bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contact-dependent endothelial class II HLA gene activation induced by NK cells is mediated by IFN-gamma-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
Authors: Watson C A , Petzelbauer P , Zhou J , Pardi R , Bender J R
Published: December 2022

NK lymphocytes adhere avidly to allogeneic endothelial cells (ECs) and induce their membrane expression of MHC class II Ags in vitro. Endothelial class II expression augments EC-driven CD4+ T cell proliferation in vitro, and may amplify T cell recruitment and clonal expansion in vivo. Using an ex vivo lymphocyte-skin organ coculture model, NK cells could be found lining and inducing class II HLA on microvessel endothelium. Using neutralizing anti-IFN-gamma and anti-IFN-gamma receptor Abs, a spectrum of IFN-gamma dependence was observed for NK-mediated EC HLA-DR induction at the membrane and transcriptional levels, from negligible to moderate. Trans-well experiments displayed that direct NK-EC contact is required, and Ab inhibition studies indicated that the beta 2 integrin-ICAM-1 pathway(s) is critical in the generation of these responses. The use of HLA-DR alpha promoter constructs in transient transfection assays demonstrated that the highly conserved X and S transcription boxes are required in both IFN-gamma- and NK-mediated gene activation. As expected, because of the receptor species specificity, human IFN-gamma did not induce HLA-DR alpha promoter constructs transfected in Chinese hamster ovary cells, whereas NK cells did. Taken together, these results indicate that human allogeneic NK lymphocytes induce EC class II HLA gene activation and membrane expression in an adhesion-dependent, IFN-gamma-independent fashion and suggest that, in concert with any IFN-gamma-dependent component, this induction could represent an efficient mode of endothelial activation and immune amplification in vivo.
Integrin regulation of an inflammatory effector gene. Direct induction of the tissue factor promoter by engagement of beta 1 or alpha 4 integrin chains.
Authors: Fan S T , Mackman N , Cui M Z , Edgington T S
Published: December 2022

Inflammatory genes are regulated in cells of monocyte (Mo) lineage by a variety of cellular encounters, including adhesion mediated by integrins. The role of the beta 1 family of integrins in the direct induction of immediate early gene expression was analyzed by using the tissue factor (TF) gene. Engagement of alpha 4 or beta 1 on Mo, but not members of the beta 2 integrin family, with specific mAbs as surrogate ligands immediately and directly induced high level surface expression of TF, and accumulation of TF mRNA, as well as production of TNF-alpha and HIV-1 virus. The mechanism responsible for induction of TF gene transcription mediated by the engagement of alpha 4 or beta 1 was elucidated by using THP-1 monoblastic leukemia cells. Functional analysis of plasmids containing the TF promoter expressing the luciferase reporter gene identified a cis-acting integrin-responsive element (InRE), which contained two AP-1 sites as well as a single kappa B-like site. Mutation of either the AP-1 sites or kappa B-like site greatly diminished responsiveness to integrin engagement. This InRE also conferred responsiveness to a heterologous promoter in the same reporter plasmid. Binding of mAbs to either alpha 4 or beta 1 led to nuclear translocation of the c-Rel/p65 heterodimer that preferentially bound to the TF kappa B-like site. In contrast, constitutive binding of AP-1 proteins to the two AP-1 sites was not increased by alpha 4 or beta 1 integrin engagement. These studies expand knowledge of integrin regulation of immediate early gene expression in Mo and molecular encounters that are inferred to play an active role in Mo effector functions.
Catalytic activity of anti-thyroglobulin antibodies.
Authors: Li L , Paul S , Tyutyulkova S , Kazatchkine M D , Kaveri S
Published: December 2022

Thyroglobulin (Tg)-specific autoantibodies from a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis hydrolyzed radiolabeled Tg, shown by production of several smaller sized products on SDS electrophoresis gels. The apparent Km value for Tg was in the nanomolar range, a property typical of an Ab combining site. The Tg antibodies also hydrolyzed tripeptide-methylcoumarinamide (MCA) substrates with lower affinity, displaying a preference for Arg-MCA and Lys-MCA containing conjugates. The hydrolysis of one of these conjugates, Pro-Phe-Arg-MCA, was inhibited competitively by Tg, suggesting a catalytic site located in the Ab combining site. In control experiments, 1) the hydrolytic activities were removed by immunoadsorption with immobilized anti-human IgG; 2) IgG depleted of the Tg-specific Abs by affinity chromatography did not display Tg and Pro-Phe-Arg-MCA hydrolyzing activities; and 3) the peptide-MCA hydrolyzing activity tracked exactly with the 150-kDa IgG peak on a gel filtration column run in denaturing solvent (6 M guanidine chloride).
A human lectin, galectin-3 (epsilon bp/Mac-2), stimulates superoxide production by neutrophils.
Authors: Yamaoka A , Kuwabara I , Frigeri L G , Liu F T
Published: December 2022

A family of soluble animal lectins, galectins, with beta-galactoside-binding activity, is gaining increased attention. One member of this family, galectin-3, has been previously designated by this group as epsilon bp, for its IgE-binding activity. On the basis of the saccharide specificity and other biochemical characteristics of epsilon bp, it is possible that this lectin could have an important extracellular modulatory role, functioning through recognition of critical cell surface glycoproteins on many cell types. We present evidence here that recombinant human epsilon bp activates human neutrophils in a dose-dependent manner as demonstrated by superoxide production. The observed activity is dependent on the lectin property of epsilon bp intrinsic to its carboxyl-terminal domain, as it could be inhibited effectively by lactose, a known saccharide ligand of epsilon bp. However, the amino-terminal domain is also necessary for the observed activity, as epsilon bp-C (the carboxyl-terminal domain fragment) is devoid of neutrophil-activating activity, even though it retains the carbohydrate-binding property. Affinity purification of lysates from cell surface-radio-iodinated neutrophils revealed two major protein bands of M(r) 115,000 and M(r) 180,000 that are recognized by epsilon bp and preliminary data suggested that one of these proteins is NCA-160, a human carcinoembryonic Ag-related glycoprotein. This study thus lends further support to our view of an extracellular function for epsilon bp and suggests that this protein has an important role in inflammation and host defense through modulating the function of neutrophils.
Functional studies of epidermal Langerhans cells and blood monocytes in HIV-infected persons.
Authors: Blauvelt A , Clerici M , Lucey D R , Steinberg S M , Yarchoan R , Walker R , Shearer G M , Katz S I
Published: December 2022

APC dysfunction may be important in immune dysregulation associated with HIV disease. Langerhans cells, epidermal APC, can be infected with HIV, although their function in HIV-infected persons has not been studied. Therefore, we studied the immunologic function of Langerhans cells, in parallel with blood APC (enriched for monocytes/macrophages (M phi) function, in 21 HIV-seropositive (HIV+) and 21 HIV-seronegative volunteers, including three monozygotic twin pairs discordant for HIV serology. Langerhans cells from HIV+ patients were quantitatively normal and expressed normal levels of HLA-DR. However, Langerhans cells from AIDS patients and M phi from both AIDS and HIV+ non-AIDS patients stimulated allogeneic T cells less well compared with control APC. In addition, decreased recall Ag- and mitogen-induced T cell responsiveness was observed in HIV+ patients using either autologous Langerhans cells or autologous M phi as APC/accessory cells. Interestingly, Langerhans cells and M phi isolated from HIV+ twins (CD4+ cell counts of 181, 271, and 562/mm3) were able to present recall Ag normally to HIV-uninfected syngeneic T cells. In summary, APC from HIV+ patients were impaired in their ability to generate a primary immune response (i.e., alloantigen-induced T cell stimulation), but they retained the ability to generate a secondary immune response (i.e., recall Ag-induced syngeneic T cell stimulation). Thus, these findings suggest that defects in secondary immune responses commonly observed in HIV disease are dependent on T cell dysfunction alone, whereas defective primary immune responses may be secondary to both T cell and APC dysfunction.
Self-peptides in the initiation of lupus autoimmunity.
Authors: Bockenstedt L K , Gee R J , Mamula M J
Published: December 2022

Systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by high titers of autoantibodies directed at multiple proteins of the U1/Sm small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). The origin of this type of autoimmunity, that is, whether it is initiated by foreign molecular mimics or by the self-snRNPs, is not known. In this study using normal mice, we investigated the presence of autoreactive B and T cells to the D protein of murine snRNPs. Although neither B nor T cell responses could be detected after immunization with native self-snRNPs, two synthetic self-peptides corresponding to amino acids 26-40 and 56-70 of the snRNP D protein elicited strong autoreactive T cell proliferation as well as a limited Ab response that bound the self-protein in immunoblots. T cells elicited by these peptides did not respond to stimulation with native snRNPs, suggesting that the peptides are cryptic and are not processed from the native protein for presentation by APCs. After priming with either of these cryptic self-peptides, exposure of the immune system to native murine snRNPs resulted in a diversified response with Abs that immunoprecipitated snRNPs and that produced an antinuclear immunofluorescence pattern on murine cell substrates. These studies demonstrate that autoreactive B and T cells specific for self-snRNPs are components of the normal repertoire of mouse lymphocytes; they have been neither deleted nor irreversibly anergized. Furthermore, we show that a diverse autoimmune response to lupus autoantigens, snRNPs, can originate from self-peptides without the influence of foreign Ags or molecular mimics.
Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Qualitative and semiquantitative differences in heat shock protein 60 expression in the central nervous system.
Authors: Gao Y L , Brosnan C F , Raine C S
Published: December 2022

The factors that contribute to disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), are not known. In this study, we have tested the hypothesis that inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) is associated with altered expression of heat shock proteins (hsp) that may function as a target in the development of chronic disease. In normal mouse spinal cord, hsp 60 immunoreactivity was localized exclusively to its constitutive site in mitochondria. In animals with acute EAE, lesions were accentuated by increased expression of hsp 60, primarily by infiltrating cells. In chronic EAE, hsp 60 was found predominantly on CNS components, particularly oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. In both acute and chronic lesions, hsp 60 was located in the cytoplasm of cells, but in non-lesion areas, it was mitochondrial. By semiquantitative Western blotting, hsp 60 in normal mouse spinal cord (n = 6) was 0.99 +/- 0.09% of total protein. In acute EAE (n = 6), the value was 1.08 +/- 0.1%, and in chronic EAE (n = 8), 1.39 +/- 0.39%. FACS analysis showed that a subpopulation of CD3+ cells expressed hsp 60 on the cell surface, an observation confirmed by cell surface labeling and immunoprecipitation. In chronic EAE lesions, gamma delta T cells colocalized with areas of increased hsp 60 immunoreactivity. The results support the conclusion that development of autoimmune-directed inflammation in the CNS is associated with differences in hsp 60 expression that may act as an additional target and/or modulator of the immune response.
Phenothiazine induces de novo MHC class II antigen expression on thyroid epithelial cells. A new mechanism for drug-induced autoimmunity.
Authors: Takorabet L , Ropars A , Raby C , Charreire J
Published: December 2022

Autoimmune responses are initiated by MHC class II-restricted T cell responses directed against tissue-specific autoantigens. Furthermore, HLA-DR expression in thyroid epithelial cells is a prominent feature of autoimmune thyroid disease. In the present work, we were particularly interested in a phenothiazine, a neuroleptic and anti-depressant drug of pharmacologic importance named alimemazine. Our interest in this compound stems from previous findings of immune effects of this and other phenothiazines. We demonstrate that MHC class II Ags can be experimentally induced on thyroid cells by pharmacologic concentrations of alimemazine, a drug commonly used in psychiatry. In contrast, MHC class II Ags were not induced on the lymphoid cell lines Raji and Jurkat. Expression of MHC class II Ag on the surface of the cloned human thyroid cell hybridoma, GEJ, was demonstrated by flow cytometry. Moreover, by using Northern blot and Southern blot analyses, this finding was confirmed at the molecular level in GEJ and in murine thyroid epithelial cell cultures, respectively. The functional role of phenothiazine-, de novo-induced MHC class II Ags on thyroid cells was assessed by both syngeneic murine thyroglobulin-specific and allogeneic proliferative T cell responses. These results suggest that antidepressant drugs of the phenothiazine type could play a role in the induction and the perpetuation of thyroid autoimmune disorders, through induction of class II restriction elements on normally class II-negative thyroid epithelial cells.
Mucosal immunization with a bacterial protein antigen genetically coupled to cholera toxin A2/B subunits.
Authors: Hajishengallis G , Hollingshead S K , Koga T , Russell M W
Published: December 2022

The generation of secretory IgA Abs for specific immune protection of mucosal surfaces depends on stimulation of the mucosal immune system, but this is not effectively achieved by parenteral or even oral administration of most soluble Ags. To harness the exceptional mucosal immunogenicity of cholera toxin (CT), which is largely attributed to the cell-binding property of its B subunit, for the generation of other oral vaccines, we have genetically replaced the toxic A1 subunit of CT with a 42-kDa segment of a streptococcal protein adhesin. This construct was expressed in Escherichia coli as a chimeric protein that retained the GM1 ganglioside-binding activity of CT subunit B and the antigenicity of the streptococcal adhesin, as shown by GM1-ELISA developed with Abs to the steptococcal segment. The protein composition of chromatographically purified chimeric protein was verified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting with Abs to both antigenic components of the construct. Peroral administration of this chimeric immunogen in mice elicited high levels of mucosal IgA and serum IgG Abs to the streptococcal adhesin, which persisted for at least 6 mo. This strategy allows the development of similar constructs from other candidate Ags for oral immunization against a variety of mucosally acquired infections.
The role of IL-10 in human B cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation.
Authors: Itoh K , Hirohata S
Published: December 2022

Recent studies have disclosed variable effects of IL-10 on viabilities of human B lineage cells. Thus, IL-10 has been shown to prevent apoptosis of germinal center B cells, whereas IL-10 has been found to induce apoptosis of B-chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells, suggesting the possibility that the effects of IL-10 might be different depending on the state of activation of B cells. The current studies therefore examined in detail the regulation of the survival of human peripheral blood B cells by IL-10 and its relevance to Ig production. Highly purified B cells from healthy adult individuals were cultured with Staphylococcus aureus (SA) Cowan I in the presence or absence of IL-10. When IL-10 was present during the initial activation of B cells with SA, IL-10 facilitated the apoptosis of SA-activated B cells, as determined by staining with propidium iodide, followed by analysis with flow cytometry, thus resulting in very modest IgM production. IL-2 prevented the IL-10-mediated progression of the apoptosis of SA-activated B cells during the initial activation, and thus restored the further differentiation of these B cells into Ig secreting cells. By contrast, IL-10 rather rescued SA-activated B cells from apoptosis and thus supported the differentiation of these B cells without any influences of IL-2, when it was added after 72 h of culture. Of note, cyclosporin A prevented the IL-10-mediated promotion of the apoptosis of SA-activated B cells, thus resulting in the marked enhancement of IgM production of B cells stimulated with SA + IL-10. Finally, the promotion or prevention of the IL-10-mediated apoptosis was correlated with the expression of Bcl-2 oncoprotein in SA-activated B cells. These results indicate that the effects of IL-10 are different depending on the state of activation of B cells after ligation of Ag receptors. Thus, the data have demonstrated that IL-10 during the initial activation delivers negative signals that promote the apoptosis of B cells, whereas IL-10 supports the differentiation of B cells in the complete absence of IL-2 during the subsequent responses following activation. These results therefore emphasize unique biphasic effects of IL-10 on human B cell responsiveness in determining the outcome of humoral immune responses.
T cell gelatinases mediate basement membrane transmigration in vitro.
Authors: Leppert D , Waubant E , Galardy R , Bunnett N W , Hauser S L
Published: December 2022

T cell homing into extravascular sites requires penetration across the subendothelial basal lamina, a specialized nonfibrillar connective tissue structure that anchors endothelial cells to parenchymal surfaces. Herein, we show that normal human T cells express gelatinases A and B, two matrix metalloproteinases active against the major basal lamina constituents, collagen types IV and V. Expression is confirmed at both the mRNA and protein levels. Gelatinase B is expressed constitutively, whereas gelatinases A and B expression is induced by T cell activation. In vitro migration of resting T cells across a basal lamina equivalent is mediated by gelatinase B, because it is specifically blocked by GM6001, a hydroxamic acid inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases. Inhibition of T cell homing by interference with gelatinase function may represent a useful approach to the treatment of T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Gamma delta T cells down-regulate primary IgE responses in rats to inhaled soluble protein antigens.
Authors: McMenamin C , McKersey M , Kühnlein P , Hünig T , Holt P G
Published: December 2022

The biologic role and repertoire of cells bearing the gamma delta T cell receptor has not been fully defined. However, their tropism for epithelial microenvironments is recognized and suggests an important role for these cells in immune defense at mucosal tissue surfaces. The study presented below utilizes an experimental model in which repeated exposure of Brown Norway rats to OVA by inhalation induces a state of Ag-specific, IgE isotype-specific "tolerance" via immune deviation. This process seems similar to oral tolerance in the gut. This form of tolerance was adoptively transferred to naive syngeneic recipients by i.p. injection of as few as 10(3) positively selected TCR-gamma delta+ cells from OVA-exposed rats. These TCR-gamma delta+ T-cells are demonstrated to produce high levels of INF-gamma in response to OVA stimulation, and this provides a potential mechanism for the inhibition of Th2 cell proliferation, resulting in suppression of IgE production. The unique potency of these cells in selective suppression of IgE Ab production in response to natural "mucosal" Ag exposure suggests a potentially important role in protection against primary allergic sensitization in vivo.
V7, a novel leukocyte surface protein that participates in T cell activation. I. Tissue distribution and functional studies.
Authors: Rivas A , Ruegg C L , Zeitung J , Laus R , Warnke R , Benike C , Engleman E G
Published: December 2022

Among a panel of mouse mAbs generated to a human T cell clone, one mAb, V7.1, inhibited T cell activation in the mixed lymphocyte reaction and was studied further. V7.1 reacted strongly with Ag-specific T cell clones, in addition to freshly isolated monocytes and granulocytes. However, the mAb reacted weakly with freshly isolated PBLs (T cells, B cells, and NK cells), T cells stimulated with phytohemagglutinin, or Con A, and did not stain the vast majority of transformed cell lines of hemopoietic origin. Stimulation of T cells with anti-CD3, or the combination of anti-CD3 and PMA, or anti-CD3, PMA and ionomycin, markedly increased V7.1 surface staining. The mAb precipitated a single polypeptide chain of approximately 135 kDa from alloactivated T cells or monocytes, which was reduced to approximately 110 kDa after treatment with N-glycanase. The proliferative response of T cells to allogeneic monocytes or B lymphoblastoid cells was inhibited by V7.1, and inhibition was maximal when the mAb was present at the initiation of culture. V7.1 also exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of the T cell response to immobilized anti-CD3 Ab in the absence of APCs, indicating that the inhibitory effect of this Ab occurs at the T cell level. Expression of CD25 (IL-2R) on anti-CD3-activated T cells and secretion of IL-2 induced with anti-CD3 and PMA were inhibited by V7.1, whereas the Ab had no effect on T cell proliferation induced by PHA or Con A or on T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. These results indicate that V7.1 recognizes a novel leukocyte surface glycoprotein, designated V7, that is up-regulated on Ag but not lectin-activated T cells, and appears to play a role in TCR/CD3-dependent T cell activation. In an accompanying study, the gene encoding the V7 Ag is described and the molecule is shown to be a novel member of the Ig superfamily.
Identification of a unique costimulatory activity for murine T helper 1 T cell clones.
Authors: Zuckerman L A , Sant A J , Miller J
Published: December 2022

We have examined the ability of several class II-positive tumor cell transfectants to stimulate murine Th1 clones. Most of the transfectants failed to activate the Th1 clones and, in fact, induced Ag-specific anergy. However, we found that one tumor, a UV-induced fibrosarcoma (6130-VAR1), was capable of stimulating both cytokine production and proliferation in Th1 clones. We believe that 6130-VAR1 cells possess a unique costimulatory activity for the following reasons. First, these cells fail to express known costimulatory molecules including B7-1 and B7-2. Second, 6130-VAR1-mediated stimulation of Th1 clones was not blocked by anti-CD28 Fab or by CTLA4Ig, which suggests that members of the B7 family were not up-regulated during the course of stimulation and that activation does not occur via a CD28-dependent pathway. Third, 6130-VAR1 could provide costimulation when presented on a different surface than the class II/peptide ligand for the TCR. This last finding suggested that the activity on these cells was not simply an adhesion molecule that facilitated increased efficiency of T cell:MHC interactions. Finally, like B7-1 transfectants, stimulation by class II-positive 6130-VAR1 cells prevented the induction of anergy in the Th1 clones. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that 6130-VAR1 expresses a unique costimulatory activity (VAM-1) that, like B7-1, can promote T cell activation and prevent anergy induction.
IL-4 activates a latent DNA-binding factor that binds a shared IFN-gamma and IL-4 response element present in the germ-line gamma 1 Ig promoter.
Authors: Berton M T , Linehan L A
Published: December 2022

IL-4 regulates transcription of the germ-line gamma 1 Ig gene in murine B cells and by doing so targets this isotype for switch recombination by an unknown mechanism. In this study, we have identified an IL-4-induced DNA-binding protein factor in murine B cells designated NF-IL-4-gamma 1. This factor binds specifically to a site within a 13-bp DNA sequence extending from -125 to -113 (5' CATTCACATGAAG 3') in the germ-line gamma 1 promoter and shown previously to be important for IL-4-responsive transcription. This sequence is highly homologous to the IFN-gamma activation site or GAS, and competitive binding studies demonstrate that NF-IL-4-gamma 1 can also bind to GAS elements in the promoters of two IFN-gamma-responsive genes and to an IL-4-responsive element in the germ-line epsilon Ig promoter. NF-IL-4-gamma 1 is rapidly induced in the absence of de novo protein synthesis and expression is sustained through day 4 of in vitro culture with IL-4 and LPS. Induction of NF-IL-4-gamma 1 is inhibited by the kinase inhibitor staurosporine and the factor itself requires phosphorylation for binding activity. The binding specificity and expression characteristics of NF-IL-4-gamma 1 suggest identity with other recently described IL-4-activated, GAS-binding factors that are members of the signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) family of cytokine-responsive transcription factors.
Characterization of the constitutive and inducible components of a T cell IL-4 activation responsive element.
Authors: Tara D , Weiss D L , Brown M A
Published: December 2022

An Il-4 regulatory element, activation responsive element (ARE), located between -88 and -60, contributes to activation-dependent transcription of IL-4/CAT reporter gene constructs in T cells. It was previously demonstrated that nuclear proteins present in both unstimulated and stimulated T cells specifically interact with the ARE. In this study, these proteins were further characterized. UV cross-linking experiments established that multiple proteins are associated with the ARE in both the constitutive and activation-dependent complexes and several of these have identical apparent m.w. The formation of both complexes is dependent on the same ARE subsequence. In addition, activator protein 1 family members are uniquely associated with the activation-dependent complex. These results support a model in which activation-dependent proteins, including jun/fos family members, associate with a preexisting transcription complex to influence inducible IL-4 gene transcription. The ARE shares 9 bp of sequence identity with the IL-2 nuclear factor of activated T cell (NF-AT) binding site within the critical protein binding region, and several features of ARE-protein interactions are similar to the NF-AT transcription complex. However, we demonstrate that the constitutive nuclear ARE-associated factors react with Abs, raised to NF-ATp and NF-ATc, preferentially bind to the ARE but not to the NF-AT binding site and are cyclosporin A sensitive. Taken together, these data indicate that there are IL-4 gene-specific factors associated with the ARE and that the formation of the ARE and NF-AT complexes are regulated differently.
IL-12 modulation of T helper responses to the filarial helminth, Brugia malayi.
Authors: Pearlman E , Heinzel F P , Hazlett F E , Kazura J W
Published: December 2022

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effects of exogenous IL-12 on: 1) development of the Th cell response to Brugia malayi microfilariae (mf); 2) established B. malayi-specific Th2 responses; and 3) resistance to mf. IL-12 given at the time of inoculation with live mf resulted in a switch in development from a dominant Th2 (IL-4, IL-5 > IFN-gamma) to a dominant Th1 response (IFN-gamma > IL-4, IL-5). Induction of Th1 activity by IL-12 was dependent on IFN-gamma in vivo. When mice were given IL-12 (0.5 microgram daily for 4 days) after mf Ag-specific Th2 responses had been established, Ag-driven IL-4 and IL-5 production by spleen and peritoneal cells were reduced respectively by approximately 75 to 90% and approximately 30 to 40%, IFN-gamma production was elevated, and 68% fewer eosinophils were recovered from the peritoneal cavity. In vivo depletion of IFN-gamma ablated the effects of IL-12 on both cytokine production and eosinophil recovery. IL-12 treatment of either naive or previously sensitized mice challenged intravenously with live B. malayi did not alter the rate of clearance of mf from the blood. These data indicate that IL-12 treatment suppresses induction of filarial driven Th2 responses and modulates recall responses of established Th2 cells, but does not alter elimination of blood-borne mf in nonimmune or immune mice.
Mapping of T cell epitopes of the 30-kDa alpha antigen of Mycobacterium bovis strain bacillus Calmette-Guérin in purified protein derivative (PPD)-positive individuals.
Authors: Silver R F , Wallis R S , Ellner J J
Published: December 2022

The fibronectin-binding 30-kDa alpha Ag is a major secretory protein of growing mycobacteria that stimulates in vitro lymphocyte blastogenesis in most healthy purified protein derivative-positive individuals, but only a minority of patients with active tuberculosis. T cell epitopes of the alpha Ag were assessed using blastogenic responses of PBMC from 12 healthy purified protein derivative-positive subjects to a set of synthetic peptides based on the 325-amino acid sequence of the alpha Ag of Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Because epitope-specific precursor cells are infrequent and randomly distributed, we used Poisson analysis to determine positive responses to 10 micrograms/ml of each peptide in 12 replicate culture wells. Seven immunodominant regions of the alpha Ag were identified. Each subjects responded to at least one of the two most dominant epitopes, which correspond to amino acids 131-155 and 233-257 (from N terminus). Peptides of these two epitopes induced production of IFN-gamma by sorted CD4+ T cells. The immunodominant peptides may have use a components of a vaccine and as tools to study the evolution of the immune response to M. tuberculosis. The two most dominant epitopes both occur in regions of the alpha Ag that differ from those of the atypical pathogens M. avium and M. kansasii. In addition, the M. bovis epitope of amino acids 133-155 differs from that of M. tuberculosis by a single amino acid. It may be possible to exploit the sequence differences for development of diagnostic tests with increased specificity.
Role of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) in acute lung injury in rats.
Authors: Shanley T P , Schmal H , Friedl H P , Jones M L , Ward P A
Published: December 2022

The role of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha) in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury in rats after intrapulmonary deposition of IgG immune complexes or intratracheal administration of LPS has been assessed. Critical to these studies was the cloning and functional expression of rat MIP-1 alpha. The resulting product shared 92% and 90% homology with the known murine sequence at the cDNA level and protein level, respectively. Recombinant rat MIP-1 alpha exhibited dose-dependent chemotactic activity for both rat and human monocytes and neutrophils, which could be blocked by anti-murine MIP-1 alpha Ab. Rat MIP-1 alpha mRNA and protein expression were determined as a function of time in both injury models. A time-dependent increase in MIP-1 alpha mRNA in lung extracts was observed in both models. In the LPS model, MIP-1 alpha protein could also be detected in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids by Western blot analysis. Anti-MIP-1 alpha administered at commencement of IgG immune complex- or LPS-induced injury resulted in significant reductions in BAL neutrophils as well as in injury as measured by pulmonary vascular permeability. Under such conditions, in both models TNF-alpha content in BAL fluids was substantially reduced as compared with BAL fluids from positive control animals. These findings suggest that rat MIP-1 alpha plays an important role in the development of lung injury in these neutrophil-dependent models. The role of MIP-1 alpha seems to be related to production of TNF-alpha, which in turn up-regulates vascular adhesion molecules required for neutrophil influx.
T cell cytokine mRNA expression during the course of the immunopathologic ocular disease herpetic stromal keratitis.
Authors: Babu J S , Kanangat S , Rouse B T
Published: December 2022

Corneal infection with herpes simplex virus in mice induces an inflammatory response in the stroma (herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK)) that appears to represent an immunopathologic reaction in which T cells of the CD4+ subset act as the essential participants. To assess the role of T cell cytokines at different clinical phases of HSK, corneas and draining lymph node (DLN) cells were collected and the levels of mRNA thought to be representative of type 1 and type 2 T cells were quantitated by reverse transcription-PCR. In the corneas collected before the onset of clinical disease, IFN-gamma and IL-4 mRNA were detectable, with levels of IFN-gamma 5- to 15-fold higher than IL-4. During the onset and peak expression of clinical disease, type 1 cytokines IFN-gamma and IL-2 were predominant in the corneas, and IL-4 levels were either very low or undetectable. Neither IL-10 nor IL-5 mRNA was present. After 3 wk postinfection, when some animals with mild disease began to recover, high levels of type 2 cytokine mRNA, particularly IL-10, were present. In addition, only during the recovery phase was IL-10 mRNA present in DLN samples. Levels of transcriptional activity for cytokine mRNA during clinical HSK were higher in corneas than in the corresponding DLN samples. The results indicate that IL-10 may be involved in HSK resolution and that the stimuli for cytokine induction in the cornea may differ from those in the DLN.
Increased frequency of gamma delta T cells in cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood of patients with multiple sclerosis. Reactivity, cytotoxicity, and T cell receptor V gene rearrangements.
Authors: Stinissen P , Vandevyver C , Medaer R , Vandegaer L , Nies J , Tuyls L , Hafler D A , Raus J , Zhang J
Published: December 2022

Infiltrating gamma delta T cells are potentially involved in the central nervous system demyelination in multiple sclerosis (MS). To further study this hypothesis, we analyzed the frequency and functional properties of gamma delta T cells in peripheral blood (PB) and paired cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with MS and control subjects, including patients with other neurologic diseases (OND) and healthy individuals. The frequency analysis was performed under limiting dilution condition using rIL-2 and PHA. After PHA stimulation, a significantly increased frequency of gamma delta T cells was observed in PB (14.7 x 10(-4)) and in CSF (15.8 x 10(-4)) of MS patients as compared with 4.3 x 10(-4) in PB and 3.9 x 10(-4) detected in CSF of patients with OND. The frequency was represented equally in OND patients and normal individuals. Similarly, the IL-2-responsive gamma delta T cells occurred at a higher frequency in PB of control subjects (1.1 x 10(-4)) in OND patients and 1.5 x 10(-4) in normal individuals). Forty-three percent (13 of 30) of the gamma delta T cell clones isolated from PB and CSF of MS patients responded to heat shock protein (HSP70) but not HSP65, whereas only 2 of 30 control gamma delta T cell clones reacted to the HSP. The majority of the gamma delta T cell clones were able to induce non-MHC-restricted cytolysis of Daudi cells. All clones displayed a substantial reactivity to bacterial superantigens staphylococcal enterotoxin B and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1, irrespective of their gamma delta V gene usage. Furthermore, the gamma delta T cell clones expressed predominantly TCRDV2 and GV2 genes (26 of 35 clones), whereas the clones derived from CSF of MS patients expressed either DV1 or DV2 genes. The obtained gamma delta clones, in general, represented rather heterogeneous clonal origins, even though a predominant clonal origin was found in a set of 10 gamma delta clones derived from one patient with MS. The present study provides new evidence supporting a possible role of gamma delta T cells in the secondary inflammatory processes in MS.
MHC class I expression and transport in a calnexin-deficient cell line.
Authors: Scott J E , Dawson J R
Published: December 2022

The human leukemic cell line, CEM, and an NK-resistant variant of CEM, called CEM-NKR, were analyzed for protein differences by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. One protein was found to be completely absent in CEM-NKR. This protein has been identified as calnexin. CEM-NKR also completely lacks calnexin RNA. Calnexin is thought to act as a molecular chaperone by assisting in the assembly and/or retention of MHC class I and many other membrane and secreted proteins. The surface expression of class I molecules on CEM-NKR was compared with CEM by several Abs. There was no significant class I expression differences between CEM and CEM-NKR using w6/32 (a conformational and beta 2-microglobulin-dependent mAb), HC-10 (a conformational and beta 2-microglobulin-independent mAb), and an anti-class I antiserum that reacts with native and denatured class I. The transport rate of class I in both cell lines was examined by pulse-chase experiments, immunoprecipitating class I with w6/32 and anti-class I antiserum. The results show that class I molecules in the calnexin-deficient cell line and its parent cell line are transported at similar rates. These results indicate that calnexin is not absolutely required for the viability of CEM or the transport and surface expression of human MHC class I molecules.
Flow cytometric analysis of T-independent antigen binding to dinitrophenyl-specific cells.
Authors: Woodard S L , Aldo-Benson M , Roess D A , Barisas B G
Published: December 2022

Binding of Ag to membrane Ig (mIg) can lead to either activation or desensitization of the B cell. For thymus-independent (TI) Ags the nature and concentration of the Ag determines what type of signal is delivered to the cell. These Ags are capable of directly activating B lymphocytes and are an important model system for the study of mechanisms involved in B cell responses. In this study, we quantified TI Ag binding and B cell receptor involvement as functions of TI Ag structure, concentration, and epitope density. Various epitope densities of two structurally different TI Ags, DNP-polymerized flagellin (pol) and DNP-dextran (dex), were labeled with tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC) and reacted with DNP-specific murine splenic B lymphocytes and with cells of a cloned DNP-specific cell line. The amount of Ag bound to the cell surface at various doses was measured directly by flow cytometry. For each Ag and dose, FITC-labeled DNP-L-papain was used to quantitate receptor sites not occupied by Ag. Approximately 5% receptor occupancy was observed for immunogenic doses of Ag. Higher Ag concentrations that can induce tolerance caused a substantial increase in the fraction of occupied receptors. This suggests that tolerogenic responses result from an overly restrictive cross-linking of surface receptors. By comparing these data to previously published data on biologic activity of the Ags, we are able to more clearly define those conditions of Ag binding that lead to B cell activation.
IL-1 stimulates a diverging signaling pathway in EL4 6.1 thymoma cells. IL-2 release, but not IL-2 receptor expression, is sensitive to pertussis toxin.
Authors: Zumbihl R , Dornand J , Fischer T , Cabane S , Rappuoli R , Bouaboula M , Casellas P , Rouot B
Published: December 2022

We reassessed the involvement of Bordetella pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive proteins in the IL-1 signaling pathway on the responses induced by IL-1 on the murine thymoma cell line EL4 6.1. We demonstrate that the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of PTX, and not its cell-anchoring B oligomer part, is responsible for the inhibition of IL-1-induced IL-2 release, since 1) the concentration of PTX (< or = 1 ng/ml) required to block the secretion is 100 to 1000 times lower than the concentration needed with the B oligomer; and 2) the mutated PT-9K/129G, devoid of ADP-ribosyltransferase activity, was inactive at 100 ng/ml. We found that partial ADP-ribosylation of the Gi2/Gi3 proteins before stimulation with IL-1 was sufficient to obtain full inhibition of IL-2 release. PTX did not however inhibit the appearance on the cell surface of the high affinity IL-2 receptors or the IL-2 release induced by PMA. In addition, we show that PTX prevented the expression of the IL-2 mRNA induced by IL-1, without affecting the binding of IL-2 specific nuclear factors to the T cell distal element of the IL-2 promoter. Furthermore, PTX also inhibited IL-1-induced proliferation of non-transformed thymocytes. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that IL-1-induced IL-2 release is sensitive to PTX-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation and that IL-1 activates a diverging pathway on EL4 6.1 cells.
Immunogenicity of T epitope-containing cyclic peptides. Increasing neutralizing antibody responses by introducing fine chemical changes.
Authors: Léonetti M , Cotton J , Leroy S , Mourier G , Ménez A
Published: December 2022

We showed previously that the disulfide-containing T peptide 24-41 C from a highly structured snake toxin elicits, in a free state, Abs that neutralize the toxin, and only a turn structure commonly exists in 24-41 C and the corresponding toxin region. To tentatively increase the neutralizing capacity of antipeptide Abs, we 1) replaced Gly-40 by an aminoisobutyric moiety (24-41 Aib), 2) substituted the half cystines 24 and 41 by penicillamine moieties (24-41 Pen), and 3) introduced an amide bond between the epsilon NH2 of Lys-27 and the gamma-COOH of Glu-38 (24-41 K-E). A solution ELISA made with antitoxin Abs revealed that 24-41 Pen is more antigenic than 24-41 Aib and 24-41 C, which are more antigenic than 24-41 K-E, suggesting that the conformation of 24-41 Pen is most closely related to the corresponding region in the native toxin. The peptides 24-41 Pen, 24-41 Aib, and 24-41 C stimulate T cells from BALB/c mice, whereas 24-41 K-E has lost this property and thereby fails to elicit Abs. Finally, anti-24-41 Pen Abs are more potent at neutralizing the native toxin than anti-24-41 C Abs, which are more potent than anti-24-41 Aib Abs. The efficacy of anti-24-41 Pen Abs was similar to that of a toxin specific mAb. Therefore, introduction of appropriate constraints makes it possible to improve the neutralizing Ab response raised by a synthetic peptide. Such observations should be of interest for the design of efficient synthetic vaccines.
Gamma delta T cells play an important role in hsp65 expression and in acquiring protective immune responses against infection with Toxoplasma gondii.
Authors: Hisaeda H , Nagasawa H , Maeda K , Maekawa Y , Ishikawa H , Ito Y , Good R A , Himeno K
Published: December 2022

Previously, we reported that the expression of hsp65 within and on host macrophages correlates closely with protection against infection with Toxoplasma gondii in mice. Herein, we propose that gamma delta T cells play a crucial role in the induction of hsp65 and also in the protective immune response to T. gondii. Intraperitoneal inoculation with this protozoan resulted in hsp65 being expressed on and in host peritoneal macrophages and resulted in an increase of T cells bearing the gamma delta receptor with Thy-1+ and Thy-1- phenotypes in the peritoneal cavity and spleen. When mice were depleted of gamma delta T cells by the administration of a mAb, hsp65 expression was markedly decreased. In contrast, the expression of this protein was rather enhanced and gamma delta T cells were prominently expanded in mice depleted of alpha beta T cells. The protection in mice treated with the mAb paralleled the magnitude of hsp65 expression. Mice depleted of gamma delta T cells died most frequently in the early stages of infection, whereas most of those depleted of alpha beta T cells survived the early stages of lethal infection with T. gondii. However, the latter group of mice did not definitely control the T. gondii infection in its late stages. IFN-gamma was not essential for either the expression of hsp65 or the resistance induced by gamma delta T cells, as demonstrated in mice treated with mAb to murine IFN-gamma. These findings indicated that gamma delta T cells having both the Thy-1+ and Thy-1- phenotypes contribute to hsp65 expression within and on macrophages in an IFN-gamma-independent manner. This, in turn, plays a role in the development of protective immunity during the early stage of this parasitic infection.
Activation of drug-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in individuals allergic to sulfonamides, phenytoin, and carbamazepine.
Authors: Mauri-Hellweg D , Bettens F , Mauri D , Brander C , Hunziker T , Pichler W J
Published: December 2022

To investigate how T cells are involved in hypersensitivity reactions to drugs that become immunogenic after metabolization, e.g., sulfonamides and antiepileptics, we analyzed in vitro the drug-induced activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets, cytokine secretion, TCR V beta distribution, and proliferation of T cells from four drug-allergic individuals. In addition, the activation parameters CD25 and HLA-DR were analyzed in vivo on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from five patients with acute drug allergies, some of them with anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome with hepatitis. Our results show that, in vitro, drug-induced proliferation of PBMC from patients with allergy to sulfamethoxazole, phenytoin, or carbamazepine was specific and dose dependent. CD4+ as well as CD8+ T cells expressed elevated levels of CD25 and HLA-DR molecules after drug stimulation. Drug-activated lymphocytes secreted high amounts of IL-5 and normal or low levels of IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4, and TNF-alpha. An enhanced expansion of TCR V beta 17+ T cells 9 days after in vitro stimulation with sulfamethoxazole was observed in one patient with sulfamethoxazole allergy. The drug specificity of the in vitro-activated T cells was confirmed by generation of different sulfamethoxazole specific T cell lines and CD4+ and CD8+ T cell clones. T cell analysis of patients with acute drug allergy to carbamazepine, phenytoin, allopurinol, or paracetamol confirms the in vitro data, because all patients had activated CD4+ or CD8+ T cells in the circulation. Our data clearly show the involvement of drug-specific T cells in drug allergies.
Endocytosis of endogenously synthesized HIV-1 envelope protein. Mechanism and role in processing for association with class II MHC.
Authors: Rowell J F , Stanhope P E , Siliciano R F
Published: December 2022

CD4+ T cell clones specific for the HIV-1 envelope (env) protein are able to recognize not only uninfected APC that have taken up and processed exogenous env protein, but also virally infected cells expressing the env protein. We have evaluated the hypothesis that endocytosis of endogenously synthesized env protein from the plasma membrane of infected cells permits entry of the protein into the MHC class II-restricted Ag processing pathway. We show here that the env protein of HIV-1 is internalized at a surprisingly high rate through a mechanism that is dependent upon a tyrosine-containing motif located in the cytoplasmic domain of the gp41 subunit. Mutation of a critical cytoplasmic tyrosine residue or truncation of the C-terminal portion of the cytoplasmic domain resulted in forms of the env protein that did not undergo rapid internalization. However, by a variety of assays, these poorly internalized forms of the env protein were processed for class II-restricted Ag presentation as efficiently as wild-type env protein, indicating that internalization by this pathway is not essential for class II-restricted presentation. In addition, a secreted form of the env protein was presented efficiently by class II MHC under conditions that prevented re-uptake by endocytosis. Taken together, these results suggest that although rapid endocytosis from the cell surface is likely to be a major mechanism by which endogenously synthesized env protein is processed for association with class II MHC, an internal pathway may also be used.