bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generation of nondividing high rate Ig-secreting plasma cells in cultures of human B cells stimulated with anti-CD3-activated T cells.
Authors: Vernino L , McAnally L M , Ramberg J , Lipsky P E
Published: January 2023

The capacity of human B cells to differentiate into high rate nondividing antibody-secreting plasma cells was investigated. Highly purified human peripheral blood B cells were stimulated with polyclonal B cell activators in the presence of a variety of recombinant cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6). Maximal production of Ig of all isotypes was observed when B cells were stimulated with intact T cells that were activated with mAb to the CD3 molecular complex. In these cultures, Ig production continued for more than 16 days. Moreover, differentiation to nondividing high rate Ig-producing cells was induced, as evidenced by a ninefold increase in the amount of Ig produced per Ig-secreting cell and the acquisition of resistance of ongoing Ig secretion to the inhibitor of DNA synthesis, hydroxyurea. To determine whether intact T cells were required for the entire culture period to achieve maximal Ig production, B cells were cultured with activated T cells for various lengths of time, reisolated and cultured with fresh activated T cells or various cytokines, then analyzed for Ig secretion. B cells preactivated for 6 days with anti-CD3-stimulated T cells required contact with intact T cells for continued Ig secretion. However, after 9 days of preactivation, dividing B cells responded maximally to anti-CD3-stimulated T cells, whereas cytokines were able to drive continued IgG secretion by nondividing B cells in the absence of intact T cells. IL-6 alone, or in combination with either IL-2 or IL-4, was the major cytokine driving ongoing Ig secreting by nondividing preactivated B cells. These results suggest that continued clonal expansion of Ig-secreting B cell blasts requires intact anti-CD3-activated T cells, whereas terminal differentiation of B cells into plasma cells after extensive clonal expansion is driven by cytokines, most notably IL-6.
Inhibition of IgE binding to RBL-2H3 cells by a monoclonal antibody (BD6) to a surface protein other than the high affinity IgE receptor.
Authors: Hamawy M M , Oliver C , Siraganian R P
Published: January 2023

A mAb was isolated (mAb BD6) that recognized a surface glycoprotein on rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3). The antibody bound to 2 x 10(6) molecules/cell and specifically blocked IgE binding (50% inhibition with 3.48 +/- 0.51 micrograms/ml; mean +/- SEM), although neither IgE nor anti-high affinity IgE receptor (anti-Fc epsilon RI) mAb blocked mAb BD6 binding to the cells. mAb BD6 did not affect the rate of dissociation of cell-bound IgE, nor did it induce or inhibit the internalization of IgE. mAb BD6 did not release histamine. However, it did cause rapid spreading of the cells. By 1 h the cells had retracted to a spherical shape with their surface covered with membranous spikes, and they could easily be detached from the tissue culture plate. These changes differed from those observed after Fc epsilon RI activation. mAb BD6 immunoprecipitated a complex of two proteins, 38 to 50 kDa and 135 kDa from 125I-surface labeled rat basophilic leukemia cells that are not subunits of Fc epsilon RI. Chemical cross-linking studies showed that these molecules are associated on the cell surface. By immunoblotting, mAb BD6 reacted with a 40-kDa protein. Therefore, mAb BD6 binds to a surface protein that is close to the Fc epsilon RI and sterically inhibits 125I-IgE binding.
Differing macrophage and lymphocyte roles in resistance to Legionella pneumophila infection.
Authors: Yamamoto Y , Klein T W , Newton C , Friedman H
Published: January 2023

Similar to guinea pig macrophages and human monocytes, macrophages from the peritoneal cavity of thioglycolate pretreated A/J mice are permissive for growth of Legionella pneumophila. In contrast, macrophages from BDF1 mice are not permissive for L. pneumophila. Lymphocytes from A/J and BDF1 mice proliferated in response to Legionella Ag but guinea pig lymphocytes did not. Also, splenocyte cultures from A/J mice treated with either Con A or Legionella vaccine produced supernatants which induced A/J macrophages to restrict Legionella growth, but guinea pig splenocyte culture supernatants obtained after stimulation with L. pneumophila vaccine did not induce Legionella growth restriction activity by guinea pig macrophages. Murine rIFN-gamma but not rIFN-alpha markedly inhibited growth of Legionella in A/J mouse macrophages and monoclonal anti-IFN-gamma antibody neutralized the anti-Legionella activity of culture supernatants from A/J mouse splenocytes responding to Legionella Ag. From these data, IFN-gamma appears to be an important factor in anti-Legionella activity of Ag-activated mouse splenocyte culture supernatants. Cyclosporin A, when given to either A/J or BDF1 mice, reduced the proliferation responses of splenocytes to T cell mitogens and also decreased the IFN production of A/J spleen cells to Legionella Ag. In addition, drug treatment decreased the resistance of A/J mice to Legionella infection as shown by an increase in the number of viable bacteria in the liver. However, injection of drug treated mice with lymphokine-rich splenocyte culture supernatant reconstituted the resistance of these animals. These results suggest an important role for lymphocyte activation and lymphokine production in the resistance of A/J mice to Legionella infection. The greater resistance of BDF1 mice, however, may result from nonpermissive macrophages and responsive lymphocytes. In the case of guinea pigs, susceptibility to Legionella infections may result from both the permissive nature of the macrophages and the relatively unresponsive nature of the lymphocytes in these animals.
Cloning and expression of a cDNA encoding a non-classical MHC class I antigen (HLA-E) in eosinophils from hypereosinophilic patients.
Authors: Truong M J , Gruart V , Capron A , Capron M , Tourvieille B
Published: January 2023

A cDNA library, constructed from purified blood eosinophils, was screened with the B cell CD23 cDNA probe. A clone designated EO15 has been isolated and found to encode a non-classical HLA class I gene transcript. EO15 was compared with HLA-E and found to be 99.9% similar at the nucleotide level and to extend further in the 3' untranslated region. The presence of an additional polyadenylation signal in the EO15 3' end suggests that EO15 clone represents a copy of the 3.3-kb mRNA species detected in Northern blot analyses. HLA-E transcripts of 1.9 and 3.3 kb have been described in a variety of cell types. The two EO15 mRNA species, similar in size to the previously defined HLA-E mRNA, were present at high levels in blood leukocyte populations and at variable levels in different cell lines. The EO15 transcripts were found at abundant levels in hypodense and normodense eosinophils from hypereosinophilic patients. In situ hybridization confirmed the expression of EO15 mRNA in eosinophils. Neutrophils and lymphocytes from normal donors of from patients with hypereosinophilia also strongly expressed EO15 mRNA. Among the cell lines studied, the highest levels of EO15 transcripts were detected in B and monocytic cell lines, whereas intermediate and lower levels were found in eosinophilic, NK-like, megakaryocytic, and T cell lines, respectively. Similar to its effect on classical HLA class I transcripts, IFN-gamma increased the levels of EO15 mRNA in eosinophils and neutrophils from hypereosinophilic patients. These results suggest that purified blood eosinophils as well as neutrophils express EO15/HLA-E mRNA; however, further experiments are needed to investigate the localization and the function of EO15 protein products.
Allospecificities of B6D2F1 hybrid NK cell subsets defined by Ly-49A expression.
Authors: Basiri H , Kiura K , DeNardin E G , Nakamura I
Published: January 2023

More than 90% of IL-2-activated plastic-adherent murine splenocytes (A-LAK4 cells) are NK1.1+ NK cells and both H-2b/b homozygous C57BL/6- and H-2b/d heterozygous (C57BL/6 x DBA/2)F1 (B6D2F1)-derived populations of such cells contain an Ly-49A+ subset. In B6D2F1 A-LAK cells, as well as in freshly isolated spleen cells of the same mice, Ly-49A+ cells represent approximately 10% of NK1.1+ cells. However, the level of Ly-49A expression in B6D2F1 NK cells is lower than in C57BL/6 (B6). The cytolytic activity of B6- and B6D2F1-derived A-LAK cells against normal target cells is specific, and is in agreement with the known patterns of natural resistance in vivo against Hh-1-mismatched bone marrow allografts. H-2b lymphoma cells transfected with the Dd gene, but not the Ld gene, no longer express the Hh-1b phenotype that is recognized by B6D2F1 A-LAK cells, raising the possibility that this selective effect of the Dd gene on Hh-1b phenotype is related to the known inability of Ly-49A+ A-LAK cells to kill Dd-expressing tumor target cells. Depletion of Ly-49A+ A-LAK cells by Ab and complement reduces the lytic capacity of B6D2F1 A-LAK cells against normal B6 target cells of the Hh-1b phenotype to one-third of the original level. Conversely, positively selected Ly-49A+ A-LAK cells are enriched for the same activity. The results, therefore, favor the view that the Hh-1 phenotype of the target cells may be defined largely by the effector cell's recognition of class I Ags on the target cell surface.
Analysis of the requirements for class II-restricted T cell recognition of a single determinant reveals considerable diversity in the T cell response and degeneracy of peptide binding to I-Ed.
Authors: Fahrer A M , Geysen H M , White D O , Jackson D C , Brown L E
Published: January 2023

The amino acid sequences recognized by five I-E(d)-restricted and one E alpha A beta d-restricted murine T cell clones were determined. The clones had been raised to a synthetic peptide representing amino acids 305-328 of influenza virus hemagglutinin. It was found that although all of the T cell clones recognized a single 10-residue region of the peptide, 307KYVKQNTLKL316, different clones could recognize minimal ("core") determinants spanning 8, 9, or 10 of these amino acids. To see whether particular amino acids within the sequence 307-316 were universally important for T cell recognition, the six clones were assayed for their ability to tolerate single amino acid substitutions of the 10 residue peptide. In all, 190 analogues of the peptide in which each amino acid in the sequence was replaced, in turn, by each of the other 19 naturally occurring amino acids were tested. It was shown that 1) the six T cell clones had very different requirements for recognition of the peptide, 2) substitutions at every single position within the peptide could be shown to affect recognition in a T cell-specific manner, and 3) every single position within the peptide could be replaced by a large number of amino acids and still be recognized by at least one T cell clone. These results demonstrate the great diversity exhibited by the T cell repertoire in recognizing a 10-amino acid determinant, as well as the degeneracy of peptide binding to I-E(d).
NK cell subsets in the regulation of murine hematopoiesis. I. 5E6+ NK cells promote hematopoietic growth in H-2d strain mice.
Authors: Murphy W J , Raziuddin A , Mason L , Kumar V , Bennett M , Longo D L
Published: January 2023

NK cells are able to reject bone marrow allografts in lethally irradiated mice. 5E6 is a marker expressed on a subset of NK cells that is responsible for the rejection of H-2d homozygous bone marrow cell (BMC) allografts. This suggests that the 5E6+ NK cell subset somehow recognizes and is deleterious for H-2d BMC. However, unlike Ly-49+ NK cells, 5E6+ cells are not deleted or even down-regulated in H-2d-homozygous mice. We wanted to determine, therefore, the role of the 5E6+ and 5E6- NK cell subsets in the normal physiologic regulation of hematopoiesis in H-2d strains of mice. Surprisingly, both in vivo depletion studies of normal mice and studies in which the subsets were purified and cultured with syngeneic BMC in vitro demonstrated that in H-2d mice, the 5E6+ subset of NK cells did not inhibit, but instead promoted, growth of H-2d BMC. Depletion of the 5E6+ subset also resulted in decreased marrow engraftment after syngeneic bone marrow transplantation in H-2d mice. Analysis of the cell culture supernatants of the purified subsets indicated that the functional effects of the subsets on hematopoiesis correlated with the relative amounts of hematopoietic growth-promoting cytokines produced by the NK cells. These results demonstrate that physiologically relevant subsets of NK cells exist that are involved in the homeostatic regulation of hematopoiesis and that they can be distinguished on the basis of 5E6 expression.
Antigen-specific inhibition of IgE binding to the high-affinity receptor.
Authors: Stämpfli M R , Rudolf M , Miescher S , Pachlopnik J M , Stadler B M
Published: January 2023

Since the beginning of this century, allergen immunotherapy has been widely used to treat allergic disorders. In addition to the long-term clinical efficacy of this therapy, there are immediate beneficial effects as observed in rush immunotherapy for which there is no clear mechanism. We investigated the direct impact of an Ag on its specific IgE in terms of IgE measurability in immunoassays and subsequent binding of IgE to the high-affinity receptor for IgE. As a model we used a chimeric IgE specific for NIP that exhibits similar biologic properties as serum or myeloma IgE. To mimic particulate and soluble allergens we coupled 15 NIP molecules to BSA. Using this "artificial allergen" we could show that the presence of the Ag reduced the IgE measurability in immune assays. Furthermore, IgE binding to the Fc epsilon RI was 60% inhibited in the presence of the Ag shown with an optical biosensor that monitors molecular interactions. In normal basophils passively sensitized with IgE that was preincubated with the Ag, no sulfidoleukotriene release could be induced. Rush immunotherapy may invoke a similar phenomenon, resulting in the short-term alteration of symptoms by blocking or substantially reducing binding of IgE to its high-affinity receptor. Thus, our result may explain some of the short-term beneficial effects observed in rush immunotherapy.
Human Ig S gamma regions and their participation in sequential switching to IgE.
Authors: Mills F C , Mitchell M P , Harindranath N , Max E E
Published: January 2023

The Ig isotype switch from IgM to IgE is accompanied by a DNA recombination that joins S mu, the highly repetitive "switch" region upstream of the C mu gene, to the S epsilon region upstream of C epsilon, thereby creating a composite S mu-S epsilon region. In human B cells cultured in vitro with IL-4 to promote the switch to IgE, we previously described evidence for S mu-S gamma-S epsilon structures, suggesting that some B cells can switch sequentially from mu to gamma and then to epsilon; similar sequential switching to epsilon occurs routinely in the mouse. To identify which of the four human gamma genes might be involved in this mu-gamma-epsilon switching pathway, we cloned and analyzed nine S mu-S gamma-S epsilon composite switch regions and studied S epsilon-S gamma junctions from reciprocal deletion circles. Since only the S gamma 4 sequence had previously been described, our investigation required determination of the germline S gamma 1, S gamma 2, and S gamma 3 sequences. This analysis showed that S gamma 1 is the longest and most highly repetitive switch region, including nearly identical 79-bp repeats partially homologous to the 49-bp repeat of murine S gamma sequences. Of nine cloned chromosomal S mu-S gamma-S epsilon junctions, seven were derived from S gamma 1, and one each from S gamma 3 and S gamma 4 (both of which were in inverted orientation). Analysis of reciprocal S epsilon-S gamma junctions demonstrated contributions of S gamma 1, S gamma 2, and S gamma 4. Thus, all four of the human gamma loci can participate in sequential switching to IgE, arguing against a model of directed switching from a specific subtype, such as was proposed in the murine system.
Analysis of anti-GM1 ganglioside IgM antibodies cloned from motor neuropathy patients demonstrates diverse V region gene usage with extensive somatic mutation.
Authors: Paterson G , Wilson G , Kennedy P G , Willison H J
Published: January 2023

Serum anti-GM1 ganglioside Abs are abnormally elevated in patients with chronic motor neuropathies and Guillain-Barré syndrome. We have cloned six anti-GM1 IgM Abs from PBMCs of five affected patients. VH and VL gene analysis demonstrated substantial somatic mutation, predominantly clustered around VH CDR2 and FR3 in all six Abs. The Abs SM1, DO1, and WO1, isolated from three different patients, are encoded by closely related VH gene segments with restricted canonical structures. The corresponding L chains are encoded by V lambda II and V lambda VIII genes and also share the same canonical structures, containing nucleotide deletions at the VL/JL boundary to form a VLCDR3 of 10 amino acids. DO1 and WO1 VH segments show nucleotide identities of 95.6% and 88.8%, respectively, to the VH3 member 1.9III, and SM1 shows 87.8% identity to the closely related VH3 member, Hv3005. The Abs BO1 and BO3, derived from a single patient and containing the same VH-D-JH and VL-JL rearrangements, are encoded by the VH3 gene, HHg19, with nucleotide identities of 92.2 and 91.2%, respectively, and have both common and unique somatic mutations. The VH sequence of BR1 has 91.3% identity to the VH4 member, V71-2. These data indicate that neuropathy-associated anti-GM1 IgM Abs can be encoded by both diverse and closely related V genes in association with restricted canonical structures, and that their V genes are somatically mutated, consistent with an origin through an Ag-driven immune response.
Role of the Leishmania surface protease gp63 in complement fixation, cell adhesion, and resistance to complement-mediated lysis.
Authors: Brittingham A , Morrison C J , McMaster W R , McGwire B S , Chang K P , Mosser D M
Published: January 2023

The Leishmania surface protease gp63 has been identified as a parasite virulence factor. To better define the role of gp63 in Leishmania infectivity, the interaction of recombinant gp63 with complement and complement receptors was examined. On Leishmania, gp63 was not necessary for complement fixation. Complement activation occurred on transfected organisms expressing varying amounts of gp63 and on organisms expressing a mutant form of gp63 devoid of proteolytic activity. However, organisms expressing wild-type gp63 on their surface fixed only small amounts of the terminal complement components and were dramatically more resistant to lysis by complement than were those lacking functional gp63. Organisms expressing wild-type gp63 more rapidly converted C3b on their surface to a form that exhibited the neoantigen of iC3b and interacted avidly with cells expressing Mac-1, the receptor for iC3b. Complement fixation by transfected mammalian cells expressing recombinant Leishmania gp63 on their surface was also examined. The presence of Leishmania gp63 on the surface of these cells converted them into efficient activators of complement. Cells expressing gp63 on their surface fixed complement and bound avidly to the human complement receptors. The proteolytic activity of this molecule was not necessary for complement activation or adhesion to complement receptors. Thus, gp63 may contribute to parasite virulence by exerting a novel type of control over complement fixation. Organisms expressing gp63 can exploit the opsonic properties of complement while avoiding its lytic effects.
Aberrant antigen presentation by macrophages from tumor-bearing mice is involved in the down-regulation of their T cell responses.
Authors: Watson G A , Lopez D M
Published: January 2023

Splenic T cells from BALB/c mice bearing mammary adenocarcinomas initially demonstrate a primed response to tumor-associated Ags (TAA), which declines to presensitization levels within 4 wk after tumor implantation. Associated with this decline in responses to TAA is the expansion of a subpopulation of Mac-1+ 2+ splenic macrophages (M phi). These Mac-1+ 2+ cells present TAA inefficiently to normal T cells primed to TAA by footpad injection, as compared with the Ag presenting ability of M phi from normal mice. The addition of anti-I-Ed, but not anti-I-Ad, Ab blocked the ability of Ag-pulsed Mac-1+ 2+ cells to present TAA to primed T cells. The converse was observed with macrophages from normal mice. However, presentation of human gamma-globulin or OVA was restricted by I-Ad molecules when APC from normal mice or tumor bearers were used, although less efficiently in the latter. Using cell depletion techniques, it was determined that the I-Ed-restricted presentation preferentially expanded CD8+ T cells, and not CD4+ cells, as was the case for I-Ad-restricted normal macrophages. These CD8+ cells were poor effectors of cytotoxicity against tumor cells; instead they down-regulated the proliferative activity of T cells. Limiting dilution assays indicated that Mac-1+ 2+ macrophages preferentially present TAA to a low frequency inhibitory T cell population that expanded and inhibited further responses to TAA. Thus, alterations of Ag presentation in tumor bearers may help the tumor to subvert potential beneficial host responses and allow the progression of the neoplastic process.
Monocyte Fc gamma receptor cross-linking induces IL-8 production.
Authors: Marsh C B , Gadek J E , Kindt G C , Moore S A , Wewers M D
Published: January 2023

In response to bacterial cell wall products such as LPS, monocytes produce IL-8, a powerful neutrophil chemotaxin. However, in the absence of bacterial pathogens, immune complex-mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are associated with high levels of IL-8 in monocyte-rich compartments. Since it is known that IgG-containing immune complexes can recruit neutrophils via an Fc gamma R-dependent process, we hypothesized that cross-linking of monocyte Fc gamma receptors may induce IL-8. To test this hypothesis, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were evaluated for IL-8 induction in response to immobilized LPS-free pooled human IgG. Immobilized IgG, but not soluble IgG, induced IL-8 in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05, r = 0.99). This induction corresponded with an up-regulation in IL-8 steady state mRNA levels that peaked at 4 h. The released IL-8 was functional, since supernatants induced concentration-dependent neutrophil migration that was inhibited by a monoclonal anti-IL-8 Ab. Evaluation of purified monocytes for IL-8 production, as well as FACS analysis of IgG-stimulated PBMC preparations, demonstrated that monocytes are the principal IL-8 producer cell. Thus, monocyte Fc gamma R cross-linking induces biologically active IL-8, which may participate in the pathogenesis of immune complex-mediated diseases.
Distinct immunohistochemical localization of IL-4 in human inflamed airway tissues. IL-4 is localized to eosinophils in vivo and is released by peripheral blood eosinophils.
Authors: Nonaka M , Nonaka R , Woolley K , Adelroth E , Miura K , Okhawara Y , Glibetic M , Nakano K , O'Byrne P , Dolovich J
Published: January 2023

Nasal polyposis and asthma are inflammatory conditions of the airways characterized by infiltration of activated inflammatory cells, particularly eosinophils. IL-4 is a multifunctional cytokine considered to play an important role in eosinophilic inflammation. We examined the cellular distribution of immunoreactive IL-4 in nasal polyps, as well as in the bronchial mucosa of both nonasthmatic control subjects (n = 6) and patients with well-characterized mild asthma (n = 6) subjected to a diluent or an allergen challenge. To determine eosinophilic contribution, tissue sections were counterstained with FITC after IL-4 immunostaining. No eosinophils were observed in the bronchial mucosa of nonasthmatic subjects. Nasal polyp tissues contained approximately 15 times more eosinophils per mm2 compared with bronchial tissues from asthmatics after a diluent challenge. Allergen challenge resulted in a marked increase in eosinophil density in bronchial tissues. A negligible number of cells immunostaining IL-4 was observed in bronchial tissues from nonasthmatic control subjects. The density of IL-4-positive cells in nasal polyp tissues was almost three times greater compared with asthmatics bronchial tissues after a diluent challenge. Approximately 90% of the IL-4-positive cells in bronchial tissues did not exhibit fluorescence after FITC counterstaining; in contrast, about 80% of the IL-4-positive cells in nasal polyp tissues did. We also show that peripheral blood eosinophils from allergic subjects express IL-4 mRNA by Northern blot analysis, particularly on stimulation with secretory IgA immune complexes. Finally, the supernatant of stimulated eosinophils contained approximately 50 pg/10(6) cells of IL-4 as determined by ELISA. These data demonstrate that eosinophils express the message and release IL-4 in vitro, and that these cells are the primary source of immunoreactive IL-4 in tissues undergoing chronic severe mucosal inflammation.
Perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies are spontaneously produced by mucosal B cells of ulcerative colitis patients.
Authors: Targan S R , Landers C J , Cobb L , MacDermott R P , Vidrich A
Published: January 2023

Approximately 60% of sera from ulcerative colitis (UC) patients contains Igs reactive with neutrophil components, raising the question of the origin of these anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic Abs (ANCA). Our assertion that ANCA is a marker for a mucosal disease-related immune response predicts the existence of ANCA producing B cell clones in the lamina propria lymphocyte (LPL) fraction of UC patients. This hypothesis was tested by examining 12-day culture supernatants of LPL ANCA expression. LPL were isolated from surgically removed mucosa from patients with UC, Crohn's disease (CD), and diverticulitis. Normal mucosa was obtained from accident victims or normal margins of colon cancer resections. Supernatants were assayed by a fixed neutrophil ELISA. The ANCA staining pattern of supernatants expressing ANCA, as determined by ELISA, was assessed by indirect immunofluorescent staining of alcohol-fixed neutrophils. ANCA was found in 70% of culture supernatants from UC LPL fractions. In contrast, only approximately 11% of supernatants from CD and diverticulitis/normal (noninflammatory bowel disease (IBD)) LPL displayed ANCA binding. A perinuclear (pANCA) staining pattern was obtained with 70% of ANCA-expressing UC LPL supernatants, whereas ANCA-expressing CD and non-IBD LPL supernatants displayed a cytoplasmic reaction. PBL and mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes lacked spontaneous pANCA production, and pANCA production from PBL was not inducible. These findings indicate the existence of pANCA-producing B cell clones in mucosal lesions of UC patients and support our hypothesis that pANCA production is a consequence of a mucosal immune response specific to UC.
Polymorphic nucleotides within the human IL-4 promoter that mediate overexpression of the gene.
Authors: Song Z , Casolaro V , Chen R , Georas S N , Monos D , Ono S J
Published: January 2023

Atopy, which predisposes individuals to develop asthma, severe systemic anaphylaxis, and atopic dermatitis, is usually associated with dramatically elevated total serum IgE levels and is thought to be controlled by a major susceptibility gene and multiple minor susceptibility genes. A recent sib-pair analysis revealed a tight linkage between markers on 5q31.1 and a major susceptibility gene controlling total serum IgE levels. Due to its location within this cluster and its biologic role in Ig class switching and Th2 cell differentiation, the IL-4 gene has emerged as one major candidate for the atopy gene. In one model, polymorphisms within IL-4 regulatory elements might result in overexpression of the gene, amplifying Th2 cell differentiation and class switching to IgE. In support of this model, we report that the human IL-4 promoter exists in multiple allelic forms that exhibit distinct transcriptional activities in IL-4-positive T cells. A particular allele has an unusually high transcriptional activity. A nucleotide substitution within a recently described OAP40 element located just upstream of an NF-AT site (P sequence) appears to be largely responsible for the increased promotor strength of this particular allelic form of the IL-4 promoter. In EMSAs, this substitution results in a markedly enhanced affinity for sequence-specific complexes exhibiting an AP-1 specificity. The identification of allelic nucleotides, which results in overexpression of the IL-4 gene, provides specific targets for a comprehensive screening of atopic and nonatopic individuals and may provide a clue for genetic predisposition for atopy.
alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone induces hapten-specific tolerance in mice.
Authors: Grabbe S , Bhardwaj R S , Mahnke K , Simon M M , Schwarz T , Luger T A
Published: January 2023

alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) is a proopiomelanocortin-derived peptide with known immunoregulatory effects, acting mainly via modulation of cytokine secretion by lymphocytes and monocytes. When applied epicutaneously, alpha-MSH inhibits both induction as well as elicitation of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) responses in mice. We questioned whether systemically administered alpha-MSH leads to the induction of hapten-specific tolerance. For this purpose, mice were injected i.v. with 75 microgram/kg synthetic bioactive alpha-MSH 2 h before sensitization (day 0) or challenge (day 6) with the hapten, trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB). Intravenous administration of alpha-MSH 2 h before sensitization or 2 h before challenge resulted in a markedly reduced CHS response. To distinguish between unresponsiveness and tolerance, these mice were sensitized and challenged a second time, but in the absence of alpha-MSH. Mice that had been injected with alpha-MSH before the first sensitization (day 0), but not before challenge (day 6), were also unable to develop a significant CHS response after an additional sensitization and challenge with the same Ag 10 to 14 days later. In contrast, sensitization to the unrelated hapten, dinitrofluorobenzene, was unaffected in these mice, indicating the induction of hapten-specific tolerance by alpha-MSH. Moreover, regional lymph node cells obtained from alpha-MSH-treated mice 5 days after resensitization failed to produce IL-2 in response to trinitrobenzosulfonic acid, the water-soluble analogue of TNCB, whereas lymph node cells from TNCB-sensitized, not alpha-MSH-treated, mice as well as from mice treated with alpha-MSH before challenge readily exhibited trinitrobenzosulfonic acid-specific IL-2 production in this assay. Finally, in vivo tolerance induction by alpha-MSH could be abrogated by the administration of anti-IL-10 Ab at the site of sensitization. These data indicate that alpha-MSH, in addition to its suppressive effect on induction and elicitation of CHS, is able to induce hapten-specific tolerance in mice. Thus, alpha-MSH may be a significant regulatory mediator of cutaneous immune responses in vivo.
A dual role for both CD40-ligand and TNF-alpha in controlling human B cell death.
Authors: Lens S M , Tesselaar K , den Drijver B F , van Oers M H , van Lier R A
Published: January 2023

Members of the TNF-R family are instrumental in controlling lymphoid cell death and survival. A major role in the regulation of murine and human B cell survival and differentiation has been attributed to CD40/CD40-ligand (CD40-L) interactions, but recent in vitro and in vivo data implicate that other receptor-ligand pairs might also be involved. We have used the human Burkitt lymphoma cell line Ramos as a model system to identify additional TNF-R/TNF family members that are implicated in the regulation of B cell apoptosis. Ligation of B cell receptor (BCR) with anti-IgM mAb for 48 h induced apoptosis in approximately 68% of the Ramos B cells. Interestingly, not only CD40 mAb but also rTNF-alpha could efficiently inhibit BCR-induced B cell death. In addition, activated T cells also prevented BCR-triggered apoptosis, and this effect was inhibited completely by a combination of blocking Abs against CD40-L and TNF-alpha. In contrast to the strong effect of BCR ligation, APO-1 mAb induced apoptosis in only +/- 18% of the Ramos cells after 48 h. Noticeably, addition of CD40 mAb or rTNF-alpha increased the percentage of cells (+/- 46%) undergoing apoptosis, which correlated with an increase of Fas/APO-1 membrane expression induced by CD40 or TNF-R ligation. Taken together, we show that CD40/CD40-L and TNF-R/TNF-alpha interactions not only postpone or prevent B cell death, but are also involved in sensitizing B cells for Fas-ligand (Fas-L)-dependent death.
IL-2 rescues antigen-specific T cells from radiation or dexamethasone-induced apoptosis. Correlation with induction of Bcl-2.
Authors: Mor F , Cohen I R
Published: January 2023

Most studies of apoptosis on T lymphocytes have examined the effects of various stimuli on immature T cells from the thymus. Previous work has indicated that apoptosis of mature memory T cells may be an important pathophysiologic mechanism in diseases such as AIDS, cancer, and autoimmunity. The effect of IL-2 on apoptosis of T cells is not clear. Therefore, we studied the ability of IL-2 to rescue Ag-specific T cells from apoptosis. We found that IL-2, in a dose-dependent manner, prevented T cells from entering apoptosis induced by gamma-irradiation, mitomycin C, or dexamethasone. This effect was specific for IL-2; IL-1 beta, IL-6, or IFN-gamma could not reproduce it. In contrast to Ag-specific T cells, immature T cells and naive mature peripheral T cells could not be rescued by IL-2 from radiation-induced apoptosis. Apoptosis rescue by IL-2 was associated with the induction of bcl-2 mRNA and protein. This induction could not be attributed to the effects of IL-2 on the cell cycle, as T cells that were prevented from cell cycle progression by irradiation showed a similar induction of bcl-2. Rescued cells retained their Ag-specific proliferative capacity and in vivo functions. These findings demonstrate that the apoptotic death of Ag-specific T cell lines, cells which can be regarded as a model for memory T cells, can be prevented with IL-2. This effect may have important therapeutic implications for patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and for patients with AIDS who develop immunodeficiency primarily as a result of loss of Ag-specific memory T cells.
pim-1 proto-oncogene expression in anti-CD3-mediated T cell activation is associated with protein kinase C activation and is independent of Raf-1.
Authors: Wingett D , Long A , Kelleher D , Magnuson N S
Published: January 2023

We have studied pim-1 proto-oncogene expression in human T cell responses to Ag receptor-generated signals. The pim-1 gene encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase that is expressed primarily in cells of hematopoietic lineage and is implicated in the intracellular signaling processes accompanying lymphocyte activation. We show here that pim-1 mRNA expression is rapidly induced after receptor cross-linking with anti-CD3 Abs. We examined the linkage of pim-1 expression to known signaling pathways generated through the T cell Ag receptor. pim-1 mRNA was not substantially induced after elevation of intracellular free Ca2+. In contrast, PMA, which directly activates PKC, induced rapid pim-1 expression. Further, anti-CD3- or PMA-induced pim-1 expression was markedly reduced by various PKC inhibitors and by deficiency of the PKC epsilon isoform in a mutant T cell line. Thus, T cell Ag receptor-linked pim-1 expression appears to be coupled to the PKC component of transmembrane signaling. Because the activation of protein kinase C has been shown to activate Raf-1 kinase activity, the involvement of Raf-1 in pim-1 expression was also investigated using a human T cell line stably transfected with an inducible Raf expression vector. Although the overexpression of activated Raf was shown to cause a substantial increase in IL-2 expression, no discernible effects on pim-1 were apparent. In addition, we examined transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms involved in PKC-mediated pim-1 expression and observed that both transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms are coordinately involved in the up-regulation of the pim-1 proto-oncogene.
IFN-gamma promotes IL-6 and IgM secretion in response to CpG motifs in bacterial DNA and oligodeoxynucleotides.
Authors: Yi A K , Chace J H , Cowdery J S , Krieg A M
Published: January 2023

Lymphocyte recognition of characteristic structural features in microbial DNA may contribute to immune defense by promoting protective immune responses. The dinucleotide CpG is significantly under-represented in vertebrate DNA and is usually methylated. In contrast, CpG dinucleotides are generally present at the expected frequency in bacterial DNA and are unmethylated. These unmethylated CpG motifs induce B cells to secrete IL-6 and IgM, and can induce NK and CD4+ T cells to produce the immunoregulatory Th1 cytokine, IFN-gamma. IFN-gamma inhibits IgM secretion that is triggered by a different bacterial product, LPS. The present study demonstrates that in contrast to its antagonistic interaction with LPS, IFN-gamma causes a dose-dependent increase in the level of IgM secretion induced by CpG DNA. Like IgM secretion, B cell secretion of IL-6 more than doubles after the addition of exogenous IFN-gamma. Mice with disrupted IFN-gamma genes produced less than half as much IL-6 and IgM in response to CpG DNA, supporting the hypothesis that CpG-induced IFN-gamma production contributes to the B cell response. In contrast to its promotion of IL-6 and IgM secretion, IFN-gamma did not significantly affect the spleen cell proliferation activated by CpG motifs. These results indicate that IFN-gamma produced by T and NK cells after CpG DNA stimulation contributes to the B cell production of IL-6 and the subsequent Ig production. These studies provide further evidence that the immune system responds to CpG motifs in bacterial DNA by activating a coordinated set of humoral and cellular responses.
Endoglin is a component of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta receptor complex of human pre-B leukemic cells.
Authors: Zhang H , Shaw A R , Mak A , Letarte M
Published: January 2023

Endoglin was first identified on a cell line derived from pre-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This 180-kDa homodimeric glycoprotein was then shown to be primarily expressed on endothelial cells and to bind the beta 1 and beta 3 isoforms of TGF-beta with high affinity. We now demonstrate that pre-B leukemic cells express a functional TGF-beta 1 receptor complex. The levels of mRNA for these receptors and for TGF-beta 1 were quantitated by PCR. HOON, G2, and NALM-6 cell lines express similar levels of mRNA for TGF-beta 1 and for TGF-beta receptor I (R-I) and receptor II (R-II). HOON cells express ten times more endoglin than G2 and NALM-6 cells, whereas all three cell lines have low levels of betaglycan relative to other cell types. The receptors were identified by affinity labeling with 125I-labeled TGF-beta 1, chemical cross-linking, and specific immunoprecipitation. Endoglin, R-II, and R-I were co-precipitated by Abs to either endoglin or R-II, indicating that these proteins are forming a receptor complex on leukemic cells; no betaglycan could be immunoprecipitated. The receptor complex is functional, as demonstrated by inhibition of proliferation of HOON cells (80%) and NALM-6 cells (60%) with 25 pM TGF-beta 1. Furthermore, the motility of HOON and NALM-6 cells on immobilized fibronectin, which appears to be alpha 4 beta 1-integrin mediated, was stimulated two- to threefold by TGF-beta 1. These results suggest that active TGF-beta 1 produced in the bone marrow microenvironment might stimulate the motility of normal pre-B cells and the peripheral dissemination of leukemic pre-B cells.
IL-15 is a novel growth factor for murine gamma delta T cells induced by Salmonella infection.
Authors: Nishimura H , Hiromatsu K , Kobayashi N , Grabstein K H , Paxton R , Sugamura K , Bluestone J A , Yoshikai Y
Published: January 2023

We have previously shown evidence for the early recruitment of gamma delta T cells during the disease course of primary infections with Listeria monocytogenes or Salmonella choleraesuis in mice. Since gamma delta T cells at this stage of the disease do not produce IL-2, the growth factor for the gamma delta T cells remains unknown. IL-15 is a novel cytokine that uses beta- and gamma-chain of IL-2R for signal transduction, and is produced by activated monocytes/macrophages. In this study, we investigated the proliferative activity of IL-15 for gamma delta T cells appearing after primary infection with S. choleraesuis 31N-1. The gamma delta T cells, which expressed beta- and gamma-chains of IL-2R, proliferated in the presence of rIL-15 and produced appreciable levels of gamma-IFN and IL-4. Addition of anti-IL-2R beta mAb significantly inhibited the IL-15-induced proliferation of the gamma delta T cells. Furthermore, the gamma delta T cells produced gamma-IFN in response to monocyte/macrophage cell line, J774A.1 infected with S. choleraesuis, which expressed an abundant level of IL-15 mRNA. This cytokine production was inhibited significantly by anti-IL-15 Ab. Taken together, these results suggest that IL-15 derived from infected macrophages may contribute to the early activation of gamma delta T cells during salmonellosis.
Two Listeria monocytogenes CTL epitopes are processed from the same antigen with different efficiencies.
Authors: Sijts A J , Neisig A , Neefjes J , Pamer E G
Published: January 2023

Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular bacterium that elicits MHC class I-restricted CTL in infected mice. A major CTL specificity is the nonamer peptide p60 217-225, which is derived from the bacterial murein hydrolase p60 and presented by the H-2Kd MHC class I molecule. In this report, we identify a second H-2Kd presented peptide, encompassing residues 449-457 of p60, that is detected by L. monocytogenes-specific CTL. Both p60-derived CTL epitopes are good competitors for H-2Kd binding and TAP (transporter associated with Ag processing) transport. CTL clone WP11.12 lyses L. monocytogenes infected cells and recognizes naturally processed p60 449-457 acid eluted from L. monocytogenes-infected macrophages. Although both epitopes derive from the same Ag and bind the same allelic form of MHC class I, quantitative analysis reveals that the amount of p60 449-457 in infected cells is approximately 10-fold greater than the amount of p60 217-225. Shuffling p60 217-225 into position 449-457 decreases its processing efficiency, indicating that the large number of p60 449-457 epitopes cannot be entirely attributed to epitope-flanking sequences. Our findings indicate that CTL epitopes can be processed from Ags with markedly different kinetics and efficiencies. Intrinsic qualities of an epitope and its location within a protein influence the efficiency of Ag processing.
Antigen-specific tumor vaccines. Development and characterization of recombinant adenoviruses encoding MART1 or gp100 for cancer therapy.
Authors: Zhai Y , Yang J C , Kawakami Y , Spiess P , Wadsworth S C , Cardoza L M , Couture L A , Smith A E , Rosenberg S A
Published: January 2023

The human melanoma tumor Ags, MART1 and gp100, are specifically recognized by HLA-A2-restricted CD8+ CTLs derived from melanoma patients and appear to be involved in tumor regression. In order to develop immunizing vectors for the treatment of patients with metastatic melanoma, replication-defective recombinant adenoviruses, Ad2CMV-MART1 and Ad2CMV-gp100, which encode these tumor Ags, have been generated. Infection of non-Ag expressing HLA-A2+ cell lines A375 and MDA-231 with the vectors resulted in recognition by Ag-specific CTLs as demonstrated by specific target cell lysis and release of cytokines, including IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and granulocyte-macrophage-CSF. Sodium butyrate and TNF-alpha can further augment adenovirus-mediated transgene expression and increase recognition by specific CTLs. Although adenovirus-infected cells expressed the E3/19K protein at detectable levels, significant reduction of surface MHC class I expression was observed in only 3 of 10 tumor cell lines infected with either Ad2CMV-MART1 or Ad2CMV-gp100. Because of the suspected homology between the human MART1 and gp100 genes and their murine counterparts, we immunized C57BL/6 mice with these recombinant adenoviruses and demonstrated that immunization with Ad2CMV-gp100 could protect mice from murine melanoma B16 challenge administered intradermally. Depletion of CD8+ but not CD4+ T cells in vivo from Ad2CMV-gp100-vaccinated mice eliminated the protective effect. The anti-gp100 T cells induced by Ad2CMV-gp100 vaccinated appeared to be responsible for the protection. Thus, these recombinant adenoviruses encoding tumor Ags may be useful as vaccines to induce specific T cell immunity for cancer therapy.
MHC genes modify systemic autoimmune disease. The role of the I-E locus.
Authors: Creech E A , Nakul-Aquaronne D , Reap E A , Cheek R L , Wolthusen P A , Cohen P L , Eisenberg R A
Published: January 2023

The MHC exerts an important influence on systemic autoimmune disease. In C57BL/6-lpr/lpr (B6/lpr) mice, substitution of the H-2d instead of the H-2b MHC haplotype results in a global reduction in autoantibody levels. Since H-2d expresses both I-A and I-E, while H-2b expresses only I-A, general down-regulation of autoimmunity in the d haplotype might be due to I-E expression. This was tested with I-E alpha d transgenic B6/lpr mice, which expressed a functional surface I-E molecule. Five-month-old transgene-positive B6/lpr mice had much lower total IgG, IgG anti-chromatin, anti-DNA, and IgM rheumatoid factor directed against IgG1 and against IgG2b than transgene-negative littermates (p < or = 0.002), as well as significantly lower spleen and lymph node weights (p < or = 0.002). Decreases in autoantibody levels in the transgenic lpr mice were not due to a nonspecific effect of the I-E alpha d transgene, since transgene-positive B6/lpr.H-2d mice had levels of autoantibodies comparable with transgene-negative B6/lpr.H-2d mice. To determine whether autoantibody was preferentially made by I-E-negative B cells, irradiated (B6/lpr.Igha x B6/lpr.I-E alpha d)F1 mice were reconstituted with equal amounts of B6/lpr.Igha and B6/lpr.I-E alpha d bone marrow. Allotype-specific ELISA showed that most autoantibody was produced by the I-E negative B cells (range 97% to 84%). The results show that a functional I-E molecule in lpr mice leads to generalized reduction in autoantibody levels through a direct effect on the B cell. The molecular mechanism of this effect remains to be determined.