lymphocytes and the development of lupus as expected. Injection of B6 splenocytes into CB6F1 initiated an initial burst of parental cell engraftment similar to that of B6 into B6D2F1. However, the acute disease resolved, and the CB6F1 mice went on to develop chronic GVHD with detectable Abs to ssDNA, dsDNA, and extractable nuclear Ags. Limiting dilution CTL assays determined that B6 splenocytes have CTL precursor frequencies of 1/1000 against both CB6F1 and B6D2F1, whereas DBA/2 and BALB/c splenocytes have a CTL precursor frequency of 1/20,000 for their respective F1s. The Th cell precursor frequency for B6 anti-DBA/2 was 3-fold higher than that for B6 anti-BALB/c determined by limiting dilution proliferation assays. These results indicate the importance of adequate allospecific helper as well as effector T cells for the induction and maintenance of acute GVHD in this model, and presents an unexpected model in which initial acute GVHD is replaced by the chronic form of disease.
Cutting Edge: Heat Shock Protein gp96 Induces Maturation and Migration of CD11c+ Cells In Vivo
Authors: Binder Robert J. , Anderson Kirstin M. , Basu Sreyashi , Srivastava Pramod K.
Published: April 2014

Immunization of mice with the heat shock protein (HSP) gp96 but not control proteins leads to 5- to 7-fold enlargement of draining lymph nodes (LNs) resulting from accumulation of large numbers of mature CD11c+ cells, but not T or B lymphocytes in them. The increase in size and cellularity is time-dependent; the draining LNs reach their peak size between 12 and 24 h after injection and regress to their normal size between 48 and 72 h after injection. The increment is elicited specifically in the draining LN but not in other LNs. This observation uncovers a novel aspect of HSP-APC interaction and adds to the mechanistic explanation for the unusually high immunogenicity of HSP-peptide complexes.
Superantigen-Induced CD4 T Cell Tolerance Mediated by Myeloid Cells and IFN-γ
Authors: Cauley Linda S. , Miller Ellen E. , Yen Michael , Swain Susan L.
Published: April 2014

We have previously shown that systemic staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA) injections cause CD4 T cells in TCR-transgenic mice to become tolerant to subsequent ex vivo restimulation. An active IFN-γ-dependent mechanism of suppression was responsible for the apparent unresponsiveness of the CD4 T cells. In this study, we analyze the response of CD4 T cells isolated throughout the first 10 days of the in vivo response to injected SEA. We show that CD4 T cells isolated at the peak of the in vivo response undergo very little activation-induced cell death after sterile FACS sorting or restimulation in the presence of neutralizing Abs to IFN-γ. We also show that the IFN-γ-dependent tolerance develops soon after SEA injection in the spleens of both normal and TCR-transgenic mice. This suppression is dependent upon myeloid cells from the SEA-treated mice and is optimal when inducible NO synthase activity and reactive oxygen intermediates are both present. The data indicate that IFN-γ, myeloid cells, and a combination of NO and reactive oxygen intermediates all contribute to a common pathway of T cell death that targets activated or responding CD4 T cells. Sorted Gr-1+ cells from SEA-treated mice also directly suppress the response of naive CD4 T cells in mixed cultures, indicating that this tolerance mechanism may play a role in down-regulating other vigorous immune responses.
A Role for Fractalkine and Its Receptor (CX3CR1) in Cardiac Allograft Rejection
Authors: Robinson Lisa A. , Nataraj Chandra , Thomas Dennis W. , Howell David N. , Griffiths Robert , Bautch Victoria , Patel Dhavalkumar D. , Feng Lili , Coffman Thomas M.
Published: April 2014

The hallmark of acute allograft rejection is infiltration of the inflamed graft by circulating leukocytes. We studied the role of fractalkine (FKN) and its receptor, CX3CR1, in allograft rejection. FKN expression was negligible in nonrejecting cardiac isografts but was significantly enhanced in rejecting allografts. At early time points, FKN expression was particularly prominent on vascular tissues and endothelium. As rejection progressed, FKN expression was further increased, with prominent anti-FKN staining seen around vessels and on cardiac myocytes. To determine the capacity of FKN on endothelial cells to promote leukocyte adhesion, we performed adhesion assays with PBMC and monolayers of TNF-α-activated murine endothelial cells under low-shear conditions. Treatment with either anti-FKN or anti-CX3CR1-blocking Ab significantly inhibited PBMC binding, indicating that a large proportion of leukocyte binding to murine endothelium occurs via the FKN and CX3CR1 adhesion receptors. To determine the functional significance of FKN in rejection, we treated cardiac allograft recipients with daily injections of anti-CX3CR1 Ab. Treatment with the anti-CX3CR1 Ab significantly prolonged allograft survival from 7 ± 1 to 49 ± 30 days (p < 0.0008). These studies identify a critical role for FKN in the pathogenesis of acute rejection and suggest that FKN may be a useful therapeutic target in rejection.
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 Is Critical for Activation of CD28-Deficient T Cells
Authors: Gaglia Jason L. , Greenfield Edward A. , Mattoo Aditaya , Sharpe Arlene H. , Freeman Gordon J. , Kuchroo Vijay K.
Published: April 2014

Presentation of Ag to T lymphocytes in the absence of the requisite costimulatory signals leads to an Ag-specific unresponsiveness termed anergy, whereas Ag presentation in conjunction with costimulation leads to clonal expansion. B7/CD28 signaling has been shown to provide this critical costimulatory signal and blockade of this pathway may inhibit in vitro and in vivo immune responses. Although T cells from CD28-deficient mice are lacking in a variety of responses, they nonetheless are capable of various primary and secondary responses without the induction of anergy expected in the absence of costimulation. This suggests that there may be alternative costimulatory pathways that can replace CD28 signaling under certain circumstances. In this paper, we show that ICAM-1becomes a dominant costimulatory molecule for CD28-deficient T cells. ICAM-1 costimulates anti-CD3-mediated T cell proliferation and IL-2 secretion in CD28-deficient murine T cells. Furthermore, splenocytes from ICAM-1-deficient mice could not activate CD28-deficient T cells and splenocytes lacking both ICAM and CD28 fail to proliferate in response to anti-CD3-induced T cell signals. This confirms that not only can ICAM-1 act as a CD28-independent costimulator, but it is the dominant, requisite costimulatory molecule for the activation of T cells in the absence of B7/CD28 costimulation.
Microbial Lipopeptides Induce the Production of IL-17 in Th Cells
Authors: Infante-Duarte Carmen , Horton Heidi F. , Byrne Michael C. , Kamradt Thomas
Published: April 2014

Naive Th cells can be directed in vitro to develop into Th1 or Th2 cells by IL-12 or IL-4, respectively. In vivo, chronic immune reactions lead to polarized Th cytokine patterns. We found earlier that Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochaete that causes Lyme disease, induces Th1 development in αβ TCR-transgenic Th cells. Here, we used TCR-transgenic Th cells and oligonucleotide arrays to analyze the differences between Th1 cells induced by IL-12 vs those induced by B. burgdorferi. Transgenic Th cells primed with peptide in the presence of B. burgdorferi expressed several mRNAs, including the mRNA encoding IL-17, at significantly higher levels than Th cells primed with peptide and IL-12. Cytometric single-cell analysis of Th cell cytokine production revealed that IL-17 cannot be categorized as either Th1 or Th2 cytokine. Instead, almost all IL-17-producing Th cells simultaneously produced TNF-α and most IL-17+ Th cells also produced GM-CSF. This pattern was also observed in humans. Th cells from synovial fluid of patients with Lyme arthritis coexpressed IL-17 and TNF-α upon polyclonal stimulation. The induction of IL-17 production in Th cells is not restricted to B. burgdorferi. Priming of TCR-transgenic Th cells in the presence of mycobacterial lysates also induced IL-17/TNF-α coproduction. The physiological stimulus for IL-17 production was hitherto unknown. We show here for the first time that microbial stimuli induce the expression of IL-17 together with TNF-α in both murine and human T cells. Chronic IL-17 expression induced by microbes could be an important mediator of infection-induced immunopathology.
Comparative Ability of Qdm/Qa-1b, Kb, and Db to Protect Class Ilow Cells from NK-Mediated Lysis In Vivo
Authors: Hui Jia Song , Kurepa Zoran , Bai Ailin , Forman James
Published: April 2014

The class Ib molecule Qa-1b binds the class Ia leader peptide, Qdm, which reacts with CD94/NKG2R on NK cells. We have generated a gene that encodes the Qdm peptide covalently attached to β2-microglobulin (β2M) by a flexible linker (Qa-1 determinant modifier (Qdm)-β2M). When this construct is expressed in TAP-2− or β2M− cells, it allows for the expression of a Qdm-β2M protein that associates with Qa-1b to generate the Qdm epitope, as detected by Qdm/Qa-1b-specific CTL. To test the biological significance of expression of this engineered molecule, we injected TAP-2− RMAS-Qdm-β2M cells into C57BL/6 mice and measured their NK cell-mediated clearance from the lungs at 2 h. RMAS cells transfected with Qdm-β2M were resistant to lung clearance, similar to RMA cells or RMAS cells in anti-asialo-GM1-treated mice, while untransfected or β2M-transfected RMAS cells were rapidly cleared. Further, pulsing RMAS cells with either Qdm, a Kb-, or Db-binding peptide showed equivalent protection from clearance, indicating that a single class Ia or Ib molecule can afford complete protection from NK cells in this system. In contrast, injection of RMAS cells into DBA/2 animals, which express low levels of receptors for Qdm/Qa-1b, resulted in protection from lung clearance if pulsed with a Kb- or Db-binding peptide, but not the Qa-1b-binding peptide, Qdm.
On the Self-Referential Nature of Naive MHC Class II-Restricted T Cells
Authors: Viret Christophe , He Xin , Janeway Charles A.
Published: April 2014

The use of mutant mice expressing a normal MHC class II molecule surface level but a severely restricted self-peptide diversity (H-2Mα−/−) previously revealed that T cells carrying the Eα52–68–I-Ab complex-specific 1H3.1 TCR rely on self-peptide(s) recognition for both their peripheral persistence in irradiated hosts and their intrathymic positive selection. Here, we identify Eα52–68 structurally related self-peptide(s) as a major contributor to in vivo positive selection of 1H3.1 TCR-transgenic thymocytes in I-Ab+/I-Eα− mice. This is demonstrated by the drastic and specific reduction of the TCR high thymocyte population in 1H3.1 TCR-transgenic (Tg) mice treated with the Eα52–68–I-Ab complex-specific Y-Ae mAb. Self-peptide(s) recognition is also driving the maturation of T cells carrying a distinct MHC class II-restricted specificity (the Eα6 αβ TCR), since positive selection was also deficient in Eα6 TCR Tg H-2Mα−/− thymi. Such a requirement for recognition of self-determinants was mirrored in the periphery; Eα6 TCR Tg naive T cells showed an impaired persistence in both H-2Mα−/− and I-Abβ−/− irradiated hosts, whereas they persisted and slowly cycled in wild-type recipients. This moderate self-peptide(s)-dependent proliferation was associated with a surface phenotype intermediate between those of naive and activated/memory T cells; CD44 expression was up-regulated, but surface expression of other markers such as CD62L remained unaltered. Collectively, these observations indicate that maturation and maintenance of naive MHC class II-restricted T cells are self-oriented processes.
Non-Fc Receptor-Binding Humanized Anti-CD3 Antibodies Induce Apoptosis of Activated Human T Cells
Authors: Carpenter Paul A. , Pavlovic Sandra , Tso J. Y. , Press Oliver W. , Gooley Theodore , Yu Xue-Zhong , Anasetti Claudio
Published: April 2014

Human trials in organ allografts have demonstrated that murine anti-CD3 mAbs are immunosuppressive. By mimicking Ag, anti-CD3 can produce T cell activation, anergy, or death. Activation of resting T cells in vivo results in dose-limiting cytokine release and is caused by Ab-mediated cross-linking of T cells and Fcγ receptor (FcR)-bearing cells. With the goal of minimizing cytokine-induced toxicity, anti-CD3 have been engineered to lower Fc binding avidity. Preclinical murine studies have indicated that non-FcR-binding anti-CD3 can induce apoptosis of Ag-activated T cells. Since induction of T cell apoptosis may be an important mechanism of immunosuppression by anti-CD3, we tested whether Fc mutations affect the ability of anti-human CD3 to induce apoptosis of activated T cells. We compared wild-type murine anti-CD3, M291, and OKT3 and their humanized, FcR- and non-FcR-binding structural variants in quantitative assays of T cell apoptosis. Non-FcR-binding variants produced more sustainable phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2, greater release of IFN-γ, and more effectively caused activation-dependent T cell apoptosis. Non-FcR-binding variants dissociated more quickly from the T cell surface and caused less internalization of the TCR, which then remained available in greater abundance on the cell surface for signaling. Cross-linking of non-FcR-binding variants by antiglobulin enhanced TCR internalization and minimized induction of T cell apoptosis. We conclude that non-FcR-binding, humanized anti-CD3 have improved ability to induce apoptosis of activated T cells, presumably by allowing durable expression of the TCR and sustained signaling.
Examination of CD8+ T Cell Function in Humans Using MHC Class I Tetramers: Similar Cytotoxicity but Variable Proliferation and Cytokine Production Among Different Clonal CD8+ T Cells Specific to a Single Viral Epitope
Authors: Lim Dong-Gyun , Bieganowska Bourcier Katarzyna , Freeman Gordon J. , Hafler David A.
Published: April 2014

Following infection by human T cell lymphotrophic virus-I (HTLV-I), high frequencies of polyclonal Tax11–19-reactive CD8+ T cells can be detected in the peripheral blood. To investigate whether there are differences in the effector functions of these cells, we generated a panel of Tax11–19-reactive T cell clones by single cell sorting of HLA-A2/Tax11–19 tetramer binding CD8+ T cells followed by repeated stimulation with PHA and IL-2. Examination of the TCRs revealed 17 different T cell clones with unique clonal origins. Nine representative CD8+ T cell clones showed a similar cytotoxic dose-response activity against Ag-pulsed target cells, even though they express different TCRs. This cytotoxic effector function was not influenced by the engagement of either CD28 or CD2 costimulatory molecules. In contrast to the cytotoxic activity, qualitatively different degrees of proliferative response and cytokine secretion were observed among T cell clones of different clonal origin. The induction of proliferation and cytokine secretion required the engagement of costimulatory molecules, particularly CD2-LFA-3 interaction. These results indicate that functionally diverse, polyclonal CTL populations can be activated specific to a single immunodominant viral epitope; they can manifest virtually identical cytotoxic effector function but have marked differences in proliferation and cytokine secretion.
IL-12 Receptor β2 (IL-12Rβ2)-Deficient Mice Are Defective in IL-12-Mediated Signaling Despite the Presence of High Affinity IL-12 Binding Sites
Authors: Wu Chang-you , Wang Xin , Gadina Massimo , O’Shea John J. , Presky David H. , Magram Jeanne
Published: April 2014

Two subunits of the IL-12 receptor (IL-12R), IL-12Rβ1 and IL-12Rβ2, have been identified and cloned. Previous studies demonstrated that the IL-12Rβ1 subunit was required for mouse T and NK cells to respond to IL-12 in vivo. To investigate the role of IL-12Rβ2 in IL-12 signaling, we have generated IL-12Rβ2-deficient (IL-12Rβ2−/−) mice by targeted mutation in embryonic stem (ES) cells. Although Con A-activated splenocytes from IL-12Rβ2−/− mice still bind IL-12 with both high and low affinity, no IL-12-induced biological functions can be detected. Con A-activated splenocytes of IL-12Rβ2−/− mice failed to produce IFN-γ or proliferate in response to IL-12 stimulation. NK lytic activity of IL-12Rβ2−/− splenocytes was not induced when incubated with IL-12. IL-12Rβ2−/− splenocytes were deficient in IFN-γ secretion when stimulated with either Con A or anti-CD3 mAb in vitro. Furthermore, IL-12Rβ2−/− mice were deficient in vivo in their ability to produce IFN-γ following endotoxin administration and to generate a type 1 cytokine response. IL-12-mediated signal transduction was also defective as measured by phosphorylation of STAT4. These results demonstrate that although mouse IL-12Rβ1 is the subunit primarily responsible for binding IL-12, IL-12Rβ2 plays an essential role in mediating the biological functions of IL-12 in mice.
Peptide-MHC Class I Tetrameric Complexes Display Exquisite Ligand Specificity
Authors: Burrows Scott R. , Kienzle Norbert , Winterhalter Adam , Bharadwaj Mandvi , Altman John D. , Brooks Andrew
Published: April 2014

The production of synthetic MHC-peptide tetramers has revolutionized cellular immunology by revealing enormous CD8+ T cell expansions specific for peptides from various pathogens. A feature of these reagents, essential for their staining function, is that they bind T cells with relatively high avidity. This could, theoretically, promote cross-reactivity with irrelevant T cells leading to overestimates of epitope-specific T cell numbers. Therefore, we have investigated the fine specificity of CTL staining with these reagents for comparison with functional data. Using a panel of CTL clones with distinct fine specificity patterns for analogs of an HLA-B8-binding EBV epitope, together with B8 tetramers incorporating these peptides, we show a very good correlation between tetramer staining and peptide activity in cytotoxicity assays. Significant staining only occurred with tetramers that incorporate strong stimulatory agonist peptides and not weak agonists that are unlikely to induce full T cell activation at physiological levels of presentation. In almost every case where a peptide analog had >10-fold less activity than the optimal EBV peptide in cytotoxicity assays, the corresponding tetramer stained with >10-fold less intensity than the EBV epitope tetramer. Furthermore, by examining an EBV-specific clonotypic T cell expansion in EBV-exposed individuals, we show similar fine specificity in tetramer staining of fresh peripheral T cells. Collectively, our data demonstrate the exquisite specificity of class I MHC-peptide tetramers, underlining their accuracy in quantifying only those T cells capable of recognizing the low levels of cell surface peptide presented after endogenous Ag processing.
Cytokine-Stimulated T Lymphocyte Proliferation Is Regulated by p27Kip1 1
Authors: Zhang Shangming , Lawless Victoria A. , Kaplan Mark H.
Published: April 2014

T lymphocyte growth is regulated by the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1. Mice deficient in p27Kip1 have increased proliferative responses to multiple cytokines, including IL-2, IL-4, and IL-12, but not to anti-CD3. In the absence of p27Kip1, T cells proliferate faster than control cells, as evidenced by increased [3H]thymidine uptake, increased cell growth and division, and an increased number of cells in S phase. Importantly, this regulation is specific for p27Kip1 in T cells, because hyperproliferation of T cells from mice deficient in p21Cip1/Waf1 was not observed. In vivo, there is an expansion of activated/memory CD4+ cells in p27Kip1-deficient mice before and after immunization. Furthermore, Ag-stimulated spleen cells from immunized p27Kip1-deficient mice demonstrated increased proliferative responses to IL-2 and increased secretion of IFN-γ. Although IL-4 stimulated proliferative responses are diminished in Stat6-deficient T cells, activated T cells from mice doubly deficient in both p27Kip1 and Stat6 recover normal proliferative responses to IL-4. Together, these data firmly support a role for p27Kip1 as a negative regulator of cytokine-stimulated T cell growth.
Enhanced Dendritic Cell Maturation by TNF-α or Cytidine-Phosphate-Guanosine DNA Drives T Cell Activation In Vitro and Therapeutic Anti-Tumor Immune Responses In Vivo
Authors: Brunner Christoph , Seiderer Julia , Schlamp Angelika , Bidlingmaier Martin , Eigler Andreas , Haimerl Wolfgang , Lehr Hans-Anton , Krieg Arthur M. , Hartmann Gunther , Endres Stefan
Published: April 2014

Dendritic cells (DC) manipulated ex vivo can induce tumor immunity in experimental murine tumor models. To improve DC-based tumor vaccination, we studied whether DC maturation affects the T cell-activating potential in vitro and the induction of tumor immunity in vivo. Maturation of murine bone marrow-derived DC was induced by GM-CSF plus IL-4 alone or by further addition of TNF-α or a cytidine-phosphate-guanosine (CpG)-containing oligonucleotide (ODN-1826), which mimics the immunostimulatory effect of bacterial DNA. Flow cytometric analysis of costimulatory molecules and MHC class II showed that DC maturation was stimulated most by ODN-1826, whereas TNF-α had an intermediate effect. The extent of maturation correlated with the secretion of IL-12 and the induction of alloreactive T cell proliferation. In BALB/c mice, s.c. injection of colon carcinoma cells resulted in rapidly growing tumors. In this model, CpG-ODN-stimulated DC cocultured with irradiated tumor cells also induced prophylactic protection most effectively and were therapeutically effective when administered 3 days after tumor challenge. Thus, CpG-ODN-enhanced DC maturation may represent an efficient means to improve clinical tumor vaccination.
Clonality and Longevity of CD4+CD28null T Cells Are Associated with Defects in Apoptotic Pathways
Authors: Vallejo Abbe N. , Schirmer Michael , Weyand Cornelia M. , Goronzy Jörg J.
Published: April 2014

CD4+CD28null T cells are oligoclonal lymphocytes rarely found in healthy individuals younger than 40 yr, but are found in high frequencies in elderly individuals and in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases. Contrary to paradigm, they are functionally active and persist over many years. Such clonogenic potential and longevity suggest altered responses to apoptosis-inducing signals. In this study, we show that CD4+CD28null T cells are protected from undergoing activation-induced cell death. Whereas CD28+ T cells underwent Fas-mediated apoptosis upon cross-linking of CD3, CD28null T cells were highly resistant. CD28null T cells were found to progress through the cell cycle, and cells at all stages of the cell cycle were resistant to apoptosis, unlike their CD28+ counterparts. Neither the activation-induced up-regulation of the IL-2R α-chain (CD25) nor the addition of exogenous IL-2 renders them susceptible to Fas-mediated apoptosis. These properties of CD28null T cells were related to high levels of Fas-associated death domain-like IL-1-converting enzyme-like inhibitory protein, an inhibitor of Fas signaling that is normally degraded in T cells following activation in the presence of IL-2. Consistent with previous data showing protection of CD28null cells from spontaneous cell death, the present studies unequivocally show dysregulation of apoptotic pathways in CD4+CD28null T cells that favor their clonal outgrowth and maintenance in vivo.
Regulation of Toll-Like Receptor 2 Expression by Macrophages FollowingMycobacterium aviumInfection
Authors: Wang Tianyi , Lafuse William P. , Zwilling Bruce S.
Published: April 2014

Recent studies have implicated Toll-like receptors (TLR), especially TLR2 and TLR4, as sentinel receptors that signal the interaction of macrophages with bacterial pathogens via a NF-κB-mediated pathway. The regulation of TLR gene expression, however, has not been intensively studied. Here, we report that TLR2 mRNA was induced following infection of murine macrophages with Mycobacterium avium. The changes in TLR2 mRNA correlated with an increase in TLR2 surface expression. Infection with M. avium resulted in a concomitant decrease in TLR4 mRNA. The effect of M. avium infection on TLR2 mRNA appeared to be mediated, in part, by TLR2 because the induction of the mRNA was partially blocked by preincubation of the macrophages with an anti-human TLR2 Ab. In contrast, the effect of LPS stimulation was mediated via TLR4 because infection of macrophages from LPSd mice, which do not express active TLR4, resulted in an increase in TLR2 mRNA, while treatment of macrophages from these mice with LPS failed to induce TLR2 mRNA. Several cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1α, and GM-CSF, but not IFN-γ, induced TLR2 mRNA. M. avium infection resulted in the induction of TLR2 mRNA by macrophages from both TNFRI knockout and NF-κB p50 knockout mice.
Relative Diabetogenic Properties of Islet-Specific Tc1 and Tc2 Cells in Immunocompetent Hosts
Authors: Vizler Csaba , Bercovici Nadège , Heurtier Agnès , Pardigon Nathalie , Goude Karine , Bailly Karine , Combadière Christophe , Liblau Roland S.
Published: April 2014

CD8+ T cells are important effectors, as well as regulators, of organ-specific autoimmunity. Compared with Tc1-type CD8+ cells, Tc2 cells have impaired anti-viral and anti-tumor effector functions, although no data are yet available on their pathogenic role in autoimmunity. Our aim was to explore the role of autoreactive Tc1 and Tc2 cells in autoimmune diabetes. We set up an adoptive transfer model in which the recipients were transgenic mice expressing influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) specifically in their pancreatic β islet cells (rat insulin promoter-HA mice) and islet-specific Tc1 and Tc2 cells were generated in vitro from HA-specific CD8+ cells of TCR transgenic mice (CL4-TCR mice). One million Tc1 cells, differentiated in vitro in the presence of IL-12, transferred diabetes in 100% of nonirradiated adult rat insulin promoter-HA recipients; the 50% diabetogenic dose was 5 × 105. Highly polarized Tc2 cells generated in the presence of IL-4, IL-10, and anti-IFN-γ mAb had a relatively low, but definite, diabetogenic potential. Thus, 5 × 106 Tc2 cells caused diabetes in 6 of 18 recipients, while the same dose of naive CD8+ cells did not cause diabetes. Looking for the cause of the different diabetogenic potential of Tc1 and Tc2 cells, we found that Tc2 cells are at least as cytotoxic as Tc1 cells but their accumulation in the pancreas is slower, a possible consequence of differential chemokine receptor expression. The diabetogenicity of autoreactive Tc2 cells, most likely caused by their cytotoxic activity, precludes their therapeutic use as regulators of autoimmunity.
Differential Sensitivity to Mutations in a Single Peptide by Two TCRs Having Identical β-Chains and Closely Related α-Chains
Authors: Dittel Bonnie N. , Janeway Charles A.
Published: April 2014

The TCR on CD4 T cells binds to and recognizes MHC class II:antigenic peptide complexes through molecular contacts with the peptide amino acid residues that face up and out of the peptide-binding groove. This interaction primarily involves the complementarity-determining regions (CDR) of the TCR α- and β-chains contacting up to five residues of the peptide. We have used two TCRs that recognize the same antigenic peptide and have identical Vβ8.2 chains, but differ in all three CDR of their related Vα2 chains, to examine the fine specificity of the TCR:peptide contacts that lead to activation. By generating a peptide library containing all 20 aa residues in the five potential TCR contact sites, we were able to demonstrate that the two similar TCRs responded differentially when agonist, nonagonist, and antagonist peptide functions were examined. Dual substituted peptides containing an agonist residue at the N terminus, which interacts with CDR2α, and an antagonist residue at the C terminus, which interacts with the CDR3β, were used to show that the nature of the overall signal through the TCR is determined by a combination of the type of signal received through both the TCR α- and β-chains.
Mapping of the Region of Complement Receptor (CR) 1 Required forPlasmodium falciparumRosetting and Demonstration of the Importance of CR1 in Rosetting in Field Isolates
Authors: Rowe J. Alexandra , Rogerson Stephen J. , Raza Ahmed , Moulds Joann M. , Kazatchkine Michel D. , Marsh Kevin , Newbold Chris I. , Atkinson John P. , Miller Louis H.
Published: April 2014

The malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum induces a number of novel adhesion properties in the erythrocytes that it infects. One of these properties, the ability of infected erythrocytes to bind uninfected erythrocytes to form rosettes, is associated with severe malaria and may play a direct role in the pathogenesis of disease. Previous work has shown that erythrocytes deficient in complement receptor (CR) 1 (CR1, CD35; C3b/C4b receptor) have greatly reduced rosetting capacity, indicating an essential role for CR1 in rosette formation. Using deletion mutants and mAbs, we have localized the region of CR1 required for the formation of P. falciparum rosettes to the area of long homologous repeat regions B and C that also acts as the binding site for the activated complement component C3b. This result raises the possibility that C3b could be an intermediary in rosetting, bridging between the infected erythrocyte and CR1. We were able to exclude this hypothesis, however, as parasites grown in C3-deficient human serum formed rosettes normally. We have also shown in this report that rosettes can be reversed by mAb J3B11 that recognizes the C3b binding site of CR1. This rosette-reversing activity was demonstrated in a range of laboratory-adapted parasite strains and field isolates from Kenya and Malawi. Thus, we have mapped the region of CR1 required for rosetting and demonstrated that the CR1-dependent rosetting mechanism occurs commonly in P. falciparum isolates, and could therefore be a potential target for future therapeutic interventions to treat severe malaria.
Desensitization of CXC Chemokine Receptor 4, Mediated by IL-16/CD4, Is Independent of p56lckEnzymatic Activity
Authors: Van Drenth Charlotte , Jenkins Ayana , Ledwich Lindsey , Ryan Thomas C. , Mashikian Margaret Vallen , Brazer William , Center David M. , Cruikshank William W.
Published: April 2014

CCR5 and CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) are coreceptors for CD4 as defined by HIV-1 glycoprotein (gp) 120 binding. Pretreatment of T cells with gp120 results in modulation of both CCR5 and CXCR4 responsiveness, which is dependent upon p56lck enzymatic activity. The recent findings that pretreatment of T cells with a natural CD4 ligand, IL-16, could alter cellular responsiveness to macrophage-inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β) stimulation, prompted us to investigate whether IL-16 could also alter CXCR4 signaling. These studies demonstrate that IL-16/CD4 signaling in T lymphocytes also results in loss of stromal derived factor-1α (SDF-1α)/CXCR4-induced chemotaxis; however, unlike MIP-1β/CCR5, the effects were not reciprocal. There was no effect on eotaxin/CCR3-induced chemotaxis. Desensitization of CXCR4 by IL-16 required at least 10–15 min pretreatment; no modulation of CXCR4 expression was observed, nor was SDF-1α binding altered. Using murine T cell hybridomas transfected to express native or mutated forms of CD4, it was determined that IL-16/CD4 induces a p56lck-dependent inhibitory signal for CXCR4, which is independent of its tyrosine catalytic activity. By contrast, IL-16/CD4 desensitization of MIP-1β/CCR5 responses requires p56lck enzymatic activity. IL-16/CD4 inhibition of SDF-1α/CXCR4 signals requires the presence of the Src homology 3 domain of p56lck and most likely involves activation of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase. These studies indicate the mechanism of CXCR4 receptor desensitization induced by a natural ligand for CD4, IL-16, is distinct from the inhibitory effects induced by either gp120 or IL-16 on CCR5.