bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
I-κB Kinase β Is Critical for B Cell Proliferation and Antibody Response
Authors: Ren Hong , Schmalstieg Aurelia , Yuan Dorothy , Gaynor Richard B.
Published: April 2014

The NF-κB proteins are critical in the regulation of the immune and inflammatory response. Stimulation of the NF-κB pathway leads to increases in I-κB kinase β (IKKβ) kinase activity to result in the enhanced phosphorylation and degradation of I-κB and the translocation of the NF-κB proteins from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. In this study, a dominant-negative IKKβ mutant expressed from the IgH promoter was used to generate transgenic mice to address the role of IKKβ on B cell function. Although these transgenic mice were defective in activating the NF-κB pathway in B cells, they exhibited no defects in B lymphocyte development or basal Ig levels. However, they exhibited defects in the cell cycle progression and proliferation of B cells in response to treatment with LPS, anti-CD40, and anti-IgM. Furthermore, selective defects in the production of specific Ig subclasses in response to both T-dependent and T-independent Ags were noted. These results suggest that IKKβ is critical for the proliferation of B cells and the control of some aspects of the humoral response.
Migration of Human Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells Across Bone Marrow Endothelium Is Regulated by Vascular Endothelial Cadherin
Authors: van Buul Jaap D. , Voermans Carlijn , van den Berg Veronique , Anthony Eloise C. , Mul Frederik P. J. , van Wetering Sandra , van der Schoot C. Ellen , Hordijk Peter L.
Published: April 2014

The success of stem cell transplantation depends on the ability of i.v. infused stem cells to engraft the bone marrow, a process referred to as homing. Efficient homing requires migration of CD34+ cells across the bone marrow endothelium, most likely through the intercellular junctions. In this study, we show that loss of vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin-mediated endothelial cell-cell adhesion increases the permeability of monolayers of human bone marrow endothelial cells (HBMECs) and stimulates the transendothelial migration of CD34+ cells in response to stromal cell-derived factor-1α. Stromal cell-derived factor-1α-induced migration was dependent on VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, even in the absence of VE-cadherin function. Cross-linking of ICAM-1 to mimic the leukocyte-endothelium interaction induced actin stress fiber formation but did not induce loss of endothelial integrity, whereas cross-linking of VCAM-1 increased the HBMEC permeability and induced gaps in the monolayer. In addition, VCAM-1-mediated gap formation in HBMEC was accompanied by and dependent on the production of reactive oxygen species. These data suggest that modulation of VE-cadherin function directly affects the efficiency of transendothelial migration of CD34+ cells and that activation of ICAM-1 and, in particular, VCAM-1 plays an important role in this process through reorganization of the endothelial actin cytoskeleton and by modulating the integrity of the bone marrow endothelium through the production of reactive oxygen species.
IL-2 and Related Cytokines Can Promote T Cell Survival by Activating AKT
Authors: Kelly Erin , Won Angela , Refaeli Yosef , Van Parijs Luk
Published: April 2014

The regulated elimination of T cells serves to maintain normal immune function and prevents autoimmune responses. IL-2 family cytokines play an important role in controlling the survival of immature and mature T cells. These molecules activate the protein kinase, AKT/PKB. AKT has been shown to transduce an antiapoptotic signal in numerous cell types. In this study, we show that an active form of AKT can protect T cells from apoptosis following growth factor withdrawal and that IL-2 family cytokines can promote T cell survival by activating this kinase. We also provide evidence that AKT does not block death receptor-mediated killing of lymphocytes. These data suggest that AKT may serve as a common signaling element by which members of the IL-2 family of cytokines promote T cell survival.
Fractalkine Is Expressed by Smooth Muscle Cells in Response to IFN-γ and TNF-α and Is Modulated by Metalloproteinase Activity
Authors: Ludwig Andreas , Berkhout Theo , Moores Kitty , Groot Pieter , Chapman Gayle
Published: April 2014

Fractalkine/CX3C-chemokine ligand 1 is expressed as a membrane-spanning adhesion molecule that can be cleaved from the cell surface to produce a soluble chemoattractant. Within the vasculature, fractalkine is known to be generated by endothelial cells, but to date there are no reports describing its expression by smooth muscle cells (SMC). In this study we demonstrate that IFN-γ and TNF-α, but not IL-1β, cooperate synergistically to induce fractalkine mRNA and protein expression in cultured aortic SMC. We also report the release of functional, soluble fractalkine from the membranes of stimulated SMC. This release is inhibited by the zinc metalloproteinase inhibitor batimastat, resulting in the accumulation of membrane-associated fractalkine on the SMC surface. Therefore, an SMC-derived metalloproteinase activity is involved in fractalkine shedding. While soluble fractalkine present in SMC-conditioned medium is capable of inducing calcium transients in cells expressing the fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1), blocking experiments using neutralizing Abs reveal that it can be inactivated without affecting the chemotactic activity of SMC-conditioned media on monocytes. However, membrane-bound fractalkine plays a major role in promoting adhesion of monocytic cells to activated SMC. This fractalkine-mediated adhesion is further enhanced in the presence of batimastat, indicating that shedding of fractalkine from the cell surface down-regulates the adhesive properties of SMC. Hence, during vascular inflammation, the synergistic induction of fractalkine by IFN-γ and TNF-α together with its metalloproteinase-mediated cleavage may finely control the recruitment of monocytes to SMC within the blood vessel wall.
Peptide Specificity of Thymic Selection of CD4+CD25+ T Cells
Authors: Pacholczyk Rafal , Kraj Piotr , Ignatowicz Leszek
Published: April 2014

The CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells can be found in the thymus, but their need to undergo positive and negative selection has been questioned. Instead, it has been hypothesized that CD4+CD25+ cells mature following TCR binding to MHC backbone, to low abundant MHC/peptide complexes, or to class II MHC loaded with peripheral autoantigens. In all these circumstances, processes that are distinct from positive and negative selection would govern the provenance of CD4+CD25+ cells in the thymus. By comparing the development of CD4+CD25− and CD4+CD25+ cells in mice expressing class II MHC molecules bound with one or many peptide(s), we show that the CD4+CD25+ cells appear during natural selection of CD4+ T cells. The proportion of CD4+CD25+ cells in the population of CD4+ thymocytes remains constant, and their total number reflects the complexity of selecting class II MHC/peptide complexes. Hence, thymic development of CD4+CD25+ cells does not exclusively depend on the low-density, high-affinity MHC/peptide complexes or thymic presentation of peripheral self-Ags, but, rather, these cells are selected as a portion of the natural repertoire of CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, while resistant to deletion mediated by endogenous superantigen(s), these cells were negatively selected on class II MHC/peptide complexes. We postulate that while the CD4+CD25+ thymocytes are first detectable in the thymic medulla, their functional commitment occurs in the thymic cortex.
Elimination of Porcine Hemopoietic Cells by Macrophages in Mice
Authors: Abe Masahiro , Cheng Jane , Qi Jin , Glaser Roseann M. , Thall Aron D. , Sykes Megan , Yang Yong-Guang
Published: April 2014

The difficulty in achieving donor hemopoietic engraftment across highly disparate xenogeneic species barriers poses a major obstacle to exploring xenograft tolerance induction by mixed chimerism. In this study, we observed that macrophages mediate strong rejection of porcine hemopoietic cells in mice. Depletion of macrophages with medronate-encapsulated liposomes (M-liposomes) markedly improved porcine chimerism, and early chimerism in particular, in sublethally irradiated immunodeficient and lethally irradiated immunocompetent mice. Although porcine chimerism in the peripheral blood and spleen of M-liposome-treated mice rapidly declined after macrophages had recovered and became indistinguishable from controls by wk 5 post-transplant, the levels of chimerism in the marrow of these mice remained higher than those in control recipients at 8 wks after transplant. These results suggest that macrophages that developed in the presence of porcine chimerism were not adapted to the porcine donor and that marrow-resident macrophages did not phagocytose porcine cells. Moreover, M-liposome treatment had no effect on the survival of porcine PBMC injected into the recipient peritoneal cavity, but was essential for the migration and relocation of these cells into other tissues/organs, such as spleen, bone marrow, and peripheral blood. Together, our results suggest that murine reticuloendothelial macrophages, but not those in the bone marrow and peritoneal cavity, play a significant role in the clearance of porcine hemopoietic cells in vivo. Because injection of M-liposomes i.v. mainly depletes splenic macrophages and liver Kupffer cells, the spleen and/or liver are likely the primary sites of porcine cell clearance in vivo.
The Pre-B Cell Receptor Signaling for Apoptosis Is Negatively Regulated by FcγRIIB
Authors: Kato Ibuki , Takai Toshiyuki , Kudo Akira
Published: April 2014

Many studies have shown that FcγRIIB is a negative regulator of B cell receptor signaling, and even though FcγRIIB is expressed through all developmental stages of the B cell lineage, its involvement in pre-B cell receptor (pre-BCR) signaling has not been examined. To investigate FcγRIIB function at the pre-B cell stage, we have established pre-BCR positive pre-B cell lines from normal mice and FcγRIIB-deficient mice, named PreBR and Fcγ−/−PreBR, respectively. These cell lines are able to differentiate into immature B cells in vitro by removal of IL-7. In PreBR, apoptosis was moderately induced by F(ab′)2 anti-μ Ab, but not by intact anti-μ Ab. Phosphorylation of SH2-containing inositol 5-phosphatase (SHIP) and Dok, which are involved in FcγRIIB signaling, was induced by anti-μ cross-linking in PreBR. In contrast, apoptosis was strongly induced by both the F(ab′)2 and intact anti-μ Abs in Fcγ−/−PreBR, and the level of phosphorylation of SHIP or Dok was much lower in Fcγ−/−PreBR than those observed in PreBR. Restoration of FcγRIIB to Fcγ−/−PreBR followed by anti-μ cross-linking blocked severe apoptosis, and up-regulated SHIP and Dok phosphorylation. The results demonstrate that FcγRIIB negatively regulates pre-BCR-mediated signaling for apoptosis.
A Genetic Determinant That Specifically Regulates the Frequency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Authors: Morrison Sean J. , Qian Dalong , Jerabek Libuse , Thiel Bonnie A. , Park In-Kyung , Ford Preston S. , Kiel Mark J. , Schork Nicholas J. , Weissman Irving L. , Clarke Michael F.
Published: April 2014

The regulation of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) homeostasis is not well understood. We screened for genetic polymorphisms that were linked to differences between mouse strains in the numbers of long-term reconstituting HSCs or restricted progenitors in the bone marrow. AKR/J mice had significantly higher frequencies and numbers of both HSCs and restricted progenitors in their bone marrow than C57BL/Ka-Thy-1.1 mice. The C57BL/Ka-Thy-1.1 alleles were partially dominant. A locus on chromosome 17, including the H-2 complex, was significantly linked to the frequency of long-term self-renewing HSCs but showed no evidence of linkage to the frequency of restricted progenitors. Conversely, a chromosome 1 locus exhibited suggestive linkage to restricted progenitor frequencies but was not linked to HSC frequency. This demonstrates that there are distinct genetic determinants of the frequencies of HSCs and restricted progenitors in vivo. The AKR/J chromosome 17 locus was not sufficient to increase HSC frequencies when bred onto a C57BL background. This suggests that to affect HSC frequencies, the product(s) of this locus likely depend on interactions with unlinked modifying loci.
The BCR/ABL Transgene Causes Abnormal NK Cell Differentiation and Can Be Found in Circulating NK Cells of Advanced Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia Patients
Authors: Nakajima Hikaru , Zhao Robert , Lund Troy C. , Ward Jeanne , Dolan Michelle , Hirsch Betsy , Miller Jeffrey S.
Published: April 2014

NK cells from the blood of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) patients are progressively decreased in number as the disease progresses from chronic phase to blast crisis. We hypothesize that BCR/ABL may be directly responsible by interfering with NK cell differentiation. CD34+HLA-DR+ cells from CML patients were studied for their capacity to differentiate into NK cells. The NK cell cloning frequency was significantly decreased from CML CD34+HLA-DR+ cells compared with cells from normal donors, yet CD34+HLA-DR+ cells gave rise to BCR/ABL+ NK cells in some patients. This finding prompted us to further investigate circulating NK cells from the blood of CML patients. CD56+CD3− NK cells were sorted from CML patients and examined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). In contrast to chronic phase CML, significant numbers of NK cells from advanced phase CML patients were BCR/ABL+, whereas T cells were always BCR/ABL− regardless of the disease stage. To test the effects of BCR/ABL as the sole genetic abnormality, BCR/ABL was transduced into umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells, and NK development was studied. p210-enhanced green fluorescence protein-transduced cells gave rise to significantly decreased numbers of NK cells compared with enhanced green fluorescence protein transduction alone. In addition, the extrinsic addition of BCR/ABL-transduced autologous CD34+ cells suppressed the NK cell differentiation of normal umbilical cord blood CD34+CD38− cells. This study provides the first evidence that BCR/ABL is responsible for the altered differentiation of NK cells and that the NK cell lineage can be involved with the malignant clone in advanced stage CML.
Can the Low-Avidity Self-Specific T Cell Repertoire Be Exploited for Tumor Rejection?
Authors: Cordaro Tanina A. , de Visser Karin E. , Tirion Felicia H. , Schumacher Ton N. M. , Kruisbeek Ada M.
Published: April 2014

Can self-specific T cells that have escaped intrathymic deletion be exploited to generate antitumor immunity? To determine whether antitumor immunity to a self-Ag for which central tolerance exists can be generated, a mouse model is used in which a fragment of the influenza nucleoprotein (NP) is expressed as a transgene under the control of the H-2K promoter in C57BL/10 mice (B10NP mice). In these mice an oligoclonal population of NP-specific T cells escapes thymic and peripheral deletion and can be activated upon immunization. The main hallmark of these self-specific CD8+ T cells is diminished avidity for the pertinent MHC/peptide complex. We show in this study that intranasal infection with influenza virus can stimulate low-avidity NP-specific T cells to recognize and destroy NP-expressing microtumors in the lung, but not NP-expressing tumors growing s.c. Only a memory NP-specific CD8+ T cell response can suppress the growth of an s.c. growing NP-expressing tumor. This delay in tumor growth is associated with a dramatic increase in the number of circulating NP-specific CD8+ T cells. In addition, cultured memory NP-specific T cells require ∼100-fold less Ag to induce NP-specific lysis than primary T cells, consistent with the observation that memory T cells have an increased avidity due to affinity maturation. Finally, during an NP-specific memory response, substantial numbers of low-avidity NP-specific T cells can be recovered from s.c. growing tumors. Together, these findings indicate that, when only a low-avidity repertoire is available to generate antitumor immunity, the best strategy may be to enhance memory responses.
Ox40 Costimulation Enhances the Development of T Cell Responses Induced by Dendritic Cells In Vivo
Authors: De Smedt Thibaut , Smith Jeffrey , Baum Peter , Fanslow William , Butz Eric , Maliszewski Charles
Published: April 2014

Dendritic cells (DCs) are bone marrow-derived APCs that display unique properties aimed at stimulating naive T cells. Several members of the TNF/TNFR families have been implicated in T cell functions. In this study, we examined the role that Ox40 costimulation might play on the ability of DCs to regulate CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in vivo. Administration of anti-mouse Ox40 mAb enhanced the Th response induced by immunization with Ag-pulsed DCs, and introduced a bias toward a Th1 immune response. However, anti-Ox40 treatment enhanced the production of Th2 cytokines in IFN-γ−/− mice after immunization with Ag-pulsed DCs, suggesting that the production of IFN-γ during the immune response could interfere with the development of Th2 lymphocytes induced by DCs. Coadministration of anti-Ox40 with DCs during Ag rechallenge enhanced both Th1 and Th2 responses induced during a primary immunization with DCs, and did not reverse an existing Th2 response. This suggests that Ox40 costimulation amplifies an ongoing immune response, regardless of Th differentiation potential. In an OVA-TCR class II-restricted adoptive transfer system, anti-Ox40 treatment greatly enhanced the level of cytokine secretion per Ag-specific CD4+ T cell induced by immunization with DCs. In an OVA-TCR class I-restricted adoptive transfer system, administration of anti-Ox40 strongly enhanced expansion, IFN-γ secretion, and cytotoxic activity of Ag-specific CD8+ T cells induced by immunization with DCs. Thus, by enhancing immune responses induced by DCs in vivo, the Ox40 pathway might be a target for immune intervention in therapeutic settings that use DCs as Ag-delivery vehicles.
UL16-Binding Proteins, Novel MHC Class I-Related Proteins, Bind to NKG2D and Activate Multiple Signaling Pathways in Primary NK Cells
Authors: Sutherland Claire L. , Chalupny N. Jan , Schooley Kenneth , VandenBos Tim , Kubin Marek , Cosman David
Published: April 2014

The UL16-binding proteins (ULBPs) are a novel family of MHC class I-related molecules that were identified as targets of the human CMV glycoprotein, UL16. We have previously shown that ULBP expression renders a relatively resistant target cell sensitive to NK cytotoxicity, presumably by engaging NKG2D, an activating receptor expressed by NK and other immune effector cells. In this study we show that NKG2D is the ULBP counterstructure on primary NK cells and that its expression is up-regulated by IL-15 stimulation. Soluble forms of ULBPs induce marked protein tyrosine phosphorylation, and activation of the Janus kinase 2, STAT5, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase)/Akt signal transduction pathways. ULBP-induced activation of Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase and ULBP-induced IFN-γ production are blocked by inhibitors of PI 3-kinase, consistent with the known binding of PI 3-kinase to DAP10, the membrane-bound signal-transducing subunit of the NKG2D receptor. While all three ULBPs activate the same signaling pathways, ULBP3 was found to bind weakly and to induce the weakest signal. In summary, we have shown that NKG2D is the ULBP counterstructure on primary NK cells and for the first time have identified signaling pathways that are activated by NKG2D ligands. These results increase our understanding of the mechanisms by which NKG2D activates immune effector cells and may have implications for immune surveillance against pathogens and tumors.
Sustained Expression of the Novel EBV-Induced Zinc Finger Gene, ZNF
EB, Is Critical for the Transition of B Lymphocyte Activation to Oncogenic Growth Transformation
Authors: Tune Cathryn E. , Pilon Marc , Saiki Yuriko , Dosch H.-Michael
Published: April 2014

EBV is a human tumor virus that infects and establishes latency in the majority of humans worldwide. In vitro, EBV growth transforms primary B lymphocytes into lymphoblastoid cell lines with high efficiency. We have used cDNA subtraction cloning to identify cellular target genes required for growth transformation and identified a new C2H2 (Krüppel-type) zinc finger gene, ZNFEB, that is trans-activated early following EBV infection. In this study, we characterize ZNFEB, including its intronless locus, and human and mouse protein variants. The gene is transiently expressed during normal lymphocyte activation, and its expression is sustained in EBV-positive but not EBV-negative B cell lines. There is limited expression in nonhemopoietic tissues. Its critical role in the growth transformation of B lineage cells is indicated by the abrogation of transformation with antisense strategies. ZNFEB maps to chromosome 18q12, a region with mutations in numerous, predominantly hemopoietic malignancies.
Myeloid Suppressor Lines Inhibit T Cell Responses by an NO-Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Mazzoni Alessandra , Bronte Vincenzo , Visintin Alberto , Spitzer Jessica H. , Apolloni Elisa , Serafini Paolo , Zanovello Paola , Segal David M.
Published: April 2014

CD11b+Gr-1+ myeloid suppressor cells (MSC) accumulate in lymphoid organs under conditions of intense immune stress where they inhibit T and B cell function. We recently described the generation of immortalized MSC lines that provide a homogeneous source of suppressor cells for dissecting the mechanism of suppression. In this study we show that the MSC lines potently block in vitro proliferation of T cells stimulated with either mitogen or antigenic peptide, with as few as 3% of MSC cells causing complete suppression. Inhibition of mitogenic and peptide-specific responses is not associated with a loss in IL-2 production or inability to up-modulate the early activation markers, CD69 and CD25, but results in direct impairment of the three IL-2R signaling pathways, as demonstrated by the lack of Janus kinase 3, STAT5, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and Akt phosphorylation in response to IL-2. Suppression is mediated by and requires NO, which is secreted by MSC in response to signals from activated T cells, including IFN-γ and a contact-dependent stimulus. Experiments with inducible NO synthase knockout mice demonstrated that the inhibition of T cell proliferation by CD11b+Gr-1+ cells in the spleens of immunosuppressed mice is also dependent upon NO, indicating that the MSC lines accurately represent their normal counterparts. The distinctive capacity of MSC to generate suppressive signals when encountering activated T cells defines a specialized subset of myeloid cells that most likely serve a regulatory function during times of heightened immune activity.
α4 Integrin Signaling Activates Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase and Stimulates T Cell Adhesion to Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 to a Similar Extent As CD3, but Induces a Distinct Rearrangement of the Actin Cytoskeleton
Authors: Hyduk Sharon J. , Cybulsky Myron I.
Published: April 2014

Dynamic regulation of β2 integrin-dependent adhesion is critical for a wide array of T cell functions. We previously showed that binding of high-affinity α4β1 integrins to VCAM-1 strengthens αLβ2 integrin-mediated adhesion to ICAM-1. In this study, we compared β2 integrin-mediated adhesion of T cells to ICAM-1 under two different functional contexts: α4 integrin signaling during emigration from blood into tissues and CD3 signaling during adhesion to APCs and target cells. Cross-linking either α4 integrin or CD3 on Jurkat T cells induced adhesion to ICAM-1 of comparable strength. Adhesion was dependent on phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase but not p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (extracellular regulated kinase 1/2), because it was inhibited by wortmannin and LY294002 but not U0126. These data suggest that PI 3-kinase is a ubiquitous regulator of β2 integrin-mediated adhesion. A distinct morphological change consisting of Jurkat cell spreading and extension of filopodia was induced by α4 integrin signaling. In contrast, CD3 induced radial rings of cortical actin polymerization. Inhibitors of PI 3-kinase and extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 did not affect α4 integrin-induced rearrangement of the actin cytoskeleton, but treatment with ionomycin, a Ca2+ ionophore, modulated cell morphology by reducing filopodia and promoting lamellipodia formation. Qualitatively similar morphological and adhesive changes to those observed with Jurkat cells were observed following α4 integrin or CD3 stimulation of human peripheral blood T cells.
Reduced Expression of Bcl-2 in CD8+ T Cells Deficient in the IL-15 Receptor α-Chain
Authors: Wu Tzong-Shoon , Lee Jan-Mou , Lai Yein-Gei , Hsu Jen-Chi , Tsai Ching-Yen , Lee Ying-Hue , Liao Nan-Shih
Published: April 2014

Mice that lack IL-15 or the IL-15R α-chain (IL-15Rα) are deficient in peripheral CD8+, but not in CD4+, T cells. This CD8+ T cell-specific deficiency has now been investigated further by characterization of a new strain of IL-15Rα−/− mice. The adult mutant mice exhibited a specific reduction in the percentage of CD8-single positive TCRhigh thymocytes. The expression of Bcl-2 was reduced in both CD8+ thymocytes and naive T cells of the mutant animals, and the susceptibility of these cells to death was increased. Memory CD8+ cells were profoundly deficient in IL-15Rα−/−mice, and the residual memory-like CD8+ cells contained a high percentage of dead cells and failed to up-regulate Bcl-2 expression compared with naive CD8+ cells. Moreover, exogenous IL-15 both up-regulated the level of Bcl-2 in and reduced the death rate of wild-type and mutant CD8+ T cells activated in vitro. These results indicate that IL-15 and IL-15Rα regulate the expression of Bcl-2 in CD8+ T cells at all developmental stages. The reduced Bcl-2 content in CD8+ cells might result in survival defect and contribute to the reduction of CD8+ cells in IL-15Rα−/−mice.
IL-1β Enhances CD40 Ligand-Mediated Cytokine Secretion by Human Dendritic Cells (DC): A Mechanism for T Cell-Independent DC Activation
Authors: Luft Thomas , Jefford Michael , Luetjens Petra , Hochrein Hubertus , Masterman Kelly-Anne , Maliszewski Charlie , Shortman Ken , Cebon Jonathan , Maraskovsky Eugene
Published: April 2014

CD40 ligand (CD40L) is a membrane-bound molecule expressed by activated T cells. CD40L potently induces dendritic cell (DC) maturation and IL-12p70 secretion and plays a critical role during T cell priming in the lymph nodes. IFN-γ and IL-4 are required for CD40L-mediated cytokine secretion, suggesting that T cells are required for optimal CD40L activity. Because CD40L is rapidly up-regulated by non-T cells during inflammation, CD40 stimulation may also be important at the primary infection site. However, a role for T cells at the earliest stages of infection is unclear. The present study demonstrates that the innate immune cell-derived cytokine, IL-1β, can increase CD40L-induced cytokine secretion by monocyte-derived DC, CD34+-derived DC, and peripheral blood DC independently of T cell-derived cytokines. Furthermore, IL-1β is constitutively produced by monocyte-derived DC and monocytes, and is increased in response to intact Escherichia coli or CD40L, whereas neither CD34+-derived DC nor peripheral blood DC produce IL-1β. Finally, DC activated with CD40L and IL-1β induce higher levels of IFN-γ secretion by T cells compared with DC activated with CD40L alone. Therefore, IL-1β is the first non-T cell-derived cytokine identified that enhances CD40L-mediated activation of DC. The synergy between CD40L and IL-1β highlights a potent, T cell-independent mechanism for DC activation during the earliest stages of inflammatory responses.
Lipid Protein Interactions: The Assembly of CD1d1 with Cellular Phospholipids Occurs in the Endoplasmic Reticulum
Authors: De Silva A. Dharshan , Park J.-June , Matsuki Naoto , Stanic Aleksandar K. , Brutkiewicz Randy R. , Medof M. Edward , Joyce Sebastian
Published: April 2014

CD1d1 is a member of a family of lipid Ag-presenting molecules. The cellular ligands associated with CD1d1 were isolated and characterized by biochemical means as an approach to elucidate the mechanism by which CD1 molecules assemble in vivo. Natural ligands of mouse CD1d1 included cellular phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol-glycans that are synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum. Further biochemical data revealed that the two CD1d1 mutants, one defective in recycling from-and-to the plasma membrane and the other in efficiently negotiating the secretory pathway, associated with phosphatidylinositol. Thus phosphatidylinositol associated with CD1d1 in the early secretory pathway. Phosphatidylinositol also associated with CD1d1 in Pig-A-deficient cells that are defective in the first glycosylation step of glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis. Moreover, cellular phosphatidylinositol-glycans are not Vα14Jα15 natural T cell Ags. Therefore, we predict that cellular lipids occlude the hydrophobic Ag-binding groove of CD1 during assembly until they are exchanged for a glycolipid Ag(s) within the recycling compartment for display on the plasma membrane. In this manner, cellular lipids might play a chaperone-like role in the assembly of CD1d1 in vivo, akin to the function of invariant chain in MHC class II assembly.
Multiple Pathways of TWEAK-Induced Cell Death
Authors: Nakayama Masafumi , Ishidoh Kazumi , Kayagaki Nobuhiko , Kojima Yuko , Yamaguchi Noriko , Nakano Hiroyasu , Kominami Eiki , Okumura Ko , Yagita Hideo
Published: April 2014

TWEAK, a recently identified member of the TNF family, is expressed on IFN-γ-stimulated monocytes and induces cell death in certain tumor cell lines. In this study, we characterized the TWEAK-induced cell death in several tumor cell lines that exhibited distinct features. Although the TWEAK-induced cell death in Kym-1 cells was indirectly mediated by TNF-α and was inhibited by cycloheximide, the TWEAK-induced cell death in HSC3 cells or IFN-γ-treated HT-29 cells was not inhibited by anti-TNF-α mAb or cycloheximide, suggesting a direct triggering of cell death via TWEAK receptor in the latter cell lines. The TWEAK-induced apoptosis in HSC3 cells and IFN-γ-treated HT-29 cells was associated with caspase-8 and caspase-3 activation. Although a pan-caspase inhibitor, benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone, inhibited the TWEAK-induced cell death in HSC3 cells, it rather sensitized HT-29 cells to TWEAK-induced cell death by necrosis. This necrosis was abrogated by lysosomal proteinase inhibitors, particularly a cathepsin B inhibitor, [l-3-trans-(propylcarbamoyl)oxirane-2-carbonyl]-l-isoleucyl-l-proline methyl ester. During the process of TWEAK-induced necrosis, cathepsin B was released from lysosome to cytosol. Although DR3 has been reported to be a receptor for TWEAK, all TWEAK-sensitive tumor cell lines used in this study did not express DR3 at either protein or mRNA level, but did bind CD8-TWEAK specifically. These results indicated that TWEAK could induce multiple pathways of cell death, including both caspase-dependent apoptosis and cathepsin B-dependent necrosis, in a cell type-specific manner via TWEAK receptor(s) distinct from DR3.
CD40 Signaling in B Cells Regulates the Expression of the Pim-1 Kinase Via the NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Zhu Nongliao , Ramirez Luis M. , Lee Rosaline L. , Magnuson Nancy S. , Bishop Gail A. , Gold Michael R.
Published: April 2014

The ability of CD40 signaling to regulate B cell growth, survival, differentiation, and Ig class switching involves many changes in gene expression. Using cDNA expression arrays and Northern blotting, we found that CD40 signaling increased the mRNA levels for pim-1, a protooncogene that encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase. Subsequent experiments showed that CD40 engagement also increased both Pim-1 protein levels and Pim-1 kinase activity in B cells. We then investigated the signaling pathways by which CD40 regulates Pim-1 expression and found that CD40 up-regulates Pim-1 primarily via the activation of NF-κB. Inhibiting the activation of NF-κB, either by treating cells with a chemical inhibitor, BAY11-7082, or by inducibly expressing a superrepressor form of IκBα, significantly impaired the ability of CD40 to increase Pim-1 protein levels. Because Pim-1 expression is associated with cell proliferation and survival, we asked whether this correlated with the ability of CD40 signaling to prevent anti-IgM-induced growth arrest in the WEHI-231 murine B cell line, a model for Ag-induced clonal deletion. We found that the anti-IgM-induced growth arrest in WEHI-231 cells correlated with a substantial decrease in Pim-1 levels. In contrast, culturing WEHI-231 cells with either anti-CD40 Abs or with the B cell mitogen LPS, both of which prevent the anti-IgM-induced growth arrest, also prevented the rapid decline in Pim-1 levels. This suggests that Pim-1 could regulate the survival and proliferation of B cells.
Transient Disruption of Autocrine TGF-β Signaling Leads to Enhanced Survival and Proliferation Potential in Single Primitive Human Hemopoietic Progenitor Cells
Authors: Fan Xiaolong , Valdimarsdottir Gudrun , Larsson Jonas , Brun Ann , Magnusson Mattias , Jacobsen Sten Eirik , ten Dijke Peter , Karlsson Stefan
Published: April 2014

Hemopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are maintained at relative quiescence by the balance between the positive and negative regulatory factors that stimulate or inhibit their proliferation. Blocking the action of negative regulatory factors may provide a new approach for inducing HSCs into proliferation. A variety of studies have suggested that TGF-β negatively regulates cell cycle progression of HSCs. In this study, a dominant negatively acting mutant of TGF-β type II receptor (TβRIIDN) was transiently expressed in HSCs by using adenoviral vector-mediated gene delivery, such that the effects of disrupting the autocrine TGF-β signaling in HSCs can be directly examined at a single cell level. Adenoviral vectors allowing the expression of TβRIIDN and green fluorescence protein in the same CD34+CD38−Lin− cells were constructed. Overexpression of TβRIIDN specifically disrupted TGF-β-mediated signaling. Autocrine TGF-β signaling in CD34+CD38−Lin− cells was studied in single cell assays under serum-free conditions. Transient blockage of autocrine TGF-β signaling in CD34+CD38−Lin− cells enhanced their survival. Furthermore, the overall proliferation potential and proliferation kinetics in these cells were significantly enhanced compared with the CD34+CD38−Lin− cells expressing green fluorescence protein alone. Therefore, we have successfully blocked the autocrine TGF-β-negative regulatory loop of primitive hemopoietic progenitor cells.
Activated Human T Cells Accomplish MHC Class II Expression Through T Cell-Specific Occupation of Class II Transactivator Promoter III
Authors: Holling Tjadine M. , van der Stoep Nienke , Quinten Edwin , van den Elsen Peter J.
Published: April 2014

Activated human T cells express HLA-DR, HLA-DQ, and HLA-DP on their surface, but the regulation and functioning of MHC class II molecules in T lymphocytes are poorly understood. Because the MHC class II transactivator (CIITA) is essential for MHC class II expression, we have investigated transcriptional activation of CIITA in activated T cells. In this study, we show that in human activated CD4+ T cells, CIITA promoter III (CIITA-PIII) drives the expression of CIITA. The in vivo genomic footprint analysis revealed activated T cell-specific occupation of CIITA-PIII. Subsequent EMSA analysis of several promoter regions showed differences in banding pattern among activated T cells, naive T cells, primary B cells, and Raji B cells. Activating response element (ARE)-1 is shown to interact with the acute myeloid leukemia 2 transcription factor in nuclear extracts derived from both T and B cells. Interestingly, the acute myeloid leukemia 3 transcription factor was bound in nuclear extracts of T cells only. The ARE-2 sequence is able to bind CREB/activating transcription factor family members in both T and B cells. In addition, a yet unidentified Ets family member was found to interact with site C in activated T cells, whereas in B cells site C was bound by PU.1 and Pip/IFN regulatory factor 4/IFN consensus sequence binding protein for activated T cells. In Jurkat T cells, both ARE-1 and ARE-2 are crucial for CIITA-PIII activity, similar to Raji B cells. The differential banding pattern in in vivo genomic footprinting and transcription factor binding at the ARE-1 and site C between T cells and B cells probably reflects differences in CIITA-PIII activation pathways employed by these cell types.
Proteasome, Transporter Associated with Antigen Processing, and Class I Genes in the Nurse SharkGinglymostoma cirratum: Evidence for a Stable Class I Region and MHC Haplotype Lineages
Authors: Ohta Yuko , McKinney E. Churchill , Criscitiello Michael F. , Flajnik Martin F.
Published: April 2014

Cartilaginous fish (e.g., sharks) are derived from the oldest vertebrate ancestor having an adaptive immune system, and thus are key models for examining MHC evolution. Previously, family studies in two shark species showed that classical class I (UAA) and class II genes are genetically linked. In this study, we show that proteasome genes LMP2 and LMP7, shark-specific LMP7-like, and the TAP1/2 genes are linked to class I/II. Functional LMP7 and LMP7-like genes, as well as multiple LMP2 genes or gene fragments, are found only in some sharks, suggesting that different sets of peptides might be generated depending upon inherited MHC haplotypes. Cosmid clones bearing the MHC-linked classical class I genes were isolated and shown to contain proteasome gene fragments. A non-MHC-linked LMP7 gene also was identified on another cosmid, but only two exons of this gene were detected, closely linked to a class I pseudogene (UAA-NC2); this region probably resulted from a recent duplication and translocation from the functional MHC. Tight linkage of proteasome and class I genes, in comparison with gene organizations of other vertebrates, suggests a primordial MHC organization. Another nonclassical class I gene (UAA-NC1) was detected that is linked neither to MHC nor to UAA-NC2; its high level of sequence similarity to UAA suggests that UAA-NC1 also was recently derived from UAA and translocated from MHC. These data further support the principle of a primordial class I region with few class I genes. Finally, multiple paternities in one family were demonstrated, with potential segregation distortions.
Identification of Mouse Langerin/CD207 in Langerhans Cells and Some Dendritic Cells of Lymphoid Tissues
Authors: Valladeau Jenny , Clair-Moninot Valérie , Dezutter-Dambuyant Colette , Pin Jean-Jacques , Kissenpfennig Adrien , Mattéi Marie-Genevieve , Ait-Yahia Smina , Bates Elizabeth E. M. , Malissen Bernard , Koch Franz , Fossiez François , Romani Nikolaus , Lebecque Serge , Saeland Sem
Published: April 2014

Human (h)Langerin/CD207 is a C-type lectin of Langerhans cells (LC) that induces the formation of Birbeck granules (BG). In this study, we have cloned a cDNA-encoding mouse (m)Langerin. The predicted protein is 66% homologous to hLangerin with conservation of its particular features. The organization of human and mouse Langerin genes are similar, consisting of six exons, three of which encode the carbohydrate recognition domain. The mLangerin gene maps to chromosome 6D, syntenic to the human gene on chromosome 2p13. mLangerin protein, detected by a mAb as a 48-kDa species, is abundant in epidermal LC in situ and is down-regulated upon culture. A subset of cells also expresses mLangerin in bone marrow cultures supplemented with TGF-β. Notably, dendritic cells in thymic medulla are mLangerin-positive. By contrast, only scattered cells express mLangerin in lymph nodes and spleen. mLangerin mRNA is also detected in some nonlymphoid tissues (e.g., lung, liver, and heart). Similarly to hLangerin, a network of BG form upon transfection of mLangerin cDNA into fibroblasts. Interestingly, substitution of a conserved residue (Phe244 to Leu) within the carbohydrate recognition domain transforms the BG in transfectant cells into structures resembling cored tubules, previously described in mouse LC. Our findings should facilitate further characterization of mouse LC, and provide insight into a plasticity of dendritic cell organelles which may have important functional consequences.
NK Cell Inhibitory Receptor Ly-49C Residues Involved in MHC Class I Binding
Authors: Sundbäck Jonas , Achour Adnane , Michaëlsson Jakob , Lindström Hannah , Kärre Klas
Published: April 2014

Mouse NK cells express Ly-49 receptors specific for classical MHC class I molecules. Several of the Ly-49 receptors have been characterized in terms of function and ligand specificity. However, the only Ly-49 receptor-ligand interaction previously described in detail is that between Ly-49A and H-2Dd, as studied by point mutations in the ligand and the crystal structure of the co-complex of these molecules. It is not known whether other Ly-49 receptors bind MHC class I in a similar manner as Ly-49A. Here we have studied the effect of mutations in Ly-49C on binding to the MHC class I molecules H-2Kb, H-2Db, and H-2Dd. The MHC class I molecules were used as soluble tetramers to stain transiently transfected 293T cells expressing the mutated Ly-49C receptors. Three of nine mutations in Ly-49C led to loss of MHC class I binding. The three Ly-49C mutations that affected MHC binding correspond to Ly-49A residues that are in contact or close to H-2Dd in the co-crystal, demonstrating that MHC class I binding by Ly-49C is dependent on residues in the same area as that used by Ly-49A for ligand contacts.
Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Is Required for the Generation of a Type 1 Immune Response to PulmonaryCryptococcus neoformansInfection
Authors: Gyetko Margaret R. , Sud Sudha , Chen Gwo-Hsiao , Fuller Jennifer A. , Chensue Stephen W. , Toews Galen B.
Published: April 2014

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)−/− mice cannot mount protective host defenses during infection with the opportunistic yeast Cryptococcus neoformans (52D). Because effective host defense against C. neoformans requires specific immune responses and the generation of type 1 (T1) cytokines, we determined how the absence of uPA impacts these processes. Wild-type (WT) and uPA−/− mice were inoculated with C. neoformans. Macrophage antifungal activity was assessed histologically, T lymphocyte responses in vivo and proliferation in vitro were quantified, and cytokine concentrations were determined by ELISA. uPA−/− macrophages have impaired antimicrobial activity. Regional lymph nodes of infected uPA−/− mice contained fewer cells than WT, suggesting impaired T cell proliferation in response to the pathogen in vivo. In vitro, uPA−/− T lymphocytes had impaired proliferative responses to C. neoformans rechallenge compared with WT. Infected WT mice generated T1 cytokines in the lung, characterized by high levels of IFN-γ and IL-12. uPA−/− mice had decreased levels of IFN-γ and IL-12, and increased IL-5, a type 2 cytokine. In the absence of uPA, the cytokine profile of regional lymph nodes shifted from a T1 pattern characterized by IFN-γ and IL-2 to a weak, nonpolarized response. We conclude that in the absence of uPA, lymphocyte proliferative responses are diminished, and mice fail to generate protective T1 cytokines, resulting in impaired antimicrobial activity. This study provides novel evidence that uPA is a critical modulator of immune responses and of immune cell effector functions in vivo.
Toll-Like Receptor 4 Mediates Innate Immune Responses toHaemophilus influenzaeInfection in Mouse Lung
Authors: Wang Xiaorong , Moser Christian , Louboutin Jean-Pierre , Lysenko Elena S. , Weiner Daniel J. , Weiser Jeffrey N. , Wilson James M.
Published: April 2014

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been implicated in the regulation of host responses to microbial Ags. This study characterizes the role of TLR4 in the innate immune response to intrapulmonary administration of Haemophilus influenzae in the mouse. Two different strains of mice efficiently cleared aerosolized H. influenzae concurrent with a brisk elaboration of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, macrophage-inflammatory protein (MIP)-1α, and MIP-2 in bronchoalveolar lavage and a corresponding mobilization of intrapulmonary neutrophils. Congenic strains of mice deficient in TLR4 demonstrated a substantial delay in clearance of H. influenzae with diminished IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MIP-1α, and MIP-2 in bronchoalveolar lavage and a notable absence of intrapulmonary neutrophils. In TLR4-expressing animals, but not TLR4-deficient animals, TNF-α and MIP-1α expression was up-regulated in epithelial cells of the conducting airway in response to H. influenzae which was preceded by an apparent activation of the NF-κB pathway in these cells based on the findings of decreased overall IκB and an increase in its phosphorylated form. This study demonstrates a critical role of TLR4 in mediating an effective innate immune response to H. influenzae in the lung. This suggests that the airway epithelia might contribute to sensing of H. influenzae infection and signaling the innate immune response.
The Bacterial Peptide N-Formyl-Met-Leu-Phe Inhibits Killing of Staphylococcus epidermidis by Human Neutrophils in Fibrin Gels
Authors: Li Yongmei , Loike John D. , Ember Julia A. , Cleary P. Patrick , Lu Emily , Budhu Sadna , Cao Long , Silverstein Samuel C.
Published: April 2014

To study human neutrophil (polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)) migration and killing of bacteria in an environment similar to that found in inflamed tissues in vivo, we have used fibrin gels. Fibrin gels (1500 μm thick) containing Staphylococcus epidermidis were formed in Boyden-type chemotaxis chambers. PMN migrated <300 μm into these gels in 6 h and did not kill S. epidermidis when the gels contained heat-inactivated serum, C5-deficient serum, a streptococcal peptidase specific for a fragment of cleaved C5 (C5a), or anti-C5aR IgG. In contrast, in gels containing normal human serum, PMN migrated ∼1000 μm into the gels in 4 h and into the full thickness of the gels in 6 h, and killed 90% of S. epidermidis in 6 h. fMLP reduced PMN migration into fibrin gels and allowed S. epidermidis to increase by ∼300% in 4 h, whereas leukotriene B4 stimulated PMN to migrate the full thickness of the gels and to kill 80% of S. epidermidis in 4 h. We conclude that both complement opsonization and C5a-stimulated chemotaxis are required for PMN bacterial killing in fibrin gels, and that fMLP inhibits PMN bactericidal activity in fibrin gels. The latter finding is surprising and suggests that in the presence of fibrin fMLP promotes bacterial virulence.