bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LP-BM5 murine retrovirus-induced immunodeficiency disease in allogeneic SCID chimeric mice. Inability to recognize a putative viral superantigen does not prevent induction of disease.
Authors: Gilmore G L , Cowing C , Mosier D E
Published: December 2022

T cell recognition of viral superantigens has been postulated to contribute to the pathogenesis of the immunodeficiency disease induced in mice by infection with the LP-BM5 murine leukemia virus complex. A candidate superantigen has been identified in the B cell lymphoma line B6-1710 derived from an LP-BM5-infected C57BL/6 (H-2b) mouse. We have asked whether the stimulatory activity expressed by B6-1710 behaves as a superantigen by assessing the ability of T cells from fully allogeneic H-2b-->H-2d SCID chimeric mice to respond to the line. T cells from allochimeric mice failed to respond to B6-1710, whereas they responded normally to Staphylococcus enterotoxin B, a well characterized superantigen. Despite this finding, allochimeric mice were fully susceptible to the immune deficiency disease induced by LP-BM5 virus infection. These findings show that the role of superantigen expression in retrovirus-induced immune deficiency disease remains to be defined.
T cell receptor antagonism mediated by interaction between T cell receptor junctional residues and peptide antigen analogues.
Authors: Ostrov D , Krieger J , Sidney J , Sette A , Concannon P
Published: December 2022

A major objective of new rational immunosuppressive therapies is to be able to inhibit deleterious T cell responses in an Ag-specific manner. Recently, a novel approach to inducing Ag-specific nonresponsiveness in T cells, termed receptor or TCR antagonism, has been described. Several analogues of the influenza hemagglutinin (H3) peptide HA307-319 were shown to block recognition of the native HA307-319 peptide by a DR1-restricted T cell clone at concentrations 1,000- to 10,000-fold less than required to competitively inhibit HA307-319 binding to DR1. These Ag analogues that inhibited T cell recognition differed from the stimulatory antigenic peptide only at single positions. How such limited changes affect the ternary complex interactions of TCR, peptide, and DR remains unclear. In the present study, we have utilized two different DR5-restricted T cell clones that exhibit mutually exclusive specificities for HA peptides with or without substitutions at position 313 to investigate the molecular requirements for receptor antagonism. In this reciprocal model system, we show that a single peptide/DR complex can antagonize one T cell clone while stimulating another. A comparison of nucleotide sequences derived from the TCR of the T cell clones that were either antagonized or stimulated by the peptide analogue/DR5 complex indicated that the different responses of these T cells result from minor differences in the amino acid residues in junctional regions that most likely interact directly with position 313 of the peptide analogues. Our results suggest that TCR antagonism is an Ag-specific phenomenon in which T cells are inhibited by interactions involving TCR residues required for the recognition of conventional Ag and the altered residues in peptide analogues.
HB4 antibody recognizes a carbohydrate structure on lymphocyte surface proteins related to HB6, CDw75, and CD76 antigens.
Authors: De Lau W B , Kuipers J , Voshol H , Clevers H , Bast B J
Published: December 2022

Cells regulate the specificity of the carbohydrate chains on their membrane-bound glycoconjugates by differential expression of glycosyltransferases. In lymphocytes, beta-galactoside alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase is reportedly involved in the generation of epitopes recognized by HB6, CDw75, and CD76 mAb. The HB4 mAb binds to an Ag present on subpopulations of B and NK cells. We now show that this Ag represents another member of a set of neuraminidase-sensitive, alpha 2,6-sialyltransferase-generated sugar Ag. Transient expression of a cDNA encoding this enzyme in COS cells generated a minor population of HB4+ cells that was completely contained within the HB6+ COS cell population. Using various proteinases and an inhibitor of N-linked carbohydrate processing, we show both epitopes to represent components of N-glycosylated membrane proteins. Remarkably, porcine thyroglobulin, an alpha 2,6-NeuAc+ glycoprotein, is specifically recognized by both mAb. These data underline a close relationship between HB4 and HB6 epitopes and imply further that both mAb react with oligosaccharide chains irrespective of the carrier molecule nature. Thus, the terminal sugar residue sialic acid plays a pivotal role in at least four distinct epitopes that are expressed differentially in immune cells. This may point at an important role for these epitopes in biologic recognition.
Genomic structure and chromosomal mapping of the human CD22 gene.
Authors: Wilson G L , Najfeld V , Kozlow E , Menniger J , Ward D , Kehrl J H
Published: December 2022

The human CD22 gene is expressed specifically in B lymphocytes and likely has an important function in cell-cell interactions. A nearly full length human CD22 cDNA clone was used to isolate genomic clones that span the CD22 gene. The CD22 gene is spread over 22 kb of DNA and is composed of 15 exons. The first exon contains the major transcriptional start sites. The translation initiation codon is located in exon 3, which also encodes a portion of the signal peptide. Exons 4 to 10 encode the seven Ig domains of CD22, exon 11 encodes the transmembrane domain, exons 12 to 15 encode the intracytoplasmic domain of CD22, and exon 15 also contains the 3' untranslated region. A minor form of CD22 mRNA likely results from splicing of exon 5 to exon 8, skipping exons 6 and 7. A 4.6-kb XbaI fragment of the CD22 gene was used to map the chromosomal location of CD22 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The hybridization locus was identified by combining fluorescent images of the probe with the chromosomal banding pattern generated by an Alu probe. The results demonstrate that CD22 is located within the band region q13.1 of chromosome 19. Two closely clustered major transcription start sites and several minor start sites were mapped by primer extension. Similarly to many other lymphoid-specific genes, the CD22 promoter lacks an obvious TATA box. Approximately 4 kb of DNA 5' of the transcription start sites were sequenced and found to contain multiple Alu elements. Potential binding sites for the transcriptional factors NF-kappa B, AP-1, and Oct-2 are located within 300 bp 5' of the major transcription start sites. A 400-bp fragment (bp -339 through +71) of the CD22 promoter region was subcloned into a pGEM-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase vector and after transfection into B and T cells was found to be active in both B and T cells. Further studies of the CD22 gene should lead to a greater understanding of the expression of CD22 during B cell development and differentiation.
Microvascular effects of complement blockade with soluble recombinant CR1 on ischemia/reperfusion injury of skeletal muscle.
Authors: Pemberton M , Anderson G , Vĕtvicka V , Justus D E , Ross G D
Published: December 2022

Reperfusion of ischemic tissue is associated with tissue injury greater than that resulting from ischemia alone. C activation has been hypothesized to mediate the so-called ischemia/reperfusion injury through both membrane attack and C5a-dependent recruitment of neutrophils to sites of C3 fixation on the endothelium via C3 receptors. Adherence of neutrophils is preconditional to expression of their deleterious effects, which are central to the pathophysiology of ischemia/reperfusion injury. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of inhibition of C activation on ischemia/reperfusion injury using a soluble and truncated recombinant human CR1 (sCR1) molecule, a "tail-less" form of the membrane C3b/C4b receptor (CD35) that functions as a regulator of C activation. Capillary perfusion and leukocyte adherence to venular endothelium were measured after reperfusion in a mouse cremaster muscle model that allowed microscopic video observation of microcirculatory changes. Infusion i.v. with sCR1 before a 4-h period of ischemia and during a 3-h subsequent period of reperfusion prevented the increase in leukocyte adherence to venular endothelium seen in controls, and enhanced the number of reperfusing capillaries by 55%. Trypan blue staining showed an increase in muscle cell viability from 11 to 50% in mice receiving sCR1 as compared to controls. Tests of blood samples from mice infused with sCR1 demonstrated nearly complete inhibition of the mouse alternative pathway of C activation, but no detectable loss of the mouse classical pathway of C activation. It was concluded that C activation in this model of skeletal muscle injury is likely to be due to the alternative pathway, and that inhibition of C activation during reperfusion inhibits leukocyte adherence to blood vessel walls and protects the capillary microcirculation.
Cloning and expression of immunologically active recombinant Amb a V allergen of short ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen.
Authors: Ghosh B , Perry M P , Rafnar T , Marsh D G
Published: December 2022

We have cloned and sequenced Amb a V, an Ambrosia artemisiifolia (short ragweed) pollen allergen that has proved to be particularly useful in the genetic analysis of human immune responsiveness. The amino acid sequence deduced from the cloned cDNA sequence corresponds to the published sequence of the protein, except that the cDNA sequence encodes an extra 10 amino acids at the C-terminus. The expressed 55-residue protein is then presumably cleaved enzymatically at the C-terminal lysine found in the 45-residue protein isolated from the pollen. The cloning and sequencing of Amb a V genomic DNA confirmed the cDNA sequence and showed that the Amb a V gene has no introns. Recombinant Amb a V allergen, expressed in Escherichia coli, bound to IgG and IgE antibodies in all Amb a V-allergic individuals tested and inhibition studies demonstrated that the recombinant protein contains a subset of the antigenic epitopes found on native Amb a V. In addition, recombinant Amb a V released histamine efficiently from basophils from Amb a V-allergic patients. The recombinant Amb a V allergen and mutants of Amb a V should, therefore, be useful in studies of allergen epitopes in humans, as well as providing a diagnostic tool.
Anergized T cell clones retain their cytolytic ability.
Authors: Go C , Lancki D W , Fitch F W , Miller J
Published: December 2022

CD4+ T cells have been described to have both helper and lytic function. The helper function of Th1 cells in particular can be inactivated by inducing the T cell into a state of nonresponsiveness in which the T cell is no longer capable of producing IL-2 or proliferating in an autocrine way to a conventional antigenic stimulus. To determine whether the lytic ability of Th1 cells can also be rendered nonfunctional upon anergy induction, we induced Th1 clones into a nonresponsive state and tested their ability to lyse target cells in an Ag-specific and MHC class II-restricted manner. We show that cells newly induced into an anergic state were able to lyse target cells nonspecifically. This effect was short-lived and after resting in culture media, the cells regained their ability to lyse target cells in an Ag/MHC-specific manner, and this ability was comparable to normal resting T cells. In contrast, the helper function of these cells remained nonresponsive, and the cells were unable to proliferate or to secrete IL-2 in response to the same antigenic stimulus used for lysis. Therefore, the lytic pathway appears to be regulated separately from the proliferative/lymphokine pathway(s) and is not affected long-term by an anergic stimulus.
IL-2-independent activity of IL-7 in the generation of secondary antigen-specific cytotoxic T cell responses in vitro.
Authors: Kos F J , Müllbacher A
Published: December 2022

Purified CD8+ splenocytes from influenza virus strain A/WSN/33 (H1N1)-immune BALB/c (H-2d) mice responded to a synthetic peptide, synthetic influenza nucleoprotein peptide 147-158 R-, with a sequence (147-158 R156-) derived from influenza A virus nucleoprotein with high affinity for Kd class I MHC molecules, with the generation of effector cytotoxic T (Tc) cells specific for influenza A virus-infected target cells in vitro. The process of the conversion of synthetic influenza nucleoprotein peptide 147-158R- -Kd-responding memory Tc into effector Tc cells requires Ag in the form of peptide associated with Kd class I MHC molecules and the presence of endogenously produced IL-2 by CD8+ T cells. Under blockade of utilization of endogenous IL-2 by mAb to IL-2 or IL-2R, no effector Tc cells were generated, but the addition of IL-7 restored the process of the conversion of CD8+ memory into effector Tc cells and significantly enhanced the specific cytolytic activity of Tc cells above those of controls. IL-7-reactive cells were found in both IL-2Rhigh- and IL-2Rlow-expressing responder CD8+ T cells. We conclude that the requirement for endogenous IL-2 in Ag-induced conversion of CD8+ memory Tc cells into effector Tc cells can be replaced by exogenous IL-7. This demonstrates that IL-7 is a potent regulatory cytokine with similar activity to IL-2 and may act independently of IL-2 in the Ag-specific activation of memory CD8+ Tc cells.
Pertussis toxin-sensitive factor differentially regulates lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha and nitric oxide production in mouse peritoneal macrophages.
Authors: Zhang X , Morrison D C
Published: December 2022

It has been established that LPS, the major constituent of the outer membrane of gram negative bacteria, stimulates macrophages to produce numerous inflammatory mediators, including TNF-alpha and nitric oxide (NO). Both TNF-alpha and NO are important in the macrophage-mediated cytotoxicity against invading microorganisms and tumor cells. Although many LPS-dependent immune responses have been well characterized phenomenologically, the precise signal transduction pathways in LPS-induced macrophage activation are not clear. We reported that 1) pretreatment of C3HeB/FeJ mouse peritoneal macrophages with pertussis toxin (PT) markedly enhanced LPS-induced TNF-alpha production but inhibited LPS-dependent NO production under the same conditions; 2) kinetics of the PT effects on these LPS-responses were correlated with PT-mediated ADP-ribosylation of a 41-kDa protein(s); and 3) PT pretreatment did not correct the refractory states of C3H/HeJ macrophages to wild type smooth-LPS. These results suggest that LPS stimulates TNF-alpha and NO production in mouse peritoneal macrophages through different biochemical pathways, and that the signal transduction for both pathways is regulated by a PT-sensitive factor. It is possible that this factor is a guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein(s). Finally our data indicate that it is unlikely that the defect of the C3H/HeJ macrophages in response to LPS is at the level of this PT-sensitive factor.
T cell-induced suppression of IgG2ab expression in vivo leads to a large reduction of C gamma 2ab mRNA levels.
Authors: Bénaroch P , Georgatsou E , Bordenave G
Published: December 2022

In the T cell-induced suppression of IgG2ab expression, the level at which B cells are blocked in their development to IgG2ab-producing plasma cells was investigated. Although IgG2ab+ lymphocytes were barely detected in normal and IgG2ab-suppressed mice, intracellular IgG2ab was only detected in crude cell extracts from normal mice. B lymphocytes producing IgG2ab were revealed in T cell-depleted splenocytes from normal mice (86 +/- 15/10(6) cells), whereas corresponding cell preparations from IgG2ab-suppressed mice were completely free of such lymphocytes. However, in vitro stimulation of cell preparations from both normal and IgG2ab-suppressed mice with LPS plus rIFN-gamma resulted in IgG2ab production. Accounting for differences in spleen size between the two types of mice, these stimuli induced comparable cell proliferation and numbers of IgG2ab-producing lymphocytes. In addition, the level of IgG2ab production per cell was similar in the two types of stimulated cells. This demonstrates that normal and IgG2ab-suppressed mice have the same potential to generate IgG2ab-producing cells. By using a sensitive and specific RNase protection assay, C gamma 2ab transcripts were detected in total RNA preparations from IgG2ab-suppressed mice. The levels of C gamma 2ab gene expression in spleen were much lower (between 150 and 400 times less) in IgG2ab-suppressed mice than in normal mice. Taken together, our data suggest that B lymphocytes committed to IgG2ab production represent the target of CD8+ T cells, which we have previously shown to be required for suppression. The target B cells are very efficiently and rapidly silenced, as demonstrated by the absence of detectable serum IgG2ab and corresponding low levels of C gamma 2ab mRNA.
B lymphocyte development and activation independent of MHC class II expression.
Authors: Markowitz J S , Rogers P R , Grusby M J , Parker D C , Glimcher L H
Published: December 2022

A murine model of MHC class II deficiency created by targeted gene disruption was used to investigate whether class II expression influences B cell maturation and function. There appeared to be fewer total B cell precursors, a higher proportion of which were in a very early stage of maturation, in class II-deficient vs control bone marrow; however, the differences did not reach statistical significance. Mature B cells were unaffected; IgM, IgD, B220, and CD5 surface expression were similar in class II-deficient and control animals. Serum Ig determinations revealed that the class II-deficient animals had elevated IgM but decreased IgG1 (and, variably, IgE) compared to control. The antibody response against thymic-independent Ag was intact in class II-animals, as was the in vitro response of small resting B cells from class II deficient animals to stimulation with polyclonal B cell activators. Preactivated T cells were able to induce differentiation and proliferation of class II-deficient, small resting B cells. Together, these data indicate that B cell development, T cell-independent, and T cell-dependent B-cell activation, can occur independently of class II MHC expression.
Differential effect of polymorphism at HLA-DR1 beta-chain positions 85 and 86 on binding and recognition of DR1-restricted antigenic peptides.
Authors: Newton-Nash D K , Eckels D D
Published: December 2022

The valine-glycine dimorphism at position 86 of the DR beta-chain exhibited by most DR alleles has been shown to affect peptide binding. We demonstrate that DR1-restricted antigenic peptides differ in the extent to which binding is affected by amino acid substitution at positions 85 and 86 of the DR1 beta-chain. Binding of peptides derived from influenza hemagglutinin (HA306-320) and tetanus toxin (TT830-843) but not influenza matrix protein (MP19-31) was diminished on cells expressing DR1 beta-chains encoded by DRB1*0102 relative to DRB1*0101. The presence of tyrosine within HA306-320 and TT830-843 vs leucine within MP19-31 at a single DR contact position was revealed by alignment of the peptides according to a DR-binding motif. HA306-320 bearing leucine at this position (HA 306-320L309) bound to DR1 possessing either DRB1*0101- or DRB1*0102-encoded beta-chains suggesting that DR residues may discriminate among peptides based upon amino acid identity at a single position within the peptide. Furthermore, whereas all HA306-320-specific T cell clones recognized HA306-320L309 in the context of DR1 molecules possessing DRB1*0102-encoded beta-chains, some T cell clones failed to recognize HA306-320L309 in the context of DR1 molecules possessing DRB1*0101-encoded beta-chains. These results suggest that peptide conformation may also be affected by amino acid substitution at positions 85 and or 86 of the DR1 beta-chain.
Herpes simplex virus class I-restricted peptide induces cytotoxic T lymphocytes in vivo independent of CD4+ T cells.
Authors: Vasilakos J P , Michael J G
Published: December 2022

Cytotoxic T cells were induced in vivo by immunizing C57BL/6 mice with a single dose of a short synthetic peptide representing amino acid residues 497-507 from HSV-1 glycoprotein B. Primed lymph node cells did not require in vitro boosting with peptide and APC for CTL detection. The CTL were CD8+ and H-2b restricted. They were capable of lysing target cells exogenously sensitized with peptide or endogenously processed glycoprotein B. Virus-primed CTL produced an anamnestic response in vivo upon peptide challenge, indicating that peptide-specific CTL may be relevant to infection. The requirement of CD4+ T cells for CD8+ CTL activation was investigated by depleting CD4+ cells in vivo with GK1.5 mAb. CD4+ T cell depletion did not abrogate CTL generation. These results suggest that glycoprotein B peptide 497-507 activates CD8+ CTL in vivo in a manner independent of CD4+ T cells. This is the first study in which a class I-restricted peptide derived from a HSV protein was used to activate CTL in vivo, and in which a synthetic peptide was shown to activate CTL independent of CD4+ T cell help. Our data are relevant to viral vaccine development and to processing and presentation of viral epitopes.
The oligomeric nature of the murine Fc epsilon RII/CD23. Implications for function.
Authors: Dierks S E , Bartlett W C , Edmeades R L , Gould H J , Rao M , Conrad D H
Published: December 2022

The low affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RII/CD23) is a type II integral membrane protein with an extracellular C-terminal region homologous to C-type animal lectins. Immediately adjacent to this lectin homology region is a sequence that is predicted to form an alpha-helical coiled-coil stalk leading to dimer or trimer formation. This provides an explanation for the known self-associative capacity for the Fc epsilon RII. In this study the self-association to a trimer or tetramer is shown with rFc epsilon RII by chemical cross-linking and affinity purification on IgE columns. The data indicate that only the oligomeric form of Fc epsilon RII has sufficient affinity/avidity to bind to an IgE adsorbent. In contrast, Fc epsilon RII that is purified using anti-Fc epsilon RII mAb adsorbents has largely lost its capacity to bind IgE, as well as its capacity to self-associate, indicating that IgE recognizes the oligomeric form of the Fc epsilon RII. This phenomenon was further examined by performing detailed binding analysis of the mouse IgE/Fc epsilon RII interaction. A biphasic binding curve with high (2-7 x 10(7) M-1) and low (2-7 x 10(6) M-1) affinity binding was seen. Fc epsilon RII mutants were prepared that lack one or more of the 21 amino acid homologous repeat domains in the stalk region of the molecule. These mutant Fc epsilon RII molecules bound IgE with only a single low affinity (5-10 x 10(6) M-1). In addition, cross-linking analysis of one of these mutants demonstrated that it does not exhibit the receptor self-association seen for the intact Fc epsilon RII. Two chimeric Fc epsilon RII molecules were prepared having the mouse Fc epsilon RII lectin homology (carboxyl-terminal) region and the stalk region of either the related human Fc epsilon RII or the corresponding domain of Ly-49. Chimeric molecules using the former (alpha-helical coiled-coil) stalk supported normal binding of IgE although the Ly-49/Fc epsilon RII chimera failed to bind IgE. Taken together, the results indicate that high (approximately 10(8) M-1) affinity IgE binding results from interaction of multiple lectin domains with (presumably) symmetrical sites on the IgE molecule. Specificity for IgE is determined by the lectin domain although the binding avidity is determined by oligomerization through the coiled coil stalk.
Hydrolysis of myelin basic protein in myelin membranes by granzymes of large granular lymphocytes.
Authors: Vanguri P , Lee E , Henkart P , Shin M L
Published: December 2022

Immune-mediated demyelination initially manifests as a separation of myelin lamellae followed by loss of myelin proteins and eventual loss of myelin membranes. Myelin basic protein, one of the major structural proteins of myelin, is highly vulnerable to various proteases derived from diverse cell types. Killer lymphocytes such as CTL, in addition to other immune effectors, have been implicated in inflammatory demyelination. In addition to a pore forming peptide, the granules of CTL and large granular lymphocytes (LGL) contain a number of serine esterases collectively called as granzymes. We studied the effect of these granule enzymes on myelin and found that LGL granule-extracts (LGL-g) hydrolyzed MBP in myelin membranes. LGL-g also cleaved purified MBP at neutral pH in a Ca2+ independent manner and this hydrolysis was inhibited by serine esterase inhibitors. In addition, absorption of LGL-g with antigranzyme A significantly reduced MBP hydrolysis. These findings implicated the granzymes in LGL-g, especially granzyme A, as the agent causing MBP degradation. Inasmuch as activation of CTL in the vicinity of myelinated axons can lead to granule exocytosis, hydrolysis of MBP by granzymes may be a significant event in myelin destruction.
Involvement of IFN-gamma and transforming growth factor-beta in graft-vs-host reaction-associated immunosuppression.
Authors: Huchet R , Bruley-Rosset M , Mathiot C , Grandjon D , Halle-Pannenko O
Published: December 2022

The mechanisms of the suppressive activity of spleen cells from mice undergoing a graft-vs-host reaction (GVH) to non-H-2 histocompatibility Ag were investigated. In our model GVH is induced by injecting bone marrow and spleen cells from B10.D2 (H-2d Mlsb) donors into lethally irradiated (DBA/2 x B10.D2)F1 (H-2d/d Mlsa/b) recipients that differ only with regard to non-H-2 Ag. GVH spleen cells inhibit the mitogenic responses to Con A and LPS, as well as the anti-bromelain-treated mouse RBC (Br-MRBC) antibody response. This suppression was nonspecific and non-H-2-restricted and was not modified after treatment with anti-Thy-1 plus C. Conversely it was abrogated after treatment with L-leucyl methyl ester. These features permitted the identification of non-T cell, L-leucyl methyl ester-sensitive, cells involved in this type of suppression. The suppression mediated by GVH spleen cells was linked to the activity of IFN-gamma and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) (TGF-beta 1 was found to be synthesized by GVH spleen T cells). mAb to IFN-gamma abrogated the suppression of the mitogenic response to Con A and the anti-Br-MRBC response and slightly reversed the suppression of the mitogenic response to LPS. Anti-TGF-beta 1 antibody partially abrogated the suppression of the mitogenic response to LPS and totally abrogated that of the anti-Br-MRBC response but left unmodified the suppression of the mitogenic response to Con A. These results are discussed within the framework of the mechanisms underlying the immunosuppression associated with GVH.
Cytokine production by human fetal microglia and astrocytes. Differential induction by lipopolysaccharide and IL-1 beta.
Authors: Lee S C , Liu W , Dickson D W , Brosnan C F , Berman J W
Published: December 2022

As part of a study on the role of cytokines in central nervous system development and dysfunction, we determined the pattern of cytokine production in highly purified cultures of microglia and astrocytes isolated from second-trimester human fetal brains. Levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 mRNA and protein were determined by Northern blot analysis and ELISA before and after stimulation with LPS, TNF-alpha, or IL-1 beta. In microglia, LPS induced mRNA for all three cytokines. High protein levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were also found in the medium, whereas IL-1 beta protein was mostly cell associated. IL-1 beta also induced message for all three cytokines, in the rank order of IL-1 beta > IL-6 > TNF-alpha. TNF-alpha induced mRNA and protein for IL-1 beta but not for TNF-alpha or IL-6. In contrast, LPS failed to stimulate either mRNA or protein expression for any of the three cytokines in astrocytes. On the other hand, IL-1 beta provided a strong stimulus for astrocytes. IL-1 beta induced mRNA and protein for both TNF-alpha and IL-6, but the kinetics of the response differed for the two cytokines. TNF-alpha mRNA and protein levels peaked early (at 4 h and 16 h, respectively) and were undetectable by 72 h, whereas IL-6 mRNA peaked later (at 16 h) and protein levels continued to accumulate in the medium through 72 h. IL-1 beta did not induce IL-1 beta mRNA or protein in astrocytes. TNF-alpha did not induce expression of any of the cytokines in astrocytes. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that cytokine production can be induced in human fetal microglia and astrocytes but that the stimuli for induction differed significantly for the two cell types. Whereas LPS was a potent stimulus for microglia, astrocytes primarily responded to IL-1 beta. The data further suggest that microglia may be key regulators of astrocyte response, working primarily through the expression of cell-associated IL-1 beta.
Sequence analysis and antigenic cross-reactivity of a venom allergen, antigen 5, from hornets, wasps, and yellow jackets.
Authors: Lu G , Villalba M , Coscia M R , Hoffman D R , King T P
Published: December 2022

Ag 5 is a major allergen of vespid venom. The complete amino acid sequences of Ag 5 from two species each of hornets (Dolichovespula arenaria and maculata), wasps (Polistes annularis and exclamans), and yellow jackets (Vespula maculifrons and vulgaris) have been determined by amino acid sequencing and/or cDNA cloning. The sequence data reveal several conserved and variable regions for vespid Ag 5. The conserved regions show greater sequence similarity than do the less conserved regions to a family of proteins from human, mouse, and rat testis and to a class of pathogenesis-related proteins from tobacco and tomato leaves. Tests in the murine system for both T and B cell responses demonstrate a high degree of cross-reactivity of hornet Ag 5 with wasp or yellow jacket Ag 5 and a low degree of cross-reactivity of yellow jacket Ag 5 with wasp Ag 5. This pattern of cross-reactivity is in the same order as their sequence similarity.
Separation of T helper 1 clone cytolysis from proliferation and lymphokine production using analog peptides.
Authors: Evavold B D , Sloan-Lancaster J , Hsu B L , Allen P M
Published: December 2022

In this report, we investigate the activation of Th1 clones using altered TCR ligand. By changing the immunogenic peptide, cytolytic function can be separated from proliferative and lymphokine responses. These three responses were examined and dissected in two Th1 clones using analogs of the murine hemoglobin [Hb(64-76)] peptide. This analysis was focused on amino acids in the immunogenic peptide that were possible T cell contact residues. Typically, several amino acids were identified as critical contact residues for a Th1 proliferative response. An examination of lymphokine production (IFN-gamma or IL-3) revealed the same pattern of response to the analog peptides indicating that the proliferative and lymphokine responses were directly related. However, for cytolysis, fewer amino acid residues were identified as critical contact residues for effector function. Thus, some altered peptide ligands allowed the disassociation of the cytolytic function from the proliferative and lymphokine responses in Th1 clones. To extend these findings, the activation of T cell hybridomas created from the Th1 clones were similarly examined using the altered TCR ligands. The lymphokine response (IL-2) of the T cell hybridomas identified the same critical amino acids as did the cytolytic response of the Th1 clones. Thus, analog peptides partially activated the Th1 clones such that cytolysis occurred independent from proliferative and lymphokine responses.
Cytolytic activity of murine CD4+ T cell clones correlates with IFN-gamma production in mouse strains having a BALB/c background.
Authors: McKisic M D , Lancki D W , Fitch F W
Published: December 2022

CD4+ murine T cell clones were derived from various strains of mice, and their pattern of lymphokine secretion and cytolytic activity was compared. Limiting dilution cultures were established with lymph node cells from mice sensitized with OVA. Alloreactive CD4+ T cell clones also were derived in limiting dilution cultures prepared with naive BALB/c-H-2dm2 lymph node cells stimulated with irradiated BALB/c splenocytes. A total of 24 days elapsed between establishment of cultures and analysis of lymphokine production and cytolytic activity. Cytolytic capacity was assessed by using target cells that had been pulsed with Ag or coated with anti-CD3 mAb. We observed that: 1) the frequency of OVA-reactive T cells from various mouse strains was approximately the same; 2) both Th1 and Th2 cells as well as cells not encompassed within these categories could be lytic if derived from DBA/2, B10.D2, B10.A, C57BL/10, or C57BL/6 mice; and 3) the vast majority of CD4+ cloned T cells derived from BALB/c, BALB/c-H-2dm2, BALB.B, or BALB.K that did not produce IFN-gamma (including Th2 cells) did not exhibit cytolytic activity, whereas most clones derived from these strains that produced IFN-gamma were cytolytic. These observations indicate that both Th1 and Th2 cells from several mouse strains express cytolytic activity. Such cytolytic activity was not restricted to clones maintained in long term cultures. However, genes outside the MHC appeared to regulate the cytolytic activity of T cells. In particular, CD4+ T cell clones which did not produce IFN-gamma were not cytolytic when they were derived from BALB/c mice and mutant or MHC congenic inbred mice having a BALB background. Cytolytic activity of CD4+ T cells, in addition to the pattern of lymphokine production, may be important in graft rejection and in immune responses to infectious diseases.
Picolinic acid, a catabolite of L-tryptophan, is a costimulus for the induction of reactive nitrogen intermediate production in murine macrophages.
Authors: Melillo G , Cox G W , Radzioch D , Varesio L
Published: December 2022

In this study we investigated the effects of picolinic acid, a catabolite of L-tryptophan, on the production of L-arginine-derived reactive nitrogen intermediates in the murine macrophage cell line ANA-1. ANA-1 macrophages did not produce nitrite (NO2-) constitutively, but accumulated detectable levels of NO2- on exposure to IFN-gamma. Picolinic acid, although ineffective by itself, augmented IFN-gamma-induced NO2- production. The activity of picolinic acid was evident at 1 mM and reached its maximum at 4 mM. Picolinic acid also augmented the IFN-gamma-dependent expression of TNF-alpha mRNA, but did not appreciably affect the secretion of the TNF-alpha protein. Neutralizing concentrations of anti-TNF mAb completely abrogated IFN-gamma- and IFN-gamma plus rTNF-alpha-induced NO2- production in ANA-1 macrophages, but only decreased by approximately 50% the synergistic interaction between IFN-gamma and picolinic acid. Although IL-4 inhibited the expression of IFN-gamma plus picolinic acid-induced TNF-alpha mRNA and protein, it only partially suppressed picolinic acid-dependent NO2- production. Therefore, picolinic acid may affect NO2- production via both TNF-alpha-dependent and TNF-alpha-independent pathways. Overall, this study suggests that amino acid catabolites may be important for the activation and the expression of effector functions by murine macrophages, and provides the first evidence of a possible connection between tryptophan and arginine metabolism.
Contrasting effects of transforming growth factor-beta and IL-1 on the regulation of plasminogen activator inhibitors in human synovial fibroblasts.
Authors: Hamilton J A , Wojta J , Gallichio M , McGrath K , Filonzi E L
Published: December 2022

TGF-beta increased in a dose-dependent manner the production of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in cultured human synovial fibroblast-like cells, as measured by ELISA. Significant increases in PAI-1 were first detected in cell supernatants within 4 h after cytokine addition. Increases were also observed in PAI-1 mRNA expression. IL-1 suppressed these increases in PAI-1 Ag and mRNA. In contrast, when PAI-2 levels were measured by ELISA, TGF-beta did not raise them but inhibited slightly the enhancement caused by IL-1 of PAI-2 Ag and mRNA. Therefore TGF-beta selectively stimulates the formation of one PAI; TGF-beta and IL-1 have opposing effects on PAI-1 and PAI-2 synthesis in the synovial cells. These findings are proposed to help define the control of fibrinolysis and tissue remodeling in the rheumatoid synovium.
Mechanism of release of soluble forms of tumor necrosis factor/lymphotoxin receptors by phorbol myristate acetate-stimulated human THP-1 cells in vitro.
Authors: Hwang C , Gatanaga M , Granger G A , Gatanaga T
Published: December 2022

The mechanism involved in the release of the soluble forms of 55 and 75 kDa TNF and lymphotoxin (LT) membrane receptors was studied in a continuous human monocytic cell line, THP-1, in vitro. THP-1 cells were found to spontaneously release soluble forms of both 55 and 75 kDa TNF/LT receptors. Release was up-regulated by PMA, and optimal release was achieved at 10(-8) M PMA. Serine protease inhibitors such as PMSF,3,4 dichloroisocoumarin, N alpha-p-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK), and N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK) were found to inhibit the production of both soluble TNF/LT receptors. PMSF (2 mM) also blocked receptors shedding from paraformaldehyde-fixed THP-1 cells coincubated with conditioned media from PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells. Colchicine at 1 and 10 microM stimulated the production of both soluble TNF/LT receptors, but the PMA-induced release of both soluble TNF/LT receptors was inhibited. It appears that the PMA-induced release of soluble TNF/LT receptors involves serine proteases in the extracellular space where the soluble parts of the TNF/LT receptors are cleaved directly off the cell membrane.
Developmental regulation of IL-4, IL-2, and IFN-gamma production by murine peripheral T lymphocytes.
Authors: Adkins B , Ghanei A , Hamilton K
Published: December 2022

Lymph node T cells from naive, 4-day-old neonatal mice resemble activated adult T cells in that they produce low levels of IL-2 but high levels of IL-4 in response to anti-CD3 stimulation in vitro. Herein, we show that the capacity for high level IL-4 production is rapidly lost in the early postnatal period. A decline is first evident at 5 days postbirth. By 6 days postbirth, T cells secrete IL-4 at low levels, similar to those produced by T cells from naive, adult animals. In contrast, the acquisition of high, adultlike IL-2 or IFN-gamma production does not occur until approximately 6 wk of life. Thus, the loss of high level IL-4 production and the acquisition of high level IL-2 and IFN-gamma production are distinct developmental events, occurring at widely separated intervals. There are two phases in the transition to adultlike IL-2 production. In the early neonatal period, the underproduction of IL-2 appears to be due to a combination of intrinsic nonresponsiveness to CD3-mediated stimulation and the production of a soluble inhibitor of IL-2 production. The inhibitory activity required the presence of IL-4 because neutralizing anti-IL-4 antibody completely eliminated inhibition. Moreover, experiments using rIL-4 showed that IL-4 alone was sufficient to dramatically inhibit IL-2 production by T cells from naive, adult animals in a primary stimulation. Between 4 to 5 days and 6 wk of life, the underproduction of IL-2 and IFN-gamma appears to result solely from a lowered responsiveness of the T cells. Thus, the progression to adultlike lymphokine production involves a combination of changes in the types of lymphokines produced and in the magnitude of the response to activation signals.
Presentation of cytosolic antigen by HLA-DR requires a function encoded in the class II region of the MHC.
Authors: Malnati M S , Ceman S , Weston M , DeMars R , Long E O
Published: December 2022

The processing pathway for the MHC class II-restricted presentation of endogenous cytosolic Ag is distinct from the class I pathway since a cytosolic form of the influenza virus A hemagglutinin, expressed by a recombinant vaccinia virus, was presented by HLA-DR in a B cell mutant lacking the TAP1 subunit of the transporter for Ag presentation (TAP). In this report, two additional B cell mutants have been used to define the requirements of this TAP1-independent processing pathway. The first mutant, .61, lacks expression of both TAP1 and TAP2 genes, and of both LMP2 and LMP7 genes encoding proteasome subunits. As expected, class I-restricted presentation of the influenza virus matrix protein was totally deficient in mutant .61. In contrast, class II-restricted presentation of both the natural cytosolic matrix and the engineered cytosolic hemagglutinin proteins was functional in mutant .61. Thus, presentation of cytosolic Ag by class II molecules is independent of both TAP subunits and of the two MHC-encoded proteasome subunits. However, this endogenous processing pathway is dependent on at least one other function encoded in the class II region of the MHC as demonstrated with the second mutant, .174, in which a large deletion eliminates all expressed class II genes. Mutant .174 transfected with HLA-DR1 genes was previously shown to be defective in the presentation of exogenous Ag but normal in the presentation of short exogenous peptides. We show here that .174(DR1) is also defective in the presentation of cytosolic matrix and hemagglutinin proteins. This similar requirement for the class II-restricted presentation of either cytosolic Ag or internalized exogenous Ag suggests that both forms of Ag are ultimately targeted to the same cellular compartment for association with class II molecules.
Peripheral human CD5+ and CD5- B cells may express somatically mutated VH5- and VH6-encoded IgM receptors.
Authors: Ebeling S B , Schutte M E , Logtenberg T
Published: December 2022

Previous studies have indicated that a sizable fraction of adult human peripheral blood B cells may express IgM receptors encoded by somatically mutated V regions. From these studies it was uniquely associated with the peripheral blood B cell compartment, was uniquely associated with the peripheral blood B cell compartment, associated with particular VH gene segments and/or B cell subpopulations. We have addressed these issues by analyzing > 80 VH5 and VH6-encoded mu transcripts from unseparated peripheral blood, tonsil, and spleen B cells, as well as from B cells separated on the basis of CD5 Ag expression. The results demonstrate that somatically mutated VH5 and VH6 regions are ubiquitously expressed in IgM-bearing B cells in all peripheral adult human lymphoid organs, and that the occurrence of somatic mutations does not segregate with either CD5+ or CD5- B cell populations. The distribution and nature of mutations, as well as the occurrence of clonally related but divergent transcripts suggests that at least some of the mutations were selected by Ag.
Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate inhibits NF-kappa B mobilization and TNF production in human monocytes.
Authors: Ziegler-Heitbrock H W , Sternsdorf T , Liese J , Belohradsky B , Weber C , Wedel A , Schreck R , Bäuerle P , Ströbel M
Published: December 2022

The human TNF promoter contains four potential nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B)-binding sites, with the strongest binding seen for the -605 motif. Nuclear extracts from unstimulated cells of the human monocytic cell line, Mono Mac 6, contain one specific binding protein (complex II), consistent with a constitutive p50 homodimer. Stimulation of Mono Mac 6 cells with LPS will increase complex II and will strongly induce a second specific complex (complex I), which represents the p50/65 heterodimer. Treatment of Mono Mac 6 cells with pyrrolidine-dithiocarbamate (PDTC) at 300 microM will block the LPS-induced complex I almost completely and will reduce complex II to the constitutive level. Binding activity of other nuclear factors that recognize the SP-1 and c/EBP motifs of the human TNF promoter is not affected by such treatment. Northern blot analysis demonstrates that PDTC treatment will strongly reduce LPS-induced TNF transcripts. Secreted TNF protein as detected in the Wehi 164S/ActD bioassay and in a sandwich immunoassay was similarly reduced by PDTC. Kinetic analyses show that after LPS stimulation, NF-kappa B will peak at 1 h, TNF transcript prevalence at 2 h, and TNF protein at 4 h. PDTC did not shift this response to LPS to a later time, but suppressed NF-kappa B mobilization, TNF transcripts, and TNF protein over the entire 8-h observation period. Analysis of freshly isolated, LPS-stimulated blood monocytes showed a similar blockade of NF-kappa B. Furthermore, in these primary cells, induction of TNF transcripts, as determined by Northern blot analysis and by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, was prevented by PDTC as was TNF protein production. These data show that dithiocarbamates can profoundly affect cytokine expression and suggest that NF-kappa B is involved in LPS-induced TNF gene expression in human monocytes.
Role of adjuvants in the modulation of antibody isotype, specificity, and induction of protection by whole blood-stage Plasmodium yoelii vaccines.
Authors: ten Hagen T L , Sulzer A J , Kidd M R , Lal A A , Hunter R L
Published: December 2022

Mice were immunized with whole killed blood stage Plasmodium yoelii parasites in 15 adjuvant formulations then boosted and challenged with parasitized blood. Five of six groups immunized with the Ag in oil-in-water emulsions or formulations without oil were protected. Formulations that induced protection contained saponin, pertussis, copolymer P1004, and detoxified RaLPS. In contrast, none of nine groups of animals immunized with Ag in water-in-oil emulsions were protected. Ineffective adjuvants included CFA and water-in-squalene emulsions with copolymer L141 plus detoxified RaLPS, dimethyldioctadecyl ammonium bromide, and mycobacterial cell wall skeletons. Antibody was measured by ELISA against disrupted parasites and by indirect fluorescent antibody (immunofluorescence) using intact parasites. Protection was associated with antibody of the IgG2a isotype detected by immunofluorescence but not with other isotypes detected by immunofluorescence or any type antibody detected by ELISA. The water-in-oil adjuvants induced high titers by ELISA but low titers by immunofluorescence. These results, together with Western blot analyses, suggested that adjuvant vehicles control the specificity of antibody and that this, in turn, is essential for induction of protective immune responses in this model.