bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibodies to interleukin 12 abrogate established experimental colitis in mice.
Authors: Neurath M F , Fuss I , Kelsall B L , Stüber E , Strober W
Published: June 2004

In this study, we describe a novel murine model of chronic intestinal inflammation induced by the hapten reagent 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). Rectal application of low doses of TNBS in BALB/c and SJL/J mice resulted in a chronic transmural colitis with severe diarrhea, weight loss, and rectal prolapse, an illness that mimics some characteristics of Crohn's disease in humans. The colon of TNBS-treated mice on day 7 was marked by infiltration of CD4+ T cells; furthermore, in situ polymerase chain reaction studies revealed high levels of interferon (IFN)-gamma mRNA in diseased colons. Isolated lamina propria (LP) CD4+ T cells from TNBS-treated mice stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 antibodies exhibited a Th1 pattern of cytokine secretion: a 20-50-fold increase in IL-2 and IFN-gamma levels and a 5-fold decrease in IL-4 levels as compared with those of stimulated LP CD4+ T cells from control BALB/c mice. Administration of monoclonal anti-IL-12 antibodies to the TNBS-treated mice both early (at 5 d) and late (at 20 d) after induction of colitis led to a striking improvement in both the clinical and histopathological aspects of the disease and frequently abrogated the established colitis completely. Furthermore, LP CD4+ T cells isolated from anti-IL-12-treated mice failed to secrete IFN-gamma upon in vitro stimulation. In summary, the data demonstrate the pivotal role of IL-12 and IFN-gamma in a TNBS-induced murine model of chronic intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, they suggest the potential utility of anti-IL-12 antibodies in patients with Crohn's disease.
Myocarditis-inducing epitope of myosin binds constitutively and stably to I-Ak on antigen-presenting cells in the heart.
Authors: Donermeyer D L , Beisel K W , Allen P M , Smith S C
Published: June 2004

Immune interactions in the heart were studied using a murine model of myosin-induced autoimmune myocarditis. A T cell hybridoma specific for mouse cardiac myosin was generated from A/J mice and used to demonstrate that endogenous myosin/I-Ak complexes are constitutively expressed on antigen-presenting cells in the heart. This T cell hybridoma, Seu.5, was used as a functional probe to identify a myocarditis-inducing epitope of cardiac myosin. Overlapping peptides based on the cardiac myosin heavy chain alpha (myhc alpha) sequences were synthesized and tested for their ability to stimulate Seu.5 T cells. One peptide, myhc alpha (325-357) strongly stimulated the Seu.5 T cells, localizing the epitope to this region of the myhc alpha molecule. Using truncated peptides, the epitope was further localized to residues 334-352. The myhc alpha (334-352) peptide strongly induced myocarditis when administered to A/J mice, which was histologically indistinguishable from that induced by myosin. The myhc alpha (334-352) epitope was present in cardiac myosin and not skeletal muscle myosins, providing a biochemical basis for the cardiac specificity of this autoimmune disease. Induction of myocarditis by this epitope was restricted to the myhc alpha isoform and not the myhc beta isoform, suggesting there may be a difference in the efficiency of generating tolerance to these isoforms of cardiac myosin, which are differentially developmentally regulated. The myhc alpha (334-352) epitope bound to purified I-Ak molecules in a similar manner to other I-Ak-restricted immunogenic epitopes, HEL(48-61) and RNase(43-56). Importantly, the myhc alpha (334-352) epitope was able to bind to I-Ak molecules on the surface of antigen-presenting cells in a stable manner. These findings demonstrate that autoantigenic epitopes can behave in a dominant manner and constitutively bind to class II molecules in the target organ in a similar manner to foreign immunogenic epitopes.
A novel mechanism of retrovirus inactivation in human serum mediated by anti-alpha-galactosyl natural antibody.
Authors: Rother R P , Fodor W L , Springhorn J P , Birks C W , Setter E , Sandrin M S , Squinto S P , Rollins S A
Published: June 2004

Type C retroviruses endogenous to various nonprimate species can infect human cells in vitro, yet the transmission of these viruses to humans is restricted. This has been attributed to direct binding of the complement component C1q to the viral envelope protein p15E, which leads to classical pathway-mediated virolysis in human serum. Here we report a novel mechanism of complement-mediated type C retrovirus inactivation that is initiated by the binding of "natural antibody" [Ab] (anti-alpha-galactosyl Ab) to the carbohydrate epitope Gal alpha 1-3Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc-R expressed on the retroviral envelope. Complement-mediated inactivation of amphotropic retroviral particles was found to be restricted to human and other Old World primate sera, which parallels the presence of anti-alpha-galactosyl natural Ab. Blockade or depletion of anti-alpha-galactosyl Ab in human serum prevented inactivation of both amphotropic and ecotropic murine retroviruses. Similarly, retrovirus was not killed by New World primate serum except in the presence of exogenous anti-alpha-galactosyl Ab. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays revealed that the alpha-galactosyl epitope was expressed on the surface of amphotropic and ecotropic retroviruses, and Western blot analysis further localized this epitope to the retroviral envelope glycoprotein gp70. Finally, down-regulation of this epitope on the surface of murine retroviral particle producer cells rendered them, as well as the particles liberated from these cells, resistant to inactivation by human serum complement. Our data suggest that anti-alpha-galactosyl Ab may provide a barrier for the horizontal transmission of retrovirus from species that express the alpha-galactosyl epitope to humans and to other Old World primates. Further, these data provide a mechanism for the generation of complement-resistant retroviral vectors for in vivo gene therapy applications where exposure to human complement is unavoidable.
An essential role for gp39, the ligand for CD40, in thymic selection.
Authors: Foy T M , Page D M , Waldschmidt T J , Schoneveld A , Laman J D , Masters S R , Tygrett L , Ledbetter J A , Aruffo A , Claassen E , Xu J C , Flavell R A , Oehen S , Hedrick S M , Noelle R J
Published: June 2004

The interactions between CD40 on B cells and its ligand gp39 on activated T helper cells are known to be essential for the development of thymus-dependent humoral immunity. However, CD40 is also functionally expressed on thymic epithelial cells and dendritic cells, suggesting that gp39-CD40 interactions may also play a role in thymic education, the process by which self-reactive cells are deleted from the T cell repertoire. Six systems of negative selection were studied for their reliance on gp39-CD40 interactions to mediate negative selection. In all cases, when the antigen/superantigen was endogenously expressed (in contrast to exogenously administered), negative selection was blocked by loss of gp39 function. Specifically, blockade of gp39-CD40 interactions prevented the deletion of thymocytes expressing V beta 3, V beta 11, and V beta 12, specificities normally deleted in BALB/c mice because of the endogenous expression of minor lymphocyte-stimulating determinants. Independent verification of a role of gp39 in negative selection was provided by studies in gp39-deficient mice where alterations in T cell receptor (TCR) V beta expression were also observed. Studies were also performed in the AND TCR transgenic (Tg) mice, which bear the V alpha 11, V beta 3 TCR and recognize both pigeon cytochrome c (PCC)/IEk and H-2As. Neonatal administration of anti-gp39 to AND TCR Tg mice that endogenously express H-2As or endogenously produce PCC prevented the deletion of TCR Tg T cells. In contrast, deletion mediated by high-dose PCC peptide antigen (administered exogenously) in AND TCR mice was unaltered by administration of anti-gp39. In addition, deletion by Staphylococcus enterotoxin B in conventional mice was also unaffected by anti-gp39 administration. gp39 expression was induced on thymocytes by mitogens or by antigen on TCR Tg thymocytes. Immunohistochemical analysis of B7-2 expression in the thymus indicated that, in the absence of gp39, B7-2 expression was substantially reduced. Taken together, these data suggest that gp39 may influence negative selection through the regulation of costimulatory molecule expression. Moreover, the data support the hypothesis that, for negative selection to some endogenously produced antigens, negative selection may be dependent on TCR engagement and costimulation.
A reassessment of the role of B7-1 expression in tumor rejection.
Authors: Wu T C , Huang A Y , Jaffee E M , Levitsky H I , Pardoll D M
Published: June 2004

Introduction of the B7-1 gene into murine tumor cells can result in rejection of the B7-1 transductants and, in some cases, systemic immunity to subsequent challenge with the nontransduced tumor cells. These effects have been largely attributed to the function of B7-1 as a costimulator in directly activating tumor specific, major histocompatibility class I-restricted CD8+ T cells. We examined the role of B7-1 expression in the direct rejection as well as in the induction of systemic immunity to a nonimmunogenic murine tumor. B-16 melanoma cells with high levels of B7-1 expression did not grow in C57BL/6 recipient mice, while wild-type B-16 cells and cells with low B7-1 expression grew progressively within 21 d. In mixing experiments with B7-1hi and wild-type B-16 cells, tumors grew out in vivo even when a minority of cells were B7-1-. Furthermore, the occasional tumors that grew out after injection of 100% B-16 B7-1hi cells showed markedly decreased B7-1 expression. In vivo antibody depletions showed that NK1.1 and CD8+ T cells, but not CD4+ T cells, were essential for the in vivo rejection of tumors. Animals that rejected B-16 B7-1hi tumors did not develop enhanced systemic immunity against challenge with wild-type B-16 cells. These results suggest that a major role of B7-1 expression by tumors is to mediate direct recognition and killing by natural killer cells. With an intrinsically nonimmunogenic tumor, this direct killing does not lead to enhanced systemic immunity.
Interleukin (IL)-6 induction of osteoclast differentiation depends on IL-6 receptors expressed on osteoblastic cells but not on osteoclast progenitors.
Authors: Udagawa N , Takahashi N , Katagiri T , Tamura T , Wada S , Findlay D M , Martin T J , Hirota H , Taga T , Kishimoto T , Suda T
Published: June 2004

We reported that interleukin (IL) 6 alone cannot induce osteoclast formation in cocultures of mouse bone marrow and osteoblastic cells, but soluble IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) strikingly triggered osteoclast formation induced by IL-6. In this study, we examined the mechanism of osteoclast formation by IL-6 and related cytokines through the interaction between osteoblastic cells and osteoclast progenitors. When dexamethasone was added to the cocultures, IL-6 could stimulate osteoclast formation without the help of soluble IL-6R. Osteoblastic cells expressed a very low level of IL-6R mRNA, whereas fresh mouse spleen and bone marrow cells, both of which are considered to be osteoclast progenitors, constitutively expressed relatively high levels of IL-6R mRNA. Treatment of osteoblastic cells with dexamethasone induced a marked increase in the expression of IL-6R mRNA. By immunoblotting with antiphosphotyrosine antibody, IL-6 did not tyrosine-phosphorylate a protein with a molecular mass of 130 kD in osteoblastic cells but did so in dexamethasone-pretreated osteoblastic cells. Osteoblastic cells from transgenic mice constitutively expressing human IL-6R could support osteoclast development in the presence of human IL-6 alone in cocultures with normal spleen cells. In contrast, osteoclast progenitors in spleen cells from transgenic mice overexpressing human IL-6R were not able to differentiate into osteoclasts in response to IL-6 in cocultures with normal osteoblastic cells. These results clearly indicate that the ability of IL-6 to induce osteoclast differentiation depends on signal transduction mediated by IL-6R expressed on osteoblastic cells but not on osteoclast progenitors.
Interleukin 12 inhibits antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, and Th2 cytokine expression in mice.
Authors: Gavett S H , O'Hearn D J , Li X , Huang S K , Finkelman F D , Wills-Karp M
Published: June 2004

Allergic asthma is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary eosinophilia, and may be mediated by T helper (Th) lymphocytes expressing a Th2 cytokine pattern. Interleukin (IL) 12 suppresses the expression of Th2 cytokines and their associated responses, including eosinophilia, serum immunoglobulin E, and mucosal mastocytosis. We have previously shown in a murine model that antigen-induced increases in airway hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary eosinophilia are CD4+ T cell dependent. We used this model to determine the ability of IL-12 to prevent antigen-induced increases in airway hyperresponsiveness, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) eosinophils, and lung Th2 cytokine expression. Sensitized A/J mice developed airway hyperresponsiveness and increased numbers of BAL eosinophils and other inflammatory cells after single or repeated intratracheal challenges with sheep red blood cell antigen. Pulmonary mRNA and protein levels of the Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5 were increased after antigen challenge. Administration of IL-12 (1 microgram/d x 5 d) at the time of a single antigen challenge abolished the airway hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary eosinophilia and promoted an increase in interferon (IFN) gamma and decreases in IL-4 and IL-5 expression. The effects of IL-12 were partially dependent on IFN-gamma, because concurrent treatment with IL-12 and anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody partially reversed the inhibition of airway hyperresponsiveness and eosinophilia by IL-12. Treatment of mice with IL-12 at the time of a second antigen challenge also prevented airway hyperresponsiveness and significantly reduced numbers of BAL inflammatory cells, reflecting the ability of IL-12 to inhibit responses associated with ongoing antigen-induced pulmonary inflammation. These data show that antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation can be blocked by IL-12, which suppresses Th2 cytokine expression. Local administration of IL-12 may provide a novel immunotherapy for the treatment of pulmonary allergic disorders such as atopic asthma.
CD40 ligation induces Apo-1/Fas expression on human B lymphocytes and facilitates apoptosis through the Apo-1/Fas pathway.
Authors: Schattner E J , Elkon K B , Yoo D H , Tumang J , Krammer P H , Crow M K , Friedman S M
Published: June 2004

The Apo-1/Fas antigen (CD95) mediates programmed cell death of lymphocytes when bound by Fas ligand or anti-Apo-1/Fas antibody. In contrast, the CD40 antigen provides a potent activation and survival signal to B lymphocytes when it is engaged by its T cell ligand (CD40L, gp39) or cross-linked by anti-CD40 antibody. In this study, we use human tonsillar B cells and the Ramos Burkitt's lymphoma B cell line, which serves as a model for human germinal center B lymphocytes, to study the effectors of Apo-1/Fas expression and apoptosis of human B cells. We found that Apo-1/Fas expression was upregulated on both malignant and normal human B lymphocytes after CD40 ligation induced by (a) cognate T helper-B cell interaction mediated by microbial superantigen (SAg); (b) contact-dependent interaction with CD40L+, but not CD40L- Jurkat mutant T cell clones; and (c) monoclonal anti-CD40, but not any of a panel of control antibodies. Enhanced B cell Fas/Apo-1 expression is functionally significant. Coculture of Ramos Burkitt's lymphoma line cells with irradiated SAg-reactive CD4+ T cells with SAg or CD40L+ Jurkat T cells results in B cell apoptosis, evidenced by reduced cell viability and DNA laddering. This process is augmented by the addition of anti-Apo-1/Fas monoclonal antibody, consistent with an acquired susceptibility to Apo-1/Fas-mediated apoptosis. These data support an immunoregulatory pathway in which seemingly contradictory signals involving the B cell proliferation/survival antigen CD40, as well as the Apo-1/Fas molecule, which mediates programmed cell death of lymphocytes, are linked in the process of human B cell activation.
T cells, but not B cells, are required for bowel inflammation in interleukin 2-deficient mice.
Authors: Ma A , Datta M , Margosian E , Chen J , Horak I
Published: June 2004

Interleukin-2 (IL-2)-deficient (IL-2-/-) mice develop anemia and colonic inflammatory bowel disease. To elucidate the mechanism of this disease, we have bred IL-2-/- mice to two strains of immunodeficient mice, RAG-2-deficient (RAG-2-/-, lacking B and T cells) and JH-deficient mice (JH-/-, lacking B cells). IL-2-/-, RAG-2-/- double-mutant mice are disease free, while IL-2-/-, JH-/- double-mutant mice succumb to bowel disease at the same rate as IL-2-/- littermates. IL-2-/-, JH-/- mice do not, however, succumb to anemia. Thus, spontaneous intestinal inflammation in IL-2-/- mice requires mature T cells, not B cells, while anemia is dependent on B cells.
The effect of antigen dose on CD4+ T helper cell phenotype development in a T cell receptor-alpha beta-transgenic model.
Authors: Hosken N A , Shibuya K , Heath A W , Murphy K M , O'Garra A
Published: June 2004

The dose of foreign antigen can influence whether a cell-mediated or humoral class of immune response is elicited, and this may be largely accounted for by the development of CD4+ T helper cells (Th) producing distinct sets of cytokines. The ability of antigen dose to direct the development of a Th1 or Th2 phenotype from naive CD4+ T cells, however, has not been demonstrated. In this report, we show that the antigen dose used in primary cultures could directly affect Th phenotype development from naive DO11.10 TCR-alpha beta-transgenic CD4+ T cells when dendritic cells or activated B cells were used as the antigen-presenting cells. Consistent with our previous findings, midrange peptide doses (0.3-0.6 microM) directed the development of Th0/Th1-like cells, which produced moderate amounts of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma). As the peptide dose was increased, development of Th1-like cells producing increased amounts of IFN-gamma was initially observed. At very high (> 10 microM) and very low (< 0.05 microM) doses of antigenic peptide, however, a dramatic switch to development of Th2-like cells that produced increasing amounts of interleukin 4 (IL-4) and diminishing levels of IFN-gamma was observed. This was true even when highly purified naive, high buoyant density CD4+ LECAM-1hi T cells were used, ruling out a possible contribution from contaminating "memory" phenotype CD4+ T cells. Neutralizing anti-IL-4 antibodies completely inhibited the development of this Th2-like phenotype at both high and low antigen doses, demonstrating a requirement for endogenous IL-4. Our findings suggest that the antigen dose may affect the levels of endogenous cytokines such as IL-4 in primary cultures, resulting in the development of distinct Th cell phenotypes.
The pre-T cell receptor (TCR) complex is functionally coupled to the TCR-zeta subunit.
Authors: van Oers N S , von Boehmer H , Weiss A
Published: June 2004

The pre-T cell receptor (TCR) complex regulates early T cell development and consists of a heterodimer of the TCR-beta subunit in association with the pre-TCR-alpha chain. Notably, in contrast to alpha/beta-expressing T cells, several studies suggested that the TCR-zeta chain is not stably associated with this pre-TCR complex. To examine the proximal signaling processes mediated by the pre-TCR complex and the role of the TCR-zeta chain in these processes, we stimulated pre-TCR-expressing cells and analyzed the interactions of the TCR/CD3 invariant chains with the Syk/ZAP-70 family of protein tyrosine kinases. Stimulation of the pre-TCR complex led to the tyrosine phosphorylation of the CD3 epsilon and TCR-zeta chains, as well as the phosphorylation and association of ZAP-70 and Syk with phosphorylated CD3 epsilon and TCR-zeta. These results demonstrate that the pre-TCR complex is functionally coupled to the TCR-zeta subunit and to the ZAP-70 and Syk protein tyrosine kinases.
DNA-dependent protein kinase is one of a subset of autoantigens specifically cleaved early during apoptosis.
Authors: Casciola-Rosen L A , Anhalt G J , Rosen A
Published: June 2004

Proteolytic cleavage of key substrates appears to be an important biochemical mechanism underlying the apoptotic process, and the centrality of interleukin 1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE)-like proteases as mediators of apoptosis has been suggested. The identification of the relevant substrates of the ICE protease family during apoptosis therefore constitutes a major challenge. Using human autoantibodies, we demonstrate here that a subset of autoantigens is specifically cleaved early during apoptosis. One of these cleaved molecules is identified as the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase. The time courses of all proteolytic cleavages are identical and coincide with the onset of morphologic apoptosis. Furthermore, all cleavages share the same inhibition characteristics, which implicate an ICE-like activity(ies). We propose that cleavage of these autoantigens targets these molecules for an autoimmune response by revealing immunocryptic fragments in a proimmune apoptotic setting. Study of the immunogenicity of these fragments may yield insights into the autoimmune targeting of molecules. Moreover, the autoantibodies described will be valuable tools for the elucidation of mechanistically important proteolytic steps along the apoptotic pathway.
In situ studies of the primary immune response to (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl. IV. Affinity-dependent, antigen-driven B cell apoptosis in germinal centers as a mechanism for maintaining self-tolerance.
Authors: Han S , Zheng B , Dal Porto J , Kelsoe G
Published: June 2004

Germinal centers (GCs) are the sites of antigen-driven V(D)J gene hypermutation and selection necessary for the generation of high affinity memory B lymphocytes. Despite the antigen dependence of this reaction, injection of soluble antigen during an established primary immune response induces massive apoptotic death in GC B cells, but not in clonally related populations of nonfollicular B lymphoblasts and plasmacytes. Cell death in GCs occurs predominantly among light zone centrocytes, is antigen specific, and peaks within 4-8 h after injection. Antigen-induced programmed death does not involve cellular interactions mediated by CD40 ligand (CD40L) or Fas; disruption of GCs by antibody specific for CD40L was not driven by apoptosis and C57BL/6.lpr mice, though unable to express the Fas death trigger, remained fully susceptible to soluble antigen. Single injections of antigen did not significantly decrease GC numbers or average size, but repeated injections during an 18-h period resulted in fewer and substantially smaller GCs. As cell loss appeared most extensive in the light zone, decreased GC cellularity after prolonged exposure to soluble antigen implies that the Ig- centroblasts of the dark zone may require replenishment from light zone cells that have survived antigenic selection. GC cell death is avidity-dependent; oligovalent antigen induced relatively little apoptosis and GC B cells that survived long exposures to multivalent antigen expressed atypical VDJ rearrangements unlikely to encode high affinity antibody. Antigen-induced apoptotic death in GCs may represent a mechanism for the peripheral deletion of autoreactive B cell mutants much as the combinatorial repertoire of immature B lymphocytes is censored in the bone marrow.
A hypoxia-responsive element mediates a novel pathway of activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase promoter.
Authors: Melillo G , Musso T , Sica A , Taylor L S , Cox G W , Varesio L
Published: June 2004

Picolinic acid, a catabolite of L-tryptophan, activates the transcription of the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene (iNOS) in IFN-gamma-treated murine macrophages. We performed functional studies on the 5' flanking region of the iNOS gene linked to a CAT reporter gene to identify the cis-acting element(s) responsible for the activation of iNOS transcription by picolinic acid. Transient transfection assays showed that the full-length iNOS promoter in the murine macrophage cell line ANA-1 was activated by the synergistic interaction between IFN-gamma and picolinic acid. Deletion or mutation of the iNOS promoter region from -227 to -209, containing a sequence homology to a hypoxia-responsive enhancer (iNOS-HRE), decreased picolinic acid- but not LPS-induced CAT activity by more than 70%. Functional studies using a tk promoter-CAT reporter gene plasmid demonstrated that the iNOS-HRE was sufficient to confer inducibility by picolinic acid but not by IFN-gamma or LPS. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirmed that picolinic acid alone induced a specific binding activity to the iNOS-HRE. Furthermore, we found that the iNOS-HRE activity was inducible by hypoxia and that hypoxia in combination with IFN-gamma activated the iNOS promoter in transient transfection assays and induced iNOS transcription and mRNA expression. These data establish that the iNOS-HRE is a novel regulatory element of the iNOS promoter activity in murine macrophages and provide the first evidence that iNOS is a hypoxia-inducible gene.
The PapG-adhesin at the tip of P-fimbriae provides Escherichia coli with a competitive edge in experimental bladder infections of cynomolgus monkeys.
Authors: Winberg J , Möllby R , Bergström J , Karlsson K A , Leonardsson I , Milh M A , Teneberg S , Haslam D , Marklund B I , Normark S
Published: June 2004

Human urinary tract infection is an infectious disease that depends on a series of host-microbial interactions. The bacteria first colonize the colon and then the periurethral/vaginal areas; they ascend to and infect first the bladder and then the kidneys. Expression of Escherichia coli P-fimbriae constitutes the strongest correlation to renal pathogenicity, but is also related to first-time cystitis in children. The role of P-fimbriae in the preceding steps in the infectious process is unknown. To examine this, we constructed, from a P-fimbriated E. coli strain with a class II G-adhesin preferentially binding to globoside, one isogenic mutant lacking the G-adhesin and another isogenic mutant in which we replaced the papG class II allele with a class III adhesin preferentially binding to the Forssman antigen. We report here the comparison of the adhesin knockout mutant (DS17-8) and the class-switch mutant (DS17-1) with the wild-type (DS17) for in vivo colonization of the gut, vagina, and bladder of cynomolgus monkeys. It was recently shown that the class II tip G-adhesin is a prerequisite for acute pyelonephritis to occur in the monkey model in the absence of other kidney-specific adhesins or obstruction of the urinary flow. Here we show that it is not required for bladder infection but gives a competitive advantage in mixed infections. In the vagina and colon, the G-adhesin gives no competitive advantage.
Metalloproteinase-mediated release of human Fas ligand.
Authors: Kayagaki N , Kawasaki A , Ebata T , Ohmoto H , Ikeda S , Inoue S , Yoshino K , Okumura K , Yagita H
Published: June 2004

Fas ligand (FasL) is a type II integral membrane protein homologous with tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Recent studies indicate that TNF is processed to yield the soluble cytokine by metalloproteinases at the cell surface of activated macrophages and T cells. In the present study, we investigated whether FasL is also released by metalloproteinases. Treatment with hydroxamic acid inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases specifically led to accumulation of membrane-type FasL (p40) on the surface of human FasL cDNA transfectants and activated human T cells, as estimated by surface immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation with newly established anti-human FasL monoclonal antibodies. This surface accumulation of mFasL was associated with the decrease of soluble FasL (p27) in the supernatant as estimated by quantitative ELISA and immunoprecipitation with anti-human FasL monoclonal antibodies. These results indicate that human FasL is efficiently released from the cell surface by metalloproteinases like TNF.
A novel antigen-processing-defective phenotype in major histocompatibility complex class II-positive CIITA transfectants is corrected by interferon-gamma.
Authors: Siegrist C A , Martinez-Soria E , Kern I , Mach B
Published: June 2004

Presentation of exogenous protein antigens to T lymphocytes is based on the intersection of two complex pathways: (a) synthesis, assembly, and transport of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-invariant chain complexes from the endoplasmic reticulum to a specialized endosomal compartment, and (b) endocytosis, denaturation, and proteolysis of antigens followed by loading of antigenic peptides onto newly synthesized MHC class II molecules. It is believed that expression of MHC class II heterodimers, invariant chain and human leukocyte antigen-DM is both necessary and sufficient to reconstitute a functional MHC class II loading compartment in antigen-presenting cells. Expression of each of these essential molecules is under the control of the MHC class II transactivator CIITA. Unexpectedly, however, whereas interferon gamma stimulation does confer effective antigen-processing function to nonprofessional antigen presenting cells, such as melanoma cells, expression of the CIITA transactivator alone is not sufficient. Activation of antigen-specific T cells thus requires additional CIITA-independent factor(s), and such factor(s) can be induced by interferon gamma.
Oncostatin M induces association of Grb2 with Janus kinase JAK2 in multiple myeloma cells.
Authors: Chauhan D , Kharbanda S M , Ogata A , Urashima M , Frank D , Malik N , Kufe D W , Anderson K C
Published: June 2004

Oncostatin M (OSM) is a 28-kD glycoprotein recently identified as a growth factor for human multiple myeloma cells. It belongs to a family of distantly related cytokines that includes interleukin 6, ciliary neurotrophic factor, leukemia-inhibitory factor, and interleukin 11. These cytokines initiate signaling by inducing either homodimerization of gp130 or heterodimerization of gp130 with leukemia-inhibitory factor receptor beta components. Such dimerization in turn activates receptor-associated tyrosine kinases. In the present study using U266B1 human multiple myeloma cells, we show that OSM induces tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of JAK2, but not JAK1 or Tyk2, kinases. The results also demonstrate that OSM induces direct interaction of JAK2 kinase with Grb2, an SH2/SH3 domain containing adaptor protein. The SH2 domain of Grb2 is directly associated with tyrosine-phosphorylated JAK2. Furthermore, the presence of Sos in the JAK2-Grb2 complex suggests a role for Ras in OSM-transduced signaling.
Role of the Syk autophosphorylation site and SH2 domains in B cell antigen receptor signaling.
Authors: Kurosaki T , Johnson S A , Pao L , Sada K , Yamamura H , Cambier J C
Published: June 2004

To explore the mechanism(s) by which the Syk protein tyrosine kinase participates in B cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling, we have studied the function of various Syk mutants in B cells made Syk deficient by homologous recombination knockout. Both Syk SH2 domains were required for BCR-mediated Syk and phospholipase C (PLC)-gamma 2 phosphorylation, inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate release, and Ca2+ mobilization. A possible explanation for this requirement was provided by findings that recruitment of Syk to tyrosine-phosphorylated immunoglobulin (Ig) alpha and Ig beta requires both Syk SH2 domains. A Syk mutant in which the putative autophosphorylation site (Y518/Y519) of Syk was changed to phenylalanine was also defective in signal transduction; however, this mutation did not affect recruitment to the phosphorylated immunoreceptor family tyrosine-based activation motifs (ITAMs). These findings not only confirm that both SH2 domains are necessary for Syk binding to tyrosine-phosphorylated Ig alpha and Ig beta but indicate that this binding is necessary for Syk (Y518/519) phosphorylation after BCR ligation. This sequence of events is apparently required for coupling the BCR to most cellular protein tyrosine phosphorylation, to the phosphorylation and activation of PLC-gamma 2, and to Ca2+ mobilization.
HLA-A2 subtypes are functionally distinct in peptide binding and presentation.
Authors: Barouch D , Friede T , Stevanović S , Tussey L , Smith K , Rowland-Jones S , Braud V , McMichael A , Rammensee H G
Published: June 2004

Nearly half of HLA-A2-positive individuals in African populations have a subtype of HLA-A2 other than the A*0201 allele. We have isolated the common African HLA-A2 subtype genes from Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B cell lines and have established stable class I reduced transfectants expressing these alleles. We have studied the peptide binding and presentation properties of A*0201, A*0202, A*0205, A*0214, and A*6901 by a combination of approaches: assaying direct binding of labeled synthetic peptides, studying the ability of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes to recognize peptide-pulsed cells, and sequencing peptide pools and individual ligands eluted from cells. We find that A*0201-restricted peptides can also bind to A*0202 but do not bind strongly to the other alleles in this study. We show that some cytotoxic T lymphocytes can recognize all subtypes capable of binding an antigenic peptide, whereas others are subtype specific. Sequencing of eluted peptides reveals that A*0202 has a similar peptide motif to A*0201, but that A*0205, A*0214, and A*6901 have different motifs. These data strongly support a model in which residue 9 (Phe or Tyr) of the A2/A68/A69 molecules is a critical factor in determining the specificity of the B pocket of the major histocompatibility complex and the position 2 anchor residue of associated peptides. We conclude that a single-amino acid difference in the major histocompatibility complex can be sufficient to cause a dramatic change in the nature of bound peptides, implying that individuals with closely related HLA subtypes may present very different repertoires of antigenic peptides to T cells in an immune response. It is likely to be a general phenomenon that very similar class I subtypes will behave as functionally distinct HLA allotypes.
Release of the mucosal mast cell granule chymase, rat mast cell protease-II, during anaphylaxis is associated with the rapid development of paracellular permeability to macromolecules in rat jejunum.
Authors: Scudamore C L , Thornton E M , McMillan L , Newlands G F , Miller H R
Published: June 2004

The soluble granule chymase, rat mast cell protease-II (RMCP-II), is abundantly expressed in intestinal mucosal mast cells (MMC) but its function is not known. One hypothesis is that RMCP-II degrades the epithelial basement membrane and promotes the loss of enterocytes typically associated with type I hypersensitivity reactions in the rat. To test this hypothesis more directly, ex vivo perfusion of the cranial mesenteric artery and jejunal lumen was used to monitor the anaphylactic release of RMCP-II and its effects on mucosal permeability and epithelial integrity. Within 2 min of intravascular challenge with soluble adult Nippostrongylus brasiliensis worm antigen there was a 1,000-fold (P < 0.02) increase in the concentration of RMCP-II in the vascular perfusate from the jejunum of Nippostrongylus-sensitized rats but not the controls. Similarly, translocation of RMCP-II into the gut lumen increased 10-fold (P < 0.02) after 2 min only in worm antigen-challenged immune rats. Using an identical protocol, but incorporating Evans blue-labeled human serum albumin (EB-HSA) in the vascular perfusate, the timing of the release of RMCP-II into the two compartments was very similar to the first experiment and furthermore the translocation of EB-HSA increased 18-fold (P < 0.05) after 4 min in sensitized rats challenged with worm antigen. To examine the effects of RMCP-II more directly 1 mg of the highly purified chymase was introduced into the cranial mesenteric artery in ex vivo perfused normal rats. A significant (P < 0.05) 70-fold increase in concentration of RMCP-II in jejunal perfusate occurred after 6 min. In a repeat dose-response experiment, infusion of 0.375, 0.75, or 1.5 mg of RMCP-II, together with EB-HSA, established that the cumulative amounts of RMCP-II and EB-HSA translocated from the vasculature to the gut lumen in each perfusion (during the 10-min period of RMCP-II infusion) were significantly correlated. Analysis of intestinal perfusates by SDS-PAGE and by Western blotting using monoclonal anti-RMCP-II antibody confirmed that there was a concomitant translocation of both the protease and EB-HSA into the gut lumen. Histological evaluation of the mucosa failed to reveal any significant morphological change in any of the experiments. The rapid development of macromolecular leak, its association with the translocation of RMCP-II, and the absence of gross epithelial lesions, suggest for the first time that a mast cell granule chymase increases epithelial permeability via a paracellular route and implies that the substrate may be a protein, or proteins, in the epithelial junctional complex.
TAP-independent, beta 2-microglobulin-dependent surface expression of functional mouse CD1.1.
Authors: Brutkiewicz R R , Bennink J R , Yewdell J W , Bendelac A
Published: June 2004

CD1 molecules consist of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2m) noncovalently complexed to a non-major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-encoded monomorphic integral membrane protein homologous to MHC class I alpha chains. Little is known about the requirements for cell surface expression and T cell recognition of CD1. We inserted the mouse CD1.1 gene into vaccinia virus to create a recombinant virus expressing CD1.1 under the control of a viral promoter. Using this recombinant virus to infect normal or mutant cell lines, we found that the expression of molecules reactive with the CD1.1-specific monoclonal antibody 3C11 requires the expression of beta 2m but was not affected by the absence of the MHC-encoded peptide transporter (TAP). Consistent with these results, IL-2 production by the mCD1.1-specific T cell hybridoma DN32.D3 was induced by thymocytes from normal mice or mice with a homozygous deletion of the TAP1 gene, but not by thymocytes from mice with a homozygous deletion of the beta 2m gene. These results indicate that expression of functional mCD1.1 occurs in a beta 2m-dependent, TAP-independent manner.
A role for stem cell factor and c-kit in the murine intestinal tract secretory response to cholera toxin.
Authors: Klimpel G R , Chopra A K , Langley K E , Wypych J , Annable C A , Kaiserlian D , Ernst P B , Peterson J W
Published: June 2004

The role of stem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor (c-kit) in the intestinal secretory response to cholera toxin (CT) was investigated using a ligated intestinal loop model in mice having mutations in the dominant white spotting (W) locus and the steel (Sl) locus. W/Wv mice, which express an aberrant form of the c-kit protein, failed to give an intestinal secretory response after luminal CT challenge. In contrast, W/Wv mice and their control littermates had equivalent intestinal secretory responses to Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (STa). Sl/Sld mice, which express only a soluble truncated form of SCF, also gave a significantly reduced intestinal secretory response to CT when compared to the secretory response of their littermate controls. The unresponsiveness of W/Wv mice to CT was restricted to the intestinal tract since these mice had foot pad swelling responses to CT challenge that were equivalent to their littermate controls. Restoration of mast cells in W/Wv mice by bone marrow transplantation of control littermate bone marrow did not reverse the CT-unresponsiveness of the intestinal tract. Histological evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract from W/Wv mice showed a normal distribution of enterochromaffin cells (ECC). CT challenge of either ligated intestinal loops from C57B1/6 mice or a mouse intestinal epithelial cell line (MODE-K) resulted in elevated levels of mRNA for SCF. MODE-K cells exposed to CT also had enhanced expression of c-kit. Finally, fluid obtained from CT-challenged ligated intestinal loops from C57B1/6 mice contained significant levels of SCF. Taken together, the above results suggest that CT-induced intestinal secretory responses are dependent upon SCF-c-kit interactions. These interactions appear to be induced as a consequence of CT stimulation of the intestinal tract and may also play a role in the development or functionality of the enteric nervous system.
Anti-immunoglobulin M activates nuclear calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in human B lymphocytes.
Authors: Valentine M A , Czernik A J , Rachie N , Hidaka H , Fisher C L , Cambier J C , Bomsztyk K
Published: June 2004

We and others have previously shown that the nuclear protein, Ets-1, is phosphorylated in a calcium-dependent manner after ligation of immunoglobulin (Ig) M on B lymphocytes. As this phosphorylation was independent of protein kinase C activity, we tested whether a calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaM kinase) might phosphorylate the Ets-1 protein after elevation of intracellular free calcium concentrations. The dephosphorylated form of Ets-1 has been shown to bind to chromatin, suggesting that the operative kinase should be detectable in the nucleus. We prepared nuclear extracts from two human B cell lines in which increased intracellular free calcium levels correlated with increased phosphorylation of the Ets-1 protein. Activity of the CaM kinases was determined using a synthetic peptide substrate both in the absence and presence of an inhibitor specific for the CaM kinase family, KN-62. Stimulation of cells with anti-IgM led to increased activity of a nuclear kinase that could phosphorylate the peptide, and this activity was reduced by 10 microM KN-62. Kinase activity was reduced in lysates preadsorbed using an antibody specific for CaM kinase II. Two-dimensional phosphopeptide maps of the Ets-1 protein from cells incubated with ionomycin or anti-IgM contained two unique phosphopeptides that were absent in untreated cells. Incubation of isolated Ets-1 protein with purified CaM kinase II produced phosphorylation of peptides that migrated identically to those found in cells incubated with either anti-IgM or ionomycin. These data suggest a model of signal transduction by the antigen receptor on B lymphocytes in which increased intracellular free calcium can rapidly activate nuclear CaM kinase II, potentially resulting in phosphorylation and regulation of DNA-binding proteins.
Expression of costimulatory molecules B7-1 (CD80), B7-2 (CD86), and interleukin 12 cytokine in multiple sclerosis lesions.
Authors: Windhagen A , Newcombe J , Dangond F , Strand C , Woodroofe M N , Cuzner M L , Hafler D A
Published: June 2004

Resting autoreactive T cells are present in the circulation of normal individuals without pathologic consequences. In autoimmune animal models, stimulation of these self-reactive T cells in the presence of costimulatory molecules B7-1 results in T cell-mediated autoimmune disease, whereas B7-2 stimulation generates regulatory autoreactive T cells that abrogate disease severity. Thus, reactivation in the brain of myelin-autoreactive T cells by antigen with costimulatory molecules may be a critical event in the pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis (MS), a putative autoimmune disease of central nervous system (CNS) myelin. We investigated the expression of cytokines and costimulatory molecules in a panel of 41 histologically characterized CNS specimens from 15 MS and 10 control cases using semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry. In four cases, vascular CNS infarcts with inflammation were compared with MS plaques from the same brain. We observed increased expression of B7-1 and interleukin (IL) 12p40 in acute MS plaques, particularly from early disease cases but not in inflammatory infarcts. B7-1 staining was localized predominantly to the lymphocytes in perivenular inflammatory cuffs but not the parenchyma. In contrast, B7-2 was expressed predominantly on macrophages both in MS lesions of varied time duration and in inflammatory infarcts. These findings indicate that an early event in the initiation of MS involves upregulation of B7-1 and IL-12, resulting in conditions that maximally stimulate T cell activation and induction of T helper 1-type immune responses.
Physical dissociation of the TCR-CD3 complex accompanies receptor ligation.
Authors: Kishimoto H , Kubo R T , Yorifuji H , Nakayama T , Asano Y , Tada T
Published: June 2004

Recent studies indicate that there may be functional uncoupling of the TCR-CD3 complex and suggest that the TCR-CD3 complex is composed of two parallel signal-transducing units, one made of gamma delta epsilon chains and the other of zeta chains. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms that may explain the functional uncoupling of TCR and CD3, we have analyzed their expression by using flow cytometry as well as immunochemical means both before and after stimulation with anti-TCR-beta, anti-CD3 epsilon, anti-CD2, staphylococcal enterotoxin B, and ionomycin. We present evidence that TCR physically dissociates from CD3 after stimulation of the TCR-CD3 complex. Stimulation with anti-CD3 resulted in down-modulation of TCR within 45 min whereas CD3 epsilon was still expressed on the cell surface as detected by flow cytometry. However, the cell surface expression of TCR and CD3 was not affected when cells were stimulated with anti-TCR-beta under the same conditions. In the case of anti-CD3 treatment of T cells, the TCR down-modulation appeared to be due to the internalization of TCR, as determined by immunoelectron microscopy. Immunochemical analysis of cells after stimulation with either anti-TCR or anti-CD3 mAbs revealed that the overall protein levels of TCR and CD3 were similar. More interestingly, the dissociation of the TCR-CD3 complex was observed with both treatments and occurred in a manner that the TCR and the associated TCR-zeta chain dissociated as a unit from CD3. These results provide the first report of physical dissociation of TCR and CD3 after stimulation through the TCR-CD3 complex. The results also suggest that the signal transduction pathway triggered by TCR may differ from that induced by CD3.