bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vivo migration of dendritic cells differentiated in vitro: a chimpanzee model.
Authors: Barratt-Boyes S M , Watkins S C , Finn O J
Published: December 2022

Dendritic cells with potent Ag-presenting function can be propagated from peripheral blood using recombinant cytokines, and these cells have potential usefulness as immunotherapeutic agents in the treatment of cancer and other disease states. However, it is not known if these in vitro differentiated dendritic cells have the capacity to migrate in vivo, especially to T cell areas of lymphoid tissue. We have used a fluorescent marker system to track the migration of dendritic cells, propagated in vitro from chimpanzee peripheral blood, following s.c. injection. We report that injected dendritic cells migrate spontaneously and rapidly to draining lymph nodes, where they remain for at least 5 days. The injected cells interdigitate with T cells in the parafollicular and paracortical zones and retain high level expression of CD86, CD40, and MHC class II molecules, reflecting a phenotype of potent APC. We conclude that dendritic cells differentiated in vitro from peripheral blood and administered s.c. behave in a manner very similar to endogenous Langerhans cells. These data provide strong experimental support, in a highly relevant large animal model, for the use of in vitro differentiated dendritic cells as vehicles for immunotherapy. More importantly, they show that the s.c. route of injection delivers these APC to sites of T cell activation, a prerequisite for the generation of an effective immune response.
P-4 and RNKP-7, new granzyme-like serine proteases expressed in activated rat lymphocytes.
Authors: Ewoldt G R , Smyth M J , Darcy P K , Harris J L , Craik C S , Horowitz B , Woodard S L , Powers J C , Hudig D
Published: December 2022

Serine proteases (granzymes) in killer lymphocytes are required for lymphocyte cytotoxic granules to lyse target cells. Herein we report the development of a 3-step PCR cloning technique to amplify novel granzyme genes and two new rat granzymes are described. Degenerate oligonucleotide primers were designed based on sequence motifs selectively expressed in granzymes. These motifs flank "delta" regions that are unique for each granzyme. Total RNA of RNK-16 cells or activated splenocytes was amplified by reverse transcriptase-PCR to obtain cDNA fragments of several new granzymes. Gene-specific primers based on these delta regions were then used for 3'-RACE to obtain clones with the 3' gene ends. Reverse (antisense) delta-based or active site serine primers were used with a granzyme 5'-UTR primer to obtain clones extending to the 5' ends. Using this technique, two new cDNAs, RNKP-4 and RNKP-7, which encode granzymes of 248 and 241 amino acids, respectively, were cloned from activated lymphocytes. RNKP-4 is likely the rat equivalent of mouse granzyme C. RNKP-7 is most closely related to granzymes F and G. Modeling of the predicted proteins suggests large/polar P1 (Gln/Asn) specificity for RNKP-4 and large/hydrophobic P1 (e.g., Phe) specificity for RNKP-7. These specific protease activities were found in cytotoxic RNK-16 lymphocyte granules indicating that the two new genes may be translated and stored as active granzymes.
Expression of the murine CD21 gene is regulated by promoter and intronic sequences.
Authors: Hu H , Martin B K , Weis J J , Weis J H
Published: December 2022

Murine CD21 gene products are expressed primarily on the surface of B lymphocytes and follicular dendritic cells. To identify the genetic elements that control the tissue-specific expression of the CD21 gene, we analyzed, via transient transfections, the 5' proximal promoter region of the CD21 gene (1272 bp 5' of the initiating ATG). This region possessed strong promoter activity, but it was not tissue specific, in that T cell expression was equivalent to that of B cells. These data suggested that the anticipated tissue-specific control element(s) lies 3' of the initiating ATG. Analysis of a novel minigene construct that possessed both the 5' promoter region and a large region (9 kb) of the CD21 gene 3' of the initiating ATG demonstrated the expected tissue-specific expression. Further analysis using the luciferase reporter system indicated that such control elements reside in the first intron (5.5 kb in size), which separates the exons encoding the signal sequence and the first extracellular short consensus repeat domain of the mature protein. Further dissection of intron 1 demonstrated that the sequences controlling the tissue-specific expression of the murine CD21 gene are contained in the 5' 1.6-kb region of this intron. This 1.6-kb fragment was fractionated into an 800-bp sequence at the 5' end that showed very significant inhibitory activity in both B and T cells and a 3' 800-bp sequence that demonstrated moderate repression in T cells, but enhancer activity in B cells. These data suggest this region of the CD21 gene possesses a number of functionally distinct sites that positively and negatively regulate CD21 gene transcription.
The pentanucleotide ATTGG, the "inverted CCAAT," is an essential element for HLA class I gene transcription.
Authors: Schoneich J , Lee J L , Mansky P , Sheffery M , Yang S Y
Published: December 2022

The HLA class I genes, HLA-A, -B, and -C, contain an inverted CCAAT sequence (ATTGG) located 20 bp upstream of the canonical CCAAT and approximately 70 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site. We have investigated the transcriptional function of the class I inverted CCAAT sequence using the HLA-normal cell line, HeLa. Deletion, mutation, or inversion of the inverted CCAAT sequence abrogated or reduced the activity of the class I promoter, as assessed by luciferase reporter gene assays in transient gene expression experiments. This activity coincided with occupancy of the inverted CCAAT motif, as tested by electrophoretic mobility shift assays using the wild-type sequence and mutated variants of the sequence. The ATTGG-binding protein was not CP2, NF-1, or other known CCAAT-binding proteins, but the complex may contain a CP1/NF-Y-like protein. Our results indicate that this inverted CCAAT sequence is an essential element for the expression of HLA class I genes and that its transcriptional activity depends upon the sequence, position, and orientation of the pentanucleotide.
Phosphorylation and subcellular redistribution of pleckstrin in human neutrophils.
Authors: Brumell J H , Craig K L , Ferguson D , Tyers M , Grinstein S
Published: December 2022

Pleckstrin, originally described as a major substrate of protein kinase C (PKC) in platelets, was found to be highly expressed in human neutrophils (intracellular concentration, approximately 15 microM). As PKC isoforms play an important role in mediating neutrophil antimicrobial responses, we studied the regulation of pleckstrin phosphorylation in response to inflammatory stimuli. Following treatment of neutrophils with FMLP, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, or opsonized zymosan, pleckstrin was rapidly phosphorylated, which resulted in a shift in its electrophoretic mobility. Several lines of evidence suggest that pleckstrin is phosphorylated in part by a nonconventional PKC following stimulation by FMLP: 1) chelation of intracellular Ca2+ had only a partial inhibitory effect; 2) diacylglycerol kinase inhibitors shortened the duration of phosphorylation, while the phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase antagonist propranolol extended it; and 3) wortmannin and erbstatin blocked the phosphorylation of pleckstrin. These results suggest that nonconventional PKC isoforms, possibly delta or zeta, mediate the phosphorylation of pleckstrin. Both PKCdelta and -zeta are expressed in human neutrophils. Increased association of pleckstrin with both microsomes and with the cytoskeleton was observed in stimulated cells. These findings suggest that phosphorylation by nonconventional PKC isoforms induces a conformational change in pleckstrin that promotes its interaction with membranes and/or with the cytoskeleton. Such a translocation may serve to target proteins or lipids recognized by pleckstrin homology domains to sites where they can contribute to the microbicidal response.
Leukotriene C4 secretion from normal murine mast cells by a probenecid-sensitive and multidrug resistance-associated protein-independent mechanism.
Authors: Nguyen T , Gupta S
Published: December 2022

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) are members of the superfamily of ATP-binding cassette transporter proteins. Because the ATP-dependent export system has been implicated in the release of leukotriene C4 (LTC4), we examined the roles of P-gp and MRP in the release of LTC4 from normal murine mast cells (MC-9). We have previously shown that MC-9 cells express P-gp at the level of protein and mRNA. In the present study, MRP expression in MC-9 cells was examined at the protein level by anti-MRP Ab, using flow cytometry and at the level of mRNA by PCR and Northern blot analyses. MC-9 cells were stimulated with calcium ionophore A23187 for 15 min in the presence or the absence of various concentrations of cyclosporin A (CsA) and its nonimmunosuppressive analogue CsA-1, which are known to inhibit P-gp efflux function, or in the presence or the absence of probenecid, an organic ion transport inhibitor that appears to inhibit MRP-mediated transport function. Culture supernatants were collected, and LTC4 was measured by ELISA assay. CsA and CsA-1 had no effect on LTC4 secretion from MC-9 cells, suggesting that P-gp is not involved in LTC4 release from MC-9 cells. In contrast, probenecid, in a concentration-dependent manner, inhibited LTC4 secretion from MC-9 cells without inhibiting its synthesis. However, MC-9 lacked MRP at both the protein and mRNA levels. These data suggest that LTC4 is secreted by normal mast cells by a probenecid-sensitive mechanism that is independent of MRP.
Inhibition of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase-2 expression in stimulated human monocytes by inhibitors of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.
Authors: Pouliot M , Baillargeon J , Lee J C , Cleland L G , James M J
Published: December 2022

Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (PGHS; cyclooxygenase), the rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostanoids, has two isoforms. PGHS-1 is constitutively expressed and involved in homeostasis, whereas PGHS-2 is inducible in monocytes in response to proinflammatory agents. Using freshly elutriated human monocytes, we examined the effect on PGHS-2 expression of certain cytokine-suppressive anti-inflammatory drugs such as SK&F 86002. Incubation with serum-treated zymosan (STZ) stimulated the expression of PGHS-2 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. SK&F 86002 dose-dependently inhibited this STZ-induced expression of PGHS-2 protein, which correlated with a decrease in prostaglandin E2 and thromboxane A2 production. However, suppression of PGHS-2 expression is not the result of suppressed cytokine production, because SK&F 86002 suppressed PGHS-2 expression initiated by IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, in addition to other stimuli. Moreover, this effect was selective in that the protein expression of two other important enzymes involved in the metabolism of arachidonic acid, cytosolic phospholipase A2 and 5-lipoxygenase, was not affected. Stimulation with STZ caused a time-dependent increase in levels of PGHS-2 mRNA; incubation with cytokine-suppressive agents caused a decrease of these levels, suggesting the involvement of transcription and/or mRNA stability events in the inhibition of PGHS-2. These results indicate a new and potentially important anti-inflammatory property of SK&F 86002, namely the specific suppression of PGHS-2 induction.
The balance between nitric oxide and superoxide determines apoptotic and necrotic death of rat mesangial cells.
Authors: Sandau K , Pfeilschifter J , Brüne B
Published: December 2022

Nitric oxide (NO.) and superoxide (O2-) are inflammatory mediators. Their formation seems to be associated with apoptotic and/or necrotic cell death in diseases such as mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis in which the early phase of mesangiolysis is linked to significant NO. production. Notably, mesangial cells (MC) not only generate NO. but also O2- after cytokine stimulation. Here we investigated the interrelation between NO. and O2- in MC death by generating both radicals with the use of NO donors (S-nitrosoglutathione, spermine-NO) and O2(-)-generating systems (2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphtoquinone, hypoxanthine/xanthine oxidase). Exogenously supplied NO. or O2- in a concentration-dependent manner induced apoptosis and/or necrosis. Apoptosis is characterized by chromatin condensation and DNA fragmentation in contrast to necrotic cytoplasmatic membrane rupture. Noteworthy, coincubation of NO. and O2- was cross-protective. Maximum protection required the existence of a balanced NO./O2- ratio. Analysis in cytokine-stimulated MC suggests endogenous radical formation, which may participate in modulating apoptosis. Manipulation of the endogenous NO./O2- ratio by exogenous, sublethal S-nitrosoglutathione in addition to cytokines produced death, which was antagonized by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibition. Moreover, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate supplementation, which down-regulates iNOS expression and blocks superoxide dismutase activity, initiates apoptosis. Our results imply the participation of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species in determining life and death of MC.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase activation during IgG-dependent phagocytosis in human neutrophils: inhibition by ceramide.
Authors: Suchard S J , Mansfield P J , Boxer L A , Shayman J A
Published: December 2022

In FMLP-activated polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) challenged with IgG-opsonized erythrocytes (EIgG), the termination of phagocytosis correlates with an accumulation of ceramide, a product of sphingolipid metabolism. Furthermore, the exogenous addition of short chain ceramides inhibits EIgG-mediated phagocytosis. In the present study, we identified p42 and p44 mitogen-actived protein (MAP) kinases, referred to as extracellular signal-regulated kinases ERK2 and ERK1, respectively, as intracellular targets of ceramide action during Fc gammaR-mediated phagocytosis. The tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK1 and ERK2 increased within 30 s of addition of EIgG, with maximal phosphorylation by 1 to 5 min. By 30 min, ERK1 and ERK2 were almost completely dephosphorylated. The kinetics of ERK1 and ERK2 tyrosine phosphorylation indicated that MAP kinase activation preceded target ingestion. N-Acetylsphingosine (C2-ceramide) inhibited phagocytosis, reduced ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation to basal levels, and reduced ERK1 and ERK2 activity by 85 to 90% and 70 to 80%, respectively. In contrast, N-acetyldihydrosphingosine (dihydro-C2-ceramide) had no effect on either tyrosine phosphorylation or activity of ERK1 and ERK2. In the presence of the MAP kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitor, PD 098059, phagocytosis was reduced by approximately 50%, while ERK1 and ERK2 activity was reduced by 85 to 90%. Thus, engagement of Fc gammaRs led to ERK1 and ERK2 phosphorylation and activation, and the activation of these enzymes was critical for phagocytosis. Furthermore, the inhibition of phagocytosis by C2-ceramide correlated with the inhibition of tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of ERK1 and ERK2. These results suggest that ceramides generated during phagocytosis act on the MAP kinase signaling pathway, ultimately "turning off" the phagocytic response.
Antigen activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase in mast cells through protein kinase C-dependent and independent pathways.
Authors: Zhang C , Hirasawa N , Beaven M A
Published: December 2022

We demonstrate discrete pathways for activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase in cultured RBL-2H3 mast cells through protein kinase C (PKC), cytosolic calcium, and a third pathway that provides sustained signals for activation in Ag-stimulated cells. Thus, p42 MAP kinase was activated by increasing intracellular free Ca2+ with thapsigargin or by stimulating PKC with PMA. The latter stimulation was selectively blocked by the protein kinase C inhibitor, Ro31-7549. Stimulation of p42 MAP kinase by Ag resulted in relatively sustained activation of MAP kinase which was only partially suppressed by Ro31-7549. Kinetic studies revealed two components of the MAP kinase response to Ag: a rapid but transient component that was Ro31-7549 sensitive and presumably PKC dependent; and a more sustained component that was Ro31-7549 resistant and presumably PKC independent. Similarly, Ro31-7549 inhibited the early but not late release of arachidonic acid, a finding that was consistent with the known regulation of phospholipase A2 by MAP kinase. Early tyrosine phosphorylation events which were thought to be essential for Ag-induced activation of p42 MAP kinase and release of arachidonic acid were unaffected by Ro31-7549. The findings suggested that release of arachidonic acid was regulated primarily through MAP kinase but that PKC may transiently influence this release, either directly or indirectly through MAP kinase.
Human anti-nuclear ribonucleoprotein antigen autoimmune sera contain a novel subset of autoantibodies that stabilizes the molecular interaction of U1RNP-C protein with the Sm core proteins.
Authors: Satoh M , Richards H B , Hamilton K J , Reeves W H
Published: December 2022

Anti-Sm Abs recognize Sm core proteins B'/B, D, E, F, and G, shared by U1, U2, U4-6, and U5 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs), while anti-nuclear ribonucleoprotein Ag (nRNP) Abs recognize the U1 RNP-specific 70K, A, and C proteins. However, although the autoimmune response to U1 snRNPs involves all components of the particle, not all are recognized equally. For example, all human anti-nRNP sera contain Abs against native U1-C, in contrast to their absence in MRL/lpr mice. In this study, autoantibody recognition of native U1 snRNPs was investigated by dissociating the particle into four components (U1-70K, U1-A, U1-C, and the Sm core particle) using 1 M MgCl2 or ribonuclease treatment. As expected, human anti-Sm and MRL/lpr sera immunoprecipitated only the Sm core proteins, and human anti-nRNP/Sm sera immunoprecipitated the Sm core proteins plus U1-C under both conditions. However, although human anti-nRNP sera immunoprecipitated U1-C when U1 snRNPs were dissociated before Ab binding, they unexpectedly immunoprecipitated the Sm core proteins when Abs were bound before dissociation. This apparent paradox was explained by the stabilizing effects of anti-nRNP sera on interactions of U1-C with the Sm core particle. All human anti-nRNP sera contained high levels of autoantibodies that prevent dissociation of U1-C from the U1 snRNP. These Abs were absent in MRL/lpr mice. Human autoimmune sera may prevent dissociation by recognizing the quaternary structure of the U1-C-Sm core protein complex or by altering its conformation. Stabilization of U1 snRNPs by autoantibodies could influence Ag processing and presentation, possibly with important effects on the development of autoimmunity to U1 snRNPs.
Abnormal T lymphocyte development induced by targeted overexpression of IkappaB alpha.
Authors: Esslinger C W , Wilson A , Sordat B , Beermann F , Jongeneel C V
Published: December 2022

A role in thymic maturation for factors of the NF-kappaB family has long been suspected, but not yet proven. Transgenic mice with a lymphocyte-specific defect in NF-kappaB activation were produced by targeted expression of human IkappaB alpha. The thymic cellularity of these mice was significantly decreased. The proportion of mature, TCRhigh thymocytes of the alphabeta lineage was reduced, and the remaining TCRhigh population contained an unusually high proportion of double-positive cells. This defect in maturation resulted in a transgene dose-dependent reduction in peripheral T lymphocytes, with the CD8 lineage being more severely affected. These data provide direct evidence for the involvement of NF-kappaB/Rel family proteins in late stages of T lymphocyte development, coincident with positive and negative selection.
CTLA4Ig prevents lymphoproliferation and fatal multiorgan tissue destruction in CTLA-4-deficient mice.
Authors: Tivol E A , Boyd S D , McKeon S , Borriello F , Nickerson P , Strom T B , Sharpe A H
Published: December 2022

Mice lacking CTLA-4 develop a fatal spontaneous lymphoproliferative disease with massive lymphocytic infiltrates and tissue destruction in many organs. CTLA-4-deficient (-/-) splenocytes and lymph node cells proliferate without added stimuli in vitro. We report here that CTLA4Ig treatment of CTLA-4 -/- mice prevents lymphoproliferation and fatal multiorgan tissue damage in vivo and proliferation of CTLA-4 -/- splenocytes and lymph node cells in vitro. Therefore, stimulation via CD28-B7 interactions appears necessary for CTLA-4 -/- T cell proliferation and the production of lymphoproliferative disease in vivo. When CTLA4Ig treatment is terminated, CTLA-4 -/- T cells become activated and lymphoproliferative disease develops. The lack of long term protective effects of CTLA4Ig treatment suggests that CTLA-4 is needed for the induction and or maintenance of tolerance.
Allelic variation in the mouse Tap-1 and Tap-2 transporter genes.
Authors: Marusina K , Iyer M , Monaco J J
Published: December 2022

The TAP1 and TAP2 proteins form a heterodimer that transports short peptides from the cytosol into the endoplasmic reticulum lumen. Extensive allelic polymorphism of the rat TAP transporter has been shown to affect the repertoire of peptides presented by MHC class I molecules. Structural polymorphism in the human TAP genes is much more limited and has not been observed to have functional consequences. We have examined the polymorphism in mouse TAP1 and TAP2 in inbred mice. While the number of polymorphic positions in these molecules is more similar to that in human than to that in the rat, all strains examined have a structurally unique TAP transporter, suggesting the possibility of functional polymorphism. Furthermore, allelic variations in the mouse transporter are predominantly located in or adjacent to membrane-spanning domains, although no significant bias in the ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous substitutions is observed. We also report that mouse TAP1 begins 172 amino acids upstream of the previously published start site and report the genomic organization of mouse Tap-1 and Tap-2.
Sequential development of structural and functional alterations in T cells from tumor-bearing mice.
Authors: Correa M R , Ochoa A C , Ghosh P , Mizoguchi H , Harvey L , Longo D L
Published: December 2022

The TCR alpha beta or -gamma delta chains bind the peptide ligand, whereas the associated CD3 delta epsilon gamma and TCR zeta subunits couple the TCR to intracellular signal transduction components. Recently, several groups have described marked alterations in signal transduction elements in T cells from cancer patients or in mice bearing tumor for a few weeks (>26 days). The sequence in which these alterations develop is unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the kinetics of the development of alterations in signal transduction molecules (TCR zeta chain, NF kappaB family proteins, and tyrosine kinase p56(lck)) in mice bearing MC38 colon adenocarcinoma. The results demonstrate that alterations in NF kappaB family proteins, specifically the failure of p65 translocation to the nucleus, occur earlier and more frequently than the decrease in zeta-chain. These defects are paralleled by an impaired ability to produce Th1 cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-gamma). These initial changes are followed by the eventual loss of TCR zeta chain and p56(lck) and a marked decrease in cytotoxic function. An increased rate of lysosomal degradation is one of the mechanisms responsible for the loss of zeta-chain.
Listeria monocytogenes infection of cultured endothelial cells stimulates neutrophil adhesion and adhesion molecule expression.
Authors: Drevets D A
Published: December 2022

Microbial infection of the endothelium with the resultant up-regulation of adhesion molecule expression and stimulated leukocyte adhesion to endothelial cells can promote an inflammatory response. Previous work demonstrated that Listeria monocytogenes can replicate within cultured endothelial cells; thus, we tested whether L. monocytogenes infection of HUVEC stimulated an inflammatory phenotype on these cells. Infection with 10(4) CFU of bacteria increased neutrophil adhesion to HUVEC 40-fold and up-regulated E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression. Approximately 80% of neutrophil adhesion to infected HUVEC was blocked by anti-E-selectin mAb, 35% was blocked by anti-CD18 mAb, and anti-vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 mAb was without effect. Microscopy of infected HUVEC monolayers showed that neutrophils bound to infected and uninfected cells and that infected and uninfected HUVEC expressed E-selectin. Interestingly, uninfected HUVEC that bound neutrophils or expressed E-selectin typically were adjacent to infected cells. However, infected monolayers did not produce soluble factors that stimulated E-selectin expression on uninfected cells. Nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of the transcription factor NF-kappaB accompanied the HUVEC response, and hemolysin secretion appeared critical for stimulating HUVEC. These studies show that L. monocytogenes infection stimulates up-regulation of adhesion molecule expression on endothelial cells, resulting in neutrophil adhesion to them. This response includes induction of an inflammatory phenotype on uninfected cells and may be triggered by listeriolysin O-mediated activation of host response mechanisms. Additionally, cell-to-cell spread of L. monocytogenes throughout the monolayer, without stimulating secondarily infected endothelial cells for neutrophil adhesion, is a possible means of immune avoidance.
Cytolytically active memory CTL present in lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-immune mice after clearance of virus infection.
Authors: Selin L K , Welsh R M
Published: December 2022

Generally, it has been assumed that memory T cells are dormant and inactive cells in the absence of their specific Ag. Recent work has challenged this assumption by showing that a portion of the CD8+ memory T cell pool is in cycle. In this study, we demonstrate that a significant number of blast-size memory CD8+ T cells in mice, long after lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection, mediate cytolysis against highly sensitive targets without any in vivo or in vitro restimulation and expansion with Ag. Peptide-coated RMA-S targets were sufficiently sensitive to detect low but significant cytolytic activity in bulk 51Cr release assays in nonstimulated LCMV-specific splenic memory CTL populations. Most of the directly cytotoxic activity was against the GP33 epitope, and this persisted throughout the lifetime of the mouse following infection. The cytotoxic activity was not inhibited by cyclosporin A, indicating that these cells were already in an active state and not dependent on further stimulation in vitro. It was formally shown that the cytotoxic activity was mediated by the CD8+ CTL by sorting for the blast-size CD8+ population and by blocking target cell lysis with anti-CD8 Ab. Thus, at any time after the original infection some portion of the memory CD8+ T cell pool is cycling, and it remains cytolytically active long after resolution of the original infection. These CTL may provide a rapidly acting defense mechanism against reinfection.
Role of a sialyl Lewis(x)-like epitope selectively expressed on vascular endothelial cells in local skin inflammation of the rat.
Authors: Akahori T , Yuzawa Y , Nishikawa K , Tamatani T , Kannagi R , Miyasaka M , Okada H , Hotta N , Matsuo S
Published: December 2022

The role of the inducible L-selectin ligand was studied in complement-dependent acute dermatitis in rats. Although mAbs against typical sialyl Lewis(x) (CSLEX-1 and SNH-3) did not react with skin venules, a sialyl Lewis(x)-like epitope defined by mAb 2H5 (2H5-Ag) was de novo expressed on the endothelial cells of skin venules in the area of inflammation. Expression of 2H5-Ag increased concomitantly with the progression of inflammation. 2H5-Ag was identified at the 75-, 150-, and 180-kDa bands when inflammatory skin tissue was analyzed by Western blotting. In contrast, P- and E-selectins were not detectable. The role of 2H5-Ag in this model was studied in in vitro and in vivo methods. First, 2H5 was i.v. injected 15 min before induction of dermatitis. 2H5 bound to skin venules and significantly reduced the neutrophil infiltration and plasma protein leakage. In contrast, CSLEX-1, mAb ARP2-4 (P-selectin blocker), or mAb ARE-5 (E-selectin blocker) had no effects. Second, adhesion of isolated rat neutrophils to the inflammatory skin section was inhibited significantly when the sections, but not neutrophils, were preincubated with 2H5. Third, fluorescein-labeled normal rat neutrophils were injected into a rat 10 h after induction of dermatitis. The number of labeled neutrophils infiltrated into the inflammatory site was reduced significantly when they were preincubated with HRL-3 (blocking mAb against rat L-selectin), but not with 2H5 or HRL-4 (nonblocking mAb against rat L-selectin). These data show that de novo expressed 2H5-Ag/L-selectin adhesion pathway contributes to the development of acute complement-dependent inflammation in the skin.
Tyrosine kinase-dependent regulation of L-selectin expression through the Leu-13 signal transduction molecule: evidence for a protein kinase C-independent mechanism of L-selectin shedding.
Authors: Frey M , Appenheimer M M , Evans S S
Published: December 2022

The L-selectin adhesion molecule mediates lymphocyte extravasation in peripheral lymph nodes, and has also been implicated in directing leukocyte recruitment to inflammatory tissues and metastasis of lymphoid malignancies. In this study, we demonstrate a novel level of regulation of L-selectin expression that involves the 16-kDa Leu-13 signal transduction molecule. Leu-13 is a member of a multimeric cell surface complex in lymphocytes that includes TAPA-1 (target of antiproliferative Ab-1, CD81) as well as lineage-specific proteins. In the present study, mAb-induced ligation of Leu-13 was shown to rapidly down-regulate L-selectin surface density on normal and malignant human lymphocytes, and to markedly inhibit L-selectin-mediated adhesion of lymphocytes to soluble carbohydrate ligands (i.e., PPME, phosphomonoester core polysaccharide) and to lymph node high endothelial venules. Through the use of genistein and staurosporine, potent inhibitors of tyrosine kinases (TK) and protein kinase C (PKC), respectively, Leu-13-induced L-selectin down-modulation was demonstrated to involve a TK-dependent, PKC-independent pathway, and was attributed to increased L-selectin shedding from surface membranes. Notably, direct L-selectin ligation, modeling cross-linking interactions with endothelial cell ligands, similarly down-regulates L-selectin surface expression through a TK-dependent, PKC-independent mechanism. In sharp contrast, PMA and anti-CD3 mAb down-regulate L-selectin via a staurosporine-sensitive, genistein-resistant pathway that is closely linked to lymphocyte proliferation. Taken together, these results demonstrate a novel role for Leu-13- and L-selectin-induced TK activity in control of L-selectin expression, thus providing insight into the complex molecular mechanisms that potentially regulate L-selectin-dependent lymphocyte homing in vivo.
Human alveolar macrophages synthesize endothelins by thrombin.
Authors: Kobayashi Y , Sakamoto Y , Shibasaki M , Kimura I , Matsuo H
Published: December 2022

Alveolar macrophages (AM) play pivotal roles in the defense mechanism and the regulation of inflammatory processes in the airways. Macrophages express receptors for thrombin on their surfaces, and thrombin induces the chemotaxis and the proliferation of macrophages. Thrombin acts on vascular endothelial cells to synthesize endothelin (ET)-1. AM have been known to express prepro ET-1 mRNA. Thus, we hypothesized that thrombin stimulates AM so as to synthesize ET. Surgically resected human lungs were irrigated by saline to remove intravascular blood, then saline was instilled into the bronchus, and the fluids were recovered. AM were separated by Percoll density centrifugation (density, 1.060 g/ml). AM were resuspended in culture medium without FCS in the presence or absence of thrombin. ET was synthesized by thrombin in a concentration-dependent manner, and the amounts of ET synthesized by thrombin (10 U/ml) were equivalent to those by LPS (10 microg/ml). Dexamethasone (10(-6)-10(-10) M), IL-4 (100 U/ml), and TGF-beta (10 ng/ml) significantly suppressed the ET synthesis by thrombin (p < 0.05). In contrast, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (10(-8)-10(-10) M) enhanced the ET synthesis up to approximately 300%. The analysis using high pressure liquid chromatography revealed that AM-derived ET consists of ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3. Major constituents were ET-2 and ET-1, and the ratio of ET-2/ET-1 was 1.7 +/- 0.4 (mean +/- SE). These results indicate that thrombin is a potent agonist for AM to synthesize ET.
IFN-gamma is essential for the development of autoimmune glomerulonephritis in MRL/Ipr mice.
Authors: Haas C , Ryffel B , Le Hir M
Published: December 2022

MRL/lpr mice develop lymphoproliferation and accelerated autoimmune glomerulonephritis from which they ultimately die. To investigate the role of IFN-gamma in the manifestation of the disease, we generated MRL/lpr mice lacking the IFN-gamma receptor (MRL/lpr gammaR -/-). The absence of IFN-gamma signaling had no effect on generalized lymphoproliferation, expansion of CD4- CD8- double-negative T cells, or hypergammaglobulinemia. By contrast, glomerulonephritis as detected by proteinuria and histology was absent in MRL/lpr gammaR -/- mice. While serum IgG1 anti-dsDNA Abs were increased in all three strains of MRL/lpr mice (gammaR +/+, +/-, -/-), those of the IgG2a and IgG3 isotypes were low in MRL/lpr gammaR -/- mice. Immune complexes and C3 deposition were dramatically reduced in the glomerular capillaries of MRL/lpr gammaR -/- mice compared with MRL/lpr gammaR +/+ and +/- mice. Therefore, IFN-gamma plays a key regulatory role in the development of nephritis in MRL/lpr mice. Low levels of IFN-gamma-dependent IgG2a and IgG3 autoantibodies in MRL/lpr gammaR -/- mice might protect them from the pathogenic features of IgG3 cryoglobulins and complement-activating IgG2a and IgG3.
Mice lacking reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity show increased susceptibility to early infection with Listeria monocytogenes.
Authors: Dinauer M C , Deck M B , Unanue E R
Published: December 2022

Mice lacking the gp91 protein of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase showed heightened susceptibility to Listeria infection. The enhanced susceptibility was noted 2 days after infection, the usual peak time of the neutrophil-dependent lesion in the liver. Infected gp91phox -/- mice had an increase of approximately 30-fold in Listeria in the liver and an increase in the number of microabscesses. The study of the gp91phox mice underscores the early role of the neutrophil and of an oxidative burst in this infection with an intracellular pathogen. These results contrast with others showing that the late macrophage-dependent stage of the infection is dependent on nitric oxide.
Induction of human T helper cell type 1 differentiation results in loss of IFN-gamma receptor beta-chain expression.
Authors: Groux H , Sornasse T , Cottrez F , de Vries J E , Coffman R L , Roncarolo M G , Yssel H
Published: December 2022

Differential expression of cytokine receptors accounts for an important regulatory mechanism in differentiation of Th1/Th2 subsets. Here, we report that human Th0 and Th2 clones constitutively express transcripts for the IFN-gammaR beta-chain, whereas mRNA for this signaling component of the IFN-gamma receptor is absent in Th1 clones. Activation of T cell clones, however, resulted in a transient induction or enhancement of IFN-gammaR beta-chain mRNA expression in Th1 clones and Th0/Th2 clones, respectively. IL-12-mediated Th1 cell differentiation of naive CD4+, CD45RA+ cord blood T cells, which constitutively express IFN-gammaR beta-chain mRNA, resulted in a loss of expression of this cytokine receptor chain after 6 to 12 days of culture. In contrast, Th2 populations, differentiated from CD4+, CD45RA+ cord blood T cells in the presence of IL-4, continued to express high levels of IFN-gammaR beta-chain transcripts. The loss of IFN-gammaR beta-chain expression in Th1 populations was accompanied by a failure of IFN-gamma to induce the expression of the IFN-gamma-inducible gene, IFN response factor-1, whereas IFN-gamma was effective in inducing IFN response factor-1 mRNA expression in Th0 and Th2 cells. These results indicate that down-regulation of the IFN-gammaR beta-chain correlates with impaired IFN-gamma-induced signaling in Th1 cells. Finally, Th2 populations, generated in the presence of both IL-4 and IFN-gamma, expressed levels of IFN-gammaR beta-chain transcripts similar to those produced by cells differentiated in the presence of IL-4 only, demonstrating that IFN-gamma does not modulate the expression of its receptor. Together, these data indicate that human Th0/Th2 and Th1 subsets, respectively, can be distinguished based on the expression of the IFN-gammaR beta-chain.
Differential target cell sensitivity to CTL-activated death pathways in hepatitis B virus transgenic mice.
Authors: Nakamoto Y , Guidotti L G , Pasquetto V , Schreiber R D , Chisari F V
Published: December 2022

The current study was designed to explore the relative contribution of Fas ligand (FasL), perforin, IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha-induced death pathways in the pathogenesis of CTL-induced liver disease. Hepatitis B virus-specific CTL that are genetically unable to produce either FasL, perforin, or IFN-gamma were injected into Fas-competent and Fas-deficient hepatitis B virus transgenic mice that are either sensitive or resistant to the cytopathic effects of IFN-gamma based on the extent to which their hepatocytes retain hepatitis B surface Ag (HBsAg). The results of these experiments indicate that FasL- and perforin-dependent signals are primarily responsible for the induction of liver disease in the absence of HBsAg retention, but both signaling pathways must be activated simultaneously by the CTL in order to kill the hepatocyte in vivo. In contrast, neither FasL nor perforin are required to kill hepatocytes that retain HBsAg as long as the CTL secrete IFN-gamma on antigen recognition. Finally the results indicate that, irrespective of their HBsAg content, hepatocytes are much less sensitive to destruction by TNF-alpha than by the other death pathways. While all of these death pathways appear to be operative during a normal CTL response, the current experiments suggest that the target cell determines which pathway is dominant and selects its mode of execution.
Association of the common gamma-chain with the human IL-7 receptor is modulated by T cell activation.
Authors: Page T H , Lali F V , Groome N , Foxwell B M
Published: December 2022

IL-7 acts on both resting and activated T cells. The functional IL-7R is reported to consist of two subunits, the ligand binding IL-7R and the common gamma-chain (gamma c chain), where IL-7R:gamma c chain association is driven solely by ligand binding. However, we now demonstrate that in primary T cells this event is also controlled by cellular activation. We show that IL-7R:gamma c chain complexes are detected in activated, but not in resting, T cells despite similar levels of gamma c chain expression, implying that the gamma c chain is not associated with the IL-7R in unstimulated T cells. Furthermore, IL-7R:gamma c chain association correlates with the expression of JAK-3 in T cells, but not in transfected COS-7 cells. The finding that IL-7R:gamma c chain assembly is controlled at a level beyond that of receptor expression has important implications for the control of cytokine function in T cells.
Stress and autoimmunity: the neuropeptides corticotropin-releasing factor and urocortin suppress encephalomyelitis via effects on both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the immune system.
Authors: Poliak S , Mor F , Conlon P , Wong T , Ling N , Rivier J , Vale W , Steinman L
Published: December 2022

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) exerts a major role in the stress response. Both CRF and urocortin, a newly discovered neuropeptide homologous to CRF, suppressed experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Suppression of paralysis with CRF involved stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and inhibitory effects on an encephalitogenic T cell line. While CRF increased glucocorticoid production, which is known to block EAE, it also suppressed EAE in adrenalectomized rats, where glucocorticoid stimulation via CRF plays no role. Moreover, the encephalitogenicity of a T cell line exposed to CRF in vitro was reduced. Stress may influence autoimmune disease through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and directly via the immune system.
Phosphatidylinositol-based glycolipid-anchored proteins enhance proximal TCR signaling events.
Authors: Romagnoli P , Bron C
Published: December 2022

Previous reports suggested that T lymphocyte activation through phosphatidylinositol-based glycolipid (GPI)-anchored molecules is dependent on surface expression of the TCR. Here we show that stimulation of the TCR in five mutant cell lines with deficiencies in GPI biosynthesis fails to induce tyrosine phosphorylation of the TCR zeta-chain and ZAP-70, indicating that early events in TCR-mediated signal transduction are affected in these mutants. The Src kinases Fyn and Lck coprecipitating with activated TCR complexes are significantly less kinase active in the GPI-processing mutants than in wild-type cells. These data suggest that GPI-anchored proteins may play an important role in the initiation of TCR signal transduction by contributing to the accumulation of Src kinase activity in the TCR complex.
Aberrant TCR-mediated signaling in CD45-null thymocytes involves dysfunctional regulation of Lck, Fyn, TCR-zeta, and ZAP-70.
Authors: Stone J D , Conroy L A , Byth K F , Hederer R A , Howlett S , Takemoto Y , Holmes N , Alexander D R
Published: December 2022

CD45 is a transmembrane phosphotyrosine phosphatase expressed on all nucleated hemopoietic cells. Targeting of CD45 exon 9 has generated a mouse line completely lacking CD45 expression (CD45-null) in which there are severe abnormalities in T cell development. Defects in TCR-mediated signals underlying these abnormalities have now been investigated using CD45-null T cells. No T cell proliferation was detected in response to a CD3 mAb. In thymocytes the p56(lck) and p59(fyn) tyrosine kinases were hyperphosphorylated, and p56(lck) was in its inactive conformation. Both basal and TCR-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of TCR-zeta and CD3-epsilon were much reduced, and TCR stimulation induced an abnormal p18 phosphoisomer of TCR-zeta previously noted in T cells stimulated by altered peptide ligands. These defects were associated with the failure of ZAP-70 kinase recruitment to the TCR-zeta chain. TCR coupling to the tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, including HS1 and p120(cbl), was also much reduced. However, TCR-induced signaling was not ablated, and significant inositol phosphate and calcium signals were observed in CD45-null thymocytes. Our molecular analysis suggests that the threshold for TCR signal transduction is greatly increased in CD45-null T cells, thus explaining the profound defects in thymic development.
Bcl-2 prevents apoptosis induced by perforin and granzyme B, but not that mediated by whole cytotoxic lymphocytes.
Authors: Sutton V R , Vaux D L , Trapani J A
Published: December 2022

Two pathways have been implicated in the induction of apoptosis by cytotoxic T cells: the granule exocytosis pathway and a pathway using CD95 (Fas/APO-1). To test whether apoptosis induced by either of these pathways could be blocked by Bcl-2, we exposed bcl-2-transfected cells to CTL derived from normal, perforin-deficient, or CD95 ligand mutant (gld) mice. Although the levels of Bcl-2 expression achieved were able to protect FDC-P1 and Yac-1 transfectants from a variety of apoptotic stimuli, the cells were not protected from cytolysis mediated by CTL from any of these sources, by NK cells, or granules isolated from CTL. However, Bcl-2 expression significantly inhibited apoptosis induced by purified granzyme B and perforin. These results suggest that while Bcl-2 is capable of inhibiting the apoptotic pathway utilized by perforin and granzyme B, other granule components can bypass this block. We conclude that CTL harbor potent killing mechanism(s) in addition to those provided by CD95 ligand or perforin and granzyme B that cannot be overcome by Bcl-2.
The IL-4 receptor alpha-chain cytoplasmic domain is sufficient for activation of JAK-1 and STAT6 and the induction of IL-4-specific gene expression.
Authors: Reichel M , Nelson B H , Greenberg P D , Rothman P B
Published: December 2022

The common gamma-chain (gamma(c)) is a functional component of the IL-4R, yet cells lacking gamma(c) are able to respond to IL-4. This has led to the suggestion that a surrogate gamma'-chain, which can interact with the IL-4R alpha chain to mediate signaling, is expressed on cells lacking gamma(c). An alternative possibility is that in the absence of gamma(c), the IL-4R alpha chain is able to transduce signals by homodimerization. To test this latter possibility, a chimeric receptor containing the extracellular domain of c-kit (the stem cell factor (SCF) receptor) and the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of the IL-4R alpha chain was generated. Treatment of cells expressing the chimeric receptor kit/IL-4R alpha with SCF induces activation of the IL-4R alpha-associated kinase JAK-1 and the transcription factor STAT6. However, tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK-3, which associates with gamma(c), is not induced by SCF in these cells. SCF-mediated ligation of kit/IL-4R alpha is sufficient to elicit IL-4-specific gene expression, including up-regulation of CD23 and synthesis of germ-line epsilon transcripts. In the T cell line CTLL2, ligation of kit/IL-4R alpha induces cellular proliferation. Finally, in JAK-1-deficient HeLa cells, STAT6 activation by IL-4 is completely abolished. Together, these data demonstrate that the IL-4R alpha cytoplasmic domain is sufficient to activate JAK-1 and STAT6 and to induce expression of IL-4 target genes, thus identifying a mechanism by which IL-4 signaling can proceed in the absence of JAK-3 and gamma(c).
B7-2 requirement for helminth-induced granuloma formation and CD4 type 2 T helper cell cytokine expression.
Authors: Subramanian G , Kazura J W , Pearlman E , Jia X , Malhotra I , King C L
Published: December 2022

B7 ligands on APCs engage CD28/CTLA4 counter-receptors on T cells critical for T lymphocyte activation and functional differentiation of T helper subsets. To examine whether the ligands B7-1 (CD80) and B7-2 (CD86) affect gene expression of Th2 cytokines and development of Th2-mediated pathologic tissue reactions, mice were treated with anti-B7-1 or anti-B7-2 at the time of sensitization to footpad inoculation of Schistosoma mansoni eggs or induction of pulmonary granuloma by i.v. injected eggs. Anti-B7-2 treatment inhibited pulmonary granuloma formation by 74% and decreased levels of lung IL-5 and IL-13 transcripts compared with those in animals given control Ig by 20- and 5-fold, respectively, while anti-B7-1 administration has no effect. Anti-B7-2 treatment blocked CD4 cell gene expression of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, but had no effect on IFN-gamma or IL-10 in animals inoculated with S. mansoni ova, larvae from the filarial helminth Brugia malayi, or CFA. Anti-B7-1 administration had no effect on CD4 cell transcript levels of IL-4 and IL-5, but inhibited IFN-gamma in mice inoculated with ova. Similar effects of anti-B7-2 on CD4 cell cytokine expression were observed in IL-4 knockout mice, indicating the existence of an alternative pathway for induction and/or expression of these cytokine genes. These findings suggest a possible role for anti-B7-2 in the therapy of infectious and atopic diseases in which immunopathologic reactions are mediated by selected Th2 cytokines.