bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of a Dominant Negative Mutant of Interleukin-1β Converting Enzyme in Transgenic Mice Prevents Neuronal Cell Death Induced by Trophic Factor Withdrawal and Ischemic Brain Injury
Authors: Friedlander Robert M. , Gagliardini Valeria , Hara Hideaki , Fink Klaus B. , Li Weiwei , MacDonald Glen , Fishman Mark C. , Greenberg Arnold H. , Moskowitz Michael A. , Yuan Junying
Published: July 2002

To explore the role of the interleukin (IL)-1β converting enzyme (ICE) in neuronal apoptosis, we designed a mutant ICE gene (C285G) that acts as a dominant negative ICE inhibitor. Microinjection of the mutant ICE gene into embryonal chicken dorsal root ganglial neurons inhibits trophic factor withdrawal–induced apoptosis. Transgenic mice expressing the fused mutant ICE-lacZ gene under the control of the neuron specific enolase promoter appeared neurologically normal. These mice are deficient in processing pro–IL-1β, indicating that mutant ICEC285G blocks ICE function. Dorsal root ganglial neurons isolated from transgenic mice were resistant to trophic factor withdrawal–induced apoptosis. In addition, the neurons isolated from newborn ICE knockout mice are similarly resistant to trophic factor withdrawal–induced apoptosis. After permanent focal ischemia by middle cerebral artery occlusion, the mutant ICEC285G transgenic mice show significantly reduced brain injury as well as less behavioral deficits when compared to the wild-type controls. Since ICE is the only enzyme with IL-1β convertase activity in mice, our data indicates that the mutant ICEC285G inhibits ICE, and hence mature IL-1β production, and through this mechanism, at least in part, inhibits apoptosis. Our data suggest that genetic manipulation using ICE family dominant negative inhibitors can ameliorate the extent of ischemia-induced brain injury and preserve neurological function.
C-MYC–induced Apoptosis in Polycystic Kidney Disease Is Bcl-2 and p53 Independent
Authors: Trudel Marie , Lanoix Jacqueline , Barisoni Laura , Blouin Marie-José , Desforges Marc , L'Italien Catherine , D'Agati Vivette
Published: July 2002

The SBM mouse is a unique transgenic model of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) induced by the dysregulated expression of c-myc in renal tissue. In situ hybridization analysis demonstrated intense signal for the c-myc transgene overlying tubular cystic epithelium in SBM mice. Renal proliferation index in SBM kidneys was 10-fold increased over nontransgenic controls correlating with the presence of epithelial hyperplasia. The specificity of c-myc for the proliferative potential of epithelial cells was demonstrated by substitution of c-myc with the proto-oncogene c-fos or the transforming growth factor (TGF)-α within the same construct. No renal abnormalities were detected in 13 transgenic lines established, indicating that the PKD phenotype is dependent on functions specific to c-myc. We also investigated another well characterized function of c-myc, the regulation of apoptosis through pathways involving p53 and members of the bcl-2 family, which induce and inhibit apoptosis, respectively. The SBM kidney tissues, which overexpress c-myc, displayed a markedly elevated (10–100-fold) apoptotic index. However, no significant difference in bcl-2, bax, or p53 expression was observed in SBM kidney compared with controls. Direct proof that the heightened renal cellular apoptosis in PKD is not occurring through p53 was obtained by successive matings between SBM and p53−/− mice. All SBM offspring, irrespective of their p53 genotype, developed PKD with increased renal epithelial apoptotic index. In addition, overexpression of both bcl-2 and c-myc in double transgenic mice (SBB+/SBM+) also produced a similar PKD phenotype with a high apoptotic rate, showing that c-myc can bypass bcl-2 in vivo. Thus, the in vivo c-myc apoptotic pathway in SBM mice occurs through a p53- and bcl-2–independent mechanism. We conclude that the pathogenesis of PKD is c-myc specific and involves a critical imbalance between the opposing processes of cell proliferation and apoptosis.
Tumor Necrosis Factor α and Interleukin 1β Enhance the Cortisone/Cortisol Shuttle
Authors: Escher Geneviève , Galli Ivo , Vishwanath Bannikuppe S. , Frey Brigitte M. , Frey Felix J.
Published: July 2002

Endogenously released or exogenously administered glucocorticosteroids are relevant hormones for controlling inflammation. Only 11β-hydroxy glucocorticosteroids, but not 11-keto glucocorticosteroids, activate glucocorticoid receptors. Since we found that glomerular mesangial cells (GMC) express 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-OHSD1), which interconverts 11-keto glucocorticosteroids into 11β-hydroxy glucocorticosteroids (cortisone/cortisol shuttle), we explored whether 11β-OHSD1 determines the antiinflammatory effect of glucocorticosteroids. GMC exposed to interleukin (IL)-1β or tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) release group II phospholipase A2 (PLA2), a key enzyme producing inflammatory mediators. 11β-hydroxy glucocorticosteroids inhibited cytokine-induced transcription and release of PLA2 through a glucocorticoid receptor–dependent mechanism. This inhibition was enhanced by inhibiting 11β-OHSD1. Interestingly, 11-keto glucocorticosteroids decreased cytokine-induced PLA2 release as well, a finding abrogated by inhibiting 11β-OHSD1. Stimulating GMC with IL-1β or TNF-α increased expression and reductase activity of 11β-OHSD1. Similarly, this IL-1β– and TNF-α–induced formation of active 11β-hydroxy glucocorticosteroids from inert 11-keto glucocorticosteroids by the 11β-OHSD1 was shown in the Kiki cell line that expresses the stably transfected bacterial β-galactosidase gene under the control of a glucocorticosteroids response element. Thus, we conclude that 11β-OHSD1 controls access of 11β-hydroxy glucocorticosteroids and 11-keto glucocorticosteroids to glucocorticoid receptors and thus determines the anti-inflammatory effect of glucocorticosteroids. IL-1β and TNF-α upregulate specifically the reductase activity of 11β-OHSD1 and counterbalance by that mechanism their own proinflammatory effect.
Requirement of Fas for the Development of Autoimmune Diabetes in Nonobese Diabetic Mice
Authors: Itoh Naoto , Imagawa Akihisa , Hanafusa Toshiaki , Waguri Masako , Yamamoto Koji , Iwahashi Hiromi , Moriwaki Makoto , Nakajima Hiromu , Miyagawa Junichiro , Namba Mitsuyoshi , Makino Susumu , Nagata Shigekazu , Kono Norio , Matsuzawa Yuji
Published: July 2002

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is assumed to be a T cell–mediated autoimmune disease. To investigate the role of Fas-mediated cytotoxicity in pancreatic β cell destruction, we established nonobese diabetic (NOD)-lymphoproliferation (lpr)/lpr mice lacking Fas. Out of three genotypes, female NOD-+/+ and NOD-+/lpr developed spontaneous diabetes by the age of 10 mo with the incidence of 68 and 62%, respectively. In contrast, NOD-lpr/lpr did not develop diabetes or insulitis. To further explore the role of Fas, adoptive transfer experiments were performed. When splenocytes were transferred from diabetic NOD, male NOD-+/+ and NOD-+/lpr developed diabetes with the incidence of 89 and 83%, respectively, whereas NOD-lpr/lpr did not show glycosuria by 12 wk after transfer. Severe mononuclear cell infiltration was revealed in islets of NOD-+/+ and NOD-+/lpr, whereas islet morphology remained intact in NOD-lpr/lpr. These results suggest that Fas-mediated cytotoxicity is required to initiate β cell autoimmunity in NOD mice. Fas–Fas ligand system might be critical for autoimmune β cell destruction leading to IDDM.
An Interleukin (IL)-10/IL-12 Immunoregulatory Circuit Controls Susceptibility to Autoimmune Disease
Authors: Segal Benjamin M. , Dwyer Bonnie K. , Shevach Ethan M.
Published: July 2002

Cells of the innate immune system secrete cytokines early in immune responses that guide maturing T helper (Th) cells along appropriate lineages. This study investigates the role of cytokine networks, bridging the innate and acquired immune systems, in the pathogenesis of an organ specific autoimmune disease. Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, is widely used as an animal model for multiple sclerosis. We demonstrate that interleukin (IL)-12 is essential for the generation of the autoreactive Th1 cells that induce EAE, both in the presence and absence of interferon γ. The disease-promoting effects of IL-12 are antagonized by IL-10 produced by an antigen nonspecific CD4+ T cell which, in turn, is regulated by the endogenous production of IL-12. This unique immunoregulatory circuit appears to play a critical role in controlling Th cell differentiation and provides a mechanism by which microbial triggers of the innate immune system can modulate autoimmune disease.
The Normal Counterpart of IgD Myeloma Cells in Germinal Center Displays Extensively Mutated IgVH Gene, Cμ–Cδ Switch, and λ Light Chain Expression
Authors: Arpin Christophe , de Bouteiller Odette , Razanajaona Diane , Fugier-Vivier Isabelle , Brière Francine , Banchereau Jacques , Lebecque Serge , Liu Yong-Jun
Published: July 2002

Human myeloma are incurable hematologic cancers of immunoglobulin-secreting plasma cells in bone marrow. Although malignant plasma cells can be almost eradicated from the patient's bone marrow by chemotherapy, drug-resistant myeloma precursor cells persist in an apparently cryptic compartment. Controversy exists as to whether myeloma precursor cells are hematopoietic stem cells, pre–B cells, germinal center (GC) B cells, circulating memory cells, or plasma blasts. This situation reflects what has been a general problem in cancer research for years: how to compare a tumor with its normal counterpart. Although several studies have demonstrated somatically mutated immunoglobulin variable region genes in multiple myeloma, it is unclear if myeloma cells are derived from GCs or post-GC memory B cells. Immunoglobulin (Ig)D-secreting myeloma have two unique immunoglobulin features, including a biased λ light chain expression and a Cμ–Cδ isotype switch. Using surface markers, we have previously isolated a population of surface IgM−IgD+CD38+ GC B cells that carry the most impressive somatic mutation in their IgV genes. Here we show that this population of GC B cells displays the two molecular features of IgD-secreting myeloma cells: a biased λ light chain expression and a Cμ–Cδ isotype switch. The demonstration of these peculiar GC B cells to differentiate into IgD-secreting plasma cells but not memory B cells both in vivo and in vitro suggests that IgD-secreting plasma and myeloma cells are derived from GCs.
In Vivo Inhibition of CC and CX3C Chemokine–induced Leukocyte Infiltration and Attenuation of Glomerulonephritis in Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) Rats by vMIP-II
Authors: Chen Shizhong , Bacon Kevin B. , Li Li , Garcia Gabriela E. , Xia Yiyang , Lo David , Thompson Darren A. , Siani Michael A. , Yamamoto Tadashi , Harrison Jeffrey K. , Feng Lili
Published: July 2002

Chemokines play a central role in immune and inflammatory responses. It has been observed recently that certain viruses have evolved molecular piracy and mimicry mechanisms by encoding and synthesizing proteins that interfere with the normal host defense response. One such viral protein, vMIP-II, encoded by human herpesvirus 8, has been identified with in vitro antagonistic activities against CC and CXC chemokine receptors. We report here that vMIP-II has additional antagonistic activity against CX3CR1, the receptor for fractalkine. To investigate the potential therapeutic effect of this broad-spectrum chemokine antagonist, we studied the antiinflammatory activity of vMIP-II in a rat model of experimental glomerulonephritis induced by an antiglomerular basement membrane antibody. vMIP-II potently inhibited monocyte chemoattractant protein 1–, macrophage inflammatory protein 1β–, RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted)-, and fractalkine-induced chemotaxis of activated leukocytes isolated from nephritic glomeruli, significantly reduced leukocyte infiltration to the glomeruli, and markedly attenuated proteinuria. These results suggest that molecules encoded by some viruses may serve as useful templates for the development of antiinflammatory compounds.
Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen 4 (CTLA4) Blockade Accelerates the Acute Rejection of Cardiac Allografts in CD28-deficient Mice: CTLA4 Can Function Independently of CD28
Authors: Lin Hua , Rathmell Jeffrey C. , Gray Gary S. , Thompson Craig B. , Leiden Jeffrey M. , Alegre Maria-Luisa
Published: July 2002

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) appears to negatively regulate T cell activation. One mechanism by which CTLA4 might antagonize T cell function is through inhibition of CD28 signaling by competing for their shared ligands B7-1 and B7-2. In addition, CTLA4 ligation could initiate a signaling cascade that inhibits T cell activation. To address whether CTLA4 could inhibit immune responses in the absence of CD28, rejection of heart allografts was studied in CD28-deficient mice. H-2q hearts were transplanted into allogeneic wild-type or CD28-deficient mice (H-2b). Graft rejection was delayed in CD28-deficient compared with wild-type mice. Treatment of wild-type recipients with CTLA4-immunoglobulin (Ig), or with anti–B7-1 plus anti–B7-2 mAbs significantly prolonged allograft survival. In contrast, treatment of CD28-deficient mice with CTLA4-Ig, anti–B7-1 plus anti–B7-2 mAbs, or a blocking anti-CTLA4 mAb induced acceleration of allograft rejection. This increased rate of graft rejection was associated with more severe mononuclear cell infiltration and enhanced levels of IFN-γ and IL-6 transcripts in donor hearts of untreated wild-type and CTLA4-Ig– or anti-CTLA4 mAb–treated CD28-deficient mice. Thus, the negative regulatory role of CTLA4 extends beyond its potential ability to prevent CD28 activation through ligand competition. Even in the absence of CD28, CTLA4 plays an inhibitory role in the regulation of allograft rejection.
Immunization of Mice with Urease Vaccine Affords Protection against Helicobacter pylori Infection in the Absence of Antibodies and Is Mediated by MHC Class II–restricted Responses
Authors: Ermak Thomas H. , Giannasca Paul J. , Nichols Richard , Myers Gwendolyn A. , Nedrud John , Weltzin Richard , Lee Cynthia K. , Kleanthous Harold , Monath Thomas P.
Published: July 2002

We examined the roles of cell- and antibody-mediated immunity in urease vaccine–induced protection against Helicobacter pylori infection. Normal and knockout mice deficient in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, MHC class II, or B cell responses were mucosally immunized with urease plus Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT), or parenterally immunized with urease plus aluminum hydroxide or a glycolipid adjuvant, challenged with H. pylori strain X47-2AL, and H. pylori organisms and leukocyte infiltration in the gastric mucosa quantified. In an adjuvant/route study in normal mice, there was a direct correlation between the level of protection and the density of T cells recruited to the gastric mucosa. In knockout studies, oral immunization with urease plus LT protected MHC class I knockout mice [β2-microglobulin (−/−)] but not MHC class II knockout mice [I-Ab (−/−)]. In B cell knockout mice [μMT (−/−)], vaccine-induced protection was equivalent to that observed in immunized wild-type (+/+) mice; no IgA+ cells were detected in the stomach, but levels of CD4+ cells equivalent to those in the wild-type strain (+/+) were seen. These studies indicate that protection of mice against H. pylori infection by immunization with the urease antigen is dependent on MHC class II–restricted, cell-mediated mechanisms, and antibody responses to urease are not required for protection.
Immune Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Nakamoto Yasunari , Guidotti Luca G. , Kuhlen Christian V. , Fowler Patricia , Chisari Francis V.
Published: July 2002

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common complication of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The pathogenetic mechanisms potentially responsible for HCC during chronic HBV infection are not well defined. This study demonstrates that chronic immune-mediated liver cell injury triggers the development of HCC in the absence of viral transactivation, insertional mutagenesis, and genotoxic chemicals. These results strongly suggest that the immune response to HBV is both necessary and sufficient to cause liver cancer during chronic HBV infection, and that all other procarcinogenic events associated with HCC are probably dependent on this process.
The Angiotensin II Type 2 (AT2) Receptor Promotes Axonal Regeneration in the Optic Nerve of Adult Rats
Authors: Lucius Ralph , Gallinat Stefan , Rosenstiel Philip , Herdegen Thomas , Sievers Jobst , Unger Thomas
Published: July 2002

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been traditionally linked to blood pressure and volume regulation mediated through the angiotensin II (ANG II) type 1 (AT1) receptor. Here we report that ANG II via its ANG II type 2 (AT2) receptor promotes the axonal elongation of postnatal rat retinal explants (postnatal day 11) and dorsal root ganglia neurons in vitro, and, moreover, axonal regeneration of retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve crush in vivo. In retinal explants, ANG II (10−7–10−5 M) induced neurite elongation via its AT2 receptor, since the effects were mimicked by the AT2 receptor agonist CGP 42112 (10−5 M) and were entirely abolished by costimulation with the AT2 receptor antagonist PD 123177 (10−5 M), but not by the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan (10−5 M). To investigate whether ANG II is able to promote axonal regeneration in vivo, we performed optic nerve crush experiments in the adult rats. After ANG II treatment (0.6 nmol), an increased number of growth-associated protein (GAP)-43–positive fibers was detected and the regenerating fibers regularly crossed the lesion site (1.6 mm). Cotreatment with the AT2 receptor antagonist PD 123177 (6 nmol), but not with the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan (6 nmol), completely abolished the ANG II–induced axonal regeneration, providing for the first time direct evidence for receptor-specific neurotrophic action of ANG II in the central nervous system of adult mammals and revealing a hitherto unknown function of the RAS.
The B-Oligomer of Pertussis Toxin Deactivates Cc Chemokine Receptor 5 and Blocks Entry of M-Tropic HIV-1 Strains
Authors: Alfano Massimo , Schmidtmayerova Helena , Amella Carol-Ann , Pushkarsky Tatiana , Bukrinsky Michael
Published: July 2002

Infection of target cells by HIV-1 requires initial binding interactions between the viral envelope glycoprotein gp120, the cell surface protein CD4, and one of the members of the seven-transmembrane G protein–coupled chemokine receptor family. Most primary isolates (R5 strains) use chemokine receptor CCR5, but some primary syncytium-inducing, as well as T cell line–adapted, strains (X4 strains) use the CXCR4 receptor. Signaling from both CCR5 and CXCR4 is mediated by pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive Gi proteins and is not required for HIV-1 entry. Here, we show that the PTX holotoxin as well as its binding subunit, B-oligomer, which lacks Gi-inhibitory activity, blocked entry of R5 but not X4 strains into primary T lymphocytes. Interestingly, B-oligomer inhibited virus production by peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures infected with either R5 or X4 strains, indicating that it can affect HIV-1 replication at both entry and post-entry levels. T cells treated with B-oligomer did not initiate signal transduction in response to macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β or RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted); however, cell surface expression of CCR5 and binding of MIP-1β or HIV-1 to such cells were not impaired. The inhibitory effect of B-oligomer on signaling from CCR5 and on entry of R5 HIV-1 strains was reversed by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, indicating that B-oligomer activity is mediated by signaling events that involve PKC. B-oligomer also blocked cocapping of CCR5 and CD4 induced by R5 HIV-1 in primary T cells, but did not affect cocapping of CXCR4 and CD4 after inoculation of the cultures with X4 HIV-1. These results suggest that the B-oligomer of PTX cross-deactivates CCR5 to impair its function as a coreceptor for HIV-1.
Sulfation of a High Endothelial Venule–Expressed Ligand for L-Selectin
Authors: Tangemann Kirsten , Bistrup Annette , Hemmerich Stefan , Rosen Steven D.
Published: July 2002

During lymphocyte homing, L-selectin mediates the tethering and rolling of lymphocytes on high endothelial venules (HEVs) in secondary lymphoid organs. The L-selectin ligands on HEV are a set of mucin-like glycoproteins, for which glycosylation-dependent cell adhesion molecule 1 (GlyCAM-1) is a candidate. Optimal binding in equilibrium measurements requires sulfation, sialylation, and fucosylation of ligands. Analysis of GlyCAM-1 has revealed two sulfation modifications (galactose [Gal]-6-sulfate and N-acetylglucosamine [GlcNAc]-6-sulfate) of sialyl Lewis x. Recently, three related sulfotransferases (keratan sulfate galactose-6-sulfotransferase [KSGal6ST], high endothelial cell N-acetylglucosamine-6-sulfotransferase [GlcNAc6ST], and human GlcNAc6ST) were cloned, which can generate Gal-6-sulfate and GlcNAc-6-sulfate in GlyCAM-1. Imparting these modifications to GlyCAM-1, together with appropriate fucosylation, yields enhanced rolling ligands for both peripheral blood lymphocytes and Jurkat cells in flow chamber assays as compared with those generated with exogenous fucosyltransferase. Either sulfation modification results in an increased number of tethered and rolling lymphocytes, a reduction in overall rolling velocity associated with more frequent pausing of the cells, and an enhanced resistance of rolling cells to detachment by shear. All of these effects are predicted to promote the overall efficiency of lymphocyte homing. In contrast, the rolling interactions of E-selectin transfectants with the same ligands are not affected by sulfation.
Immature Dendritic Cells Acquire Cd8+Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Priming Capacity upon Activation by T Helper Cell–Independent or–Dependent Stimuli
Authors: Schuurhuis Danita H. , Laban Sandra , Toes René E.M. , Ricciardi-Castagnoli Paola , Kleijmeer Monique J. , van der Voort Ellen I.H. , Rea Delphine , Offringa Rienk , Geuze Hans J. , Melief Cornelis J.M. , Ossendorp Ferry
Published: July 2002

The well defined, immature murine dendritic cell (DC) line D1 was used to study the role of DC maturation in CTL induction in vitro and in vivo. Maturation of D1 cells, characterized by markedly increased expression of MHC and costimulatory molecules, was induced by incubation with lipopolysaccharide, agonistic CD40 antibody, or specific CD4+ T helper (Th) cells. Activated, but not immature, D1 cells efficiently primed alloreactive T cell responses in vitro. Similarly, priming of CTL immunity in vivo in CD4-depleted mice was only observed if these mice were immunized with activated D1 cells. This study provides formal evidence that activation of DCs, induced by Th-independent as well as Th-dependent stimuli, is essential for efficient induction of CTL responses.
Role of Promyelocytic Leukemia (Pml) Sumolation in Nuclear Body Formation, 11s Proteasome Recruitment, and as2O3-Induced Pml or Pml/Retinoic Acid Receptor α Degradation
Authors: Lallemand-Breitenbach Valérie , Zhu Jun , Puvion Francine , Koken Marcel , Honoré Nicole , Doubeikovsky Alexandre , Duprez Estelle , Pandolfi Pier Paolo , Puvion Edmond , Freemont Paul , de Thé Hugues
Published: July 2002

Promyelocytic leukemia (PML) is the organizer of nuclear matrix domains, PML nuclear bodies (NBs), with a proposed role in apoptosis control. In acute promyelocytic leukemia, PML/retinoic acid receptor (RAR) α expression disrupts NBs, but therapies such as retinoic acid or arsenic trioxide (As2O3) restore them. PML is conjugated by the ubiquitin-related peptide SUMO-1, a process enhanced by As2O3 and proposed to target PML to the nuclear matrix. We demonstrate that As2O3 triggers the proteasome-dependent degradation of PML and PML/RARα and that this process requires a specific sumolation site in PML, K160. PML sumolation is dispensable for its As2O3-induced matrix targeting and formation of primary nuclear aggregates, but is required for the formation of secondary shell-like NBs. Interestingly, only these mature NBs harbor 11S proteasome components, which are further recruited upon As2O3 exposure. Proteasome recruitment by sumolated PML only likely accounts for the failure of PML-K160R to be degraded. Therefore, studying the basis of As2O3-induced PML/RARα degradation we show that PML sumolation directly or indirectly promotes its catabolism, suggesting that mature NBs could be sites of intranuclear proteolysis and opening new insights into NB alterations found in viral infections or transformation.
In Vitro Generation of Interleukin 10–producing Regulatory CD4+ T Cells Is Induced by Immunosuppressive Drugs and Inhibited by T Helper Type 1 (Th1)– and Th2-inducing Cytokines
Authors: Barrat Franck J. , Cua Daniel J. , Boonstra André , Richards David F. , Crain Chad , Savelkoul Huub F. , de Waal-Malefyt René , Coffman Robert L. , Hawrylowicz Catherine M. , O'Garra Anne
Published: July 2002

We show that a combination of the immunosuppressive drugs, vitamin D3 and Dexamethasone, induced human and mouse naive CD4+ T cells to differentiate in vitro into regulatory T cells. In contrast to the previously described in vitro derived CD4+ T cells, these cells produced only interleukin (IL)-10, but no IL-5 and interferon (IFN)-γ, and furthermore retained strong proliferative capacity. The development of these IL-10–producing cells was enhanced by neutralization of the T helper type 1 (Th1)- and Th2–inducing cytokines IL-4, IL-12, and IFN-γ. These immunosuppressive drugs also induced the development of IL-10–producing T cells in the absence of antigen-presenting cells, with IL-10 acting as a positive autocrine factor for these T cells. Furthermore, nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein (AP)-1 activities were inhibited in the IL-10–producing cells described here as well as key transcription factors involved in Th1 and Th2 subset differentiation. The regulatory function of these in vitro generated IL-10–producing T cells was demonstrated by their ability to prevent central nervous system inflammation, when targeted to the site of inflammation, and this function was shown to be IL-10 dependent. Generating homogeneous populations of IL-10–producing T cells in vitro will thus facilitate the use of regulatory T cells in immunotherapy.
Interferon α/β and Interleukin 12 Responses to Viral Infections
Authors: Dalod Marc , Salazar-Mather Thais P. , Malmgaard Lene , Lewis Casey , Asselin-Paturel Carine , Brière Francine , Trinchieri Giorgio , Biron Christine A.
Published: July 2002

Interferon (IFN)-α/β and interleukin (IL)-12 are cytokines critical in defense against viruses, but their cellular sources and mechanisms of regulation for in vivo expression remain poorly characterized. The studies presented here identified a novel subset of dendritic cells (DCs) as major producers of the cytokines during murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) but not lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infections. These DCs differed from those activated by Toxoplasma antigen but were related to plasmacytoid cells, as assessed by their CD8α+Ly6G/C+CD11b− phenotype. Another DC subset (CD8α2Ly6G/C−CD11b+) also contributed to IL-12 production in MCMV-infected immunocompetent mice, modestly. However, it dramatically increased IL-12 expression in the absence of IFN-α/β functions. Conversely, IFN-α/β production was greatly reduced under these conditions. Thus, a cross-regulation of DC subset cytokine responses was defined, whereby secretion of type I IFNs by CD8α+ DCs resulted in responses limiting IL-12 expression by CD11b+ DCs but enhancing overall IFN-α/β production. Taken together, these data indicate that CD8α+Ly6G/C+CD11b− DCs play important roles in limiting viral replication and regulating immune responses, through cytokine production, in some but not all viral infections. They also illustrate the plasticity of cellular sources for innate cytokines in vivo and provide new insights into the roles of IFNs in shaping immune responses to viruses.
Essential and Instructive Roles of GATA Factors in Eosinophil Development
Authors: Hirasawa Ryutaro , Shimizu Ritsuko , Takahashi Satoru , Osawa Mitsujiro , Takayanagi Shu , Kato Yuko , Onodera Masafumi , Minegishi Naoko , Yamamoto Masayuki , Fukao Katashi , Taniguchi Hideki , Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Iwama Atsushi
Published: July 2002

GATA transcription factors are major regulators of hematopoietic and immune system. Among GATA factors, GATA-1, GATA-2, and GATA-3 play crucial roles in the development of erythroid cells, hematopoietic stem, and progenitor cells, and T helper type 2 (Th2) cells, respectively. A high level of GATA-1 and GATA-2 expression has been observed in eosinophils, but their roles in eosinophil development remain uncertain both in vitro and in vivo. Here we show that enforced expression of GATA-1 in human primary myeloid progenitor cells completely switches myeloid cell fate into eosinophils. Expression of GATA-1 exclusively promotes development and terminal maturation of eosinophils. Functional domain analyses revealed that the COOH-terminal finger is essential for this capacity while the other domains are dispensable. Importantly, GATA-1–deficient mice failed to develop eosinophil progenitors in the fetal liver. On the other hand, GATA-2 also showed instructive capacity comparable to GATA-1 in vitro and efficiently compensated for GATA-1 deficiency in terms of eosinophil development in vivo, indicating that proper accumulation of GATA factors is critical for eosinophil development. Taken together, our findings establish essential and instructive roles of GATA factors in eosinophil development. GATA-1 and GATA-2 could be novel molecular targets for therapeutic approaches to allergic inflammation.
Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of the Squid Na+–Ca2+ Exchanger (NCX-SQ1)
Authors: He Zhaoping , Tong Qiusheng , Quednau Beate D. , Philipson Kenneth D. , Hilgemann Donald W.
Published: July 2002

We have cloned the squid neuronal Na+–Ca2+ exchanger, NCX-SQ1, expressed it in Xenopus oocytes, and characterized its regulatory and ion transport properties in giant excised membrane patches. The squid exchanger shows 58% identity with the canine Na+–Ca2+ exchanger (NCX1.1). Regions determined to be of functional importance in NCX1 are well conserved. Unique among exchanger sequences to date, NCX-SQ1 has a potential protein kinase C phosphorylation site (threonine 184) between transmembrane segments 3 and 4 and a tyrosine kinase site in the Ca2+ binding region (tyrosine 462). There is a deletion of 47 amino acids in the large intracellular loop of NCX-SQ1 in comparison with NCX1. Similar to NCX1, expression of NCX-SQ1 in Xenopus oocytes induced cytoplasmic Na+-dependent 45Ca2+ uptake; the uptake was inhibited by injection of Ca2+ chelators. In giant excised membrane patches, the NCX-SQ1 outward exchange current showed Na+-dependent inactivation, secondary activation by cytoplasmic Ca2+, and activation by chymotrypsin. The NCX-SQ1 exchange current was strongly stimulated by both ATP and the ATP-thioester, ATPγS, in the presence of F− (0.2 mM) and vanadate (50 μM), and both effects reversed on application of a phosphatidylinositol-4′,5′-bisphosphate antibody. NCX1 current was stimulated by ATP, but not by ATPγS. Like NCX1 current, NCX-SQ1 current was strongly stimulated by phosphatidylinositol-4′,5′-bisphosphate liposomes. In contrast to results in squid axon, NCX-SQ1 was not stimulated by phosphoarginine (5–10 mM). After chymotrypsin treatment, both the outward and inward NCX-SQ1 exchange currents were more strongly voltage dependent than NCX1 currents. Ion concentration jump experiments were performed to estimate the relative electrogenicity of Na+ and Ca2+ transport reactions. Outward current transients associated with Na+ extrusion were much smaller for NCX-SQ1 than NCX1, and inward current transients associated with Ca2+ extrusion were much larger. For NCX-SQ1, charge movements of Ca2+ transport could be defined in voltage jump experiments with a low cytoplasmic Ca2+ (2 μM) in the presence of high extracellular Ca2+ (4 mM). The rates of charge movements showed “U”-shaped dependence on voltage, and the slopes of both charge–voltage and rate–voltage relations (1,600 s−1 at 0 mV) indicated an apparent valency of −0.6 charges for the underlying reaction. Evidently, more negative charge moves into the membrane field in NCX-SQ1 than in NCX1 when ions are occluded into binding sites.
Four Kinetically Distinct Depolarization-activated K+ Currents in Adult Mouse Ventricular Myocytes
Authors: Xu Haodong , Guo Weinong , Nerbonne Jeanne M.
Published: July 2002

In the experiments here, the time- and voltage-dependent properties of the Ca2+-independent, depolarization-activated K+ currents in adult mouse ventricular myocytes were characterized in detail. In the majority (65 of 72, ≈ 90%) of cells dispersed from the ventricles, analysis of the decay phases of the outward currents revealed three distinct K+ current components: a rapidly inactivating, transient outward K+ current, Ito,f (mean ± SEM τdecay = 85 ± 2 ms); a slowly (mean ± SEM τdecay = 1,162 ± 29 ms) inactivating K+ current, IK,slow; and a non inactivating, steady state current, Iss. In a small subset (7 of 72, ≈ 10%) of cells, Ito,f was absent and a slowly inactivating (mean ± SEM τdecay = 196 ± 7 ms) transient outward current, referred to as Ito,s, was identified; the densities and properties of IK,slow and Iss in Ito,s-expressing cells are indistinguishable from the corresponding currents in cells with Ito,f. Microdissection techniques were used to remove tissue pieces from the left ventricular apex and from the ventricular septum to allow the hypothesis that there are regional differences in Ito,f and Ito,s expression to be tested directly. Electrophysiological recordings revealed that all cells isolated from the apex express Ito,f (n = 35); Ito,s is not detected in these cells (n = 35). In the septum, by contrast, all of the cells express Ito,s (n = 28) and in the majority (22 of 28, 80%) of cells, Ito,f is also present. The density of Ito,f (mean ± SEM at +40 mV = 6.8 ± 0.5 pA/pF, n = 22) in septum cells, however, is significantly (P < 0.001) lower than Ito,f density in cells from the apex (mean ± SEM at +40 mV = 34.6 ± 2.6 pA/pF, n = 35). In addition to differences in inactivation kinetics, Ito,f, Ito,s, and IK,slow display distinct rates of recovery (from inactivation), as well as differential sensitivities to 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), tetraethylammonium (TEA), and Heteropoda toxin-3. IK,slow, for example, is blocked selectively by low (10–50 μM) concentrations of 4-AP and by (≥25 mM) TEA. Although both Ito,f and Ito,s are blocked by high (>100 μM) 4-AP concentrations and are relatively insensitive to TEA, Ito,f is selectively blocked by nanomolar concentrations of Heteropoda toxin-3, and Ito,s (as well as IK,slow and Iss) is unaffected. Iss is partially blocked by high concentrations of 4-AP or TEA. The functional implications of the distinct properties and expression patterns of Ito,f and Ito,s, as well as the likely molecular correlates of these (and the IK,slow and Iss) currents, are discussed.
Modification of Cyclic Nucleotide–Gated Ion Channels by Ultraviolet Light
Authors: Middendorf Thomas R. , Aldrich Richard W. , Baylor Denis A.
Published: July 2002

We irradiated cyclic nucleotide–gated ion channels in situ with ultraviolet light to probe the role of aromatic residues in ion channel function. UV light reduced the current through excised membrane patches from Xenopus oocytes expressing the α subunit of bovine retinal cyclic nucleotide–gated channels irreversibly, a result consistent with permanent covalent modification of channel amino acids by UV light. The magnitude of the current reduction depended only on the total photon dose delivered to the patches, and not on the intensity of the exciting light, indicating that the functionally important photochemical modification(s) occurred from an excited state reached by a one-photon absorption process. The wavelength dependence of the channels' UV light sensitivity (the action spectrum) was quantitatively consistent with the absorption spectrum of tryptophan, with a small component at long wavelengths, possibly due to cystine absorption. This spectral analysis suggests that UV light reduced the currents at most wavelengths studied by modifying one or more “target” tryptophans in the channels. Comparison of the channels' action spectrum to the absorption spectrum of tryptophan in various solvents suggests that the UV light targets are in a water-like chemical environment. Experiments on mutant channels indicated that the UV light sensitivity of wild-type channels was not conferred exclusively by any one of the 10 tryptophan residues in a subunit. The similarity in the dose dependences of channel current reduction and tryptophan photolysis in solution suggests that photochemical modification of a small number of tryptophan targets in the channels is sufficient to decrease the currents.
Learned inquiry and the Net: the role of peer review, peer commentary and copyright
Authors: Harnad Stevan
Published: July 2002

Peer Review and Copyright each have a double role: Formal refereeing protects the author from publishing and the reader from reading papers that are not of sufficient quality. Copyright protects the author from theft of text and theft of authorship. It has been suggested that in the electronic medium we can dispense with peer review, ‘publish’ everything, and let browsing and commentary do the quality control. It has also been suggested that special safeguards and laws may be needed to enforce copyright on the Net. I will argue, based on 20 years editing Behavioral and Brain Sciences, a refereed (paper) journal of peer commentary, 8 years editing Psycoloquy, a refereed electronic journal of peer commentary, and 1 year of implementing CogPrints, an electronic archive of unrefereed preprints and refereed reprints in the cognitive sciences modeled on the Los Alamos Physics Eprint Archive, that (i) peer commentary is a supplement, not a substitute, for peer review, (ii) the authors of refereed papers, who get and seek no royalties from the sale of their texts, only want protection from theft of authorship on the Net, not from theft of text, which is a victimless crime, and hence (iii) the trade model (subscription, site license or pay‐per‐view) should be replaced by author page charges to cover the much reduced cost of implementing peer review, editing and archiving on the Net, in exchange for making the learned serial corpus available free for all forever.
Rethinking the library's role in publishing
Authors: Treloar Andrew
Published: July 2002

Print has been the most significant scholarly communication technology for over three hundred years. In the last decades of the twentieth century, technological developments have revolutionized our attitutes towards communication as well as our ability to communicate ideas and research results electronically, to a global audience. As a result university libraries have begun to redefine their traditional role as guardians and gatekeepers of our repositories of knowledge, and have entered an arena that was previously the domain of commercial and university presses.

This paper surveys five library projects (Highwire Press, Internet Library of Early Journals, Project EDUCATE, Project Muse and the Scholarly Communications Project) which demonstrate different organizational models, funding sources and types of content.
Strong type estimate and Carleson measures for Lipschitz spaces
Authors: Wu Zhijian
Published: July 2002

We establish a capacitary strong type estimate for Lipschitz space

Λ

α

p
,
q

{\mathcal {\Lambda }_{\alpha }^{p,q}}

and characterize the related Carleson measures.
A uniformly convergent method for a singularly perturbed semilinear reaction–diffusion problem with multiple solutions
Authors: Sun Guangfu , Stynes Martin
Published: July 2002

This paper considers a simple central difference scheme for a singularly perturbed semilinear reaction–diffusion problem, which may have multiple solutions. Asymptotic properties of solutions to this problem are discussed and analyzed. To compute accurate approximations to these solutions, we consider a piecewise equidistant mesh of Shishkin type, which contains

O
(
N
)

O(N)

points. On such a mesh, we prove existence of a solution to the discretization and show that it is accurate of order

N

−
2

ln
2

⁡
N

N^{-2}\ln ^2 N

, in the discrete maximum norm, where the constant factor in this error estimate is independent of the perturbation parameter

ε
\varepsilon

and

N
N

. Numerical results are presented that verify this rate of convergence.
Exponential convergence of a linear rational interpolant between transformed Chebyshev points
Authors: Baltensperger Richard , Berrut Jean-Paul , Noël Benjamin
Published: July 2002

In 1988 the second author presented experimentally well-conditioned linear rational functions for global interpolation. We give here arrays of nodes for which one of these interpolants converges exponentially for analytic functions
Reconstitution and Characterization of Budding Yeast γ-Tubulin Complex
Authors: Vinh Dani B.N. , Kern Joshua W. , Hancock William O. , Howard Jonathon , Davis Trisha N.
Published: July 2002

Nucleation of microtubules is central to assembly of the mitotic spindle, which is required for each cell division. γ-Tubulin is a universal component essential for microtubule nucleation from centrosomes. To elucidate the mechanism of microtubule nucleation in budding yeast we reconstituted and characterized the yeast γ-tubulin complex (Tub4p complex) produced in insect cells. The recombinant complex has the same sedimentation coefficient (11.6 S) as the native complex in yeast cell extracts and contains one molecule of Spc97p, one molecule of Spc98p, and two molecules of Tub4p. The reconstituted Tub4p complex binds preformed microtubules and has a low nucleating activity, allowing us to begin a detailed analysis of conditions that enhance this nucleating activity. We tested whether binding of the recombinant Tub4p complex to the spindle pole body docking protein Spc110p affects its nucleating activity. The solubility of recombinant Spc110p in insect cells is improved by coexpression with yeast calmodulin (Cmd1p). The Spc110p/Cmd1p complex has a small sedimentation coefficient (4.2 S) and a large Stokes radius (14.3 nm), indicative of an elongated structure. The Tub4p complex binds Spc110p/Cmd1p via Spc98p and theKdfor binding is 150 nM. The low nucleation activity of the Tub4p complex is not enhanced when it is bound to Spc110p/Cmd1p, suggesting that it requires additional components or modifications to achieve robust activity. Finally, we report the identification of a large 22 S Tub4p complex in yeast extract that contains multimers of Spc97p similar to γ-tubulin ring complexes found in higher eukaryotic cells.
Estimating transcription factor bindability on DNA.
Authors: Tsunoda T , Takagi T
Published: July 2002

MOTIVATION: Precise analysis of the genetic network, gene function and transcription regulation requires accurate prediction of transcription factor (TF) bindability on DNA. For calculating the matching score between an input sequence and a set of known TF binding sites, we use positional weight matrices (PWMs) and Bucher's calculating method (Bucher, J. Mol. Biol., 212, 563-578, 1990). Since estimating TF binding sites requires cut-off values, we propose a robust cut-off value determining algorithm. RESULTS: We generalize the concept of local overrepresentation with statistics, and propose a new algorithm for determining the cut-off value using the background rate estimated on non-promoters. The algorithm iteratively determines parameters separating instances into phenomena-dependent and phenomena-independent subsets. Our system includes the method of re-estimating cut-off values of TFs that mis-recognize other TF preferred regions. Our data source comprised 433 non-redundant vertebrate promoters including viral promoters, from Eukaryotic Promoter Database (EPD) R.50. The method is applied to 205 vertebrate TFs that have frequency matrices in TRANSFAC Ver.3. 4 and the cut-off values of all of them can be determined. AVAILABILITY: The cut-off values and TF binding site predicting tool are available at http://www.hgc.ims.u-tokyo.ac. jp/service/tooldoc/TFBIND. We also provide the cut-off value estimating programs.
Predicting the oxidation state of cysteines by multiple sequence alignment
Authors: Fiser András , Simon István
Published: July 2002

Motivation: Protein sequences found in databanks usually do not report post translational covalent modifications such as the oxidation state of cystein (Cys) residues. Accurate prediction of whether a functionally or structurally important Cys occurs in the oxidized or thiol form would be helpful for molecular biology experiments and structure prediction.

Results: A new method is presented for predicting the oxidation state of Cys residues based on multiple sequence alignments and on the observation that Cys tends to occur in the same oxidation state within the same protein. The prediction of the redox state of Cys performs above 82%. The oxidation state of Cys correlates with the cellular location of the given protein within the cell, but the correlation is not perfect (up to 70%). We also perform a statistical analysis of the different redox states of Cys found in secondary structures and buried positions, and of the secondary structures linked by disulfide bonds. The results suggest that the natural borderline lies between the different oxidation states of Cys rather than between the half cystines and cysteins.

Availability: A web server implementing the prediction method is available at http://guitar.rockefeller.edu/~andras/cyspred.html

Contact: fisera@rockefeller.edu
Structure prediction meta server
Authors: Bujnicki Janusz M. , Elofsson Arne , Fischer Daniel , Rychlewski Leszek
Published: July 2002

Summary: The Structure Prediction Meta Server offers a convenient way for biologists to utilize various high quality structure prediction servers available worldwide. The meta server translates the results obtained from remote services into uniform format, which are consequently used to request a jury prediction from a remote consensus server Pcons.

Availability: The structure prediction meta server is freely available at http://BioInfo.PL/meta/, some remote servers have however restrictions for non-academic users, which are respected by the meta server.

Contact: leszek@bioinfo.pl

Supplementary information: Results of several sessions of the CAFASP and LiveBench programs for assessment of performance of fold-recognition servers carried out via the meta server are available at http://BioInfo.PL/services.html.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
DICHROWEB: an interactive website for the analysis of protein
secondary structure from circular dichroism spectra
Authors: Lobley A. , Whitmore L. , Wallace B. A.
Published: July 2002

Summary: A user-friendly website for the analysis of protein secondary structures from Circular Dichroism (CD) and Synchrotron Radiation Circular Dichroism (SRCD) spectra has been created.

Availability: It is accessible via a server located at http://www.cryst.bbk.ac.uk/cdweb

Contact: Users may obtain information and apply for a UserID and password from cdweb@mail.cryst.bbk.ac.uk.

Supplementary information: This website forms part of the electronic resources and information service of the Centre for Protein and Membrane Structure and Dynamics (CPMSD) located at http://www.srs.dl.ac.uk/VUV/CD/cpmsd.html.

* To whom correspondence should be addressed (at Birbeck College).