bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalent Role of TCR α-Chain in the Selection of the Preimmune Repertoire Specific for a Human Tumor-Associated Self-Antigen
Authors: Dietrich Pierre-Yves , Le Gal Frédérique-Anne , Dutoit Valérie , Pittet Mikäel J. , Trautman Lydie , Zippelius Alfred , Cognet Isabelle , Widmer Valérie , Walker Paul R. , Michielin Olivier , Guillaume Philippe , Connerotte Thierry , Jotereau Francine , Coulie Pierre G. , Romero Pedro , Cerottini Jean-Charles , Bonneville Marc , Valmori Danila
Published: April 2014

The specificity of recognition of pMHC complexes by T lymphocytes is determined by the V regions of the TCR α- and β-chains. Recent experimental evidence has suggested that Ag-specific TCR repertoires may exhibit a more Vα- than Vβ-restricted usage. Whether Vα usage is narrowed during immune responses to Ag or if, on the contrary, restricted Vα usage is already defined at the early stages of TCR repertoire selection, however, has remained unexplored. Here, we analyzed V and CDR3 TCR regions of single circulating naive T cells specifically detected ex vivo and isolated with HLA-A2/melan-A peptide multimers. Similarly to what was previously observed for melan-A-specific Ag-experienced T cells, we found a relatively wide Vβ usage, but a preferential Vα 2.1 usage. Restricted Vα 2.1 usage was also found among single CD8+ A2/melan-A multimer+ thymocytes, indicating that Vα-restricted selection takes place in the thymus. Vα 2.1 usage, however, was independent from functional avidity of Ag recognition. Thus, interaction of the pMHC complex with selected Vα-chains contributes to set the broad Ag specificity, as underlined by preferential binding of A2/melan-A multimers to Vα 2.1-bearing TCRs, whereas functional outcomes result from the sum of these with other interactions between pMHC complex and TCR.
Decreased Binding of Peptides-MHC Class I (pMHC) Multimeric Complexes to CD8 Affects Their Binding Avidity for the TCR But Does Not Significantly Impact on pMHC/TCR Dissociation Rate
Authors: Dutoit Valérie , Guillaume Philippe , Ayyoub Maha , Hesdorffer Charles S. , Luescher Immanuel F. , Valmori Danila
Published: April 2014

The CD8 coreceptor plays a crucial role in both T cell development in the thymus and in the activation of mature T cells in response to Ag-specific stimulation. In this study we used soluble peptides-MHC class I (pMHC) multimeric complexes bearing mutations in the CD8 binding site that impair their binding to the MHC, together with altered peptide ligands, to assess the impact of CD8 on pMHC binding to the TCR. Our data support a model in which CD8 promotes the binding of TCR to pMHC. However, once the pMHC/TCR complex is formed, the TCR dominates the pMHC/TCR dissociation rates. As a consequence of these molecular interactions, under physiologic conditions CD8 plays a key role in complex formation, resulting in the enhancement of CD8 T cell functions whose specificity, however, is determined by the TCR.
Molecular Identification and Functional Expression of μ3, a Novel Alternatively Spliced Variant of the Human μ Opiate Receptor Gene
Authors: Cadet Patrick , Mantione Kirk J. , Stefano George B.
Published: April 2014

Studies from our laboratory have revealed a novel μ opiate receptor, μ3, which is expressed in both vascular tissues and leukocytes. The μ3 receptor is selective for opiate alkaloids and is insensitive to opioid peptides. We now identify the μ3 receptor at the molecular level using a 441-bp conserved region of the μ1 receptor. Sequence analysis of the isolated cDNA suggests that it is a novel, alternatively spliced variant of the μ opiate receptor gene. To determine whether protein expressed from this cDNA exhibits the biochemical characteristics expected of the μ3 receptor, the cDNA clone was expressed in a heterologous system. At the functional level, COS-1 cells transfected with the μ3 receptor cDNA exhibited dose-dependent release of NO following treatment with morphine, but not opioid peptides (i.e., Met-enkephalin). Naloxone was able to block the effect of morphine on COS-1 transfected cells. Nontransfected COS-1 cells did not produce NO in the presence of morphine or the opioid peptides at similar concentrations. Receptor binding analysis with [3H]dihydromorphine further supports the opiate alkaloid selectivity and opioid peptide insensitivity of this receptor. These data suggest that this new μ opiate receptor cDNA encodes the μ3 opiate receptor, since it exhibits biochemical characteristics known to be unique to this receptor (opiate alkaloid selective and opioid peptide insensitive). Furthermore, using Northern blot, RT-PCR, and sequence analysis, we have demonstrated the expression of this new μ variant in human vascular tissue, mononuclear cells, polymorphonuclear cells, and human neuroblastoma cells.
DNA Methylation and Chromatin Structure Regulate T Cell Perforin Gene Expression
Authors: Lu Qianjin , Wu Ailing , Ray Donna , Deng Chun , Attwood John , Hanash Samir , Pipkin Matthew , Lichtenheld Mathias , Richardson Bruce
Published: April 2014

Perforin is a cytotoxic effector molecule expressed in NK cells and a subset of T cells. The mechanisms regulating its expression are incompletely understood. We observed that DNA methylation inhibition could increase perforin expression in T cells, so we examined the methylation pattern and chromatin structure of the human perforin promoter and upstream enhancer in primary CD4+ and CD8+ T cells as well as in an NK cell line that expresses perforin, compared with fibroblasts, which do not express perforin. The entire region was nearly completely unmethylated in the NK cell line and largely methylated in fibroblasts. In contrast, only the core promoter was constitutively unmethylated in primary CD4+ and CD8+ cells, and expression was associated with hypomethylation of an area residing between the upstream enhancer at −1 kb and the distal promoter at −0.3 kb. Treating T cells with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-azacytidine selectively demethylated this area and increased perforin expression. Selective methylation of this region suppressed promoter function in transfection assays. Finally, perforin expression and hypomethylation were associated with localized sensitivity of the 5′ flank to DNase I digestion, indicating an accessible configuration. These results indicate that DNA methylation and chromatin structure participate in the regulation of perforin expression in T cells.
The H4b Minor Histocompatibility Antigen Is Caused by a Combination of Genetically Determined and Posttranslational Modifications
Authors: Yadav Rajwardhan , Yoshimura Yoshitaka , Boesteanu Alina , Christianson Gregory J. , Ajayi Wilfred U. , Shashidharamurthy R. , Stanic Aleksandar K. , Roopenian Derry C. , Joyce Sebastian
Published: April 2014

Minor histocompatibility (H) Ag disparities result in graft-vs-host disease and chronic solid allograft rejection in MHC-identical donor-recipient combinations. Minor H Ags are self protein-derived peptides presented by MHC class I molecules. Most arise as a consequence of allelic variation in the bound peptide (p) that results in TCR recognizing the p/MHC as foreign. We used a combinational peptide screening approach to identify the immune dominant H2Kb-restricted epitope defining the mouse H4b minor H Ag. H4b is a consequence of a P3 threonine to isoleucine change in the MHC-bound peptide derived from epithelial membrane protein-3. This allelic variation also leads to phosphorylation of the H4b but not the H4a epitope. Further, ex vivo CD8+ T lymphocytes bind phosphorylated Ag tetramers with high efficiency. Although we document the above process in the minor H Ag system, posttranslational modifications made possible by subtle amino acid changes could also contribute to immunogenicity and immune dominance in tumor immunotherapeutic settings.
Selective Regulation of Mature IgG1 Transcription by CD86 and β2-Adrenergic Receptor Stimulation
Authors: Podojil Joseph R. , Sanders Virginia M.
Published: April 2014

Stimulation of CD86 and the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) on a B cell, either alone or together, is known to increase the level of IgG1 protein produced by a CD40 ligand/IL-4-activated B cell. It is also known that the mechanism by which CD40 and IL-4R stimulation on a B cell increases the level of IgG1 protein is by increasing germline γ1 transcription, IgG1 class switching, and mature IgG1 transcription, while the molecular mechanism responsible for mediating the CD86- and β2AR-induced effect remains unknown. In the present study using real-time PCR we show that the level of mature IgG1 transcription increases in CD40 ligand/IL-4-activated B cells following stimulation of either CD86 and/or β2AR, and that this increase reflects the increase in IgG1 protein. Furthermore, we show that the CD86- and/or β2AR-induced increase in mature IgG1 transcript is due to an increase in the rate of mature IgG1 transcription, as determined by nuclear run-on analysis. This effect is additive when both receptors are stimulated and is lost when B cells from CD86- and β2AR-deficient mice are used. In contrast, the level of germline γ1 transcription, the stability of mature IgG1 transcript, the number of IgG1-positive B cells, and the number of IgG1-secreting B cells did not change. These results provide the first evidence that CD86 and/or β2AR stimulation on a CD40 ligand/IL-4-activated B cell increases the level of IgG1 protein produced per cell by increasing the rate of mature IgG1 transcription.
The Relative Contribution of IL-4 Receptor Signaling and IL-10 to Susceptibility toLeishmania major
Authors: Noben-Trauth Nancy , Lira Rosalia , Nagase Hisashi , Paul William E. , Sacks David L.
Published: April 2014

The roles of IL-10 and IL-4 receptor signaling were evaluated in a murine model of Leishmania major infection. In previous studies the L. major substrain LV39 caused progressive, nonhealing lesions in BALB/c mice deficient for IL-4R α-chain (IL-4Rα), while substrain IR173 was highly controlled. To explore whether IL-10 is responsible for inducing susceptibility to LV39, wild-type and IL-4Rα−/− mice were treated with anti-IL-10R mAb, and in a genetic approach, the IL-4Rα−/− mice were crossed with BALB/c IL-10−/− mice. In contrast to the lack of resistance conferred by IL-4Rα gene deletion, partial resistance to LV39 was conferred by IL-10 gene deletion or treatment of BALB/c mice with anti-IL-10R mAb. Lesion sizes and LV39 parasite numbers were further and dramatically reduced in both anti-IL-10R-treated IL-4Rα−/− mice and IL-4Rα × IL-10 double knockouts. Anti-IL-10R mAb treatment further suppressed parasite growth in IL-4Rα−/− mice infected with L. major IR173. Production of IFN-γ was only increased relative to wild-type or littermate controls in IL-4Rα−/− mice with complementary defects in IL-10. Comparisons of IFN-γ-treated infected macrophages in vitro indicated that LV39 required 25- to 500-fold greater concentrations of IFN-γ than IR173-infected macrophages to achieve a similar efficiency of parasite killing. These studies suggest that regardless of parasite substrain, IL-10 is as important as IL-4/IL-13 in promoting susceptibility to L. major and even more so for those substrains that are relatively resistant to IFN-γ mediated killing.
Toll-Like Receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR9 Signaling Results in HIV-Long Terminal RepeatTrans-Activation and HIV Replication in HIV-1 Transgenic Mouse Spleen Cells: Implications of Simultaneous Activation of TLRs on HIV Replication
Authors: Equils Ozlem , Schito Marco L. , Karahashi Hiase , Madak Zeynep , Yarali Ayse , Michelsen Kathrin S. , Sher Alan , Arditi Moshe
Published: April 2014

Opportunistic infections are common in HIV-infected patients; they activate HIV replication and contribute to disease progression. In the present study we examined the role of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR9 in HIV-long terminal repeat (HIV-LTR) trans-activation and assessed whether TLR4 synergized with TLR2 or TLR9 to induce HIV replication. Soluble Mycobacterium tuberculosis factor (STF) and phenol-soluble modulin from Staphylococcus epidermidis induced HIV-LTR trans-activation in human microvessel endothelial cells cotransfected with TLR2 cDNA. Stimulation of ex vivo spleen cells from HIV-1 transgenic mice with TLR4, TLR2, and TLR9 ligands (LPS, STF, and CpG DNA, respectively) induced p24 Ag production in a dose-dependent manner. Costimulation of HIV-1 transgenic mice spleen cells with LPS and STF or CpG DNA induced TNF-α and IFN-γ production in a synergistic manner and p24 production in an additive fashion. In the THP-1 human monocytic cell line stably expressing the HIV-LTR-luciferase construct, LPS and STF also induced HIV-LTR trans-activation in an additive manner. This is the first time that TLR2 and TLR9 and costimulation of TLRs have been shown to induce HIV replication. Together these results underscore the importance of TLRs in bacterial Ag- and CpG DNA-induced HIV-LTR trans-activation and HIV replication. These observations may be important in understanding the role of the innate immune system and the molecular mechanisms involved in the increased HIV replication and HIV disease progression associated with multiple opportunistic infections.
The Toll-Like Receptor 5 Stimulus Bacterial Flagellin Induces Maturation and Chemokine Production in Human Dendritic Cells
Authors: Means Terry K. , Hayashi Fumitaka , Smith Kelly D. , Aderem Alan , Luster Andrew D.
Published: April 2014

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are pattern recognition receptors that serve an important function in detecting pathogens and initiating inflammatory responses. Upon encounter with foreign Ag, dendritic cells (DCs) go through a maturation process characterized by an increase in surface expression of MHC class II and costimulatory molecules, which leads to initiation of an effective immune response in naive T cells. The innate immune response to bacterial flagellin is mediated by TLR5, which is expressed on human DCs. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether flagellin could induce DC maturation. Immature DCs were cultured in the absence or presence of flagellin and monitored for expression of cell surface maturation markers. Stimulation with flagellin induced increased surface expression of CD83, CD80, CD86, MHC class II, and the lymph node-homing chemokine receptor CCR7. Flagellin stimulated the expression of chemokines active on neutrophils (IL-8/CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)8, GRO-α/CXCL1, GRO-β/CXCL2, GRO-γ/CXCL3), monocytes (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1/CC chemokine ligand (CCL)2), and immature DCs (macrophage-inflammatory protein-1α/CCL3, macrophage-inflammatory protein-1β/CCL4), but not chemokines active on effector T cells (IFN-inducible protein-10 kDa/CXCL10, monokine induced by IFN-γ/CXCL9, IFN-inducible T cell α chemoattractant/CXCL11). However, stimulating DCs with both flagellin and IFN-inducible protein-10 kDa, monokine induced by IFN-γ, and IFN-inducible T cell α chemoattractant expression, whereas stimulation with IFN-β or flagellin alone failed to induce these chemokines. In functional assays, flagellin-matured DCs displayed enhanced T cell stimulatory activity with a concomitant decrease in endocytic activity. Finally, DCs isolated from mouse spleens or bone marrows were shown to not express TLR5 and were not responsive to flagellin stimulation. These results demonstrate that flagellin can directly stimulate human but not murine DC maturation, providing an additional mechanism by which motile bacteria can initiate an acquired immune response.
The Induction of HIV Gag-Specific CD8+ T Cells in the Spleen and Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue by Parenteral or Mucosal Immunization with RecombinantListeria monocytogenesHIV Gag
Authors: Peters Christian , Peng Xiaohui , Douven Dennis , Pan Zhen-Kun , Paterson Yvonne
Published: April 2014

The induction of mucosal immunity is crucial in controlling viral replication during HIV infection. In this study we compare the ability of a recombinant Listeria monocytogenes that expresses and secretes the HIV Ag Gag to induce CD8+ T cells against this Ag in the spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes, and Peyer’s patches and the ability to provide effector Gag-specific CD8+ T cells to the lamina propria after i.v., oral, or rectal administration of the vaccine. The levels of Ag-specific CD8+-activated T cells were measured ex vivo using intracellular cytokine staining for IFN-γ and H-2Kd Gag peptide tetramer staining. We found that all routes of immunization induced Gag-specific CD8+ T cells in the spleen. After secondary infection, we observed substantial increases in splenic levels of CD8+ T cells, and levels of Gag-specific cells were similar to those against listeriolysin O, the immunodominant Ag of L. monocytogenes. Both primary and secondary oral immunization resulted in abundant Gag-specific CD8+-activated T cells in the lamina propria that constituted ∼35% of the CD8 compartment. However, significant levels of Gag and listeriolysin O-specific CD8+ T cells were observed in mucosal lymphoid tissue only after two immunizations, perhaps because they had already entered the lamina propria compartment after a single immunization. In the context of HIV, a mucosally administered vaccine seems best calculated to prompt an immune response that is capable of preventing infection. The data presented in this report demonstrate that mucosally administered Listeria can prompt such a response and that booster doses can maintain this response.
A Single Heteroclitic Epitope Determines Cancer Immunity After Xenogeneic DNA Immunization Against a Tumor Differentiation Antigen
Authors: Gold Jason S. , Ferrone Cristina R. , Guevara-Patiño Jose A. , Hawkins William G. , Dyall Ruben , Engelhorn Manuel E. , Wolchok Jedd D. , Lewis Jonathan J. , Houghton Alan N.
Published: April 2014

Successful active immunization against cancer requires induction of immunity against self or mutated self Ags. However, immunization against self Ags is difficult. Xenogeneic immunization with orthologous Ags induces cancer immunity. The present study evaluated the basis for immunity induced by active immunization against a melanoma differentiation Ag, gp100. Tumor rejection of melanoma was assessed after immunization with human gp100 (hgp100) DNA compared with mouse gp100 (mgp100). C57BL/6 mice immunized with xenogeneic full-length hgp100 DNA were protected against syngeneic melanoma challenge. In contrast, mice immunized with hgp100 DNA and given i.p. tolerizing doses of the hgp100 Db-restricted peptide, hgp10025–33, were incapable of rejecting tumors. Furthermore, mice immunized with DNA constructs of hgp100 in which the hgp10025–27 epitope was substituted with the weaker Db-binding epitope from mgp100 (mgp10025–27) or a mutated epitope unable to bind Db did not reject B16 melanoma. Mice immunized with a minigene construct of hgp10025–33 rejected B16 melanoma, whereas mice immunized with the mgp10025–33 minigene did not develop protective tumor immunity. In this model of xenogeneic DNA immunization, the presence of an hgp100 heteroclitic epitope with a higher affinity for MHC created by three amino acid (25 to 27) substitutions at predicted minor anchor residues was necessary and sufficient to induce protective tumor immunity in H-2b mice with melanoma.
Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells Generated After a Short-Term Culture with IFN-α and Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Stimulate a Potent Epstein-Barr Virus-Specific CD8+ T Cell Response
Authors: Santodonato Laura , D’Agostino Giuseppina , Nisini Roberto , Mariotti Sabrina , Monque Domenica M. , Spada Massimo , Lattanzi Laura , Perrone Maria Paola , Andreotti Mauro , Belardelli Filippo , Ferrantini Maria
Published: April 2014

Cellular immune responses are crucial for the control of EBV-associated lymphoproliferative diseases. To induce an anti-EBV cell-mediated immunity, we have used dendritic cells (DCs) generated by a 3-day culture of human CD14+ monocytes in the presence of GM-CSF and type I IFN (IFN-DCs) and pulsed with peptides corresponding to CTL EBV epitopes. The functional activity of IFN-DCs was compared with that of APCs differentiated by culturing monocytes for 3 days with GM-CSF and IL-4 and indicated as IL-4-DCs. Stimulation of PBLs from EBV-seropositive donors with EBV peptide-pulsed autologous IFN-DCs resulted in a stronger expansion of specific T lymphocytes producing IFN-γ with respect to stimulation with peptide-loaded IL-4-DCs, as assessed by ELISPOT assays. When purified CD8+ T cells were cocultured with EBV peptide-pulsed IFN-DCs or IL-4-DCs, significantly higher levels of specific cytotoxic activity were observed in CD8+ T cell cultures stimulated with IFN-DCs. Injection of peptide-pulsed IFN-DCs into SCID mice transplanted with autologous PBLs led to the recovery of a significantly greater number of EBV-specific human CD8+ T cells from the spleen and the peritoneal cavity with respect to that recovered from mice injected with peptide-pulsed IL-4-DCs. Moreover, a significant delay in lymphoma development was observed when peptide-pulsed IFN-DCs were injected into SCID mice reconstituted with PBMCs endowed with a high capability of lymphoma induction, whereas injection of unpulsed IFN-DCs was ineffective. Our results indicate that IFN-DCs efficiently promote in vitro and in vivo the expansion of CD8+ T lymphocytes acting as cytotoxic effectors against EBV-transformed cells.
Cumulative Toll-Like Receptor Activation in Human Macrophages Treated with Whole Bacteria
Authors: Nau Gerard J. , Schlesinger Ann , Richmond Joan F. L. , Young Richard A.
Published: April 2014

Purified components from bacteria selectively activate Toll-like receptors (TLR), leading to shared and unique responses in innate immune cells. Whole bacteria contain agonists for multiple TLR and induce a common macrophage activation program of transcription. It is not known, however, whether the stimulation of specific TLR by whole bacteria results in differential activation of the innate immune system. We evaluated gene expression data from human macrophages and found a unique gene expression profile induced by Gram-negative bacteria. In contrast, Gram-positive bacteria evoked few specific alterations in gene expression. LPS, a TLR4-specific ligand, was sufficient to elicit the distinct expression profile observed with Gram-negative bacteria. TLR4 activation regulated gene expression by both an IFN-dependent and an IFN-independent mechanism, illustrated by I-TAC and IL-12 p70, respectively. IL-12 p70 was produced by cells in whole blood exposed to Gram-negative bacteria, demonstrating faithful reproduction of the macrophage response in mixed populations of cells and identifying a potential diagnostic marker of infection. Our results show that the macrophage response to bacteria is dominated by the accumulated input from multiple TLR. For macrophages exposed to Gram-negative bacteria, gene expression changes encompass those induced by Gram-positive bacteria plus a distinct TLR4 response. This distinct TLR4 response may provide the basis to diagnose clinical Gram-negative infections.
The Lymphotoxin β Receptor Is Critically Involved in Controlling Infections with the Intracellular Pathogens Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Ehlers Stefan , Hölscher Christoph , Scheu Stefanie , Tertilt Christine , Hehlgans Thomas , Suwinski Johanna , Endres Robert , Pfeffer Klaus
Published: April 2014

Containment of intracellularly viable microorganisms requires an intricate cooperation between macrophages and T cells, the most potent mediators known to date being IFN-γ and TNF. To identify novel mechanisms involved in combating intracellular infections, experiments were performed in mice with selective defects in the lymphotoxin (LT)/LTβR pathway. When mice deficient in LTα or LTβ were challenged intranasally with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, they showed a significant increase in bacterial loads in lungs and livers compared with wild-type mice, suggesting a role for LTαβ heterotrimers in resistance to infection. Indeed, mice deficient in the receptor for LTα1β2 heterotrimers (LTβR-knockout (KO) mice) also had significantly higher numbers of M. tuberculosis in infected lungs and exhibited widespread pulmonary necrosis already by day 35 after intranasal infection. Furthermore, LTβR-KO mice were dramatically more susceptible than wild-type mice to i.p. infection with Listeria monocytogenes. Compared with wild-type mice, LTβR-KO mice had similar transcript levels of TNF and IFN-γ and recruited similar numbers of CD3+ T cells inside granulomatous lesions in M. tuberculosis-infected lungs. Flow cytometry revealed that the LTβR is expressed on pulmonary macrophages obtained after digestion of M. tuberculosis-infected lungs. LTβR-KO mice showed delayed expression of inducible NO synthase protein in granuloma macrophages, implicating deficient macrophage activation as the most likely cause for enhanced susceptibility of these mice to intracellular infections. Since LIGHT-KO mice proved to be equally resistant to M. tuberculosis infection as wild-type mice, these data demonstrate that signaling of LTα1β2 heterotrimers via the LTβR is an essential prerequisite for containment of intracellular pathogens.
Macrophages RestrictPseudomonas aeruginosaGrowth, Regulate Polymorphonuclear Neutrophil Influx, and Balance Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Cytokines in BALB/c Mice
Authors: McClellan Sharon A. , Huang Xi , Barrett Ronald P. , van Rooijen Nico , Hazlett Linda D.
Published: April 2014

The role of macrophages in Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal infection in susceptible (cornea perforates), C57BL/6 (B6) vs resistant (cornea heals), BALB/c mice was tested by depleting macrophages using subconjunctival injections of clodronate-containing liposomes before corneal infection. Both groups of inbred mice treated with clodronate-liposomes compared with PBS-liposomes (controls) exhibited more severe disease. In B6 mice, the cornea perforated and the eye became extremely shrunken, whereas in BALB/c mice, the cornea perforated rather than healed. The myeloperoxidase assay detected significantly more PMN in the cornea of both groups of mice treated with clodronate-liposomes vs PBS-liposomes. In independent experiments, ELISA analysis showed that protein levels for IL-1β, macrophage-inflammatory protein 2, and macrophage-inflammatory protein 1α, all regulators of PMN chemotaxis, also were elevated in both groups of mice treated with clodronate-liposomes. Bacterial plate counts in B6 mice treated with clodronate-liposomes were unchanged at 3 days and were higher in control-treated mice at 5 days postinfection (p.i.), whereas in BALB/c mice, bacterial load was significantly elevated in the cornea of mice treated with clodronate-liposomes at both 3 and 5 days p.i. mRNA expression levels for pro (IFN-γ and TNF-α)- and anti (IL-4 and IL-10)-inflammatory cytokines also were determined in BALB/c mice treated with clodronate-liposomes vs control-treated mice. Expression levels for IFN-γ were significantly elevated in mice treated with clodronate-liposomes at 3 and 5 days p.i., while IL-10 levels (mRNA and protein) were reduced. These data provide evidence that macrophages control resistance to P. aeruginosa corneal infection through regulation of PMN number, bacterial killing and balancing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels.
Neutrophilia in LFA-1-Deficient Mice Confers Resistance to Listeriosis: Possible Contribution of Granulocyte-Colony-Stimulating Factor and IL-17
Authors: Miyamoto Mamiko , Emoto Masashi , Emoto Yoshiko , Brinkmann Volker , Yoshizawa Izumi , Seiler Peter , Aichele Peter , Kita Eiji , Kaufmann Stefan H. E.
Published: April 2014

LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) plays a crucial role in various inflammatory responses. In this study, we show that LFA-1−/− mice are far more resistant to Listeria monocytogenes infection than LFA-1+/− mice. Consistent with this, we found the following: 1) the numbers of granulocytes infiltrating the liver were markedly higher in LFA-1−/− mice than in LFA-1+/− mice, 2) increased antilisterial resistance in LFA-1−/− mice was abrogated by depletion of granulocytes, and 3) the numbers of granulocytes in peripheral blood, and the serum levels of both G-CSF and IL-17 were higher in LFA-1−/− mice than in LFA-1+/− mice. Neither spontaneous apoptosis nor survival of granulocytes from LFA-1−/− mice were affected by physiological concentrations of G-CSF. Our data suggest regulatory effects of LFA-1 on G-CSF and IL-17 secretion, and as a corollary on neutrophilia. Consequently, we conclude that increased resistance of LFA-1−/− mice to listeriosis is due to neutrophilia facilitating liver infiltration by granulocytes promptly after L. monocytogenes infection, although it is LFA-1 independent.
Chemotactic Factor-Induced Recruitment and Activation of Tec Family Kinases in Human Neutrophils. II. Effects of LFM-A13, a Specific Btk Inhibitor
Authors: Gilbert Caroline , Levasseur Sylvain , Desaulniers Philippe , Dusseault Andrée-Anne , Thibault Nathalie , Bourgoin Sylvain G. , Naccache Paul H.
Published: April 2014

Tyrosine phosphorylation events play major roles in the initiation and regulation of several functional responses of human neutrophils stimulated by chemotactic factors such as the bacterially derived tripeptide formylmethionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMet-Leu-Phe). However, the links between the G protein-coupled receptors, the activation of the tyrosine kinases, and the initiation of neutrophil functional responses remain unclear. In the present study we assessed the effects of a Btk inhibitor, leflunomide metabolite analog (LFM-A13), on neutrophils. LFM-A13 decreased the tyrosine phosphorylation induced by fMet-Leu-Phe and inhibited the production of superoxide anions and the stimulation of adhesion, chemotaxis, and phospholipase D activity. We observed a decreased accumulation of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate in response to fMet-Leu-Phe in LFM-A13-pretreated cells even though the inhibitor had no direct effect on the lipid kinase activity of the p110γ or p85/p110 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases or on the activation of p110γ by fMet-Leu-Phe. The phosphorylation of Akt and of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 and p38 were similarly inhibited by LFM-A13. LFM-A13 also negatively affected the translocation of Rac-2, RhoA, ADP ribosylation factor-1, Tec, Bmx, and Btk induced by fMet-Leu-Phe. The results of this study provide evidence for an involvement of Btk and possibly other Tec kinase family members in the regulation of the functional responsiveness of human neutrophils and link these events, in part at least, to the modulation of levels of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-trisphosphate.
Duffy Antigen Facilitates Movement of Chemokine Across the Endothelium In Vitro and Promotes Neutrophil Transmigration In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Lee Janet S. , Frevert Charles W. , Wurfel Mark M. , Peiper Stephen C. , Wong Venus A. , Ballman Kimberley K. , Ruzinski John T. , Rhim Johng S. , Martin Thomas R. , Goodman Richard B.
Published: April 2014

The Duffy Ag expressed on RBCs, capillaries, and postcapillary venular endothelial cells binds selective CXC and CC chemokines with high affinity. Cells transfected with the Duffy Ag internalize but do not degrade chemokine ligand. It has been proposed that Duffy Ag transports chemokines across the endothelium. We hypothesized that Duffy Ag participates in the movement of chemokines across the endothelium and, by doing so, modifies neutrophil transmigration. We found that the Duffy Ag transfected into human endothelial cells facilitates movement of the radiolabeled CXC chemokine, growth related oncogene-α/CXC chemokine ligand 1 (GRO-α/CXCL1), across an endothelial monolayer. In addition, neutrophil migration toward GRO-α/CXCL1 and IL-8 (IL-8/CXCL8) was enhanced across an endothelial monolayer expressing the Duffy Ag. Furthermore, GRO-α/CXCL1 stimulation of endothelial cells expressing the Duffy Ag did not affect gene expression by oligonucleotide microarray analysis. These in vitro observations are supported by the finding that IL-8/CXCL8-driven neutrophil recruitment into the lungs was markedly attenuated in transgenic mice lacking the Duffy Ag. We conclude that Duffy Ag has a role in enhancing leukocyte recruitment to sites of inflammation by facilitating movement of chemokines across the endothelium.
C-C Chemokine Ligand 2/Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 Directly Inhibits NKT Cell IL-4 Production and Is Hepatoprotective in T Cell-Mediated Hepatitis in the Mouse
Authors: Ajuebor Maureen N. , Hogaboam Cory M. , Le Tai , Swain Mark G.
Published: April 2014

T cell-mediated liver diseases are associated with elevated serum levels of C-C chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2)/monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). However, the extent to which the actions of CCL2/MCP-1 contribute to the pathogenesis of T cell-mediated hepatitis remains incompletely understood. Con A-induced hepatitis is a liver-specific inflammation mediated by activated T cells and is driven by an up-regulation of the hepatic expression of TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-4. The present study examined the role of CCL2/MCP-1 in the pathogenesis of T cell-mediated hepatitis induced by Con A administration in the mouse. We demonstrate a novel hepatoprotective role for CCL2/MCP-1 during Con A-induced hepatitis, because CCL2/MCP-1 neutralization strikingly enhanced hepatic injury, both biochemically and histologically, after Con A administration. Furthermore, CCL2/MCP-1 neutralization was associated with a significant reduction in the hepatic levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ, but with a significant increase in hepatic IL-4 levels. Moreover, IL-4 production and CCR2 expression by Con A-stimulated CD3+NK1.1+ T cells was significantly reduced by rMCP-1 treatment in vitro. In summary, we propose that CCL2/MCP-1 fulfills a novel anti-inflammatory role in T cell-mediated hepatitis by inhibiting CD3+NK1.1+ T cell-derived IL-4 production through direct stimulation of its specific receptor CCR2. These findings may have direct clinical relevance to T cell-mediated hepatitis.
Different Modes of IL-10 and TGF-β to Inhibit Cytokine-Dependent IFN-γ Production: Consequences for Reversal of Lipopolysaccharide Desensitization
Authors: Schröder Martina , Meisel Christian , Buhl Katharina , Profanter Nina , Sievert Nadine , Volk Hans-Dieter , Grütz Gerald
Published: April 2014

LPS hyporesponsiveness is characterized by a diminished production of proinflammatory cytokines which can be caused by pretreatment with either LPS (=LPS desensitization) or the combination of the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β. However, the resulting hyporesponsive states differ regarding their reversibility by the IFN-γ-inducing cytokine IL-12. Therefore, we aimed at studying the reasons for this differential IL-12 responsiveness of IFN-γ-producing cells and its consequences for LPS hyporesponsiveness in more detail. In an in vitro IL-12/IL-18 responsiveness model, we demonstrated that IL-10, if permanently present, does not directly inhibit IL-12/IL-18 responsiveness in T/NK cells but indirectly interferes with IFN-γ production in the presence of monocytes. In contrast, TGF-β acted directly on IFN-γ-producing cells by interfering with IL-12/IL-18 responsiveness. After removal of IL-10 but not of TGF-β, LPS hyporesponsiveness can be reverted by IL-12/IL-18. Consequently, the addition of recombinant TGF-β during LPS desensitization rendered PBMCs hyporesponsive to a reversal by IL-12/IL-18. Our data suggest that the persistence of IL-10 and the presence of TGF-β determine the level of IFN-γ inhibition and may result in different functional phenotypes of LPS desensitization and LPS hyporesponsiveness in vitro and in vivo.
Selective Roles for Toll-Like Receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 in the Regulation of Neutrophil Activation and Life Span
Authors: Sabroe Ian , Prince Lynne R. , Jones Elizabeth C. , Horsburgh Malcolm J. , Foster Simon J. , Vogel Stefanie N. , Dower Steven K. , Whyte Moira K. B.
Published: April 2014

Neutrophil responses to commercial LPS, a dual Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 activator, are regulated by TLR expression, but are amplified by contaminating monocytes in routine cell preparations. Therefore, we investigated the individual roles of TLR2 and TLR4 in highly purified, monocyte-depleted neutrophil preparations, using selective ligands (TLR2, Pam3CysSerLys4 and Staphylococcus aureus peptidoglycan; TLR4, purified LPS). Activation of either TLR2 or TLR4 caused changes in adhesion molecule expression, respiratory burst (alone, and synergistically with fMLP), and IL-8 generation, which was, in part, dependent upon p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. Neutrophils also responded to Pam3CysSerLys4 and purified LPS with down-regulation of the chemokine receptor CXCR2 and, to a lesser extent, down-regulation of CXCR1. TLR4 was the principal regulator of neutrophil survival, and TLR2 signals showed relatively less efficacy in preventing constitutive apoptosis over short time courses. TLR4-mediated neutrophil survival depended upon signaling via NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades. Prolonged neutrophil survival required both TLR4 activation and the presence of monocytes. TLR4 activation of monocytes was associated with the release of neutrophil survival factors, which was not evident with TLR2 activation, and TLR2 activation in monocyte/neutrophil cocultures did not prevent late neutrophil apoptosis. Thus, TLRs are important regulators of neutrophil activation and survival, with distinct and separate roles for TLR2 and TLR4 in neutrophil responses. TLR4 signaling presents itself as a pharmacological target that may allow therapeutic modulation of neutrophil survival by direct and indirect mechanisms at sites of inflammation.
Calcium-Independent Phospholipase A2 Is Required for Lysozyme Secretion in U937 Promonocytes
Authors: Balboa María A. , Sáez Yolanda , Balsinde Jesús
Published: April 2014

As a part of their surveillance functions in the immune system, monocytes/macrophages secrete large amounts of the bactericidal enzyme lysozyme to the extracellular medium. We report here that lysozyme secretion in activated U937 promonocytes depends on a functional calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2). Inhibition of the enzyme by bromoenol lactone or by treatment with a specific antisense oligonucleotide results in a diminished capacity of the cells to secrete lysozyme to the extracellular medium. Calcium-independent PLA2 is largely responsible for the maintenance of the steady state of lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) levels within the cells, as manifested by the marked decrease in the levels of this metabolite in cells deficient in iPLA2 activity. Reconstitution experiments reveal that lysoPC efficiently restores lysozyme secretion in iPLA2-deficient cells, whereas other lysophospholipids, including lysophosphatidic acid, lysophosphatidylserine, and lysophosphatidylethanolamine, are without effect. Arachidonic acid mobilization in activated U937 cells is under control of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2). Selective inhibition of cPLA2 results in a complete abrogation of the arachidonate mobilization response, but has no effect on lysozyme secretion. These results identify iPLA2-mediated lysoPC production as a necessary component of the molecular machinery leading to lysozyme secretion in U937 cells and rule out a role for cPLA2 in the response. Collectively, the results demonstrate distinct roles in inflammatory cell signaling for these two intracellular phospholipases.
Amyloid Peptide-Induced Cytokine and Chemokine Expression in THP-1 Monocytes Is Blocked by Small Inhibitory RNA Duplexes for Early Growth Response-1 Messenger RNA
Authors: Giri Ranjit K. , Selvaraj Suresh K. , Kalra Vijay K.
Published: April 2014

In Alzheimer’s disease (AD) one finds increased deposition of Aβ and also an increased presence of monocytes/macrophages in the vessel wall and activated microglial cells in the brain. AD patients show increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines by activated microglia. Here we used a human monocytic THP-1 cell line as a model for microglia to delineate the cellular signaling mechanism involved in amyloid peptides (Aβ1–40 and Aβ1–42)-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. We observed that Aβ peptides at physiological concentrations (125 nM) increased mRNA expression of cytokines (TNF-α, and IL-1β) and chemokines (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), IL-8, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β)). The cellular signaling involved activation of c-Raf, extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 (ERK-1)/ERK-2, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, but not p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. This is further supported by the data showing that Aβ causes phosphorylation of ERK-1/ERK-2, which, in turn, activates Elk-1. Furthermore, Aβ mediated a time-dependent increase in DNA binding activity of early growth response-1 (Egr-1) and AP-1, but not of NF-κB and CREB. Moreover, Aβ-induced Egr-1 DNA binding activity was reduced >60% in THP-1 cells transfected with small interfering RNA duplexes for Egr-1 mRNA. We show that Aβ-induced expression of TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1, IL-8, and MIP-1β was abrogated in Egr-1 small inhibitory RNA-transfected cells. Our results indicate that Aβ-induced expression of cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) and chemokines (MCP-1, IL-8, and MIP-1β) in THP-1 monocytes involves activation of ERK-1/ERK-2 and downstream activation of Egr-1. The inhibition of Egr-1 by Egr-1 small inhibitory RNA may represent a potential therapeutic target to ameliorate the inflammation and progression of AD.
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ Inhibits the Migration of Dendritic Cells: Consequences for the Immune Response
Authors: Angeli Véronique , Hammad Hamida , Staels Bart , Capron Monique , Lambrecht Bart N. , Trottein François
Published: April 2014

The migration of dendritic cells (DCs) from the epithelia to the lymphoid organs represents a tightly regulated multistep event involved in the induction of the immune response. In this process fatty acid derivatives positively and negatively regulate DC emigration. In the present study we investigated whether activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), a family of nuclear receptors activated by naturally occurring derivatives of arachidonic acid, could control DC migration from the peripheral sites of Ag capture to the draining lymph nodes (DLNs). First, we show that murine epidermal Langerhans cells (LCs) express PPARγ, but not PPARα, mRNA, and protein. Using an experimental murine model of LC migration induced by TNF-α, we show that the highly potent PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone specifically impairs the departure of LCs from the epidermis. In a model of contact allergen-induced LC migration, PPARγ activation not only impedes LC emigration, and their subsequent accumulation as DCs in the DLNs, but also dramatically prevents the contact hypersensitivity responses after challenge. Finally, after intratracheal sensitization with an FITC-conjugated Ag, PPARγ activation inhibits the migration of DCs from the airway mucosa to the thoracic LNs and also profoundly reduces the priming of Ag-specific T lymphocytes in the DLNs. Our results suggest a novel regulatory pathway via PPARγ for DC migration from epithelia that could contribute to the initiation of immune responses.
Akt Phosphorylates p47phoxand Mediates Respiratory Burst Activity in Human Neutrophils
Authors: Chen Qingdan , Powell David W. , Rane Madhavi J. , Singh Saurabh , Butt Waseem , Klein Jon B. , McLeish Kenneth R.
Published: April 2014

Respiratory burst activity and phosphorylation of an NADPH oxidase component, p47phox, during neutrophil stimulation are mediated by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) activation. Products of PI-3K activate several kinases, including the serine/threonine kinase Akt. The present study examined the ability of Akt to regulate neutrophil respiratory burst activity and to interact with and phosphorylate p47phox. Inhibition of Akt activity in human neutrophils by an inhibitory peptide significantly attenuated fMLP-stimulated, but not PMA-stimulated, superoxide release. Akt inhibitory peptide also inhibited hydrogen peroxide generation stimulated by bacterial phagocytosis. A direct interaction between p47phox and Akt was shown by the ability of GST-p47phox to precipitate recombinant Akt and to precipitate Akt from neutrophil lysates. Active recombinant Akt phosphorylated recombinant p47phox in vitro, as shown by 32P incorporation, by a mobility shift change detected by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and by immunoblotting with phospho-Akt substrate Ab. Mutation analysis indicated that 2 aa residues, Ser304 and Ser328, were phosphorylated by Akt. Inhibition of Akt activity also inhibited fMLP-stimulated neutrophil chemotaxis. We propose that Akt mediates PI-3K-dependent p47phox phosphorylation, which contributes to respiratory burst activity in human neutrophils.
Expression and Production of the CXC Chemokine Growth-Related Oncogene-α by Human Eosinophils
Authors: Persson-Dajotoy Terese , Andersson Pia , Bjartell Anders , Calafat Jero , Egesten Arne
Published: April 2014

Eosinophils are seen together with neutrophils at sites of inflammation. However, their roles are not clear. In addition, eosinophils infiltrate tumor tissue in some neoplastic diseases. In this study, we show that large amounts of the neutrophil-activating CXC chemokine growth-related oncogene (GRO)-α can be produced by human eosinophils. Eosinophils showed presence of preformed GRO-α in the crystalloid-containing specific granules (190 pg/2 × 106 cells). During incubation, a strong increase in GRO-α gene expression was seen. At a low cell density, addition of TNF-α or IL-1β increased the production of GRO-α in eosinophils, which was not the case at a higher cell density. Eosinophils can produce TNF-α themselves, and neutralizing Abs against TNF-α significantly inhibited GRO-α production. This suggests that autocrine and paracrine effects from TNF-α can be important when up-regulating GRO-α gene expression. In contrast, IFN-γ, a prototypic Th1-cytokine, down-regulated expression of GRO-α. This may be important during resolution of inflammation but also suggests different roles for eosinophils depending on the inflammatory context. Tumor-infiltrating eosinophils in Hodgkin’s disease of the nodular sclerosing type are associated with a poor prognosis. Eosinophils from such tumor tissue showed an abundant expression of GRO-α. The GRO-α receptor CXCR2 was also detected in tumor tissue, proposing interactions between eosinophils and the tumor. Our findings suggest that eosinophils can promote inflammation through recruitment of CXCR2-bearing cells. In addition, this feature of the eosinophils indicates a role for these cells in the biology of certain tumors.