bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti-CD40 monoclonal antibodies or CD4+ T cell clones and IL-4 induce IgG4 and IgE switching in purified human B cells via different signaling pathways.
Authors: Gascan H , Gauchat J F , Aversa G , Van Vlasselaer P , de Vries J E
Published: December 2022

IL-4 induces IgE and IgG4 synthesis, but in addition to IL-4, a second signal provided by CD4+ T cells is required. Here we demonstrate that the signal provided by CD4+ T cells can be replaced by anti-CD40 mAb. Highly purified surface (sIgM+) human B cells cultured with soluble anti-CD40 mAb in the presence of IL-4 produced IgM, total IgG, IgG4, and relatively high levels of IgE, indicating that production of these isotypes represented H chain switching and was not the result of a selective outgrowth of isotype committed B cells. No IgA was produced in these cultures. However, the T cell signal was different from the signal provided by anti-CD40 mAb, because in contrast to CD4+ T cells, anti-CD40 mAb failed to induce germ-line epsilon transcripts. However, anti-CD40 mAb strongly enhanced germ-line epsilon mRNA expression induced by IL-4. In addition, IFN-gamma, IFN-alpha, and anti-CD23 mAb, which block IL-4-induced IgE production by PBMC, or B cells cocultured with CD4+ T cell clones, failed to inhibit IgG4 and IgE synthesis induced by anti-CD40 mAb. Finally, anti-CD40 mAb and CD4+ T cell clones had strong synergistic effects on IgG4 and IgE synthesis. These results indicate that different B cell activation pathways can result in IgG4 and IgE switching in the presence of IL-4.
The processing and presentation of the self-antigen hemoglobin. Self-reactivity can be limited by antigen availability and costimulator expression.
Authors: Hagerty D T , Evavold B D , Allen P M
Published: December 2022

APC do not distinguish between self- and foreign proteins. Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that most endogenous host APC constitutively processed and presented the self-Ag, hemoglobin (Hb), as detected by the Hb-specific T cell hybridoma, YO1.6. We have now examined APC in organs known to be involved in RBC degradation (liver Kupffer cells and splenic small resting B cells) for the presence of Hb/Ia complexes and for the expression of the costimulation necessary to trigger proliferation of T cell clones. We detected Hb/Ia complexes not only on splenic small resting B cells, but also on liver Kupffer cells. Interestingly, complexes were not present on lymph node small resting B cells. Splenic small resting B cells expressed costimulatory activity and efficiently stimulated the Th2 clones only. The opposite pattern was observed with liver Kupffer cells, which expressed costimulatory activity for Th1 clones only. However, if costimulatory activity was provided for the Th2 clones (IL-1 beta) and Th1 clones (allogenic spleen cells), the clones did proliferate in response to Kupffer cells and small resting B cells, respectively. In this report we have demonstrated that 1) endogenously formed self Hb/Ia complexes are expressed on splenic small resting B cells and liver Kupffer cells but not on lymph node small resting B cells and 2) these APC are also able to limit the expression of costimulatory activity for Th2 and Th1 T cell clones. Thus, endogenous APC not only constitutively process and present the self-Ag Hb, but also limit expression of the costimulatory activity necessary to trigger T cell proliferation against a self-Ag. The constitutive processing and presentation of self-Ag, as well as the regulation of costimulatory activity on APC, is likely an important feature of the maintenance of self-tolerance.
A human CD4- T cell leukemia subclone with contact-dependent helper function.
Authors: Yellin M J , Lee J J , Chess L , Lederman S
Published: December 2022

Helper T lymphocytes provide a contact dependent signal to resting B cells that is required for optimal differentiation into Ig-secreting cells. The surface structure(s) on T cells that mediate helper function have not been identified but are known to be induced by T cell activation. A CD4- subclone of the Jurkat leukemic T cell line (D1.1) was isolated and found to be distinct from CD4+ Jurkat clones and a variety of other T and non-T cell leukemic lines in that coculture of D1.1 with resting B cells induced B cells to specifically express surface CD23 molecules, a marker of B cell activation. Furthermore, Jurkat D1.1 induced B cell proliferation and terminal B cell differentiation into IgG-secreting cells in the presence of T cell-dependent B cell mitogens. Similar to the helper effector function of activated T cells, the effects of Jurkat D1.1 were neither Ag nor MHC restricted. Paraformaldehyde fixed Jurkat D1.1 cells remained competent to activate B cells while D1.1 supernatants and diffusible factors were inactive. The effect of Jurkat D1.1 on B cell activation was distinct from that of rIL-4 and was not inhibited by antibodies to IL-4. Together these observations suggested that surface structures on D1.1 and not secreted factors, mediated contact-dependent helper effector function.
Differential regulation of human monocyte programmed cell death (apoptosis) by chemotactic factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Authors: Mangan D F , Wahl S M
Published: December 2022

In the absence of appropriate stimuli, monocytes undergo programmed cell death (PCD) or apoptosis. IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha prevent monocyte PCD, which suggests that viability may be regulated by biologically active peptides released during inflammation. To explore this possibility, we evaluated several chemotactic factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines for their ability to regulate PCD. The recruitment factors, FMLP, C fragment C5a, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, or transforming growth factor-beta 1, were incapable of rescuing monocytes from PCD nor did they enhance PCD, whereas several inflammatory cytokines in addition to IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha, including granulocyte-monocyte-CSF and IFN-gamma, prevented monocyte PCD provided that sufficient levels of these cytokines were continuously maintained in the cultures. Cytokine-mediated inhibition of PCD could be blocked by specific antisera, ruling out potential effects caused by LPS contamination. When tested at equivalent concentrations, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-6 had no effect on PCD indicating selectivity in cytokine modulation of monocyte PCD. Because monocytes produce IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and granulocyte-monocyte CSF when activated, the data suggest autocrine as well as paracrine control of cell survival and accumulation. The results also suggest that monocytes recruited to a site of inflammation will undergo PCD in the absence of specific cytokines and/or other stimuli that block this process.
Enhanced resistance to HIV-1 replication in U937 cells stably transfected with the human IFN-beta gene behind an MHC promoter fragment.
Authors: Mace K , Seif I , Anjard C , De Maeyer-Guignard J , Dodon M D , Gazzolo L , De Maeyer E
Published: December 2022

Cells of the monocyte lineage act as a major reservoir for HIV, and ways of enhancing the resistance of mononuclear phagocytes to HIV replication would be useful for delaying the onset of AIDS in infected individuals. Seif et al. (J. Virol. 65:664, 1991) have recently shown the possibility of obtaining stable antiviral expression (SAVE), directed against three nonretroviral RNA viruses, and normal cell viability in a significant percentage of murine BALB/c 3T3 cells transformed with an IFN-beta expression plasmid under the control of the 0.6-kb XhoII-NruI promoter region of the murine H-2Kb MHC gene. In the present paper, we show that it is possible to establish SAVE in human promonocytic cells. Cells of the human promonocytic U937 line were stably transfected with a human IFN-beta expression plasmid carrying the neo- and human IFN-beta-coding sequences under the control of the H-2Kb promoter fragment previously used in murine cells. After selection with G418, two transformed clones were isolated that released small amounts of human IFN-beta into the culture medium, without affecting the expression of CD4 and leucocyte function-associated Ag-1 differentiation Ag. The presence of construct-derived IFN-beta mRNA was demonstrated by polymerase chain reaction amplification of cDNA, and the level of 2-5A synthetase, one of the major IFN-induced antiviral proteins, was shown to be constitutively increased. These clones were less permissive for HIV-1 than control clones transformed with the neo gene only. The antiviral state could be modulated by anti-IFN-beta antibodies, in that the continuous presence of antibodies in the culture medium abolished the enhanced resistance to HIV-1 replication, whereas the withdrawal of the antiserum restored the antiviral state, indicating that it did indeed result from the constitutive synthesis of human IFN-beta. These results demonstrate the possibility of restricting HIV-1 replication in human promonocytic cells by establishing SAVE. Further exploration of this method as a possible approach to somatic cell gene therapy of HIV infection appears worthwhile.
CRRP: a guinea pig protein, identified by sequence homology to human CR1, which contains two short consensus repeat motifs and appears not to be transmembrane or secreted.
Authors: Moore F D
Published: December 2022

cDNA from the C4b-binding site of the human C3b/C4b receptor (CR1) was used to find homologous sequences in the guinea pig. This cDNA identified an 18S mRNA species in guinea pig spleen, but not liver. Probing of a guinea pig spleen cDNA library identified clones with identical 1.5-kb inserts, which also hybridized to mRNA in spleen, but not liver. Sequence analysis of the insert revealed a single long open-reading frame coding for a 20,000 Mr protein consisting of two short consensus repeat motifs homologous to human CR1, and unique sequence at the amino- and carboxy-terminals of the short consensus repeats. This sequence did not encode peptides with features of transmembrane domains or signal peptides. Antibody to this complement receptor-related protein-beta galactosidase fusion protein recognized a 20,000 Mr protein in SDS lysates of guinea pig spleen, lymph node, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and peritoneal macrophages. Immunoprecipitation of human serum by this antibody revealed an 180,000 Mr protein reacting both with the anti-guinea pig protein antibody and with anti-human CR1 antibody. Immunoprecipitation of guinea pig serum revealed no protein reacting with the anti-guinea pig protein antibody. Tissue staining of cultured peritoneal macrophages with this antibody showed intracellular staining, as opposed to membrane staining obtained with anti-guinea pig Ig antibody. The lack of membrane expression was confirmed by surface protein radiolabeling experiments and by fluorescent staining of surface proteins. Thus, we have identified a guinea pig protein with homology to human CR1, which may have an unusual property for this class of proteins in that it appears to be intracellular.
Comparative studies of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity and of extracellular ATP-induced cell lysis. Different requirements in extracellular Mg2+ and pH.
Authors: Redegeld F , Filippini A , Sitkovsky M
Published: December 2022

We recently proposed that extracellular ATP (ATPo) may be involved in CTL-mediated cytotoxicity by acting in concert with yet unidentified cellular components (ATPo receptors/ATPo-binding proteins, ectoprotein kinases). The TCR-triggered ATPo accumulation by CTL has been demonstrated, whereas the resistance of CTL to ATPo was explained by the action of highly active ecto-ATPases or by the absence of relevant ATP-binding proteins. However, no data were available to discriminate between the possibilities of: i) ATPo acting alone as a "hit" molecule because of the cell-permeabilizing properties of ATP4- or ii) ATPo acting as a "messenger" (as MgATP2-) in concert with other molecules. Comparing ATPo-induced and CTL-mediated cell lysis, we found that ATPo-induced lysis of some target cells is greatly decreased at neutral and acidic pH, whereas Ca(2+)-dependent CTL-mediated lysis of the same cells is barely affected. In agreement with the observed pH dependency, at low Mg2+ concentrations, which favor ATP4- over MgATP2-, maximal ATPo-induced lysis was observed. However, CTL-mediated cytotoxicity in both Ag-specific and retargeting assays was markedly reduced at low Mg2+ concentrations. These results suggest that ATPo acting alone as a "hit" molecule cannot fully account for the extracellular Ca(2+)-dependent lethal hit delivery by CTL or that ATP4- is active at very low concentrations. This conclusion was further supported by studying the lytic effect of ATPo and CTL on the anti-TCR mAb-coupled SRBC. CTL were efficient in the SRBC lysis, whereas no lysis of SRBC by ATPo was detected. The resistance of SRBC to ATPo is not caused by a high ATPo degradation, because the ecto-ATPase activity of SRBC was much lower than in ATPo-resistant CTL OE4 cells and comparable with EL4 tumor cells, which were easily lysed by ATPo. These data suggested the need for careful consideration of the pH and cation composition of the media used for studying ATPo effects. The caveats in the use of ATP-degrading enzymes to implicate the role of extracellular ATPo in the CTL-mediated cytotoxicity are described here. A clarification of the previously described cytotoxicity inhibition by hexokinase, which is caused by an inhibitory salt effect, is presented. It is suggested that if Ca(2+)-dependent lysis of SRBC and of other target cells by CTL does involve extracellular ATP, it may function as a "messenger" in concert with other extracellular molecules.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Stability changes in pim-1 proto-oncogene mRNA after mitogen stimulation of normal lymphocytes.
Authors: Wingett D , Reeves R , Magnuson N S
Published: December 2022

mRNA expression of the serine/threonine kinase protooncogene Pim-1 was investigated in mitogen-treated normal bovine lymphocytes. After stimulation with Con A and phorbol ester (PMA), normal bovine PBMC exhibited a 3.5-fold induction of pim-1 mRNA within 4 h of stimulation. By 17 h poststimulation, however, the level of pim-1 mRNA had fallen to approximately 50%. Similar transient kinetics of pim-1 expression were also observed in mitogen-stimulated bovine lymph node lymphocytes and the amount of pim-1 mRNA induced was dependent on the type of mitogen stimulus. Typically, stimulation with Con A and PMA together acted synergistically resulting in a greatly increased amount of pim-1 mRNA induction compared to stimulation with either Con A or PMA alone. To determine if an increase in pim-1 mRNA stability contributed to the overall increase in pim-1 mRNA levels observed after mitogen stimulation, RNA half-life studies were performed. At 4 h poststimulation, pim-1 mRNA in bovine lymph node lymphocytes was relatively stable with a t1/2 of approximately 80 min; at 17 h poststimulation, however, the t1/2 (approximately 35 min) was markedly decreased. In addition, cyclohexamide treatment was found to markedly increase the stability of pim-1 transcripts in bovine PBMC suggesting that a protein synthesis-dependent posttranscriptional pim-1 mRNA degradation pathway may be involved in the regulation of pim-1 mRNA levels in lymphoid cells. To investigate the possible contribution of the destabilizing (UAUU)n motif to pim-1 mRNA stability, the t1/2 of the short 2.4-kb germ cell-specific pim-1 transcript found in rat testes was compared to that of the longer 2.8-kb somatic transcript expressed in stimulated rat lymphocytes. t1/2 determination experiments showed that the 2.4-kb testes-specific transcript, which is missing the destabilizing (UAUU)n sequence, was quite stable (t1/2 much greater than 6 h). In contrast, the t1/2 of the longer 2.8 kb somatic cell pim-1 transcript that contains this A/U-rich sequence motif was found to be much shorter (t1/2 approximately 130 min) in mitogen-activated rat lymphocytes. Together these findings indicate that the transient induction of pim-1 gene expression is associated with normal lymphocyte activation and that the stability of pim-1 transcripts is regulated in lymphocytes during the course of activation. In addition, the differences in pim-1 mRNA stability observed in germ cells and lymphocytes of the same animal are likely the result of molecular mechanisms involving differential regulation by the message destabilizing (UAUU)n motif.
CD14 contributes to the adherence of human monocytes to cytokine-stimulated endothelial cells.
Authors: Beekhuizen H , Blokland I , Corsèl-van Tilburg A J , Koning F , van Furth R
Published: December 2022

Monocyte adherence to endothelial cells (EC) is selectively increased during inflammation. The mechanisms underlying monocyte-EC interaction indicated the involvement of surface-adhesion molecules on monocytes and EC. In earlier studies we noticed that the monocyte-specific mAb, designated mAb 63D3, in contrast to mAb against the beta 2-integrin molecules, inhibited the monocyte binding to monolayers of rIL-1 alpha-stimulated venous EC. The aim of the present study was to further characterize the Ag recognized by mAb 63D3 and to investigate the specific contribution of this Ag to the adherence of monocytes to cultured human macrovascular venous or arterial EC. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that the 63D3 Ag is expressed exclusively on the surface of peripheral blood monocytes. SDS-PAGE analysis of mAb 63D3 immunoprecipitates of 125I-labeled human monocyte surface proteins revealed that the target Ag for mAb 63D3 is a 52- to 55-kDa molecule identical to the myeloid differentiation protein CD14. Stimulation of EC with rIL-1 alpha or rTNF-alpha for 4 or 24 h or rIFN-gamma for 24 h increased (p less than 0.005) the number of monocytes bound to both types of EC. This cytokine-induced increase in monocyte adherence was significantly (p less than 0.0005) inhibited when the monocytes were coated with various mAb against CD14. The binding of monocytes to nonstimulated venous or arterial EC was not inhibited by anti-CD14 mAb. Our results lead to the conclusion that CD14 molecules, which on basis of their structure and m.w. are not related to the beta 2-integrin family of heterodimeric leukocyte adhesion molecules, participate in the binding of monocytes to cytokine-stimulated EC.
Inactivation of recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha by proteolytic enzymes released from stimulated human neutrophils.
Authors: van Kessel K P , van Strijp J A , Verhoef J
Published: December 2022

Activated human neutrophils (PMN) degrade rTNF-alpha resulting in a loss of cytotoxic activity against murine L-929 cells (L cells). This inactivation is mediated through proteases released from activated PMN. Exposure of TNF to H2O2, glucose oxidase, xanthine oxidase, or myeloper-oxidase-H2O2-halide did not affect TNF cytotoxicity for L cells. Exposure to trypsin, chymotrypsin, pronase E, or elastase, however, did diminish TNF bioactivity. FMLP-stimulated PMN in the presence, but not in the absence, of cytochalasin B reduced TNF activity, whereas PMA-stimulated PMN did not affect TNF. Stimulation of PMN with opsonized bacteria also induced TNF inactivation as well as the supernatant of FMLP-stimulated cells. Addition of protease inhibitors to the FMLP-stimulated cytochalasin B-treated PMN abrogated the inactivation of TNF cytotoxicity for L cells, whereas scavengers were not protective. In addition, PMN from a chronic granulomatous disease patient also decreased TNF bioactivity. Inactivation of TNF by activated PMN correlated with granule release and not with superoxide production. Exposure of TNF to proteases and FMLP-activated PMN also resulted in a loss of reactivity with anti-TNF antibodies, as measured by ELISA, and in the formation of an approximately 10-kDa split product from the 17-kDa rTNF molecule. Partial degradation of TNF by proteases released from activated PMN may result in a diminished TNF bioactivity and thereby contribute to the regulation of local inflammatory reactions.
Staphylococcal toxins bind to different sites on HLA-DR.
Authors: Chintagumpala M M , Mollick J A , Rich R R
Published: December 2022

Staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) bind to MHC class II molecules and the toxin-class II complexes induce proliferation of T cells bearing specific V beta sequences. We have previously reported that these toxins display varying binding affinities for HLA-DR1. We now investigated whether these differences simply reflected differences in binding affinity for a single class II binding site or, at least in part, the engagement of different binding sites on the HLA-DR complex. Through competitive binding studies we show that SEB and TSST-1, which are not closely related by their amino acid sequences, bind to two different sites on HLA-DR. Both of these sites are also occupied by staphylococcal enterotoxin A (SEA), enterotoxin D (SED), and enterotoxin E (SEE) which exhibit more than 70% amino acid sequence homology. SEB and TSST-1 failed to inhibit SEA binding to HLA-DR. These studies suggest that there may be three distinct, although perhaps overlapping, binding sites on HLA-DR for these toxins. Further, although SED and SEE are similar to SEA in structure, and appear to bind the same sites on HLA-DR as SEA, they displayed significantly lower binding affinities. T cell proliferative responses to SED required a higher concentration of the toxin than SEA, probably reflecting its lower binding affinity. SEE, however, elicited T cell responses at very low concentrations, similar to SEA, despite its much lower binding affinity. Therefore, although the affinities of these toxins to MHC class II molecules appear to significantly influence the T cell responses, the effective recognition of the toxin-class II complex by the TCR may also contribute to such responses.
Anti-idiotypic antibodies bearing the internal image of a bradykinin epitope. Production, characterization, and interaction with the kinin receptor.
Authors: Haasemann M , Buschko J , Faussner A , Roscher A A , Hoebeke J , Burch R M , Müller-Esterl W
Published: December 2022

mAb against bradykinin, the prototypic member of the kinin family of vasodilator peptides, were generated by somatic cell fusion. The antibodies were isotyped as IgG1, kappa-type, and their target epitopes mapped with bradykinin, lysyl-bradykinin (kallidin), kinin receptor antagonists, and fragments thereof, revealing three distinct sets of mAb, i.e., mAb against bradykinin (MBK)1, MBK2, and MBK3. Comparison of the immunologic binding affinities and the known pharmacologic binding specificities of bradykinin derivatives disclosed a striking similarity in the binding profiles of mAb MBK3 and the B2 type of the kinin receptor. Anti-idiotypic antibodies against MBK1, MBK2, and MBK3 were raised in rabbit and sheep. Inhibition and competition experiments on the level of the Ag (ligand), the idiotype, and the anti-idiotype demonstrated the mutual specificity of the network system components. Anti-idiotypic antibodies against MBK3 recognized a particular idiotope that was conformation-dependent and associated with the Ag binding site of the antibody. Binding of anti-idiotypic antibodies to the B2 receptor expressed by human foreskin fibroblasts and guinea pig ileum demonstrated that the anti-idiotypes cross-react with the corresponding receptor across species. Specific stimulation of the inositol phosphate pathway in human fibroblasts and of the PG pathway in mouse fibroblasts, respectively, and inhibition of the latter effect by the B2 kinin receptor antagonist NPC 567 indicated that the anti-idiotypes bear the internal image of a bradykinin epitope. Furthermore, antibodies of the third generation (anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies) recognized the authentic Ag, i.e., bradykinin. Hence, the anti-idiotypic approach provides powerful tools to probe for the hitherto poorly characterized B2 kinin receptor.
Articular chondrocytes synthesize nitric oxide in response to cytokines and lipopolysaccharide.
Authors: Stadler J , Stefanovic-Racic M , Billiar T R , Curran R D , McIntyre L A , Georgescu H I , Simmons R L , Evans C H
Published: December 2022

Although IL-1 is an important modulator of chondrocyte metabolism, the postreceptor events triggered by IL-1 remain obscure. The present study shows that IL-1 induces the biosynthesis of nitric oxide (.N = O) by articular chondrocytes. Synthesis of .N = O is also induced by LPS. Other inflammatory mediators such as IFN-gamma, fibroblast growth factor, and TNF-alpha fail to provoke the production of .N = O, but they increase the potency of IL-1. A combination of IL-1, LPS, and TNF-alpha was shown to induce maximal production of 355 +/- 51 nmol/10(6) cells/72 h of nitrite (NO2-), which was measured as a stable end-product of .N = O generation. The biosynthesis of .N = O requires an induction period of approximately 6 h and continues for at least 72 h. Inhibition of .N = O production with the competitive inhibitor NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMA) leads to a suppression of gelatinase and PGE2 synthesis by chondrocytes activated with IL-1 alone. In contrast, NMA enhances the synthesis of both gelatinase and PGE2 after activation with a combination of IL-1, LPS, and TNF-alpha. An increase of PGE2 synthesis from 42.0 +/- 21.0 to 174.0 +/- 33.5 ng/10(6) cells/72 h resulted from the addition of NMA when these stimulatory agents were combined. Exposure of IL-1 and fibroblast growth factor-stimulated chondrocytes to authentic, exogenous .N = O led to an increase of PGE2 synthesis from 5.6 +/- 1.7 of untreated cells to 15.8 +/- 6.8 ng/10(6) of .N = O treated cells within the 1st h. This was followed by a suppression of PGE2 synthesis within the next 2 h.
Murine CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes lyse Toxoplasma gondii-infected cells.
Authors: Subauste C S , Koniaris A H , Remington J S
Published: December 2022

Studies were performed to determine whether CTL against Toxoplasma gondii-infected cells could be induced in a murine model of T. gondii infection in which CD8+ T lymphocytes have been shown to play a major role in resistance against this parasite. In 51Cr release assays, nylon wool nonadherent spleen cells from BALB/c (H-2d) mice immunized with the temperature-sensitive (ts-4) mutant strain of T. gondii were cytotoxic for T. gondii-infected P815 (H-2d) mastocytoma cells but not for uninfected cells. This cytotoxic activity was remarkably increased after in vitro stimulation with T. gondii-infected syngeneic spleen cells. The effector cells were shown to be CD8+ T lymphocytes, because the cytotoxicity was significantly inhibited by depletion of CD8+ T lymphocytes but not by depletion of CD4+ T lymphocytes. This cytotoxic activity was genetically restricted. Spleen cells from T. gondii-immune BALB/c mice were not cytotoxic for T. gondii-infected EL4 (H-2b) thymoma cells, whereas spleen cells from T. gondii-immune C57B1/6 (H-2b) mice were cytotoxic for T. gondii-infected EL4 cells but not for T. gondii-infected P815 cells. The cytolytic activity of CD8+ T lymphocytes against T. gondii-infected cells might be a mechanism whereby these cells confer resistance against T. gondii.
Inhibition of human IgE production via Fc epsilon R-II stimulation results from a decrease in the mRNA for secreted but not membrane epsilon H chains.
Authors: Saxon A , Kurbe-Leamer M , Behle K , Max E E , Zhang K
Published: December 2022

We have previously shown, using IgE-anti-IgE immune complexes or mAb directed against CD23, that ongoing production of secreted IgE from the human plasma cell line AF-10 can be inhibited via the low affinity FcR for IgE (CD23). Changes occurring in the various forms of epsilon messenger RNA (epsilon mRNA) during this suppression were investigated. mRNA levels of lambda L chain were also assessed as well as beta-actin controls. Changes in membrane IgE and secreted IgE and lambda protein were simultaneously measured. Using a genomic probe corresponding to the human epsilon C region domains, three sets of epsilon-mRNA bands were identified (2.1, 3.0, and 3.8 kb). Only the largest of these (3.8 kb) contained the full epsilon membrane sequence and coded for true membrane epsilon protein. The 2.1-kb species of epsilon-mRNA contained no membrane sequence and coded for classical secreted epsilon protein. The intermediate epsilon-mRNA species (3.0 kb) was shown to contain membrane sequence but did not contain the full epsilon membrane sequence. The product of this mRNA would, in fact, function as a secreted protein. When IgE production by AF-10 cells was suppressed via Fc epsilon R-II, there was a 50% fall in the steady state levels of both forms of mRNA (2.1 and 3.0 kb) that code for secreted epsilon protein. Similarly, there was a fall in lambda-mRNA corresponding to the observed decrease in free lambda secretion. In marked contrast, levels of both membrane IgE protein and mRNA coding for membrane epsilon were unaltered on the suppressed AF-10 cells. These data suggest that inhibition of IgE production via Fc epsilon R-II is related to a fall in mRNA for secreted proteins (epsilon and lambda) and probably reflects a post-transcriptional mechanism effecting mRNA for secreted vs membrane protein mRNA.
A novel cytotoxicity of CD4+ Th1 clones on heat-shocked tumor targets. I. Implications for internal disintegration model for target death and hyperthermia treatment of cancers.
Authors: Ozdemirli M , Akdeniz H , el-Khatib M , Ju S T
Published: December 2022

A novel cytotoxicity, which is normally hidden but unveiled upon interacting with heat-shocked tumor target, has been identified in CD4+ Th1 cells. When TNF-resistant, Ag-presenting tumor targets were heat shocked, the cytotoxicity by specific Th1 clones was significantly enhanced. Interestingly, the DNA of heat-shocked, unpulsed targets including Ia- tumor cells were also fragmented by Th1 clones. In contrast to the Ag-dependent, MHC-restricted cytotoxicity, the heat-shock-induced sensitivity to Th1 clones was a) Ag independent and MHC unrestricted, b) insensitive to CD4-mAb, c) resistant to actinomycin D and cycloheximide, and d) greatly enhanced by cholera toxin, PGE1, PGE2, and dibutyryl cAMP. This novel cytotoxicity was inhibited by mAb specific to lymphocyte function-associated Ag-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Upon culturing at 37 degrees C, mildly heat-shocked target cells gradually recovered, indicating that the heat-shock-induced sensitivity was transient and reversible. The implication of this study for a signal-induced internal disintegration mechanism for target death is discussed. The novel cytotoxicity of CD4+ Th1 cells may be an important mechanism of immune regulation under febrile conditions and an underlying mechanism for the hyperthermia treatment of cancers.
The minimum peptide epitope from the influenza virus matrix protein. Extra and intracellular loading of HLA-A2.
Authors: Bednarek M A , Sauma S Y , Gammon M C , Porter G , Tamhankar S , Williamson A R , Zweerink H J
Published: December 2022

Influenza virus matrix protein-derived peptides were synthesized based on the amino acid motifs for HLA-A2 bound self peptides. Among these peptides a nonamer (amino acids 58 through 66: G I L G F V F T L) was found to be 100 to 1000 times more effective than the commonly used peptide 57-68 (K G I L G F V F T L T V) in sensitizing HLA-A2+ target cells to lysis by influenza virus specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes. The sensitizing activity of the 12-mer 57-68 was not due to contamination with shorter and more active peptides. Intracellular expression of peptide 58-66 (mediated by a stable expression plasmid with DNA coding for this peptide) also sensitized HLA-A2+ cells to lysis. Peptide 58-66 stimulated human PBMC to generate CTL that recognized peptides 58-66 and 57-68 in association with HLA-A2.
Natural antibodies can inhibit bone marrow engraftment in the rat----mouse species combination.
Authors: Aksentijevich I , Sachs D H , Sykes M
Published: December 2022

Specific tolerance can be induced in animals by transplanting hemopoietic cells across concordant species barriers. Despite the fact that the rat-mouse species combination is considered concordant, we have recently demonstrated that normal murine serum contains natural antibodies (nAb), predominantly of the IgM and IgG3 subclasses, with markedly greater binding to rat bone marrow cells (BMC) than to rat splenocytes or thymocytes. Since much greater numbers of rat BMC than of allogeneic murine BMC are required to achieve engraftment in mice, we considered the possibility that these nAbs might be responsible, and that the increased numbers of BMC might be required to absorb these nAb. To evaluate the effect of these nAb on engraftment of rat BMC in mice, we have now performed adoptive transfer studies using T and B cell-deficient severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) mice as recipients. Administration of as few as 5 x 10(5) T cell-depleted rat BMC led to induction of stable xenochimerism in SCID mice conditioned with 4-Gy whole body irradiation. Rat T cells developed after a delay of several weeks, and conferred the ability to reject non-donor-type rat skin grafts, whereas donor-type grafts were accepted. Adoptive transfer of 4 ml of normal BALB/c serum led to a marked reduction in the level of rat chimerism in SCID recipients of 2 x 10(6) F344 BMC. The ability of sera to inhibit engraftment of rat BMC correlated with their cytotoxic nAb content, and the inhibitory effect of highly cytotoxic sera could be overcome by administration of large numbers of rat BMC. Thus, normal mouse serum has a limited ability to hinder engraftment of rat BMC, and this degree of resistance can be overcome by adsorption when large numbers of BMC are administered. Eliminating nAb from serum may be more difficult in discordant species combinations in recipients with functional B cells, but may likewise permit the use of BMT as a means of inducing transplantation tolerance.
Regulation of T lymphocyte apoptosis. Signals for the antagonism between activation- and glucocorticoid-induced death.
Authors: Iseki R , Mukai M , Iwata M
Published: December 2022

Apoptotic death can be induced in T cell hybridomas by glucocorticoids or the stimulation via the TCR/CD3 complex. The two apoptotic processes are mutually antagonistic. We have previously proposed that positive selection of thymocytes for the formation of the T cell repertoire might be based on a similar mechanism. We analyzed the TCR/CD3-mediated signals essential for the regulation of apoptosis in T cell hybridomas. We suggest that both an increase in the intracellular Ca2+ level and an activation of protein kinase C are essential for the TCR/CD3-mediated apoptosis, because we obtained the following results: 1) either reduction of extracellular Ca2+ concentration or addition of a protein kinase inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolkinelsulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine or N-(2-(methylamino)ethyl)-5-isoquinolinesulfonamide, inhibited anti-CD3-induced but not dexamethasone-induced DNA fragmentation. 2) The combination of ionomycin and PMA, but neither one alone nor the combination of ionomycin and cyclic nucleotide analogs, induced DNA fragmentation. On the contrary, we suggest that only an increase in the intracellular Ca2+ level is essential for the inhibition of glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis, because ionomycin alone as well as the combination of ionomycin and PMA inhibited dexamethasone- but not anti-CD3-induced DNA fragmentation.
Endotoxin stimulates bronchial epithelial cells to release chemotactic factors for neutrophils. A potential mechanism for neutrophil recruitment, cytotoxicity, and inhibition of proliferation in bronchial inflammation.
Authors: Koyama S , Rennard S I , Leikauf G D , Shoji S , Von Essen S , Claassen L , Robbins R A
Published: December 2022

To test the effect of endotoxin on bronchial epithelial cells (BEC), BEC were isolated from bovine lungs and cultured in the presence of bacterial endotoxin. The BEC culture supernatant fluids were harvested, and neutrophil chemotactic activity (NCA) was determined with a blindwell chamber technique; cytotoxicity determined by lactate dehydrogenase release and BEC proliferation determined by Coulter counting. Endotoxin caused a dose- and time-dependent release of NCA from BEC cultures compared with media alone (82.3 +/- 8.1 vs 12.0 +/- 3.1 cells/high power field, p less than 0.001). To further characterize this activity, reverse phase HPLC analysis of release eicosanoid metabolites after [3H]arachidonic acid incorporation was performed. Endotoxin stimulated the release of the neutrophil chemoattractants, leukotriene B4 and 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids. Endotoxin also resulted in a dose and time dependent release of lactate dehydrogenase (42.9 +/- 4.2 vs 20.2 +/- 2.2 U/liter, p less than 0.001) although higher doses were required to cause cytotoxicity than to stimulate chemotaxis. Finally, endotoxin resulted in a dose dependent inhibition of BEC proliferation (176 x 10(3) +/- 16 x 10(3) vs 1,080 x 10(3) +/- 38 x 10(3) cells/ml measured at day 14, p less than 0.001). These data suggest that bacterial release of endotoxin may contribute to the pathophysiologic changes observed in bronchial inflammation by stimulating BEC to release NCA, denuding airway epithelium by causing cytotoxicity of BEC, and inhibiting epithelial repair by inhibiting BEC proliferation.
Cytokine (tumor necrosis factor, IL-6, and IL-8) production by respiratory syncytial virus-infected human alveolar macrophages.
Authors: Becker S , Quay J , Soukup J
Published: December 2022

Human alveolar macrophages (AM) are susceptible to infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), but the infection is abortive after the initial cycles of virus replication. We have investigated if RSV infection of AM results in the production of cytokines TNF, IL-6, and IL-8, all of which may modulate inflammatory and immune responses to the virus, as well as may directly protect respiratory epithelial cells against spread of infection. Within 1 h after interaction with RSV, increased mRNA levels were found for all three cytokines. Peak expression of the mRNAs occurred at 3 to 6 h. The virus most effectively induced TNF mRNA expression greater than IL-6 mRNA greater than IL-8 mRNA, as compared to cytokine mRNA expression induced by bacterial endotoxin. Inactivated virus was almost as effective as live virus in inducing and maintaining increased IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA over 16 h, whereas live infectious RSV was necessary for maintaining TNF mRNA expression over the same time. Protein concentrations of the different cytokines in the supernatants of infected AM reflected the increased levels of mRNA in the cells. Despite the high levels of cytokines with possible antiviral activity (TNF and IL-6) in the AM supernatants, neither supernatants nor rTNF when added to bronchial epithelial cells protected them from infection with RSV. However, TNF, IL-1, and RSV, but not IL-6, induced IL-8 and IL-6 mRNA expression by the bronchial epithelial cells suggesting that cytokines produced by RSV-infected AM may be more important in modulating the inflammatory response in infection than directly interfering with virus infection/replication of airway epithelium.
Serologic reactivities of the 23-kDa integral membrane proteins of schistosomes.
Authors: Wright M D , Melder A M , Davern K M , Mitchell G F
Published: December 2022

The 23-kDa integral membrane proteins of Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma japonicum (Sm23 and Sj23) are Ag of some interest in terms of both antiparasite vaccination and immunodiagnosis. We have raised an antiserum against a recombinant fusion protein expressing the extracellular hydrophyllic domain of Sm23 (Sm23HD-pGEX) and used this serum, as well as other antibody reagents reacting with Sm/Sj23, in immunochemical analyses. The immunogenicity and antigenicity of Sm23HD-pGEX, and the surprising lack of cross-reactivity between Sm23 and Sj23 support the hypothesis that Sm/Sj23 are host-like molecules with a very limited number of B cell epitopes that are likely to reside in the extracellular hydrophilic domain. We also present evidence that, unlike the highly immunogenic Sj23, Sm23 is not immunogenic in chronically infected mice. Moreover, we confirm a surface location for Sj23 in adult worms, in S. japonicum.
Shedding of ICAM-1 from human melanoma cell lines induced by IFN-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Functional consequences on cell-mediated cytotoxicity.
Authors: Becker J C , Dummer R , Hartmann A A , Burg G , Schmidt R E
Published: December 2022

ICAM-1-mediated cell-cell adhesion is essential for various immunologic functions, including non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity. The present study was designed to establish whether shedding of ICAM-1 from melanoma cells occurred and to characterize the effects of soluble ICAM-1 on some cell adhesion-dependent functions. The shed soluble ICAM-1 molecule was detected and quantified by a specific ELISA. Shedding of ICAM-1 could be induced by IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha alone, or more effectively, by a combination of the two cytokines together. The use of purified soluble ICAM-1 enabled us to test for the functional significance of the ICAM-1 shedding from tumor cells. Conjugate formation between the cloned NK cell line CNK6 and the erythromyeloid cell line K562, as well as between lymphokine-activated killer cells and the melanoma cell line M26, could be inhibited by purified soluble ICAM-1 and cell-free supernatants from melanoma cell cultures containing shed ICAM-1. Furthermore, the non-MHC-restricted cytotoxicity mediated by NK and lymphokine-activated killer cells could be abrogated either by purified soluble ICAM-1 or by melanoma cell culture supernatants containing shed ICAM-1. Thus, shedding of ICAM-1 may be one of the mechanisms by which neoplastic cells escape immunosurveillance.
Glycolipid-anchored form of CD4 increases intercellular adhesion but is unable to enhance T cell activation.
Authors: Sleckman B P , Rosenstein Y , Igras V E , Greenstein J L , Burakoff S J
Published: December 2022

CD4 functions to enhance T cell activation by increasing intercellular adhesion and/or by transduction of an intracellular signal. To study the role of human CD4 in T cell activation we have used a murine T cell hybridoma, By 155.16, which produces IL-2 when stimulated by HLA-DR-bearing cells. Previously, we have shown that expression of human CD4 by this hybridoma enhances its ability to produce IL-2 in response to HLA-DR-bearing cells. Furthermore, deletion of the majority of the cytoplasmic domain renders CD4 less efficient at enhancing IL-2 production. We describe studies of a glycolipid-anchored mutant of the CD4 molecule, CD4PI. This mutant is composed of the entire extracellular domain of CD4 anchored to the outlet leaflet of the membrane via a covalent bond to glycosylphosphatidylinositol and, therefore, has no transmembrane or cytoplasmic domains. When expressed in By155.16, CD4PI shows no defect in its ability to increase intercellular adhesion but is unable to augment IL-2 production. These results clearly demonstrate that CD4 enhances T cell activation by mechanisms other than increasing intercellular adhesion.
IgG3 production in MRL/lpr mice is responsible for development of lupus nephritis.
Authors: Takahashi S , Nose M , Sasaki J , Yamamoto T , Kyogoku M
Published: December 2022

MRL/Mp-lpr/lpr (MRL/lpr) mice spontaneously develop lethal glomerulonephritis (GN) similar to human lupus nephritis, associated with the expression of lymphoproliferation gene lpr. To examine whether a particular IgG subclass is responsible for development of GN in these mice, first quantitative analysis of IgG subclasses in serum and in kidney eluates was performed. Although IgG2a was the dominant subclass in serum throughout the lifespan of mice, the IgG3 level in kidney eluates was three times higher than that of IgG2a at the 16 wk of age, which is the time of onset of development of severe GN. In sera of the 12-wk-old mice, half of the IgG3 was in immune complex form, whereas IgG2a in this form was only 17% of the total amount. Second, cyclosporin A, which ameliorates GN in MRL/lpr mice despite autoantibody production, was found to reduce serum IgG3 and mRNA levels, associated with the revision of cationic shift of the serum IgG3 spectrotype seen in isoelectric focusing. Third, among the hybrid mice with non-autoimmune-prone C3H/HeJ-lpr/lpr (C3H/lpr) mice, MRL/lpr x (MRL/lpr x C3H/lpr) F1, in which the genetic background for GN is likely segregated, the mRNA level for IgG3 correlated well with the degree of glomerular lesion. These findings indicate that production of IgG3 in MRL/lpr mice is one of the major factors responsible for development of GN in these mice, and that this is due to the genetic background of the MRL strain.
Regulation of alloreactivity in vivo by IL-4 and the soluble IL-4 receptor.
Authors: Fanslow W C , Clifford K N , Park L S , Rubin A S , Voice R F , Beckmann M P , Widmer M B
Published: December 2022

Although numerous in vitro studies have demonstrated that cytokines are involved in the generation of alloreactive effector cells, the role of these regulatory substances in vivo is less well defined. We have recently cloned and expressed cDNAs encoding both membrane bound and soluble forms of the murine IL-4R. The effects of murine rIL-4 and a recombinant, soluble, extracellular portion of the murine IL-4R soluble(s) IL-4R on the generation of alloresponsiveness in vivo were evaluated by measuring the lymphoproliferative response to a localized injection of allogeneic cells and the survival of cardiac allografts. Administration of IL-4 to BALB/c mice resulted in a slight augmentation of the anti-C57BL/6 lymphoproliferative response compared to that occurring in control, mouse serum albumin-(MSA) treated mice. In contrast, the sIL-4R suppressed this response to allogeneic cells in a dose-dependent manner, with a dose of 50 micrograms/kg/day causing nearly complete inhibition of the response as compared to the response observed in controls. The inhibitory effect of sIL-4R was reversed by simultaneous administration of IL-4. A neutralizing antibody against IL-4 (11B11) and another against the IL-4R (M1) were also effective inhibitors of the response when given at 100- to 1000-fold higher concentrations than the amount of sIL-4R required to inhibit the response. In cardiac allograft experiments, BALB/c mice were engrafted with newborn C57BL/6 hearts in the ear pinnae and treated with sIL-4R (50 micrograms/kg) or MSA. Such allografts survived an average of 4 days longer in sIL-4R-treated mice than in MSA-treated controls. In conclusion, neutralization of IL-4 inhibits alloresponsiveness in vivo. These results confirm a regulatory role for this pleiotropic cytokine in allograft rejection and suggest a therapeutic value for IL-4 antagonists alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive regimens.