bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fibroblast stimulation in schistosomiasis. IX. Schistosomal egg granulomas from congenitally athymic mice are deficient in production of fibrogenic factors.
Authors: Prakash S , Postlethwaite A E , Stricklin G P , Wyler D J
Published: December 2022

Schistosomal egg granulomas spontaneously secrete fibrogenic factors, suggesting that there exists a molecular link between granulomatous inflammation and hepatic fibrosis in schistosomiasis. To further assess this possibility, we compared elaboration of fibrogenic factors by egg granulomas isolated from Schistosoma mansoni-infected euthymic mice that develop substantial liver fibrosis, with those elaborated by similarly infected congenitally athymic mice that develop minimal fibrosis. Conditioned medium from cultures of granulomas from euthymic mice stimulated fibroblast proliferation, chemotaxis, and synthesis of collagen, collagenase, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, and hyaluronate, whereas those prepared from cultures of granulomas isolated from athymic mice were relatively or absolutely deficient in such activities. These observations provide a correlation between the presence of fibrosis in vivo and the production of fibrogenic factors and reinforce our hypothesis that granuloma-derived fibrogenic factors play a role in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in schistosomiasis. Furthermore, the results of this study suggest a central role of T lymphocytes in the fibrogenic process.
Cell surface expression of hybrid murine/human MHC class II beta alpha dimers. Key influence of residues in the amino-terminal portion of the beta 1 domain.
Authors: Lechler R I , Sant A J , Braunstein N S , Sekaly R , Long E , Germain R N
Published: December 2022

To aid in the identification of key residues responsible for the control of class II MHC beta-alpha dimer assembly and expression, a series of cotransfections of human plus mouse beta- and alpha-genes was performed. The resulting expression data were correlated with the sequences of the relevant proteins to identify residues that played critical roles in these processes. For the I-E/DR homologues good expression was seen for both E beta DR alpha and DR beta E alpha combinations involving several allelically variable beta-chains of each species. These results are consistent with the sequence conservation seen for I-E and DR gene products, and indicate that the species-specific differences that do exist play little role in controlling dimer formation or transport. For A beta chains, a more complex picture was seen. A beta d, but not A beta k or A beta b, was found to coexpress with human alpha-chains. Not only did A beta d show expression with the homologous DQ alpha-chain, but it also was expressed with DR alpha and DP alpha. These data indicate that species-specific residues do not control dimer expression under these conditions and confirm that allelically polymorphic residues have a crucial role in this process. Mapping studies using recombinant A beta genes established the importance of the residues in the amino-terminal half of the beta 1 domain in the differences observed among the A beta alleles. Sequence comparison of DR beta, DP beta, DQ beta, E beta, and A beta chains in this region revealed a single residue (position 12) conserved in most chains and differing in a nonconservative fashion between A beta d vs A beta b or k. A beta d has the conserved lysine at this position, whereas A beta b has methionine and A beta k has glutamine. To test whether this residue actually was important physiologically, a lysine codon was created in a recombinant A beta gene possessing the amino-terminal sequence of the kappa haplotype, and the ability of this mutant chain to be expressed with various mouse A alpha-chains was examined. This mutant chain was shown to gain the ability to be efficiently expressed with A alpha d without losing its ability to be expressed with A alpha k. These data reemphasize the special role played by allelically polymorphic residues in Ia expression and identify one such polymorphic site as position 12.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Patterns and extent of isotype-specificity in the murine H chain switch DNA rearrangement.
Authors: Schultz C , Petrini J , Collins J , Claflin J L , Denis K A , Gearhart P , Gritzmacher C , Manser T , Shulman M , Dunnick W
Published: December 2022

We have analyzed the configuration of the H chain locus of 41 hybridomas by Southern blot analysis. Each H chain switch region was determined to be germ line, rearranged, or deleted. Including 13 previously analyzed hybridomas, 60% of those with rearrangements on both alleles showed a correlation of the two alleles, i.e., both the expressed and the nonexpressed alleles have rearranged to the same H chain constant region gene segment. When the two H chain alleles did not rearrange to the same gene, they often rearranged to neighboring H chain genes. These results support a role for isotype-specific factors in H chain switch recombination. The action of these isotype-specific factors may be propagated to some extent along the chromosome, which would lead to rearrangements to neighboring genes.
Human alveolar macrophage FcR-mediated cytotoxicity. Heteroantibody- versus conventional antibody-mediated target cell lysis.
Authors: Levy P C , Looney R J , Shen L , Graziano R F , Fanger M W , Roberts N J , Ryan D H , Utell M J
Published: December 2022

Human alveolar macrophage have three distinct receptors for IgG: FcRI, FcRII, and FcRIII. In order to compare the ability of these receptors to mediate target cell lysis, three different assay systems were examined. First, we studied lysis of chicken E (CE) opsonized with heteroantibodies, which are synthetic antibodies composed of Fab fragments with anti-FcR activity covalently linked to Fab fragments with anti-CE activity. We found alveolar macrophage readily lysed heteroantibody-opsonized CE via each of the three FcR classes (FcRI, 20 +/- 5%; FcRII, 27 +/- 7%; and FcRIII, 13 +/- 13%, p less than 0.05). Non-FcR-dependent lysis of anti-beta 2-microglobulin x anti-CE heteroantibody-opsonized CE was not detected. Second, lysis of hybridoma cell lines bearing anti-FcR antibodies on their cell surface was examined to assess killing of "tumor-like" target cells. Whereas peripheral blood monocytes and lymphocytes were able to lyse hybridoma cell lines bearing surface anti-FcR mAb, alveolar macrophages were not. Third, activity of alveolar macrophage FcR was examined in a conventional antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assay by using O+ (R1,R2) human RBC opsonized with human anti-D and anti-CD serum as target cells. We found lysis of anti-D and anti-CD opsonized human RBC was mediated exclusively via FcRI. No activity of FcRII or FcRIII was detected in these latter assays even if performed under conditions that impair FcRI activity. Thus, all three FcR present on alveolar macrophage mediate lysis of heteroantibody-opsonized CE; in contrast, with the use of a conventional antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity assay, only FcRI activity was detected. We were unable to demonstrate lysis of anti-FcR-bearing hybridoma cell lines by alveolar macrophages.
Intrathymic radioresistant stem cells follow an IL-2/IL-2R pathway during thymic regeneration after sublethal irradiation.
Authors: Zúñiga-Pflücker J C , Kruisbeek A M
Published: December 2022

Sublethally irradiated mice undergo thymic regeneration which follows a phenotypic pattern of events similar to that observed during normal fetal development. Thymic regeneration after irradiation is the product of a limited pool of intrathymic radioresistant stem cells undergoing simultaneous differentiation. We show that in this model of T cell development, thymic regeneration follows a pathway in which the IL-2R is transiently expressed on CD4-/CD8- cells. IL-2R expression occurred during the exponential growth period of thymic regeneration, and IL-2R blocking prevented this explosive growth. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the IL-2R blockade affected primarily the development of the immature CD3-/CD4-/CD8- (triple negative) cells and their ability to generate CD3+/CD4+/CD8+ or CD3+/CD4+/CD8- and CD3+/CD4-/CD8+ thymocytes. Thus, our findings demonstrate that blocking of the IL-2R resulted in an arrest in proliferation and differentiation by intrathymic radioresistant stem cells, indicating that the IL-2/IL-2R pathway is necessary for the expansion of immature triple negative T cells.
Persistence of donor-specific IL-2-secreting cells and cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors in human kidney transplant recipients evidenced by limiting dilution analysis.
Authors: Lantz O , Alard P , Ben Aribia M H , Chavanel G , Fries D , Senik A , Charpentier B
Published: December 2022

The low reactivity to donor alloantigens reported in PBL from kidney transplant recipients might be related to clonal deletion and/or suppression of donor-specific alloreactive cells. To discriminate between these two hypotheses, we quantified the number of IL-2 secreting cells (IL-2-SC) and of cytotoxic precursors (CTLp) in the T cells from tolerant recipients when stimulated with either donor specific or nonrelated third-party LCL. To eliminate the irrelevant reactivity, we used as responding cells high-density T cells that had been depleted of such reactivity by 4 days preculture with autologous lymphoblastoid cell line in the presence of bromodeoxyuridine. Thus, frequencies of IL-2-SC and CTLp specifically directed at alloantigens could be measured. In 11 recipients, there was no strong decrease in the frequency of donor-reactive T cells when compared to the frequency of those directed at a third-party lymphoblastoid cell line, either for IL-2-SC (tested in 11 patients) or for CTLp (tested in 6 patients). In three cases of seven, a suppression was observed only when T cells were stimulated by donor cells. These data suggest that donor-reactive cells are still present in PBL of kidney-transplant recipients tested from 6 mo to 4 y posttransplantation. Moreover, suppression of donor-specific cells can be demonstrated in peripheral T cells of some recipients, which may account in part for the absence of rejection.
The expanded populations of CD4-CD8- T cell receptor alpha/beta+ T cells associated with the lpr and gld mutations are CD2-.
Authors: Shirai T , Abe M , Yagita H , Okumura K , Morse H C , Davidson W F
Published: December 2022

Mice homozygous for either of two autosomal recessive mutations, lpr and gld, develop massive, generalized lymphoproliferation of CD4-CD8- (double negative, DN) T cells associated with a variety of autoantibodies. To determine the origin of these expanded populations of lpr and gld T cells, we examined the expression of CD2 molecules and mRNA transcripts in association with other cell surface phenotypes of these cells and correlated them with subpopulations of DN T cells in the thymus and peripheral lymphoid tissues. The results indicated that both lpr and gld cells are negative for the transcript and product of the CD2 gene. Both lpr and gld DN T cells were CD2-, CD3+, CD4-, CD8-, CD25-, CD45R+, TCR alpha/beta+, TCR gamma/delta-, HSA(J11d)-/+, Thy-1+/-, and Lp-1-/+. Studies of thymocytes in normal mice using three-color flow cytometry analysis showed that there are at least eight phenotypically distinct populations of DN thymocytes, one of which is similar to lpr and gld cells in terms of CD2-, CD3+, TCR alpha/beta+ and CD25- phenotypes, although they did not express CD45R, HSA, or Lp-1. A very minor population of these CD2-CD3+ TCR alpha/beta+ DN T cells were also detected in peripheral T cells from normal mice. These findings may provide insight into not only the origin of the aberrant lpr and gld T cells but also normal T cell development.
IL-6 functions as an exocrine hormone in inflammation. Hepatocytes undergoing acute phase responses require exogenous IL-6.
Authors: Gauldie J , Northemann W , Fey G H
Published: December 2022

We have previously shown that IL-6 is the major monocyte- and fibroblast-derived regulator of acute phase protein gene expression and synthesis in hepatocytes in inflammation. Recently, we and others have shown that rat and human hepatoma cells express IL-6 mRNA, and the question arose as to whether normal hepatocytes express IL-6 and whether any such expression occurs under normal physiologic conditions or is seen in inflammation. Poly A+ mRNA of liver from normal rats and from rats undergoing an acute phase response was not positive when probed with cDNA for rat IL-6 under conditions in which macrophage mRNA was strongly positive. We then compared poly A+ mRNA from purified hepatocytes freshly isolated from normal rats--from rats that were undergoing an acute inflammatory response and from freshly isolated normal hepatocytes that had been cultured for 24 h in the presence or absence of dexamethasone (microM). Only the mRNA from normal hepatocytes cultured for 24 h in the absence of any glucocorticoid was obviously positive for IL-6. The increased expression of gamma-fibrinogen mRNA indicated the presence of inflammation. These results confirm the identification of IL-6 as an exogenous hormone for regulating normal hepatic acute phase protein synthesis in inflammation and rules out an autocrine mechanism being active in the liver in normal homeostasis.
Evaluation of antisperm complement-dependent immune mediators in human ovarian follicular fluid.
Authors: D'Cruz O J , Haas G G , Lambert H
Published: December 2022

A "sandwich"-type radiolabeled antiglobulin assay using monoclonal anti-C5b-9 neoantigen and polyclonal anti-C5b-9 was used to evaluate the presence of terminal C complexes (SC5b-9 or MC5b-9) in the sera and ovarian follicular fluid (FF) from 45 infertile women. FF SC5b-9 was detectable in all clinical diagnostic categories. The mean SC5b-9 levels in FF and sera were 399 ng/ml (range 75 to 1350 ng/ml) and 798 ng/ml (range 0 to 2700 ng/ml), respectively. Twelve (26.6%) of the 45 FF samples had normal hemolytic C activity, and all FF (n = 44) samples initiated C8/C9-dependent lysis of sensitized sheep E coated with human C1-7. Human plasma IgG antisperm antibodies (ASA) were capable of activating C in 31 (72%) of 43 FF samples as detected by their ability to deposit MC5b-9 on human sperm. Sera from infertile women with ASA in their sera and FF impaired human sperm binding to human zona pellucida and binding and penetration of zona-free hamster oocytes in vitro. The discovery of SC5b-9 and MC5b-9 in ovarian FF implies that the interaction of ASA and C could have a deleterious effect on sperm during in vivo and in vitro sperm-egg interactions in women with antisperm antibodies.
Clonotypes of anti-DNA antibodies expressing specific idiotypes in immune complexes of patients with active lupus nephritis.
Authors: Muryoi T , Sasaki T , Hatakeyama A , Shibata S , Suzuki M , Seino J , Yoshinaga K
Published: December 2022

IEF, using 6 M urea, provides a unique opportunity to analyze the spectrotypes of antibodies in immune complexes (IC) in vivo. Using this technique, we have analyzed the clonotypes of anti-DNA antibodies expressing specific Id in the circulating IC of patients with active lupus nephritis. Serum anti-ssDNA and anti-dsDNA antibodies showed heterogeneous spectrotypes. The antibodies isolated from circulating IC had a restricted clonotype and a neutral charge and were directed mainly to ssDNA and, to a lesser extent, to dsDNA. These samples failed to form complexes with DNA when they were subjected to absorption to a DNA-coupled Sepharose column. Anti-DNA antibodies expressed specific Id, termed O-81 or NE-1, which were detected only in the IC of patients with active lupus nephritis. Anti-DNA clonotypes, including O-81 and NE-1 idiotypes, were also found in the eluates of renal glomeruli of lupus patients. These results indicate that subpopulations of anti-DNA antibodies in circulating IC are limited, and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.
C3-cleaving membrane proteinase. A new complement regulatory protein of human melanoma cells.
Authors: Ollert M W , Frade R , Fiandino A , Panneerselvam M , Petrella E C , Barel M , Pangburn M K , Bredehorst R , Vogel C W
Published: December 2022

Human melanoma cells resistant to killing by the R24 mAb and human complement rapidly degrade surface-deposited C3b (M. Panneerselvam, S. Welt, L. J. Old, C.-W. Vogel. 1986. J. Immunol. 136:2534). We report that C-resistant melanoma cells express a membrane proteinase that can cleave C3b, generating a cleavage product with a molecular mass of approximately 30 kDa. The C3-cleaving proteinase was identified on the melanoma cells by its cross-reaction with antiserum to p57, a C3-cleaving proteinase previously isolated from human E membranes (C. Charriaut-Marlangue, M. Barel, R. Frade. 1986. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 140:1113). Preincubation of the C-resistant melanoma cells with anti-p57 IgG or their F(ab')2 fragments increased their susceptibility to complement killing from 25% to approximately 50% and reduced the rate of C3b cleavage and the amount of the 30-kDa fragment generated on the cells. Anti-p57 IgG stained C-resistant melanoma cells by indirect immunofluorescence and precipitated a protein with an apparent molecular mass of 65 kDa. This membrane protein, termed p65, was not detectable on C-susceptible melanoma cells. Membrane extracts from C-resistant melanoma cells also showed C3-cleaving activity when incubated with purified C3 or C3b, similarly generating a C3 fragment of approximately 35 kDa. This fluid-phase C3 cleaving activity could be partially inhibited by anti-p57 IgG. These data suggest that p65 is a C3-cleaving proteinase, antigenically related to p57, that is expressed on C-resistant melanoma cells and responsible for the C resistance of these cells. We propose that the membrane-bound C3-cleaving proteinase represents another C regulatory protein protecting host cells against killing by C.
Bimodal IgG4-mediated human basophil activation. Role of eosinophils.
Authors: Beauvais F , Hieblot C , Burtin C , Benveniste J
Published: December 2022

The role of IgG4 antibodies in allergic disorders is suspected. Yet, their presence on human basophil membrane has not been demonstrated and the mechanism of the degranulation induced by anti-IgG4 antibodies remains unclear. As previously reported, we observed that monoclonal anti-IgG4 (10 to 100 micrograms/ml) induced histamine release in the presence of D2O from leukocytes of normal and atopic subjects. The release was accompanied by a decrease of the number of toluidine blue-positive basophils (TB+). Histamine release and TB+ decrease were also observed with lower concentrations of anti-IgG4 (1 to 100 pg/ml). Since basophil activation assessed by TB+ decrease was more sensitive than histamine release, we thus used the former method to further study the mechanisms of the anti-IgG4- vs anti-IgE-induced basophil activation. Basophil activation by anti-IgG4 at 1 to 100 pg/ml, but not by anti-IgG4 at 10 to 100 micrograms/ml or anti-IgE, required the presence of polymorphonuclear cells. Furthermore, anti-IgG4-stimulated purified eosinophils, but not neutrophils, released basophil-activating factors identified as cationic proteins from eosinophils. Thus, the human basophil can be activated by anti-IgG4 via two different mechanisms according to the antibody concentration. At high concentrations (10 to 100 micrograms/ml) basophil activation does not require the presence of polymorphonuclear cells whereas at lower concentrations (1 to 100 pg/ml) the presence of eosinophils is necessary. We propose that in the latter concentration range, basophil activation is a two-step process: 1) release by anti-IgG4 of eosinophil cationic proteins that 2) will, in turn, activate human basophils. This study lends support to the role of IgG4 and eosinophils in anaphylactic reactions.
Cyclosporin A rapidly inhibits mediator release from human basophils presumably by interacting with cyclophilin.
Authors: Cirillo R , Triggiani M , Siri L , Ciccarelli A , Pettit G R , Condorelli M , Marone G
Published: December 2022

We have examined the effects of cyclosporin A (CsA) and a series of CsA analogs that bind with decreasing affinity to cyclophilin, to evaluate the involvement of this protein in the release of preformed (histamine) and de novo synthesized (peptide leukotriene C4; LTC4) mediators of inflammatory reactions from human basophils. CsA (8 to 800 nM) concentration-dependently inhibited (5 to 60%) histamine release from peripheral blood basophils challenged with anti-IgE. CsA was more potent (92.6 +/- 1.8 vs 59.1 +/- 4.5%; p less than 0.001) and, at low concentrations, more effective when the channel-operated influx of Ca2+ was bypassed by the ionophore A23187 (IC40 = 24.1 +/- 3.9 vs 105.5 +/- 22.2 nM; p less than 0.05). CsA had no effect on the release of histamine caused by phorbol myristate and bryostatin 1 that activate different isoforms of protein kinase C. Inhibition of histamine release from basophils challenged with anti-IgE was not abolished by washing (three times) the cells before anti-IgE challenge. CsA also inhibited the de novo synthesis of LTC4 from basophils challenged with anti-IgE. The inhibitory effect of CsA was very rapid, and the drug, added from 1 to 10 min during the reaction, inhibited the ongoing release of histamine caused by anti-IgE and by A23187. The experiments with CsA analogs (CsG, CsC, CsD, and CsH) showed that CsH, which has an extremely low affinity for cyclophilin, has no effect on basophil mediator release. In addition, there is a significant correlation between the concentrations of CsA, G, C, and D that inhibited by 30% the histamine release induced by anti-IgE (r = 0.99; p less than 0.001) and by A23187 (r = 0.87; p less than 0.001) and their affinity for cyclophilin.
Release of lactoferrin and elastase in human allergic skin reactions.
Authors: Zweiman B , Kucich U , Shalit M , Von Allmen C , Moskovitz A , Weinbaum G , Atkins P C
Published: December 2022

Our previous skin chamber studies have shown prominent accumulation of viable neutrophils in human allergic skin reaction sites. To determine whether such neutrophils release components that may be pathogenic in allergic reactions, we have compared the patterns of release of five components: 1) lactoferrin, present in specific granules; 2) and 3) elastase and myeloperoxidase, present mainly in azurophilic granules; 4) lactic dehydrogenase, a cytosolic component generally released during cell damage; 5) histamine, present in mast cells and basophils but not in neutrophils. In 13 pollen-sensitive subjects we found that continuous antigen challenge for 5 h lead to a peak of histamine release into overlying skin chambers during the 1st h, followed by a plateau of low level histamine release over the succeeding 4 h. In contrast, there was no significantly increased released of lactoferrin or elastase during the first h, but significantly increased accumulation of these components at Ag challenge sites over the next 4 h. There was no significant difference at Ag vs buffer control sites in the levels of either myeloperoxidase or lactic dehydrogenase. The increased levels of lactoferrin and elastase at antigen challenge sites in the 2nd to 5th h were not simply a reflection of the greater numbers of neutrophils present in such sites because the levels of these components did not correlate significantly with the number of neutrophils in chamber fluids obtained from individual sites. However, such lactoferrin levels did correlate significantly with the amount of histamine released earlier during the 1st h of Ag challenge at individual sites. These findings suggest a selective in vivo release of neutrophil components in IgE-mediated human allergic skin reactions, possibly related in degree to earlier mast cell activation. Inasmuch as lactoferrin likely plays a role in reactive oxidants effects and elastase is a potent nonspecific protease, release of these agents could play a pathogenic role in late phase allergic reactions.
Human humoral immunity to hsp70 during Trypanosoma cruzi infection.
Authors: Engman D M , Dragon E A , Donelson J E
Published: December 2022

Immunologic screening of cDNA expression libraries has been widely used for the identification of DNA sequences encoding the immunologically relevant proteins of many pathogenic microorganisms. For reasons that are not entirely clear, sequences encoding 70-kDa heat shock and related proteins (hsp70), which are among the most highly conserved proteins known, have routinely been identified by this approach. Consequently, hsp70 proteins have been proposed to be involved in the autoimmune processes thought responsible for the pathogenesis of the diseases caused by some of these organisms, e.g., chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection (Chagas' disease). Therefore, we investigated whether hsp70 might be a specific target of the human humoral immune response to T. cruzi infection, and, if so, whether humoral autoimmunity to hsp70 might play a role in pathogenesis. We found that hsp70 is indeed a major polypeptide Ag in Chagas' disease, but that the antibodies to T. cruzi hsp70 do not react with human hsp70--even though the proteins display 73% amino acid sequence identify. These results indicate that self-tolerance to hsp70 is maintained during chronic T. cruzi infection and strongly argue against a role for humoral autoimmunity to hsp70 in the pathogenesis of Chagas' disease.
The gene sequence and some properties of protein H. A novel IgG-binding protein.
Authors: Gomi H , Hozumi T , Hattori S , Tagawa C , Kishimoto F , Björck L
Published: December 2022

The gene for protein H, a novel bacterial cell wall protein with specific affinity for human IgG Fc, was cloned from a group A Streptococcus and expressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant E. coli cells produced two forms of a human IgG Fc-binding protein, one with an apparent Mr of 42 kDa in a periplasmic fraction and the other with an apparent Mr of 45 kDa in a mixed fraction of cytoplasms and membranes. Both 42-kDa and 45-kDa protein preparations similarly bound to human IgG1 to IgG4, human IgG Fc, and rabbit IgG, but not to IgG of mouse, rat, bovine, sheep, goat, and human IgA, IgD, IgE, and IgM. The complete nucleotide sequence of the cloned 1.8-kb DNA fragment was determined. An open reading frame encoded a hypothetical protein of 376 amino acid residues (Mr = 42,498). The N-terminal amino acid sequence, consisting of 41 residues, which was removed post-translationally had typical characteristics of Gram-positive bacterial signal peptides. Thus, the mature form of protein H was suggested to consist of 335 residues (Mr = 38,162). There were 3 repeated sequences consisting of 42 residues that were highly homologous to those of protein Arp, an IgA-binding streptococcal cell wall protein, and streptococcal M6 and M24 proteins. The C-terminal amino acid sequence consisting of 93 residues, directly following the repeated sequences, was also highly homologous to that of M6 and M24 proteins. No sequence homology was found between protein H and protein A or protein G, two other IgG-binding bacterial cell wall proteins.
Identification of a single non-H-2 gene regulating graft-versus-host disease response.
Authors: Fast L D
Published: December 2022

Non-MHC loci have been shown to play an important role in the development and regulation of graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). In the murine model of GVHD under study, injection of C57BL/6 spleen cells into unirradiated (C57BL/6 x DBA/2)F1 hybrid recipient mice results in an acute form of GVHD characterized by CTL, suppressor cells, and runting. In contrast, injection of DBA/2 spleen cells into the same recipients results in a chronic form of GVHD that is characterized by a lack of CTL and hyperproduction of Ig and autoantibodies. After preliminary studies with the use of congenic mice showed that non-MHC loci were controlling GVHD responses in this model, genetic analysis of GVHD response of BXD recombinant inbred strains and (B10.D2 x DBA/2) X DBA/2 BC mice identified a single locus, Gvh, on chromosome 7 that controls whether acute or chronic GVHD results from injection of parental lymphocytes into unirradiated (C57BL/6 x DBA/2)F1 recipient mice.
Fine specificity and idiotype diversity of a murine anti-HLA-DQw3 monoclonal antibody elicited with a syngeneic antiidiotypic monoclonal antibody.
Authors: Shinji T , Ono R , Ferrone S
Published: December 2022

A total of 469 hybridomas was generated from a BALB/c mouse immunized with the syngeneic antiidiotypic mAb KO3-34 that recognizes an idiotope within the Ag-combining site of the immunizing syngeneic anti HLA-DQw3 mAb KS13. One of the hybridomas, named S2B154, was shown with a number of serologic and immunochemical assays to mimic the specificity of anti HLA-DQw3 mAb KS13. This result was unexpected, because the antiidiotypic mAb had been classified as gamma because of the lack of detection of anti-HLA-DQw3 antibodies in sera from BALB/c mice immunized with the antiidiotypic mAb KO3-34. The antiidiotypic mAb S2B154, an IgG1, displays a lower affinity constant to HLA-DQw3 Ag-bearing lymphoid cells than mAb KS13, an IgG2b, but a higher one to antiidiotypic mAb KO3-34. Testing with a panel of antiidiotypic mAb elicited with the mAb KS13 showed that both antiidiotypic mAb S2B154 and mAb KS13 express in their Ag-combining site the idiotopes recognized by the antiidiotypic mAb KO3-256, KO3-335, and R1-38. However, the antiidiotypic mAb S2B154 does not react with the mAb R18-9 that recognizes an idiotope outside the Ag-combining site of mAb KS13. The results we have presented question the validity of the classification of antiidiotypic antibodies based on their ability to inhibit the binding of the corresponding antibodies to Ag and on the specificity of antisera elicited with antiidiotypic antibodies. Furthermore, the hybridomas we have developed in this Id cascade provide us the opportunity to analyze the structural basis of idiotypic Ag mimicry and to evaluate the regulatory properties of antiidiotypic antibodies in the immune response to HLA class II Ag.
Alternative mechanisms of natural killer cell activation during herpes simplex virus infection.
Authors: Paya C V , Schoon R A , Leibson P J
Published: December 2022

Although NK cells can kill both malignant cells and virus-infected cells without prior sensitization, it has remained unclear whether the mechanism by which an NK cell is activated in the presence of a tumor cell is similar to that induced by the presence of a virus-infected cell. In our experimental system using homogeneous populations of cloned human CD16+ NK cells, we found that HSV-infected target cells do not induce in the NK cells the same pharmacologically-active second messengers elicited by NK-sensitive tumor cells. Although phosphoinositide turnover and calcium signaling were generated in NK cells exposed to NK-sensitive tumor cells, the recognition of HSV-infected cells by NK cells did not result in similar transmembrane signaling. Furthermore, depending on the cell type infected by HSV, alternative mechanisms of cytotoxicity were employed. HSV-infected foreskin fibroblasts were rapidly and selectively killed by cloned NK cells without a requirement for IFN or accessory cells. In contrast to this direct cytotoxicity against HSV-infected foreskin fibroblasts, NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against an HSV-infected fibrosarcoma cell line (1591) was dependent on IFN-alpha production by accessory cells. Importantly, in both systems of cytotoxicity, IFN-alpha activation of NK cells resulted in augmented killing against both infected and uninfected targets. These results suggest that NK cell activation induced during antiviral immunity is distinct from activation elicited during an antitumor response. These differences include the utilization of alternative forms of signal transduction and alternative mechanisms of cytotoxicity.
A novel type of aberrant T cell receptor alpha-chain gene rearrangement. Implications for allelic exclusion and the V-J recombination process.
Authors: Hue I , Trucy J , McCoy C , Couez D , Malissen B , Malissen M
Published: December 2022

In the process of analyzing the contribution of nonproductive alpha- and beta-chain gene rearrangements to the allelic exclusion of TCR gene expression, we have found a novel type of aberrant alpha-gene rearrangement. In one alpha-allele of the mouse KB5-C20 T cell clone, a J alpha gene segment has been abutted precisely to a sequence that does not display any homology to known V and D gene segment. The appended sequence originates from within the V alpha locus and is located, in the germ-line, 1 kb upstream of a member of the V alpha 2-gene segment subfamily. No recombination signal sequences have been found contiguous to the recombination point. These observations indicate that in normal T lymphocytes, TCR alpha-genes may be affected by aberrant rearrangements similar to those that predominate in human T cell tumors containing chromosome 14 inversion or translocation. Furthermore, compilation of published data and cloning and sequencing of three additional alpha-alleles has allowed us to examine the status of alpha-loci in nine mouse T cell clones expressing functional alpha beta-heterodimers. Interestingly, in contrast to the situation observed at the beta-locus, only 1 of 18 analyzed alpha-alleles has retained a germ-line unrearranged configuration. In addition, in each T cell clone, alpha-rearrangements on homologous chromosomes were unevenly distributed over the J alpha region and shown to generally involve neighboring J alpha gene segments.
Differences in the repertoire expressed by peritoneal and splenic Ly-1 (CD5)+ B cells.
Authors: Klinman D M , Holmes K L
Published: December 2022

Purified populations of B cells expressing the Ly-1 and/or Mac-1 surface Ag were isolated from normal unmanipulated mice by cell sorting. The number of lymphocytes in each population secreting antibodies reactive with DNA, bromelain-treated mouse RBC, phosphorylcholine and TNP-keyhole limpet hemocyanin was quantitated by ELISA spot assay. The proportion of B cells secreting Ig in vivo and the repertoire of antibodies they produced varied as a function of B cell phenotype and location. Among peritoneal lymphocytes, those that were Ly-1+ or Ly-1- Mac-1+ secreted Ig 10 times more frequently that Mac-1- Ly-1- B cells from the same location. In addition, the former populations expressed repertoires that were significantly skewed toward the production of antibodies reactive with bromelain-treated mouse RBC (p less than 0.001). In contrast, splenic B cells expressing the Ly-1 surface Ag did not differ significantly from splenic Ly-1- B cells in their expressed repertoire or frequency of Ig production. B cells isolated from the spleen and peritoneum tended to differ in antibody specificity from bone marrow and lymph node-derived lymphocytes. For example, B cells from the spleen secreted anti-DNA antibodies two to four times more frequently than B cells from other organs. These results demonstrate that phenotype and microenvironment influence the repertoire of antibodies expressed by B cells in vivo.
Epitopes recognized by the neutralizing antibodies of an HIV-1-infected individual.
Authors: Profy A T , Salinas P A , Eckler L I , Dunlop N M , Nara P L , Putney S D
Published: December 2022

Sera from individuals infected by HIV-1 usually neutralize multiple viral isolates. To determine the extent to which these neutralizing antibodies recognize a principal neutralizing determinant in the V3 region of the envelope protein gp120 (amino acids 308-332), one broadly neutralizing serum was fractionated by affinity chromatography on immobilized peptide columns. Antibodies that neutralize one isolate (HTLV-IIIMN) were substantially but not completely absorbed by the peptide corresponding to a portion of its V3 determinant, whereas the antibodies that neutralize two other isolates (HTLV-IIIB and HTLV-IIIRF) were not absorbed by homologous peptides corresponding to their neutralizing determinants. Neutralizing antibodies also failed to be absorbed by full length envelope protein gp160 and by two other envelope peptides previously reported to be broadly neutralizing epitopes (amino acids 254-274 and 735-752). We conclude that the infected individual had raised a type-restricted neutralizing response targeted at a linear epitope in the V3 region, and that broad neutralization resulted from recognition of epitopes not yet identified.
Production of TNF-alpha and TNF-beta by staphylococcal enterotoxin A activated human T cells.
Authors: Fischer H , Dohlsten M , Andersson U , Hedlund G , Ericsson P , Hansson J , Sjögren H O
Published: December 2022

Staphylococcal enterotoxin at concentrations of less than 1 pg/ml induces significant TNF activity in human peripheral blood T cells and monocytes. Maximal TNF activity is routinely detected after 48 to 72 h of culture. IL-2 and IL-4 were both growth promoting for human T cells but only IL-2 could efficiently induce TNF production. The production of TNF-alpha and TNF-beta differed greatly in kinetics. An early intracytoplasmatic production of TNF-alpha after 6 h was detected in both monocytes and T cells whereas a late production of TNF-beta (lymphotoxin) after 48 h, occurred in the T cell population. Induction of TNF-alpha and TNF-beta production by Staphylococcal enterotoxin requires the presence of both monocytes and T cells. The CD4+45R- but not CD4+45R+ and CD8+ cells supported TNF-alpha production in monocytes. The main lytic component from Staphylococcal enterotoxin-activated mononuclear cells is TNF-beta. CD4+ and CD8+ T cells produced about equal amounts of biologically active TNF into the culture supernatants but a fourfold higher frequency of TNF-beta producing cells was demonstrated among CD4+ vs CD8+ cells. The CD4+45R- T cell subset was an efficient producer of TNF-beta and IFN-gamma whereas the CD4+45R+ T cell subset produced significant amounts of TNF-beta but only marginal amounts of IFN-gamma.
Rheumatoid factors may bear the internal image of the Fc gamma-binding protein of herpes simplex virus type 1.
Authors: Tsuchiya N , Williams R C , Hutt-Fletcher L M
Published: December 2022

Affinity-purified rheumatoid factors (RF) from 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis were tested for their reactivity with the mAb II-481 against glycoprotein E (gE), the Fc gamma-binding protein of HSV-1, as well as with a panel of mAb against human Fc gamma R. All RF bound to mAb II-481 in preference to mAb IV.3 (anti-human Fc gamma RII) or MOPC 141 (control mAb) which belong to the same IgG2b subclass. Five RF showed strong reactivity with II-481. No significant reactivity was observed between RF and mAb against human Fc gamma R. Non-RF human IgM did not react with any of the mAb. Clear-cut binding to II-481 was also seen with monoclonal IgM-RF derived from MRL/1 mice (mRF-2). The reaction between RF and II-481 was completely inhibited by human IgG. It was also inhibited by BHK cell extract infected with HSV-1, and with purified gE. II-481 inhibited the binding of human IgG Fc to the infected cell extract, confirming that II-481 recognizes the Fc-binding site on gE. II-481 did not react directly with human IgG or Fc of IgG. mAb to human IgG2 showed stronger binding to II-481 than to MOPC 141, suggesting II-481 has conformational similarity to human IgG H chain. These results suggest that at least some RF bear the "internal image" of HSV-1 Fc gamma-binding protein and support the hypothesis that some RF may be generated as anti-idiotype antibodies against antiviral antibodies.
Cocaine and its derivatives blunt neutrophil functions without influencing phosphorylation of a 47-kilodalton component of the reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase.
Authors: Haines K A , Reibman J , Callegari P E , Abramson S B , Philips M R , Weissmann G
Published: December 2022

Cocaine and its derivatives blunted responses of neutrophils (cell/cell aggregation, up-regulation of the receptor for C3bi (CR3, CD11b/CD18), generation of superoxide anion (O2-) and degranulation to various stimuli. The order of potency of these agents was the same as that for local anesthesia: tetracaine greater than bupivacaine greater than cocaine greater than lidocaine. Neutrophil aggregation elicited by the chemoattractant FMLP (10(-7) M) was inhibited by cocaine (10 mM) to 13.6 +/- 6% of control (p less than 0.002); the IC50 was approximately 4 mM. Cocaine and the other local anesthetics not only inhibited the upregulation of CR3 and O2- generation, but also blocked degranulation of cytochalasin B-treated cells. Cocaine (10 mM) reduced beta-glucuronidase and lysozyme secretion to 4.3 +/- 0.7 and 13 +/- 2.2% controls, respectively; its IC50 was 4 mM. Local anesthetics added after ligand/receptor engagement (FMLP) interrupted aggregation and halted generation of O2-. Moreover, local anesthetics rapidly inhibited aggregation, O2- generation, and degranulation elicited by PMA (1 microgram/ml) or the Ca ionophore A23187 (10 microM): the effects of cocaine could therefore not be attributed to unique actions at the FMLP receptor. Peak levels of intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca]i) at 5 to 10 s, and levels of [Ca]i 120 s after FMLP in Fura 2-loaded cells were significantly lower in cells treated with lidocaine, findings that could be explained by enhanced 45Ca2+ efflux from neutrophils. In cells loaded with bis(carboxyethyl)carboxyfluorescine (pH indicator) local anesthetics failed to affect the initial FMLP-induced (0 to 15 s) drop of pHi but inhibited the later (120 s) realkalinization of the cytosol (lidocaine, bupivacaine). Most remarkably, autoradiographs of SDS gels prepared from stimulated, 32P-labeled neutrophils treated with local anesthetics showed no difference from resting cells, either with respect to patterns of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation or their kinetics. Labeling of a 47-kDa protein, a component of the reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase system, was unchanged. The effects of local anesthetics, which blunt neutrophil responses without affecting protein phosphorylation, suggest that protein phosphorylation is an insufficient signal for neutrophil activation. Inasmuch as cocaine and its derivatives affect cell functions at sites distal to activation of protein kinase C, these agents should prove useful in uncoupling protein phosphorylation from functional responses.
Synthesis of 1-acyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine by an enriched preparation of the human lung mast cell.
Authors: Triggiani M , Hubbard W C , Chilton F H
Published: December 2022

Our study has examined the synthesis of platelet activating factor (PAF; 1-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and of structurally related molecules by an enriched preparation (greater than 70%) of the human lung mast cell (HLMC) in response to immunologic stimulation. Upon activation with anti-IgE, HLMC incorporated exogenously provided acetate into a phospholipid that migrated with authentic PAF on TLC. The formation of this product in HLMC occurred concomitantly with histamine and leukotriene C4 release. Further analysis of this phospholipid revealed that 1-acyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (GPC) and not 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-GPC was the major 1-radyl-2-acetyl-GPC subclass formed during cell activation. The presence of 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-GPC was confirmed by negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. In addition to this product, anti-IgE-stimulated HLMC synthesized relatively small quantities of another 2-acetylated phospholipid migrating on TLC between phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol. The chromatographic characteristics of this product suggested that it is a subclass of 1-radyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine. The catabolism of both 1-acyl-2-acetyl-GPC and 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-GPC was next examined to determine if the predominant formation of 1-acyl-2-acetyl-GPC over 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-GPC were metabolized by the HLMC at similar rates. There was, however, a qualitative difference in the metabolic products derived from the two phospholipids. 1-Alkyl-2-acetyl-GPC was rapidly inactivated by removal of the acetate moiety at the sn-2 position followed by rapid reacylation with arachidonate. By contrast, 1-acyl-2-acetyl-GPC was catabolized mainly by removal of the fatty acyl moiety at the sn-1 position. These data demonstrate the natural occurrence of PAF and at least two structurally similar molecules in anti-IgE stimulated HLMC. Furthermore, an analog containing an ester linkage at the sn-1 position, 1-acyl-2-acetyl-GPC, appears to be the major acetylated product synthesized under these conditions.
Lipophosphoglycan from Leishmania mexicana promastigotes binds to members of the CR3, p150,95 and LFA-1 family of leukocyte integrins.
Authors: Talamás-Rohana P , Wright S D , Lennartz M R , Russell D G
Published: December 2022

The abundant surface glycolipid, promastigote lipophosphoglycan (LPG), of Leishmania promastigotes was isolated and reconstituted onto the surface of hydrophobic silica beads. These beads bound to both macrophages and monocytes, suggesting that phagocytes possess a receptor(s) capable of recognizing LPG. LPG beads were unable to bind to macrophages isolated from individuals with a genetic deficiency in the CD18 complex of leukocyte integrins (CR3, p150,95, and LFA-1), suggesting that one or more of these receptors were required for binding of LPG. Individual members of the CD18 complex were depleted from macrophages by plating cells on surfaces coated with anti-receptor mAb. These experiments indicated that CR3 and p150,95 from the CD18 complex, were the predominant mediators of attachment of LPG. The phagocyte receptor CR3 expresses two distinct binding sites, one that binds peptide ligands, such as C3bi, and a second site, that recognizes bacterial LPS. Antibody inhibition experiments and competition binding studies with synthetic peptides and soluble LPG indicated that LPG is recognized by the nonpeptide, or "LPS" binding site on CR3.
The major Leishmania donovani chagasi surface glycoprotein in tunicamycin-resistant promastigotes.
Authors: Wilson M E , Hardin K K
Published: December 2022

Two populations of Leishmania donovani chagasi promastigotes resistant to the lethal effects of tunicamycin (TM), an inhibitor of N-linked glycosylation, were raised. These parasites exhibited altered patterns of glycosylation when compared to wild-type controls. In particular the major surface glycoprotein gp63 was present in membranes of one population of TM-resistant promastigotes (population 1) primarily in a deglycosylated form, which migrated at a lower Mr than wild-type gp63. The deglycosylated protein was proteolytically inactive on substrate-containing gels, in contrast to glycosylated gp63. Assays of promastigote attachment to human macrophages revealed that, despite a proposed role for gp63 protease activity in binding to macrophage receptors, population 1 TM-resistant promastigotes appeared to attach to the CR3 but not to the mannose-fucose receptor. Control promastigotes bound to both receptors. In contrast, a second population of TM-resistant promastigotes (population 2) did not produce gp63 that could be detected on immunoblots, either in a glycosylated or deglycosylated form. The latter TM-resistant promastigotes bound to neither CR3 nor the mannose-fucose receptor, suggesting that expression of gp63 might be important for promastigotes to bind to CR3. LPG was present in immunoblots of both TM-resistant and control populations suggesting this molecule might not account for the differences in attachment. Surprisingly both TM-resistant promastigote populations contained gp63 mRNA by Northern analysis in apparently equal amounts. We conclude that N-glycosylation is probably necessary for the protease function of gp63, but that neither N-glycosylation nor protease activity of gp63 is necessary for L. donovani chagasi promastigotes to bind to CR3. Furthermore the expression of gp63 protein by TM-resistant promastigotes is dependent upon postranscriptional events.