bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunosensitization of Melanoma Tumor Cells to Non-MHC Fas-Mediated Killing by MART-1-Specific CTL Cultures
Authors: Frost P. J. , Butterfield L. H. , Dissette V. B. , Economou J. S. , Bonavida B.
Published: April 2014

The discovery of human melanoma rejection Ags has allowed the rational design of immunotherapeutic strategies. One such Ag, MART-1, is expressed on >90% of human melanomas, and CTL generated against MART-127–35 kill most HLA A2.1+ melanoma cells. However, variant tumor cells, which do not express MART-1, down-regulate MHC, or become resistant to apoptosis, will escape killing. Cytotoxic lymphocytes kill by two main mechanisms, the perforin/granzyme degranulation pathway and the TNF/Fas/TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand superfamily of apoptosis-inducing ligands. In this study, we examined whether cis-diaminedichloroplatinum (II) cisplatin (CDDP) sensitizes MART-1/HLA A2.1+ melanoma and melanoma variant tumor cells to non-MHC-restricted, Fas ligand (FasL)-mediated killing by CTL. MART-127–35-specific bulk CTL cultures were generated by pulsing normal PBL with MART-127–35 peptide. These CTL cultures specifically kill M202 melanoma cells (MART-1+, HLA A2.1+, FasR−), and MART-127–35 peptide-pulsed T2 cells (FasR+), but not M207 melanoma cells (MART-1+, HLA A2.1−, FasR−), FLU58–66 peptide-pulsed T2 cells, or DU145 and PC-3 prostate cells (MART-1−, HLA A2.1−, FasR+). CDDP (0.1–10 μg/ml) sensitized non-MART-127–35 peptide-pulsed T2 to the CD8+ subset of bulk MART-1-specific CTL, and killing was abolished by neutralizing anti-Fas Ab. Furthermore, CDDP up-regulated FasR expression and FasL-mediated killing of M202, and sensitized PC-3 and DU145 to killing by bulk MART-1-specific CTL cultures. These findings demonstrate that drug-mediated sensitization can potentiate FasL-mediated killing by MHC-restricted CTL cell lines, independent of MHC and MART-1 expression on tumor cells. This represents a novel approach for potentially controlling tumor cell variants found in primary heterogeneous melanoma tumor cell populations that would normally escape killing by MART-1-specific immunotherapy.
Recombinant HIV-1 Glycoprotein 120 Induces Distinct Types of Delayed Hypersensitivity in Persons With or Without Pre-Existing Immunologic Memory
Authors: Hladik Florian , Bender Sean , Akridge Robert E. , Hu YuXiang , Galloway Christine , Francis Don , McElrath M. Juliana
Published: April 2014

Induction of T cell help is critical in HIV-1 control and potentially in prevention by immunization. A practical approach is needed to identify HIV-1-specific helper activities in vivo. We explored the feasibility of measuring delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) following intradermal injection of recombinant soluble HIV-1MN glycoprotein 120 in HIV-1-infected, vaccinated, and exposed individuals. DTH reactions were elicited within 48 h in 16 of 29 untreated, infected patients and in 24 of 30 uninfected vaccinees. Concomitant envelope-specific lymphoproliferation in vitro was undetectable among 9 infected patients tested with positive envelope-specific DTH. By contrast, no 48-h DTH reactions occurred among 25 high risk and 32 low risk, uninfected volunteers. However, 7–12 days after injection, 10 (40%) high risk and 11 (34%) low risk individuals developed induration resembling DTH, and the cellular infiltrates contained monocytes and T cells. Five of 18 examined also developed anti-gp120 Abs. The very delayed time course and lack of correlation with previous Ag exposure clearly distinguish this reaction from DTH. Thus, HIV-1 skin testing can identify persons with HIV-specific recall responses resulting from infection, in the absence of in vitro lymphoproliferation, and from vaccination. In contrast, very late reactivities may signify chemotactic properties of the envelope protein and/or herald the induction of primary HIV-specific Th1-type immunity.
Cutting Edge: Differential Signaling Requirements for Activation of Assembled Cyclin D3-cdk4 Complexes in B-1 and B-2 Lymphocyte Subsets
Authors: Tanguay Debra A. , Colarusso Thomas P. , Doughty Cheryl , Pavlovic-Ewers Sandra , Rothstein Thomas L. , Chiles Thomas C.
Published: April 2014

B-1 lymphocytes represent a distinct B cell subset with unusual mitogenic responses. PMA alone promotes proliferation in B-1 cells, but not in splenic B-2 cells. Although cyclin D2-cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (cdk4) complexes mediate early retinoblastoma gene product (pRb) phosphorylation in B-1 cells, the transient nature of their accumulation cannot account for the continued increase in pRb phosphorylation, which is maximal at 24 h. We show herein that PMA promotes the accumulation of functional cyclin D3-cdk4 complexes in B-1 cells following loss of cyclin D2. PMA also induces accumulation of cyclin D3-cdk4 complexes in B-2 cells; however, these complexes do not phosphorylate pRb. Thus, PMA is sufficient to induce synthesis and assembly of cyclin D3-cdk4 complexes in B-1 and B-2 cells; however, PMA triggers cyclin D3-cdk4 activation only in B-1 cells. These results reveal a novel regulatory step that controls activation of cyclin D3-cdk4 complexes whose function segregates differentially in B cell subsets.
Cutting Edge: In Vivo Identification of TCR Redistribution and Polarized IL-2 Production by Naive CD4 T Cells
Authors: Reichert Peter , Reinhardt R. Lee , Ingulli Elizabeth , Jenkins Marc K.
Published: April 2014

TCR aggregation at the point of contact with an APC is thought to play an important role in T cell signal transduction. However, this potentially important phenomenon has never been documented during an immune response in vivo. Here we used immunohistology to show that the TCR on naive Ag-specific CD4 T cells in the lymph nodes of mice injected with Ag redistributed to one side of the cell. In cases where the APC could be identified, the TCR was concentrated on the side of the T cell facing the APC. In those T cells that produced IL-2, the TCR and IL-2 localized to the same side of the cell. In vivo IL-2 production depended on costimulatory signaling through CD28, whereas TCR redistribution did not. These results show that Ag-stimulated CD4 T cells produce IL-2 in a polarized fashion and undergo CD28-independent TCR redistribution in vivo.
Antigen-Independent Th2 Cell Differentiation by Stimulation of CD28: Regulation Via IL-4 Gene Expression and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Activation
Authors: Skapenko Alla , Lipsky Peter E. , Kraetsch Hans-Georg , Kalden Joachim R. , Schulze-Koops Hendrik
Published: April 2014

To delineate the molecular mechanisms regulating Th2 cell differentiation, CD28-mediated generation of Th2 effectors was analyzed. In the absence of TCR ligation CD28 stimulation induced Th2 differentiation of memory but not of naive CD4+ T cells, whereas costimulation via CD28 and the TCR enhanced Th2 differentiation from naive T cells but suppressed it from memory T cells. Stimulation of T cells via the CD28 pathway, therefore, provided critical signals facilitating Th2 cell differentiation. By comparing the responses to CD28 stimulation in memory and naive T cells and by using specific inhibitors, signaling pathways were defined that contributed to Th2 differentiation. CD28-induced Th2 differentiation required IL-4 stimulation and the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2. CD28 engagement directly initiated IL-4 gene transcription in memory T cells and induced activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, p38, and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinase pathways. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation that was necessary for Th2 differentiation, however, required stimulation by IL-2. These results indicate that optimal TCR-independent generation of Th2 effectors requires coordinate signaling via the CD28 and IL-2 pathways. TCR-independent generation of Th2 effectors might provide a mechanism to control Th1-dominated cellular inflammation.
Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1-Induced LFA-1 Activation During In Vivo Migration of T Cell Hybridoma Cells Requires Gq/11, RhoA, and Myosin, as well as Gi and Cdc42
Authors: Soede Ron D. M. , Zeelenberg Ingrid S. , Wijnands Yvonne M. , Kamp Marga , Roos Ed
Published: April 2014

Dissemination of T cell hybridomas in mice, a model for in vivo migration of memory T cells and for T lymphoma metastasis, depends on the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and the integrin LFA-1 and correlates well with invasion into fibroblast cultures. In addition to the known role of the pertussis toxin-sensitive heterotrimeric GTPase Gi, we show that also the pertussis toxin-insensitive GTPase Gq/11 is required for dissemination and invasion. Furthermore, we show that the small GTPases, Cdc42 and RhoA, are involved, and that invasion is blocked by inhibitors of actinomyosin contraction. Gq/11, RhoA, and contraction are specifically required for LFA-1 activation, since 1) they are essential for LFA-1-dependent migration toward low SDF-1 concentrations through ICAM-1-coated filters, but not for migration toward high SDF-1 levels, which is LFA-1 independent; 2) G protein (AlF4−)-induced adhesion to ICAM-1 requires RhoA and contraction; 3) constitutively active Gq induces aggregation, mediated by LFA-1. We previously reported that binding of this activated LFA-1 to ICAM-1 triggers a signal, transduced by the ζ-associated protein 70 tyrosine kinase, that activates additional LFA-1 molecules. This amplification of LFA-1 activation is essential for invasion. We show here that ζ-associated protein 70-induced LFA-1 activation requires neither Cdc42 and RhoA nor contraction and is thus quite different from that induced by SDF-1. We conclude that two modes of LFA-1 activation, with distinct underlying mechanisms, are required for the in vivo migration of T cell hybridomas.
Expression of Ly49E and CD94/NKG2 on Fetal and Adult NK Cells
Authors: Van Beneden Katrien , Stevenaert Frederik , De Creus An , Debacker Veronique , De Boever Jozef , Plum Jean , Leclercq Georges
Published: April 2014

Murine NK cells express inhibitory receptors belonging to the Ly49 and CD94/NKG2 family. Ly49E and CD94 are the only NK cell receptor transcripts detectable in fetal NK cells. Still unproved is the surface expression of Ly49E on NK cells. Here we generated two novel mAbs, a mAb recognizing Ly49E with cross-reactivity to Ly49C, and a mAb against NKG2A/C/E. Ly49E was immunoprecipitated as a disulfide-linked homodimer with 46-kDa subunits. Removal of N-linked carbohydrates revealed a 31-kDa protein backbone. NKG2A was immunoprecipitated as a 38-kDa protein. Although the frequency of fetal NK cells expressing Ly49E was higher than 25%, it decreased drastically from 2 wk after birth. Phenotypic analysis showed that ∼90% of fetal NK cells and ∼50% of adult NK cells express high levels of CD94/NKG2. The remaining 50% of adult NK cells expressed low surface levels of CD94/NKG2. Expression of Ly49E and CD94/NKG2 was not restricted to NK cells, but was also observed on NK T and memory T cells. Functional analysis showed that sorted Ly49E+ and CD94/NKG2+ fetal NK cells could discriminate between MHC class I-positive and MHC class I-negative tumor cells. We also demonstrated that Ly49E becomes phosphorylated following pervanadate stimulation of fetal NK cells. The expression levels of Ly49E and CD94/NKG2 were similar in wild-type compared with β2-microglobulin−/− mice. In conclusion, generation of mAbs against Ly49E and NKG2 extended the phenotypic and functional characterization of NK cells.
Biological Activity of Soluble CD100. I. The Extracellular Region of CD100 Is Released from the Surface of T Lymphocytes by Regulated Proteolysis
Authors: Elhabazi Abdellah , Delaire Stéphanie , Bensussan Armand , Boumsell Laurence , Bismuth Georges
Published: April 2014

CD100 is the first semaphorin described in lymphoid tissues, where it has been shown to be associated with a serine kinase activity. Semaphorins are molecules involved in axon pathfinding during nerve development and act as repellent guidance cues. In the nervous system semaphorins exist as either membrane-bound or secreted forms. We report here a spontaneous processing of membrane CD100, suggesting that it is also produced as a diffusable semaphorin from lymphoid cells. Monomeric and homodimeric forms of CD100 are expressed by T lymphocytes and CD100-transfected fibroblasts. We demonstrate that CD100 is released through a proteolytic process blocked by metalloprotease inhibitors. In T cells, only soluble CD100 dimers are produced, suggesting that CD100 dimerization is required for proteolysis. In agreement, we observe that increasing membrane dimers strongly favors shedding of the molecule. By expressing a CD100 molecule mutated at cysteine 674 into a COS cell system, we additionally demonstrate that this particular residue in the extracellular domain of the molecule is required for dimerization. Finally, we show that staurosporine, a serine kinase inhibitor, enhances the membrane cleavage of CD100. Together these results demonstrate that membrane CD100 is cleaved by a metalloprotease-dependent process, which is probably regulated by phosphorylation. Mainly, these findings shed light on a possible function for the semaphorin region of CD100 as a long range guidance cue in the immune system.
Quantitative Analysis of the Immune Response to Mouse Non-MHC Transplantation Antigens In Vivo: The H60 Histocompatibility Antigen Dominates Over All Others
Authors: Choi Eun Young , Yoshimura Yoshitaka , Christianson Gregory J. , Sproule Thomas J. , Malarkannan Subramaniam , Shastri Nilabh , Joyce Sebastian , Roopenian Derry C.
Published: April 2014

Minor histocompatibility Ags (minor H Ags) are substantial impediments to MHC-matched solid tissue and bone marrow transplantation. From an antigenic standpoint, transplantation between MHC-matched individuals has the potential to be remarkably complex. To determine the extent to which the immune response is simplified by the phenomenon of immunodominance, we used peptide/MHC tetramers based on recently discovered minor H Ags (H60, H13, and HY) and monitored in vivo CD8 T cell responses of female C57BL/6 mice primed with MHC-matched, but background-disparate, male BALB.B cells. CD8 T cells against H60 overwhelmed responses to the H13 and HY throughout primary and secondary challenge. H60 immunodominance was an inherent quality, overcoming a lower memory precursor frequency compared with that of H13 and evoking a T cell response with diverse TCRVβ usage. IFN-γ staining examining congenically defined minor H Ags extended H60 dominance over additional minor H Ags, H28, H4, and H7. These four minor H Ags accounted for up to 85% of the CD8 T cell response, but H60 stood out as the major contributor. These findings show that immunodominance applies to antigenically complex transplantation settings in vivo and that the responses to the H60 minor H Ag dominates in this model. We suggest that immunodominant minor H Ags are those that result from the absence of a self analog.
Nuclear Shuttling of Mitogen-Activated Protein (MAP) Kinase (Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK) 2) Was Dynamically Controlled by MAP/ERK Kinase After Antigen Stimulation in RBL-2H3 Cells
Authors: Furuno Tadahide , Hirashima Naohide , Onizawa Shinobu , Sagiya Noriko , Nakanishi Mamoru
Published: April 2014

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade consists of the MAPK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2; ERK2) and its activator, MAPK kinase (MAP/ERK kinase; MEK). However, the mechanisms for activation of ERK2 have not been defined yet in cells. Here, we used fluorescent protein-tagged ERK2 and MEK to examine the localization of ERK2 and MEK in living rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells. ERK2 was mainly in the cytoplasm in resting cells but translocated into the nucleus after the ligation of IgE receptors. The import of ERK2 reached the maximum at 6–7 min, and then the imported ERK2 was exported from the nucleus. MEK mainly resided in the cytoplasm, and no significant MEK translocation was detected statically after ligation of IgE receptors. However, analysis of the dynamics of ERK2 and MEK suggested that both of them rapidly shuttle between the cytoplasm and the nucleus and that MEK regulates the nuclear shuttling of ERK2, whereas MEK remains mainly in the cytoplasm. In addition, the data suggested that the sustained calcium increase was required for the optimal translocation of ERK2 into the nucleus in RBL-2H3 cells. These results gave a new insight of the dynamics of ERK2 and MEK in the nuclear shuttling of RBL-2H3 cells after the ligation of IgE receptors.
The TCR Repertoire of an Immunodominant CD8+ T Lymphocyte Population
Authors: Chen Zheng W. , Li Yunyuan , Zeng Xuejun , Kuroda Marcelo J. , Schmitz Jöern E. , Shen Yun , Lai Xioamin , Shen Ling , Letvin Norman L.
Published: April 2014

The TCR repertoire of an epitope-specific CD8+ T cell population remains poorly characterized. To determine the breadth of the TCR repertoire of a CD8+ T cell population that recognizes a dominant epitope of the AIDS virus, the CD8+ T cells recognizing the tetrameric Mamu-A*01/p11C,CM complex were isolated from simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected Mamu-A*01+ rhesus monkeys. This CD8+ T cell population exhibited selected usage of TCR Vβ families and complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) segments. Although the epitope-specific CD8+ T cell response was clearly polyclonal, a dominance of selected Vβ+ cell subpopulations and clones was seen in the TCR repertoire. Interestingly, some of the selected Vβ+ cell subpopulations and clones maintained their dominance in the TCR repertoire over time after infection with SIV of macaques. Other Vβ+ cell subpopulations declined over time in their relative representation and were replaced by newly evolving clones that became dominant. The present study provides molecular evidence indicating that the TCR repertoire shaped by a single viral epitope is dominated at any point in time by selected Vβ+ cell subpopulations and clones and suggests that dominant Vβ+ cell subpopulations and clones can either be stable or evolve during a chronic infection.
Regulation of Transcriptional Activity of the Murine CD40 Ligand Promoter in Response to Signals Through TCR and the Costimulatory Molecules CD28 and CD2
Authors: Lindgren Hanna , Axcrona Karol , Leanderson Tomas
Published: April 2014

We have analyzed the murine CD40 ligand promoter with regard to stimulation of transcriptional activity in Jurkat T cells after signaling via the TCR and the costimulatory molecules CD28 and CD2. TCR engagement was necessary for the induction of transcriptional activity from the CD40 ligand promoter, and costimulation through either CD28 or CD2 further increased the activity. Analysis of promoter deletants showed that the DNA elements needed for transcriptional activity induced by costimulatory molecules were located within two regions containing previously identified transcription factor NFAT sites. Further studies of the proximal NFAT site showed that it was not dependent on AP-1 binding for transcriptional activity induced by costimulation through CD28. Instead, a region between the TATA box and the proximal NFAT site was shown to bind proteins of the early growth response family and to contribute to NFAT-mediated transcriptional activation.
Antigen-Specific Th1 But Not Th2 Cells Provide Protection from Lethal Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Mice
Authors: Kumar Sudesh , Tarleton Rick L.
Published: April 2014

Infection with Trypanosoma cruzi results in the development of both type 1 and type 2 patterns of cytokine responses during acute and chronic stages of infection. To investigate the role of Th1 and Th2 subsets of CD4+ T cells in determining the outcome of T. cruzi infection in mice, we have developed T. cruzi clones that express OVA and have used OVA-specific TCR-transgenic T cells to generate OVA-specific Th1 and Th2 cells. BALB/c mice receiving 107 OVA-specific Th1 cells and then challenged with OVA-expressing T. cruzi G-OVA.GPI showed significantly lower parasitemia and increased survival in comparison to mice that received no cells. In contrast, recipients of OVA-specific Th2 cells developed higher parasitemias, exhibited higher tissue parasitism and inflammation, and had higher mortality than recipients of Th1 cells after infection with T. cruzi G-OVA.GPI. Mice receiving a mixture of both Th1 and Th2 OVA-specific cells also were not protected from lethal challenge. The protective effect of the OVA-specific Th1 cells was OVA dependent as shown by the fact that transfer of OVA-specific Th1 or Th2 cells failed to alter the course of infection or disease in mice challenged with wild-type T. cruzi. Immunohistochemical analysis of OVA-specific Th1 and Th2 cells at 4, 15, and 30 days postinfection revealed the persistence and expansion of these cells in mice challenged with T. cruzi G-OVA.GPI but not in mice infected with wild-type T. cruzi. We conclude that transfer of Ag-specific Th1 cells but not Th2 cells protect mice from a lethal infection with T. cruzi.
Cancer Vaccine Design: A Novel Bacterial Adjuvant for Peptide-Specific CTL Induction
Authors: Miconnet Isabelle , Coste Isabelle , Beermann Friedrich , Haeuw Jean-François , Cerottini Jean-Charles , Bonnefoy Jean-Yves , Romero Pedro , Renno Toufic
Published: April 2014

The recent identification of tumor Ags as potential vaccines has prompted the search for efficient adjuvants and delivery systems, especially in the case of peptide-based vaccination protocols. Here, we investigated the adjuvant potential of the recombinant 40-kDa outer membrane protein of Klebsellia pneumoniae (P40) for specific CTL induction. We studied the CTL response induced in HLA-A*0201/Kb transgenic mice immunized with peptides derived from two melanoma-associated differentiation Ags, the HLA-A*0201-restricted decapeptide Melan-A26–35 substituted at position 2 and the Kb-restricted tyrosinase-related protein 2181–188 T cell epitope. We found that both peptides are able to generate a specific CTL response when mixed with the protein in the absence of conventional adjuvant. This CTL response is a function of the amount of P40 used for immunization. Moreover, the CTL response generated against the tyrosinase-related protein 2181–188 peptide in presence of P40 is associated with tumor protection in two different experimental models and is independent of the presence of CD4+ T lymphocytes. Thus, the recombinant bacterial protein P40 functions as a potent immunological adjuvant for specific CTL induction.
CXC Chemokine Receptor-2 Ligands Are Required for Neutrophil-Mediated Host Defense in Experimental Brain Abscesses
Authors: Kielian Tammy , Barry Brenda , Hickey William F.
Published: April 2014

We have developed a mouse brain abscess model by using Staphylococcus aureus, one of the main etiologic agents of brain abscesses in humans. Direct damage to the blood-brain barrier was observed from 24 h to 7 days after S. aureus exposure as demonstrated by the accumulation of serum IgG in the brain parenchyma. Evaluation of brain abscesses by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry revealed a prominent neutrophil infiltrate. To address the importance of neutrophils in the early containment of S. aureus infection in the brain, mice were transiently depleted of neutrophils before implantation of bacteria-laden beads. Neutrophil-depleted animals consistently demonstrated more severe brain abscesses and higher CNS bacterial burdens compared with control animals. S. aureus led to the induction of numerous chemokines in the brain, including macrophage-inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α/CCL3, MIP-1β/CCL4, MIP-2/CXCL1, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1/CCL2, and TCA-3/CCL1, within 6 h after bacterial exposure. These chemokines also were expressed by both primary cultures of neonatal mouse microglia and astrocytes exposed to heat-inactivated S. aureus in vitro. Because neutrophils constitute the majority of the cellular infiltrate in early brain abscess development, subsequent analysis focused on MIP-2 and KC/CXCL1, two neutrophil-attracting CXC chemokines. Both MIP-2 and KC protein levels were significantly elevated in the brain after S. aureus exposure. Neutrophil extravasation into the brain parenchyma was impaired in CXCR2 knockout mice and was associated with increased bacterial burdens. These studies demonstrate the importance of the CXCR2 ligands MIP-2 and KC and neutrophils in the acute host response to S. aureus in the brain.
The α4β1 (Very Late Antigen (VLA)-4, CD49d/CD29) and α5β1 (VLA-5, CD49e/CD29) Integrins Mediate β2 (CD11/CD18) Integrin-Independent Neutrophil Recruitment to Endotoxin-Induced Lung Inflammation
Authors: Burns J. Adam , Issekutz Thomas B. , Yagita Hideo , Issekutz Andrew C.
Published: April 2014

The β2 integrin cell adhesion molecules (CAM) mediate polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) emigration in most inflamed tissues, but, in the lung, other yet to be identified CAMs appear to be involved. In Lewis rats, the intratracheal injection of Escherichia coli-LPS induced acute (6-h) PMNL accumulation in the lung parenchyma (280 × 106 by myeloperoxidase assay; PBS control = 35 × 106) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF = 27 × 106; PBS = 0.1 × 106). Parenchymal accumulation was not inhibited by a blocking Ab to β2 integrins and only minimally inhibited (20.5%; p < 0.05) in BALF. We examined the role of α4β1 and α5β1 integrins and of selectins in this PMNL recruitment. Treatment with mAbs to α4β1 or α5β1, even in combination, had no effect on PMNL accumulation induced by intratracheal LPS. However, anti-α4 combined with anti-β2 mAbs inhibited PMNL recruitment to the parenchyma by 56% (p < 0.001) and to BALF by 58% (p < 0.01). The addition of anti-α5 mAb to β2 plus α4 blockade inhibited PMNL accumulation further (by 79%; p < 0.05). In contrast, blockade of L-, P-, and E-selectins in combination or together with β2, α4, and α5 integrins had no effect. LPS-induced BALF protein accumulation was not inhibited by treatment with anti-β2 plus α4 mAbs, but was prevented when α5β1 was also blocked. Thus, while selectins appear to play no role, α4β1 and α5β1 function as major alternate CAMs to the β2 integrins in mediating PMNL migration to lung and to pulmonary vascular and epithelial permeability.
Human Leukocyte Subpopulations from Inflamed Gut Bind to Joint Vasculature Using Distinct Sets of Adhesion Molecules
Authors: Salmi Marko , Jalkanen Sirpa
Published: April 2014

Reactive arthritis can be triggered by inflammatory bowel diseases. We hypothesized that migration of mucosal immune cells from inflamed gut to joints could contribute to the development of reactive arthritis. Here we isolated gut-derived leukocytes from patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Using function-blocking mAbs and in vitro frozen section adhesion assays we studied whether these cells bind to synovial vessels and which molecules mediate the interaction. The results showed that mucosal leukocytes from inflammatory bowel diseased gut bind well to venules in synovial membrane. Small intestinal lymphocytes adhered to synovial vessels using multiple homing receptors and their corresponding endothelial ligands (CD18-ICAM-1, α4β7/α4β1-integrin-VCAM-1, L-selectin-peripheral lymph node addressins, and CD44). Of these, only ICAM-1 significantly supported binding of immunoblasts. In contrast, P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1-P-selectin interaction accounted for practically all synovial adherence of mucosal macrophages. In addition, blocking of vascular adhesion protein-1 significantly inhibited binding of all these leukocyte subsets to joint vessels. We conclude that different leukocyte populations derived from inflamed gut bind avidly to synovial vessels using distinct repertoire of adhesion molecules, suggesting that their recirculation may contribute to the development of reactive arthritis in inflammatory bowel diseases.
Lipopolysaccharide Activates Akt in Human Alveolar Macrophages Resulting in Nuclear Accumulation and Transcriptional Activity of β-Catenin
Authors: Monick Martha M. , Carter A. Brent , Robeff Pamela K. , Flaherty Dawn M. , Peterson Michael W. , Hunninghake Gary W.
Published: April 2014

Exposure of human alveolar macrophages to bacterial LPS results in activation of a number of signal transduction pathways. An early event after the alveolar macrophage comes in contact with LPS is activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI 3-kinase). This study evaluates the downstream effects of that activation. We observed that LPS exposure results in phosphorylation of Akt (serine 473). We found this using both phosphorylation-specific Abs and also by in vivo phosphorylation with 32P-loaded cells. AKT activation resulted in the phosphorylation-dependent inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3) (serine 21/9). We found that both of these events were linked to PI 3-kinase because the PI 3-kinase inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of both AKT and GSK-3. Inactivation of GSK-3 has been shown to reduce the ubiquitination of β-catenin, resulting in nuclear accumulation and transcriptional activity of β-catenin. Consistent with this, we found that LPS caused an increase in the amounts of PI 3-kinase-dependent nuclear β-catenin in human alveolar macrophages and expression of genes that require nuclear β-catenin for their activation. This is the first demonstration that LPS exposure activates AKT, inactivates GSK-3, and causes accumulation and transcriptional activity of β-catenin in the nucleus of any cell, including alveolar macrophages.
Requirement ofA1-afor Bacillus Calmette-Guérin-Mediated Protection of Macrophages Against Nitric Oxide-Induced Apoptosis
Authors: Kausalya Santhanam , Somogyi Robert , Orlofsky Amos , Prystowsky Michael B.
Published: April 2014

The role of apoptosis in regulating the course of intracellular microbial infection is not well understood. We studied the relationship between apoptotic regulation and bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment in murine peritoneal exudate macrophages (PEM) and the J774 macrophage cell line. In both PEM and J774 cells, mRNA expression of the anti-apoptotic gene, A1, was selectively induced by BCG treatment as compared with other bcl2 family members (bcl-w, bcl-2, bcl-xl, bcl-xs, bax, bak, bad). In PEM, A1 expression was maximal by 8 h postinfection and was abrogated by the proteasomal inhibitor MG-132. The induction was independent of protein synthesis as well as the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathways and did not require live organism. Three genes encoding closely related isoforms of A1 were all expressed; however, the A1-a isoform displayed the greatest fold induction in PEM. BCG-induced A1 expression was associated with protection of host macrophages from NO-mediated apoptosis in both PEM and J774 cells. BCG-mediated protection was abrogated in PEM derived from A1-a−/− mice, indicating a requirement of A1-a for survival of inflammatory macrophages.
Reduced Early Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in CD14-Deficient Mice
Authors: Yin Ming , Bradford Blair U. , Wheeler Michael D. , Uesugi Takehiko , Froh Matthias , Goyert Sanna M. , Thurman Ronald G.
Published: April 2014

Activation of Kupffer cells by gut-derived endotoxin is associated with alcohol-induced liver injury. Recently, it was shown that CD14-deficient mice are more resistant to endotoxin-induced shock than wild-type controls. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the role of CD14 receptors in early alcohol-induced liver injury using CD14 knockout and wild-type BALB/c mice in a model of enteral ethanol delivery. Animals were given a high-fat liquid diet continuously with ethanol or isocaloric maltose-dextrin as control for 4 wk. The liver to body weight ratio in wild-type mice (5.8 ± 0.3%) was increased significantly by ethanol (7.3 ± 0.2%) but was not altered by ethanol in CD14-deficient mice. Ethanol elevated serum alanine aminotransferase levels nearly 3-fold in wild-type mice, but not in CD14-deficient mice. Wild-type and knockout mice given the control high-fat diet had normal liver histology, whereas ethanol caused severe liver injury (steatosis, inflammation, and necrosis; pathology score = 3.8 ± 0.4). In contrast, CD14-deficient mice given ethanol showed minimal hepatic changes (score = 1.6 ± 0.3, p < 0.05). Additionally, NF-κB, TGF-β, and TNF-α were increased significantly in wild-type mice fed ethanol but not in the CD14 knockout. Thus, chronic ethanol feeding caused more severe liver injury in wild-type than CD14 knockouts, supporting the hypothesis that endotoxin acting via CD14 plays a major role in the development of early alcohol-induced liver injury.
Frequencies of Neuroantigen-Specific T Cells in the Central Nervous System Versus the Immune Periphery During the Course of Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Targoni Oleg S. , Baus Jan , Hofstetter Harald H. , Hesse Maike D. , Karulin Alexey Y. , Boehm Bernhard O. , Forsthuber Thomas G. , Lehmann Paul V.
Published: April 2014

Direct measurements of the frequency and the cytokine signature of the neuroantigen-specific effector cells in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) are a continuing challenge. This is true for lymphoid tissues, and more importantly, for the CNS itself. Using enzyme-linked immunospot analysis (ELISPOT) assays, we followed proteolipid protein (PLP) 139–151-specific T cells engaged by active immunization of SJL mice. The total numbers of PLP139–151-specific CD4 cells were highest before disease onset. At this time, these cells resided in lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues, but were not detected in the CNS. While the PLP139–151-specific cells reached high frequencies in the CNS during clinical EAE, in absolute numbers, less than 20% of them were present in the target organ, with the majority residing in the periphery throughout all stages of the disease. The numbers of PLP139–151-specific cells gradually declined in both compartments with time. While eventually this first wave of effector cells completely disappeared from the CNS, PLP178–191-specific cells became engaged, being detected first in the CNS. These data suggest that throughout all stages of EAE, the effector cells in the CNS are recruited from a vast peripheral reservoir, and that the second wave of effector cells is engaged while the first wave undergoes exhaustion.
Persistence of Pathogenic CD4+ Th1-Like Cells In Vivo in the Absence of IL-12 but in the Presence of Autoantigen
Authors: Hong Kenneth , Berg Ellen L. , Ehrhardt Rolf O.
Published: April 2014

Despite recent successful treatment of murine autoimmune disease with anti-IL-12 mAb, it has not yet been addressed whether anti-IL-12 mAb can also be effective in late stages of disease and whether it can provide lasting protection against recurrence, especially during continued presence of autoantigen. We used a newly developed psoriasis model in scid/scid mice, which allows easy tracking of pathogenic T cells, to show that when anti-IL-12 mAb is given for 2 wk (1 mg/wk) in the late stage of severe disease, inflammation is greatly reduced, as measured by ear thickness and histology (scores, 1.1 ± 0.1 vs 2.0 ± 0.4). Moreover, prolonged treatment (4 wk) of chronic psoriatic mice with high doses of mAb (1 mg/wk; prolonged active anti-inflammatory treatment (PAAIT)) results in the almost complete resolution of lesions (scores, 0.3 ± 0.1 vs 2.7 ± 0.2). Surprisingly, however, despite these significant treatment results, the psoriasis-like lesions return soon after the anti-IL-12 mAb treatment is discontinued. This rapid relapse of disease may be attributed to large populations of activated CD4+ T cells present in the lymph nodes of PAAIT animals still expressing an effector/memory phenotype (CD45RBlow, L-selectinlow). Upon stimulation in vitro such PAAIT lymph node cells secrete high amounts of IFN-γ (129 ng/ml); when transferred into naive scid/scid animals they are able to rapidly induce disease without costimulation. Our data indicates an alternative IL-12-independent pathway for pathogenic Th-1-like cells in vivo during the chronic phase of disease that allows these cells to persist and maintain their pathogenicity in the draining lymph tissue of the autoimmune site.
Cutting Edge: Recombinant Adenoviruses Induce CD8 T Cell Responses to an Inserted Protein Whose Expression Is Limited to Nonimmune Cells
Authors: Prasad Shiv A. , Norbury Christopher C. , Chen Weisan , Bennink Jack R. , Yewdell Jonathan W.
Published: April 2014

CD8 T cells (TCD8+) play a crucial role in immunity to viruses. Current understanding of activation of naive T cells entails Ag presentation by professional APCs (pAPCs). What happens, however, when viruses evolve to avoid infecting pAPCs? We have studied the consequences of this strategy by generating recombinant adenoviruses that express influenza A virus nucleoprotein under the control of tissue-specific promoters. We show that the immunogenicity of such viruses requires their delivery to organs capable of expressing nucleoprotein. This indicates that infection of pAPCs is not required for adenoviruses to elicit a TCD8+ response, probably due to a cross-priming via pAPCs. While this bodes well for recombinant adenoviruses as vaccines, it dims their prospects as gene therapy vectors.
Cutting Edge: Characterization of Allorestricted and Peptide-Selective Alloreactive T Cells Using HLA-Tetramer Selection
Authors: Moris Arnaud , Teichgräber Volker , Gauthier Laurent , Bühring Hans-Jörg , Rammensee Hans-Georg
Published: April 2014

The vast majority of alloreactive T cells recognize foreign MHC molecules in a peptide-dependent manner. A subpopulation of these peptide-dependent alloreactive T cells is peptide-specific and contains T cells that are of interest for tumor immunotherapy. Allorestricted T cells (i.e., peptide-specific and alloreactive) specific for tumor-associated Ags can be raised in vitro. However, it is technically difficult to distinguish between peptide-specific and peptide-nonspecific alloreactive T cells by functional assays in vitro. Here we show for the first time that allorestricted T cells specifically bind HLA-peptide tetrameric complexes, as nominal Ag-specific T cells would do. In consequence, fluorescent HLA-peptide tetrameric complexes can be used for sorting and cloning of allorestricted CTLs specific for a peptide of interest. We also show by the mean of HLA-peptide tetramers the existence of peptide-selective alloreactive T cells that recognize a conformation on the foreign-MHC brought about by some but not all peptides bound.
Transgenic Expression of IL-10 in T Cells Facilitates Development of Experimental Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Ostlie Norma S. , Karachunski Peter I. , Wang Wei , Monfardini Cristina , Kronenberg Mitchell , Conti-Fine Bianca M.
Published: April 2014

Ab to the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) cause experimental myasthenia gravis (EMG). Th1 cytokines facilitate EMG, whereas Th2 cytokines might be protective. IL-10 inhibits Th1 responses but facilitates B cell proliferation and Ig production. We examined the role of IL-10 in EMG by using wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice and transgenic (TG) C57BL/6 mice that express IL-10 under control of the IL-2 promoter. We immunized the mice with doses of AChR that cause EMG in WT mice or with low doses ineffective at causing EMG in WT mice. After low-dose AChR immunization, WT mice did not develop EMG and had very little anti-AChR serum Ab, which were mainly IgG1, whereas TG mice developed EMG and had higher levels of anti-AChR serum Ab, which were mainly IgG2, in addition to IgG1. At the higher doses, TG mice developed EMG earlier and more frequently than WT mice and had more serum anti-AChR Ab. Both strains had similar relative serum concentrations of anti-AChR IgG subclasses and IgG and complement at the muscle synapses. CD8+-depleted splenocytes from all AChR-immunized mice proliferated in the presence of AChR and recognized a similar epitope repertoire. CD8+-depleted splenocytes from AChR-immunized TG mice stimulated in vitro with AChR secreted significantly more IL-10, but less of the prototypic Th1 cytokine IFN-γ, than those from WT mice. They secreted comparable amounts of IL-4 and slightly but not significantly reduced amounts of IL-2. This suggests that TG mice had reduced activation of anti-Torpedo AChR Th1 cells, but increased anti-AChR Ab synthesis, that likely resulted from IL-10-mediated stimulation of anti-AChR B cells. Thus, EMG development is not strictly dependent on Th1 cell activity.
Unique Functions of CD11b+, CD8α+, and Double-Negative Peyer’s Patch Dendritic Cells
Authors: Iwasaki Akiko , Kelsall Brian L.
Published: April 2014

We have recently demonstrated the presence of three populations of dendritic cells (DC) in the murine Peyer’s patch. CD11b+/CD8α− (myeloid) DCs are localized in the subepithelial dome, CD11b−/CD8α+ (lymphoid) DCs in the interfollicular regions, and CD11b−/CD8α− (double-negative; DN) DCs at both sites. We now describe the presence of a novel population of intraepithelial DN DCs within the follicle-associated epithelium and demonstrate a predominance of DN DCs only in mucosal lymphoid tissues. Furthermore, we demonstrate that all DC subpopulations maintain their surface phenotype upon maturation in vitro, and secrete a distinct pattern of cytokines upon exposure to T cell and microbial stimuli. Only myeloid DCs from the PP produce high levels of IL-10 upon stimulation with soluble CD40 ligand− trimer, or Staphylococcus aureus and IFN-γ. In contrast, lymphoid and DN, but not myeloid DCs, produce IL-12p70 following microbial stimulation, whereas no DC subset produces IL-12p70 in response to CD40 ligand trimer. Finally, we show that myeloid DCs from the PP are particularly capable of priming naive T cells to secrete high levels of IL-4 and IL-10, when compared with those from nonmucosal sites, while lymphoid and DN DCs from all tissues prime for IFN-γ production. These findings thus suggest that DC subsets within mucosal tissues have unique immune inductive capacities.
IL-12 Alone and in Synergy with IL-18 Inhibits Osteoclast Formation In Vitro
Authors: Horwood Nicole J. , Elliott Jan , Martin T. John , Gillespie Matthew T.
Published: April 2014

IL-12, like IL-18, was shown to potently inhibit osteoclast formation in cultures of cocultures of murine osteoblast and spleen cells, as well as in adult spleen cells treated with M-CSF and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). Neither IL-12 nor IL-18 was able to inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclast formation in cultured RAW264.7 cells, demonstrating that IL-12, like IL-18, was unable to act directly on osteoclastic precursors. IL-12, like IL-18, was found to act by T cells, since depletion of T cells from the adult spleen cell cultures ablated the inhibitory action of IL-12 and addition of either CD4 or CD8 T cells from C57BL/6 mice to RANKL-stimulated RAW264.7 cultures permitted IL-12 or IL-18 to be inhibitory. Additionally, IL-12 was still able to inhibit osteoclast formation in cocultures with osteoblasts and spleen cells from either GM-CSF R−/− mice or IFN-γ R−/− mice, indicating that neither GM-CSF nor IFN-γ was mediating osteoclast inhibition in these cultures. Combined, IL-18 and IL-12 synergistically inhibited osteoclast formation at concentrations 20- to 1000-fold less, respectively, than when added individually. A candidate inhibitor could not be demonstrated using neutralizing Abs to IL-4, IL-10, or IL-13 or from mRNA expression profiles among known cytokine inhibitors of osteoclastogenesis in response to IL-12 and IL-18 treatment, although the unknown inhibitory molecule was determined to be secreted from T cells.
CD99 Signals Caspase-Independent T Cell Death
Authors: Pettersen Rolf D. , Bernard Ghislaine , Olafsen Mette Kløvstad , Pourtein Monique , Lie Sverre O.
Published: April 2014

Death signaling by Fas and TNF receptors plays a major role in the control of activated mature T cells. However, the nature of the death receptors, which may be used by the immune system to control T cells that have not acquired susceptibility to Fas ligand or TNF, is not established. In this study, we demonstrate that engagement of distinct epitopes on CD99 rapidly induces T cell death by a novel caspase-independent pathway. A new mAb to these CD99 epitopes, Ad20, induces programmed cell death of transformed T cells as determined by morphological changes, phosphatidylserine exposure on the cell surface, and uptake of propidium iodide. In general, ligation of CD99 induced kinetically faster and more profound death responses as compared with the impact of anti-Fas and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Ad20-induced programmed cell death was observed with seven of eight T cell lines examined, and notably, only two of these were distinctly responsive to anti-Fas and TRAIL. CD99-mediated death signaling proceeded independently of functional CD3, CD4, CD45, and p56lck, revealed distinctions from CD47-mediated T cell death responses, and was not influenced by interference with CD47 signaling. In contrast to the effect on transformed T cell lines, Ad20-induced death responses were not observed with normal peripheral T cells. Thus, our data suggest that CD99 is linked to a novel death pathway that may have biologic relevance in control of early T cells.
ICOS Costimulation Requires IL-2 and Can Be Prevented by CTLA-4 Engagement
Authors: Riley James L. , Blair Patrick J. , Musser John T. , Abe Ryo , Tezuka Katsunari , Tsuji Takashi , June Carl H.
Published: April 2014

We investigated the relationship between ICOS, CD28, CTLA-4, and IL-2 to gain a better understanding of this family of costimulatory receptors in the immune response. Using magnetic beads coated with anti-CD3 and varying amounts of anti-ICOS and anti-CTLA-4 Abs, we show that CTLA-4 ligation blocks ICOS costimulation. In addition to inhibiting cellular proliferation, CTLA-4 engagement prevented ICOS-costimulated T cells from producing IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13. Both an indirect and direct mechanism of CTLA-4’s actions were examined. First, CTLA-4 engagement on resting cells was found to indirectly block ICOS costimulation by interferring with the signals needed to induce ICOS cell surface expression. Second, on preactivated cells that had high levels of ICOS expression, CTLA-4 ligation blocked the ICOS-mediated induction of IL-4, IL-10, and IL-13, suggesting an interference with downstream signaling pathways. The addition of IL-2 not only overcame both mechanisms, but also greatly augmented the level of cellular activation suggesting synergy between ICOS and IL-2 signaling. This cooperation between ICOS and IL-2 signaling was explored further by showing that the minimum level of IL-2 produced by ICOS costimulation was required for T cell proliferation. Finally, exogenous IL-2 was required for sustained growth of ICOS-costimulated T cells. These results indicate that stringent control of ICOS costimulation is maintained initially by CTLA-4 engagement and later by a requirement for exogenous IL-2.