bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevention of Relapse after Chemotherapy in a Chronic Intracellular Infection: Mechanisms in Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Murray Henry W.
Published: April 2014

In visceral leishmaniasis, chemotherapy probably seldom eradicates all parasites in tissue macrophages; nevertheless, most T cell-intact patients show long-lasting clinical cure after treatment despite residual intracellular infection. To characterize prevention of posttreatment relapse, amphotericin B was used to kill ∼90–95% of Leishmania donovani in livers of mice deficient in mechanisms of acquired antileishmanial resistance. Recrudescence subsequently developed 1) in animals deficient in both CD4 and CD8 T cells as well as CD40L-mediated T cell costimulation, but not in a) CD4 or CD8 cells alone, b) NK cell lytic activity, or c) ICAM-1-recruited monocytes; and 2) in mice deficient in IFN-γ, but not in the IFN-γ-inducing cytokines, a) IL-12, b) IL-12 and IL-23, or c) IL-18. Posttreatment recrudescence also did not develop in animals deficient in macrophage phagocyte NADPH oxidase (phox) or inducible NO synthase (iNOS) alone or, surprisingly, in those deficient in both phox and iNOS. Therefore, regulation of the intracellular replication of residual Leishmania donovani that escape chemotherapy evolves to a host mechanism distinguishable from initial acquired resistance at the T cell, cytokine, and macrophage levels. Posttreatment, either CD8 or CD4 cells can direct the response, IL-12 is not required, and iNOS and phox, the activated macrophage’s primary IFN-γ-inducible leishmanicidal pathways, both become dispensable.
Anthrax Lethal Toxin Blocks MAPK Kinase-Dependent IL-2 Production in CD4+ T Cells
Authors: Fang Hui , Cordoba-Rodriguez Ruth , Lankford Carla S. R. , Frucht David M.
Published: April 2014

Anthrax lethal toxin (LT) is a critical virulence factor that cleaves and inactivates MAPK kinases (MAPKKs) in host cells and has been proposed as a therapeutic target in the treatment of human anthrax infections. Despite the potential use of anti-toxin agents in humans, the standard activity assays for anthrax LT are currently based on cytotoxic actions of anthrax LT that are cell-, strain-, and species-specific, which have not been demonstrated to occur in human cells. We now report that T cell proliferation and IL-2 production inversely correlate with anthrax LT levels in human cell assays. The model CD4+ T cell tumor line, Jurkat, is a susceptible target for the specific protease action of anthrax LT. Anthrax LT cleaves and inactivates MAPKKs in Jurkat cells, whereas not affecting proximal or parallel TCR signal transduction pathways. Moreover, anthrax LT specifically inhibits PMA/ionomycin- and anti-CD3-induced IL-2 production in Jurkat cells. An inhibitor of the protease activity of anthrax LT completely restores IL-2 production by anthrax LT-treated Jurkat cells. Anthrax LT acts on primary CD4+ T cells as well, cleaving MAPKKs and leading to a 95% reduction in anti-CD3-induced proliferation and IL-2 production. These findings not only will be useful in the development of new human cell-based bioassays for the activity of anthrax LT, but they also suggest new mechanisms that facilitate immune evasion by Bacillus anthracis. Specifically, anthrax LT inhibits IL-2 production and proliferative responses in CD4+ T cells, thereby blocking functions that are pivotal in the regulation of immune responses.
IL-1β-Mediated Innate Immunity Is Amplified in the db/db Mouse Model of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: O’Connor Jason C. , Satpathy Ansuman , Hartman Matthew E. , Horvath Emily M. , Kelley Keith W. , Dantzer Robert , Johnson Rodney W. , Freund Gregory G.
Published: April 2014

Chronic inflammation appears to play a critical role in type 2 diabetes and its complications. Here we tested the hypothesis that this inflammatory dysregulation affects the IL-1β system and has functional consequences in the brain. Diabetic, db/db, and nondiabetic, db/+, mice were administered i.p. LPS, a potent cytokine inducer, at a dose of 100 μg/kg/mouse. db/db mouse innate immune-associated sickness behavior was 14.8, 33, 44.7, and 34% greater than that of db/+ mice at 2, 4, 8, and 12 h, respectively. When a fixed dose of LPS was used (5 μg/mouse), db/db mouse sickness was again enhanced 18.4, 22.2, and 14.5% at 4, 8, and 12 h as compared with db/+ mice. In diabetic mice, peritoneal macrophages produced more IL-1β in response to LPS, and peritoneal levels of IL-1β induced by LPS were increased. Importantly, IL-1R antagonist and type 2 IL-1 receptor (IL-1R2) failed to up-regulate in response to LPS in db/db mice. Finally, both peripheral and central administration of IL-1β, itself, induced sickness in db/db mice that mimicked the effects of peripheral LPS and was significantly greater than that seen in db/+ mice. Taken together, these results indicate that IL-1β-mediated innate immunity is augmented in db/db mice both at the periphery and in the brain, and the mechanism is due to diabetes-associated loss of IL-1β counterregulation.
In Vivo Activity of Released Cell Wall Lipids ofMycobacterium bovisBacillus Calmette-Guérin Is Due Principally to Trehalose Mycolates
Authors: Geisel Rachel E. , Sakamoto Kaori , Russell David G. , Rhoades Elizabeth R.
Published: April 2014

The hallmark of Mycobacterium-induced pathology is granulomatous inflammation at the site of infection. Mycobacterial lipids are potent immunomodulators that contribute to the granulomatous response and are released in appreciable quantities by intracellular bacilli. Previously we investigated the granulomagenic nature of the peripheral cell wall lipids of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) by coating the lipids onto 90-μm diameter microspheres that were mixed into Matrigel matrix with syngeneic bone marrow-derived macrophages and injected i.p. into mice. These studies demonstrated that BCG lipids elicit proinflammatory cytokines and recruit leukocytes. In the current study we determined the lipids responsible for this proinflammatory effect. BCG-derived cell wall lipids were fractionated and purified by liquid chromatography and preparative TLC. The isolated fractions including phosphatidylinositol dimannosides, cardiolipin, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, trehalose monomycolate, trehalose dimycolate, and mycoside B. Trehalose dimycolate, when delivered to bone marrow-derived murine macrophages, induced the greatest secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in vitro. Trehalose dimycolate similarly induced the greatest secretion of these proinflammatory cytokines in ex vivo matrices over the course of 12 days. Trehalose monomycolate and dimycolate also induced profound neutrophil recruitment in vivo. Experiments with TLR2 or TLR4 gene-deficient mice revealed no defects in responses to trehalose mycolates, although MyD88-deficient mice manifested significantly reduced cell recruitment and cytokine production. These results demonstrate that the trehalose mycolates, particularly trehalose dimycolate, are the most bioactive lipids in the BCG extract, inducing a proinflammatory cascade that influences granuloma formation.
Accelerated Lymphocyte Death in Sepsis Occurs by both the Death Receptor and Mitochondrial Pathways
Authors: Hotchkiss Richard S. , Osmon Stephen B. , Chang Katherine C. , Wagner Tracey H. , Coopersmith Craig M. , Karl Irene E.
Published: April 2014

Patients with sepsis are immune compromised, as evidenced by their failure to clear their primary infection and their propensity to develop secondary infections with pathogens that are often not particularly virulent in normal healthy individuals. A potential mechanism for immunosuppression in sepsis is lymphocyte apoptosis, which may occur by either a death receptor or a mitochondrial-mediated pathway. A prospective study of blood samples from 71 patients with sepsis, 55 nonseptic patients, and 6 healthy volunteers was undertaken to quantitate lymphocyte apoptosis and determine cell death pathways and mechanisms of apoptosis. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blotting. Lymphocyte apoptosis was increased in CD4 and CD8 T cells, B cells (CD20), and NK cells (CD56) in septic vs nonseptic patients. Samples taken sequentially from 10 patients with sepsis showed that the degree of CD3 T cell apoptosis correlated with the activity of his/her sepsis. In septic patients, apoptotic lymphocytes were positive for active caspases 8 and 9, consistent with death occurring by both mitochondrial-mediated and receptor-mediated pathways. In support of the concept that both death pathways were operative, lymphocyte apoptosis occurred in cells with markedly decreased Bcl-2 (an inhibitor of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis) as well as cells with normal concentrations of Bcl-2. In conclusion, apoptosis occurs in a broad range of lymphocyte subsets in patients with sepsis and correlates with the activity of the disease. Lymphocyte loss occurs by both death receptor and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, suggesting that there may be multiple triggers for lymphocyte apoptosis.
Neutrophils That Infiltrate the Central Nervous System Regulate T Cell Responses
Authors: Zehntner Simone P. , Brickman Cristina , Bourbonnière Lyne , Remington Leah , Caruso Maria , Owens Trevor
Published: April 2014

Regulation of inflammatory responses is critical to progression of organ-specific autoimmune disease. Although many candidate cell types have been identified, immunoregulatory activity has rarely been directly assayed and never from the CNS. We have analyzed the regulatory capability of Gr-1high neutrophils isolated from the CNS of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Proportions of neutrophils were markedly increased in the CNS of IFN-γ-deficient mice. Strikingly, CNS-derived neutrophils, whether or not they derived from IFN-γ-deficient mice, were potent suppressors of T cell responses to myelin or adjuvant Ags. Neutrophil suppressor activity was absolutely dependent on IFN-γ production by target T cells, and suppression was abrogated by blocking NO synthase. These data identify an immunoregulatory capacity for neutrophils, and indicate that interplay between IFN-γ, NO, and activated Gr-1high neutrophils within the target organ determines the outcome of inflammatory and potentially autoimmune T cell responses.
The Influence of Effector T Cells and Fas Ligand on Lupus-Associated B Cells
Authors: Fields Michele L. , Nish Simone A. , Hondowicz Brian D. , Metzgar Michele H. , Wharton Gina N. , Caton Andrew J. , Erikson Jan
Published: April 2014

Circulating autoantibodies against dsDNA and chromatin are a characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus in humans and many mouse models of this disease. B cells expressing these autoantibodies are normally regulated in nonautoimmune-prone mice but are induced to secrete Abs following T cell help. Likewise, anti-chromatin autoantibody production is T cell-dependent in Fas/Fas ligand (FasL)-deficient (lpr/lpr or gld/gld) mice. In this study, we demonstrate that Th2 cells promote anti-chromatin B cell survival and autoantibody production in vivo. FasL influences the ability of Th2 cells to help B cells, as Th2-gld/gld cells support higher titers of anti-chromatin Abs than their FasL-sufficient counterparts and promote anti-chromatin B cell participation in germinal centers. Th1 cells induce anti-chromatin B cell germinal centers regardless of FasL status; however, their ability to stimulate anti-chromatin Ab production positively correlates with their level of IFN-γ production. This distinction is lost if FasL-deficient T cells are used: Th1-gld/gld cells promote significant titers of anti-chromatin Abs regardless of IFN-γ production levels. Thus, FasL from effector T cells plays an important role in determining the fate of anti-chromatin B cells.
Independent Trafficking of Ig-α/Ig-β and μ-Heavy Chain Is Facilitated by Dissociation of the B Cell Antigen Receptor Complex
Authors: Kim Jin-Hyang , Cramer Lorraine , Mueller Heather , Wilson Bridget , Vilen Barbara J.
Published: April 2014

The BCR relays extracellular signals and internalizes Ag for processing and presentation. We have previously demonstrated that ligation of the BCR destabilizes Ig-α/Ig-β (Ig-αβ) from μ-H chain (μm). In this study we report that receptor destabilization represents a physical separation of μm from Ig-αβ. Sucrose gradient fractionation localized Ig-αβ to GM1-containing lipid microdomains in the absence of μm. Confocal and electron microscopy studies revealed the colocalization of unsheathed μm with clathrin-coated vesicles. Furthermore, μm failed to associate with clathrin-coated vesicles when receptor destabilization was inhibited, suggesting that unsheathing of μm is required for clathrin-mediated endocytosis. In summary, we found that Ag stimulation physically separates Ig-αβ from μm, facilitating concomitant signal transduction and Ag delivery to the endocytic compartment.
Modulation of Dendritic Cell Maturation and Function by B Lymphocytes
Authors: Bayry Jagadeesh , Lacroix-Desmazes Sébastien , Kazatchkine Michel D. , Hermine Olivier , Tough David F. , Kaveri Srini V.
Published: April 2014

Investigating the signals that regulate the function of dendritic cells (DC), the sentinels of the immune system, is critical to understanding the role of DC in the regulation of immune responses. Accumulating lines of evidence indicate that in addition to innate stimuli and T cell-derived signals, B lymphocytes exert a profound regulatory effect in vitro and in vivo on the Ag-presenting function of DC. The identification of B cells as a cellular source of cytokines, chemokines, and autoantibodies that are critically involved in the process of maturation, migration, and function of DC provides a rationale for immunotherapeutic intervention of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions by targeting B cells. Conversely, efficient cross-presentation of Ags by DC pulsed with immune complexes provides an alternative approach in the immunotherapy of cancer and infectious diseases.
Acute Lipopolysaccharide-Mediated Injury in Neonatal White Matter Glia: Role of TNF-α, IL-1β, and Calcium
Authors: Sherwin Catherine , Fern Robert
Published: April 2014

Bacterial infection is implicated in the selective CNS white matter injury associated with cerebral palsy, a common birth disorder. Exposure to the bacterial endotoxin LPS produced death of white matter glial cells in isolated neonatal rat optic nerve (RON) (a model white matter tract), over a 180-min time course. A delayed intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) rise preceded cell death and both events were prevented by removing extracellular Ca2+. The cytokines TNF-α or IL-1β, but not IL-6, mimicked the cytotoxic effect of LPS, whereas blocking either TNF-α with a neutralizing Ab or IL-1 with recombinant antagonist prevented LPS cytotoxicity. Ultrastructural examination showed wide-scale oligodendroglial cell death in LPS-treated rat optic nerves, with preservation of astrocytes and axons. Fluorescently conjugated LPS revealed LPS binding on microglia and astrocytes in neonatal white and gray matter. Astrocyte binding predominated, and was particularly intense around blood vessels. LPS can therefore bind directly to developing white matter astrocytes and microglia to evoke rapid cell death in neighboring oligodendroglia via a calcium- and cytokine-mediated pathway. In addition to direct toxicity, LPS increased the degree of acute cell death evoked by ischemia in a calcium-dependent manner.
ICOS Contributes to T Cell Expansion in CTLA-4 Deficient Mice
Authors: van Berkel Miranda E. A. T. , Schrijver Elise H. R. , Hofhuis Frans M. A. , Sharpe Arlene H. , Coyle Anthony J. , Broeren Chris P. , Tesselaar Kiki , Oosterwegel Mariëtte A.
Published: April 2014

Both CD28 and ICOS are important costimulatory molecules that promote Ag-specific cellular and humoral immune reactions. Whereas CD28 is generally thought to be the most important molecule in the initiation of a T cell response, ICOS is considered to act during the effector phase. We have investigated the contribution of ICOS to T cell responses in the absence of CTLA-4-mediated inhibition. Mice lacking CTLA-4, which show spontaneous CD28-mediated CD4+ T cell activation, expansion and differentiation, were treated with antagonistic αICOS antibodies. Blocking the interaction between ICOS and its ligand B7RP-1 significantly reduced this aberrant T cell activation and caused a reduction in T cell numbers. In vitro analysis of CD4+ T cells from treated mice revealed that ICOS blockade significantly reduced Th1 differentiation, while Th2 differentiation was only moderately inhibited. Further in vitro stimulation experiments demonstrated that ICOS is able to induce proliferation of murine CD4+ and CD8+ T cells but only in the presence of IL-2. These results indicate that ICOS is not only important for T cell effector function but also contributes to the expansion phase of a T cell response in the presence of CD28 signaling.
Heat Shock Protein 65-Reactive T Cells Are Involved in the Pathogenesis of Non-Antigenic Dimethyl Dioctadecyl Ammonium Bromide-Induced Arthritis
Authors: Mia Md. Younus , Durai Malarvizhi , Kim Hong Ro , Moudgil Kamal D.
Published: April 2014

Dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide (DDA) (C38H80NBr) is a nonantigenic lipoid material. DDA-induced arthritis (DIA) in the Lewis (LEW) (RT.1l) rat is a new experimental model for human rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DIA is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease. However, the precise self/foreign Ags associated with the disease process in DIA are not yet known. We observed that LEW rats with DIA spontaneously raised a vigorous T cell response both to 65-kDa self (rat) heat shock protein (Rhsp65) and mycobacterial hsp65 (Bhsp65), but not to another arthritis-related Ag, bovine collagen type II. The T cell response to Rhsp65 was focused predominantly on determinant regions 120–134 and 213–227 of the self protein. Interestingly, pretreatment of adult LEW rats using either a mixture of peptides 120–134 and 213–227 of Rhsp65 or a low nonarthritogenic dose of DDA induced protection against subsequent DIA. Intriguingly, the protection induced by the latter was associated with spontaneous priming of T cells specific for peptide 213–227 of Rhsp65. Similarly, LEW rats neonatally tolerized against either Rhsp65 or Bhsp65 were significantly protected from subsequently induced DIA at adult stage, showing the disease-modulating attribute of the hsp65-specific T cells. Taken together, the above findings demonstrate that the hsp65-directed T cell repertoire is of significance in the pathogenesis of autoimmune arthritis induced by nonantigenic DDA. Like other animal models of RA involving hsp65, these first insights into the disease-associated Ags in the DIA model would pave the way for further understanding of the immunological aspects of induction and regulation of RA.
Effects of Natural Human Antibodies against a Nonhuman Sialic Acid That Metabolically Incorporates into Activated and Malignant Immune Cells
Authors: Nguyen Dzung H. , Tangvoranuntakul Pam , Varki Ajit
Published: April 2014

Humans are genetically incapable of producing the mammalian sialic acid N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), due to an inactivating mutation in the enzyme synthesizing it. Despite this, human cells and tissues appear capable of metabolically incorporating Neu5Gc from exogenous sources, including dietary red meat and dairy products. All normal humans studied are now shown to have circulating Abs against Neu5Gc, with marked differences in isotype levels. The question arises whether such Abs can adversely affect Neu5Gc-expressing human cells or tissues. In this study, we show that although normal human PBMC do not incorporate Neu5Gc during in vitro incubation, activated T cells do. Primary human leukemia cells and human leukemic cell lines are even more efficient at incorporation. Human sera containing naturally high levels of anti-Neu5Gc IgG Abs (hereafter abbreviated GcIg) deposited complement on Neu5Gc-expressing leukemic cells and activated T cells, but not on normal cells. The binding of GcIg resulted in complement-mediated cytotoxicity, which was inhibited by heat inactivation. Low anti-Neu5Gc IgG-containing human sera did not mediate any of these effects. Mixed killing assays confirmed the 15-fold selective killing of leukemic cells over PBMC by GcIg following Neu5Gc feeding. This approach could potentially serve as novel way to target malignant cells for death in vivo using either natural Abs or anti-Neu5Gc Abs prepared for this purpose. Further studies are needed to determine whether deposition of natural GcIg and complement can also target healthy proliferating immune cells for death in vivo following incorporation of dietary Neu5Gc.
Peripheral CD8+CD25+ T Lymphocytes from MHC Class II-Deficient Mice Exhibit Regulatory Activity
Authors: Bienvenu Boris , Martin Bruno , Auffray Cédric , Cordier Corinne , Bécourt Chantal , Lucas Bruno
Published: April 2014

We characterized CD8+ T cells constitutively expressing CD25 in mice lacking the expression of MHC class II molecules. We showed that these cells are present not only in the periphery but also in the thymus. Like CD4+CD25+ T cells, CD8+CD25+ T cells appear late in the periphery during ontogeny. Peripheral CD8+CD25+ T cells from MHC class II-deficient mice also share phenotypic and functional features with regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells: in particular, they strongly express glucocorticoid-induced TNFR family-related gene, CTLA-4 and Foxp3, produce IL-10, and inhibit CD25− T cell responses to anti-CD3 stimulation through cell contacts with similar efficiency to CD4+CD25+ T cells. However, unlike CD4+CD25+ T cells CD8+CD25+ T cells from MHC class II-deficient mice strongly proliferate and produce IFN-γ in vitro in response to stimulation in the absence of exogenous IL-2.
Dual Effects of p38 MAPK on TNF-Dependent Bronchoconstriction and TNF-Independent Neutrophil Recruitment in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Authors: Schnyder-Candrian Silvia , Quesniaux Valerie F. J. , Di Padova Franco , Maillet Isabelle , Noulin Nicolas , Couillin Isabelle , Moser René , Erard Francois , Vargaftig B. Boris , Ryffel Bernhard , Schnyder Bruno
Published: April 2014

The administration of endotoxins from Gram-negative bacteria induces manifestations reminding of acute respiratory distress syndrome. p38 MAPKs have been implicated in this pathology. In this study, we show that the specific p38 α,β MAPK inhibitor, compound 37, prevents LPS-induced bronchoconstriction and neutrophil recruitment into the lungs and bronchoalveolar space in a dose-dependent manner in C57BL/6 mice. Furthermore, TNF induction and TNF signals were blocked. In TNF-deficient mice, bronchoconstriction, but not neutrophil sequestration, in the lung was abrogated after LPS administration. Therefore, TNF inhibition does not explain all of the effects of the p38 MAPK inhibitor. The p38 α,β MAPK inhibitor also prevented LPS-induced neutrophilia in TNF-deficient mice. In conclusion, LPS provokes acute bronchoconstriction that is TNF dependent and p38 MAPK mediated, whereas the neutrophil recruitment is independent of TNF but depends on LPS/TLR4-induced signals mediated by p38 MAPK.
ΔBAFF, a Splice Isoform of BAFF, Opposes Full-Length BAFF Activity In Vivo in Transgenic Mouse Models
Authors: Gavin Amanda L. , Duong Bao , Skog Patrick , Aït-Azzouzene Djemel , Greaves David R. , Scott Martin L. , Nemazee David
Published: April 2014

ΔBAFF is a novel splicing isoform of the regulator B cell-activating factor (BAFF, BLyS), a TNF family protein with powerful immunoregulatory effects. Overexpression of BAFF leads to excessive B cell accumulation, activation, autoantibodies, and lupus-like disease, whereas an absence of BAFF causes peripheral B cell immunodeficiency. Based on the ability of ΔBAFF to multimerize with full-length BAFF and to limit BAFF proteolytic shedding from the cell surface, we previously proposed a role for ΔBAFF in restraining the effects of BAFF and in regulating B lymphocyte homeostasis. To test these ideas we generated mice transgenic for ΔBAFF under the control of human CD68 regulatory elements, which target expression to myeloid and dendritic cells. We also generated in parallel BAFF transgenic mice using the same expression elements. Analysis of the transgenic mice revealed that ΔBAFF and BAFF had opposing effects on B cell survival and marginal zone B cell numbers. ΔBAFF transgenic mice had reduced B cell numbers and T cell-dependent Ab responses, but normal preimmune serum Ig levels. In contrast, BAFF transgenic mice had extraordinarily elevated Ig levels and increases in subsets of B cells. Unexpectedly, both BAFF and ΔBAFF appeared to modulate the numbers of B-1 phenotype B cells.
IL-9 Promotes but Is Not Necessary for Systemic Anaphylaxis
Authors: Knoops Laurent , Louahed Jamila , Van Snick Jacques , Renauld Jean-Christophe
Published: April 2014

Anaphylaxis represents an extreme form of allergic reaction, consisting of a sensitization phase during which allergen-specific IgE are produced and an acute effector phase triggered by allergen-induced degranulation of mast cells. We studied the role of IL-9, a Th2 cytokine implicated in asthma, in different models of murine anaphylaxis. Using a passive model of systemic anaphylaxis, in which anti-DNP IgE Abs were administered before challenge with DNP-BSA, we found that IL-9-transgenic mice or wild-type mice treated with IL-9 for 5 days were highly sensitive to fatal anaphylaxis. This effect was reproduced in both anaphylaxis-susceptible and -resistant backgrounds (FVB/N or [FVB/N × BALB/c] F1 mice, respectively) and correlated with increased serum concentrations of mouse mast cell protease-1 level, a protein released upon mast cells degranulation. By contrast, IL-9 did not increase the susceptibility to passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. IL-9 expression also increased the susceptibility to fatal anaphylaxis when mice were sensitized by immunization against OVA before challenge with the same Ag. In this model, serum from sensitized, IL-9-transgenic mice was more potent in transferring susceptibility to OVA challenge into naive mice, indicating that IL-9 also promotes the sensitization stage. Finally, using IL-9R-deficient mice, we found that despite its anaphylaxis-promoting activity, IL-9 is dispensable for development of both passive and active anaphylaxis, at least in the C57BL/6 mouse background. Taken together, the data reported in this study indicate that IL-9 promotes systemic anaphylaxis reactions, acting at both the sensitization and effector stages, but is not absolutely required for this process.
Macrophages Sequentially Change Their Functional Phenotype in Response to Changes in Microenvironmental Influences
Authors: Stout Robert D. , Jiang Chuancang , Matta Bharati , Tietzel Illya , Watkins Stephanie K. , Suttles Jill
Published: April 2014

Recent studies have described the development of distinct functional subsets of macrophages in association with cancer, autoimmune disease, and chronic infections. Based on the ability of Th1 vs Th2 cytokines to promote opposing activities in macrophages, it has been proposed that macrophages develop into either type 1 inflammatory or type 2 anti-inflammatory subsets. As an alternative to the concept of subset development, we propose that macrophages, in response to changes in their tissue environment, can reversibly and progressively change the pattern of functions that they express. As demonstrated herein, macrophages can reversibly shift their functional phenotype through a multitude of patterns in response to changes in cytokine environment. Macrophages display distinct functional patterns after treatment with IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-4, or IL-10 and additional functional patterns are displayed depending on whether the cytokine is present alone or with other cytokines and whether the cytokines are added before or concomitantly with the activating stimulus (LPS). Sequential treatment of macrophages with multiple cytokines results in a progression through multiple functional phenotypes. This ability to adapt to changing cytokine environments has significant in vivo relevance, as evidenced by the demonstration that macrophage functional phenotypes established in vivo in aged or tumor-bearing mice can be altered by changing their microenvironment. A concept of functional adaptivity is proposed that has important implications for therapeutic targeting of macrophages in chronic diseases that result in the dominance of particular functional phenotypes of macrophages that play a significant role in disease pathology.
Integrin Regulation by RhoA in Thymocytes
Authors: Vielkind Susina , Gallagher-Gambarelli Maighread , Gomez Manuel , Hinton Heather J. , Cantrell Doreen A.
Published: April 2014

The guanine nucleotide-binding protein Rho has essential functions in T cell development and is important for the survival and proliferation of T cell progenitors in the thymus. To explore the mechanisms used by RhoA to control thymocyte biology, the role of this GTPase in the regulation of integrin-mediated cell adhesion was examined. The data show that RhoA activation is sufficient to stimulate β1 and β2 integrin-mediated adhesion in murine thymocytes. RhoA is also needed for integrin activation in vivo as loss of Rho function impaired the ability of thymocytes to adhere to the extracellular matrix protein VCAM-1 and prevented integrin activation induced by the GTPases Rac-1 and Rap1A in vivo. The regulated activity of integrins is needed for cell motility and in the present study it was seen that RhoA activity is critical for integrin-mediated thymocyte migration to chemokines in vitro. Thus, RhoA has a critical role in regulating cell adhesion and migration during T cell development.
Rhesus Macaque MHC Class I Molecules Present HLA-B-Like Peptides
Authors: Hickman-Miller Heather D. , Bardet Wilfried , Gilb Angela , Luis Angela D. , Jackson Kenneth W. , Watkins David I. , Hildebrand William H.
Published: April 2014

SIV-infected Indian rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) are an important animal model for humans infected with HIV. Understanding macaque (M. mulatta class I (Mamu)) MHC class I-peptide binding facilitates the comparison of SIV- and HIV-specific cellular immune responses. In this study, we characterized the endogenous peptide-binding properties of three Mamu-A (A*02, A*08, A*11) and three Mamu-B (B*01, B*03, B*12) class I molecules. Motif comparisons revealed that five of the six macaque class I molecules (A*02, A*08, A*11, B*01, and B*03) have peptide-binding motifs similar to those of human class I molecules. Of the 65 macaque endogenous peptide ligands that we sequenced by tandem mass spectroscopy, 5 were previously eluted from HLA class I molecules. Nonamers predominated among the individual ligands, and both the motifs and the individual ligands indicated P2, P9, and various ancillary anchors. Interestingly, peptide binding of the Mamu-A and Mamu-B molecules exhibited cross-species peptide-presentation overlap primarily with HLA-B molecules. Indeed, all of the macaque class I molecules appeared HLA-B-like in peptide presentation. Remarkably, the overlap in macaque- and HLA-peptide presentation occurred despite divergent class I peptide-binding grooves. Macaque and human class I differing by up to 42 aa (13–23%) within the α-1 and α-2 domains, including substantial divergence within specificity pockets A-F, bound the same endogenous peptide. Therefore, endogenous peptide characterization indicates that macaque class I molecules may be the functional equivalents of HLA-B molecules.
Regulation of the Polymeric Ig Receptor by Signaling through TLRs 3 and 4: Linking Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses
Authors: Schneeman Tracey A. , Bruno Maria E. C. , Schjerven Hilde , Johansen Finn-Eirik , Chady Laura , Kaetzel Charlotte S.
Published: April 2014

IgA Abs help to maintain homeostasis at mucosal surfaces by promoting defense mechanisms that protect against pathogens while suppressing inflammatory responses to commensal organisms and food Ags. The polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR) mediates transport of IgA across mucosal epithelial cells. We hypothesized that signaling through TLRs may up-regulate pIgR expression by intestinal epithelial cells and thus enhance IgA-mediated homeostasis. To test this hypothesis we treated the HT29 human intestinal epithelial cell line with dsRNA, a ligand for TLR3, or LPS, a ligand for TLR4. Both dsRNA and LPS up-regulated levels of pIgR mRNA and cell surface pIgR protein. By contrast, dsRNA but not LPS up-regulated expression of TLR3 and TLR4 mRNA. However, cell surface expression of both TLR3 and TLR4 was enhanced by treatment of HT29 cells with their respective ligands. Transfection of HT29 cells with wild-type and mutated promoter/enhancer plasmids suggested that TLR3 and TLR4 signal primarily through NF-κB to enhance transcription of pIgR mRNA. TLR3 signaling resulted in a more pronounced inflammatory response than did TLR4, as evidenced by up-regulation of the transcription factor IFN regulatory factor-1, chemokines IL-8 and RANTES, and the proinflammatory cytokine TNF. Signaling through LPS/TLR4 appears to up-regulate pIgR expression while minimizing proinflammatory responses, a mechanism that could promote IgA-mediated homeostasis in the presence of commensal Gram-negative bacteria.
Simultaneous Th1-Type Cytokine Expression Is a Signature of Peritoneal CD4+ Lymphocytes Responding to Infection with Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Freeman Molly M. , Ziegler H. Kirk
Published: April 2014

The robust murine response to infection with Listeria monocytogenes makes an excellent model to study the functional development of immune cells. We investigated the cellular immune response to i.p. infection using intracellular cytokine staining to identify Ag-specific lymphocytes. CD4+ peritoneal exudate cells obtained 10 days postinfection predominantly coexpressed TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2 after polyclonal or Ag stimulation. A population of cells simultaneously making TNF-α and IFN-γ was also detected but at a lower frequency. By following the kinetics of the response to Listeria, we found that CD4+ lymphocytes coexpressing TNF-α and IFN-γ dominated on day 6 postinfection and then declined. From days 10–27, TNF-α+IFN-γ+IL-2+ (triple-positive) was the most prevalent cytokine phenotype, and the frequency steadily declined. These characteristic cytokine expression patterns were observed in both primary and secondary responses to Listeria infection and developed even when infection was terminated with antibiotic treatment. A cytokine-assisted immunization procedure resulted in both double- and triple-positive cells, but the clear predominance of triple-positive cells required Listeria infection. Triple-positive cells were preferentially noted in the peritoneal cavity tissue site; spleen cells displayed a predominant population of double-positive T cells (TNF-α+IFN-γ+). We speculate that the appearance of triple-positive cells represents a functionally significant subset important in host defense at nonlymphoid tissue sites.
Role of IL-17A, IL-17F, and the IL-17 Receptor in Regulating Growth-Related Oncogene-α and Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor in Bronchial Epithelium: Implications for Airway Inflammation in Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: McAllister Florencia , Henry Adam , Kreindler James L. , Dubin Patricia J. , Ulrich Lauren , Steele Chad , Finder Jonathan D. , Pilewski Joseph M. , Carreno Beatriz M. , Goldman Samuel J. , Pirhonen Jaana , Kolls Jay K.
Published: April 2014

IL-17R signaling is critical for pulmonary neutrophil recruitment and host defense against Gram-negative bacteria through the coordinated release of G-CSF and CXC chemokine elaboration. In this study, we show that IL-17R is localized to basal airway cells in human lung tissue, and functional IL-17R signaling occurs on the basolateral surface of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. IL-17A and IL-17F were potent inducers of growth-related oncogene-α and G-CSF in HBE cells, and significant synergism was observed with TNF-α largely due to signaling via TNFRI. The activities of both IL-17A and IL-17F were blocked by a specific anti-IL-17R Ab, but only IL-17A was blocked with a soluble IL-17R, suggesting that cell membrane IL-17R is required for signaling by both IL-17A and IL-17F. Because IL-17A and IL-17F both regulate lung neutrophil recruitment, we measured these molecules as well as the proximal regulator IL-23p19 in the sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) undergoing pulmonary exacerbation. We found significantly elevated levels of these molecules in the sputum of patients with CF who were colonized with Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the time of pulmonary exacerbation, and the levels declined with therapy directed against P. aeruginosa. IL-23 and the downstream cytokines IL-17A and IL-17F are critical molecules for proinflammatory gene expression in HBE cells and are likely involved in the proinflammatory cytokine network involved with CF pathogenesis.
Novel Innate Immune Functions for Galectin-1: Galectin-1 Inhibits Cell Fusion by Nipah Virus Envelope Glycoproteins and Augments Dendritic Cell Secretion of Proinflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Levroney Ernest L. , Aguilar Hector C. , Fulcher Jennifer A. , Kohatsu Luciana , Pace Karen E. , Pang Mabel , Gurney Kevin B. , Baum Linda G. , Lee Benhur
Published: April 2014

Galectin-1 (gal-1), an endogenous lectin secreted by a variety of cell types, has pleiotropic immunomodulatory functions, including regulation of lymphocyte survival and cytokine secretion in autoimmune, transplant disease, and parasitic infection models. However, the role of gal-1 in viral infections is unknown. Nipah virus (NiV) is an emerging pathogen that causes severe, often fatal, febrile encephalitis. The primary targets of NiV are endothelial cells. NiV infection of endothelial cells results in cell-cell fusion and syncytia formation triggered by the fusion (F) and attachment (G) envelope glycoproteins of NiV that bear glycan structures recognized by gal-1. In the present study, we report that NiV envelope-mediated cell-cell fusion is blocked by gal-1. This inhibition is specific to the Paramyxoviridae family because gal-1 did not inhibit fusion triggered by envelope glycoproteins of other viruses, including two retroviruses and a pox virus, but inhibited fusion triggered by envelope glycoproteins of the related Hendra virus and another paramyxovirus. The physiologic dimeric form of gal-1 is required for fusion inhibition because a monomeric gal-1 mutant had no inhibitory effect on cell fusion. gal-1 binds to specific N-glycans on NiV glycoproteins and aberrantly oligomerizes NiV-F and NiV-G, indicating a mechanism for fusion inhibition. gal-1 also increases dendritic cell production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, known to be protective in the setting of other viral diseases such as Ebola infections. Thus, gal-1 may have direct antiviral effects and may also augment the innate immune response against this emerging pathogen.
Impact of Cutaneous IL-10 on Resident Epidermal Langerhans’ Cells and the Development of Polarized Immune Responses
Authors: Cumberbatch Marie , Clelland Kirsty , Dearman Rebecca J. , Kimber Ian
Published: April 2014

Prolonged topical exposure of BALB/c mice to chemical contact and respiratory allergens stimulates, respectively, preferential Th1- and Th2-type responses with respect to serum Ab isotype and cytokine secretion phenotypes displayed by draining lymph node cells. We now report that differential cytokine secretion patterns are induced rapidly in the skin following first exposure to the contact allergen 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and the respiratory sensitizer trimellitic anhydride (TMA). TMA induced early expression of IL-10, a cytokine implicated in the negative regulation of Langerhans cell (LC) migration, whereas exposure to DNCB resulted in production of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Associated with this, TMA provoked LC migration with delayed kinetics compared with DNCB, and local neutralization of IL-10 caused enhanced LC mobilization in response to TMA with concomitant up-regulation of cutaneous IL-1β. We hypothesize that these differential epidermal cytokine profiles contribute to the polarization of immune responses to chemical allergens via effects on the phenotype of activated dendritic cells arriving in the draining lymph node. Thus, TMA-exposed dendritic cells that have been conditioned in vivo with IL-10 (a potent inhibitor of the type 1-polarizing cytokine IL-12) are effective APCs for the development of a Th2-type response.
DNA Augments Antigenicity of Mycobacterial DNA-Binding Protein 1 and Confers Protection againstMycobacterium tuberculosisInfection in Mice
Authors: Matsumoto Sohkichi , Matsumoto Makoto , Umemori Kiyoko , Ozeki Yuriko , Furugen Makoto , Tatsuo Tomishige , Hirayama Yukio , Yamamoto Saburo , Yamada Takeshi , Kobayashi Kazuo
Published: April 2014

Mycobacterium consists up to 7% of mycobacterial DNA-binding protein 1 (MDP1) in total cellular proteins. Host immune responses to MDP1 were studied in mice to explore the antigenic properties of this protein. Anti-MDP1 IgG was produced after infection with either bacillus Calmette-Guérin or Mycobacterium tuberculosis in C3H/HeJ mice. However, the level of Ab was remarkably low when purified MDP1 was injected. MDP1 is considered to be associated with DNA in nucleoid, which contains immunostimulatory CpG motif. Therefore, we examined coadministration of MDP1 and DNA derived from M. tuberculosis. Consequently, this procedure significantly enhanced the production of MDP1-specific IgG. Five nanograms of DNA was enough to enhance MDP1-specific IgG production in the administration of 5 μg of MDP1 into mice. Strong immune stimulation by such a small amount of DNA is noteworthy, because >1,000- to 100,000-fold doses of CpG DNAs are used for immune activation. A synthetic peptide-based study showed that B cell epitopes were different between mice administered MDP1 alone and those given a mixture of MDP1 and DNA, suggesting that DNA alters the three-dimensional structure of MDP1. Coadministration of DNA also enhanced MDP1-specific IFN-γ production and reduced the bacterial burden of a following challenge of M. tuberculosis, showing that MDP1 is a novel vaccine target. Finally, we found that MDP1 remarkably enhanced TLR9-dependent immune stimulation by unmethylated CpG oligo DNA in vitro. To our knowledge, MDP1 is the first protein discovered that remarkably augments the CpG-mediated immune response and is a potential adjuvant for CpG DNA-based immune therapies.
Chlamydia trachomatisInduces Expression of IFN-γ-Inducible Protein 10 and IFN-β Independent of TLR2 and TLR4, but Largely Dependent on MyD88
Authors: Nagarajan Uma M. , Ojcius David M. , Stahl Lynn , Rank Roger G. , Darville Toni
Published: April 2014

IFN-γ-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) is a chemokine important in the attraction of T cells, which are essential for resolution of chlamydial genital tract infection. During infections with Gram-negative bacteria, the IP-10 response mediated through type I IFNs usually occurs as a result of TLR4 stimulation by bacterial LPS. However, we found that levels of IP-10 in genital tract secretions of Chlamydia trachomatis-infected female wild-type mice were similar to those of infected TLR2- and TLR4-deficient mice but significantly greater than those of infected MyD88-deficient mice. We investigated the mechanism of IP-10 and IFN-β induction during chlamydial infection using mouse macrophages and fibroblasts infected ex vivo. The induction of IP-10 and IFN-β was unchanged in Chlamydia-infected TLR2- and TLR4-deficient cells compared with wild-type cells. However, infection of MyD88-deficient cells resulted in significantly decreased responses. These results suggest a role for MyD88-dependent pathways in induction of IP-10 and IFN-β during chlamydial infection. Furthermore, treatment of infected macrophages with an endosomal maturation inhibitor significantly reduced chlamydial-induced IFN-β. Because endosomal maturation is required for MyD88-dependent intracellular pathogen recognition receptors to function, our data suggest a role for the intracellular pathogen recognition receptor(s) in induction of IFN-β and IP-10 during chlamydial infection. Furthermore, the intracellular pathways that lead to chlamydial-induced IFN-β function through TANK-binding kinase mediated phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of IFN regulatory factor-3.
Endotoxin Tolerance Disrupts Chromatin Remodeling and NF-κB Transactivation at the IL-1β Promoter
Authors: Chan Christopher , Li Liwu , McCall Charles E. , Yoza Barbara K.
Published: April 2014

The NF-κB family plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of highly lethal septicemia by modulating transcription of many innate and adaptive immunity genes. Two phases of NF-κB activation occur: cytosolic activation and nuclear transactivation. Septicemia with multiorgan failure is associated with chronic activation of cytosolic NF-κB with translocation and accumulation of increased levels of nuclear p65 in blood leukocytes. Paradoxically, NF-κB-dependent transcription of many proinflammatory genes responding to bacterial LPS endotoxin (LPS) is persistently repressed during septicemia; this phenomenon of LPS tolerance is associated with immunosuppression and poor prognosis. This report suggests an explanation for this paradox. Using an in vitro human leukocyte model and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we find that both the cytosolic activation and nuclear transactivation phases of NF-κB occur in LPS responsive THP-1 promonocytes with recruitment and binding of NF-κB p65 at the IL-1β promoter. However, transcriptionally repressed LPS-tolerant THP-1 cells do not bind NF-κB p65 at the IL-1β promoter, despite cytosolic activation and accumulation of p65 in the nucleus. In contrast, NF-κB p50, which also accumulates in the nucleus, constitutively binds to the IL-1β promoter NF-κB site in both LPS-responsive and LPS-tolerant cells. The level of p65 binding correlates with a binary shift in nucleosome remodeling between histone H3 phosphorylation at serine 10 and methylation of histone H3 at lysine 9. We conclude that LPS tolerance disrupts the transactivating stage of NF-κB p65 and altered nucleosome remodeling at the IL-1β promoter in human leukocytes.
Roles of Deletion and Regulation in Creating Mixed Chimerism and Allograft Tolerance Using a Nonlymphoablative Irradiation-Free Protocol
Authors: Domenig Christoph , Sanchez-Fueyo Alberto , Kurtz Josef , Alexopoulos Sophoclis P. , Mariat Christophe , Sykes Megan , Strom Terry B. , Zheng Xin Xiao
Published: April 2014

The induction of mixed chimerism (MC) is a powerful and effective means to achieve transplantation tolerance in rodent models. Host conditioning with irradiation or cytotoxic drugs has been used in many protocols for chimeric induction across allogeneic barriers. The deletion of alloreactive T cell clones has been described as the main mechanism responsible for the induction of a stable MC. In this study, we demonstrate that a stable MC and skin allograft tolerance can be established across MHC barriers by a noncytotoxic, irradiation-free approach using costimulation blockade plus rapamycin treatment. By using an adoptive transfer model of skin allograft and using specific Vβ TCR probes, we demonstrated that deletion of donor-reactive cytopathic T cell clones is indeed profound in tolerant hosts. Nonetheless, the challenge of tolerant mixed chimeras with 5 million mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) from naive syngeneic mice was neither able to abolish the stable MC nor to trigger skin allograft rejection, a hallmark of peripheral, not central tolerance. Furthermore, in an adoptive transfer model, MNLs harvested from tolerant hosts significantly inhibited the capacity of naive MNLs to reject same donor, but not third-party, skin allografts. Moreover, when we transplanted skin allografts from stable tolerant chimeras onto syngeneic immune-incompetent mice, graft-infiltrating T cells migrated from the graft site, expanded in the new host, and protected allografts from acute rejection by naive syngeneic MNLs. In this model, both deletional and immunoregulatory mechanisms are active during the induction and/or maintenance of allograft tolerance through creation of MC using a potentially clinically applicable regimen.