bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expansion of CD4+CD25+and FOXP3+ Regulatory T Cells during the Follicular Phase of the Menstrual Cycle: Implications for Human Reproduction
Authors: Arruvito Lourdes , Sanz Marianela , Banham Alison H. , Fainboim Leonardo 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are thought to affect the severity of various infectious and autoimmune diseases. The incidence of autoimmune disease is higher in fertile women than in men. Thus, we investigated whether Treg numbers were modulated during the menstrual cycle by sex hormones. In fertile nonpregnant women, we detected an expansion of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ Tregs in the late follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. This increase was tightly correlated with serum levels of estradiol and was followed by a dramatic decrease in Treg numbers at the luteal phase. Women who have had recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) showed similarly low numbers of Tregs at both the follicular and luteal phases, comparable to numbers we observed in postmenopausal women. In addition to decreased numbers, Tregs from women with RSA were also functionally deficient, as higher numbers were required to exert a similar magnitude of suppression to CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ cells from fertile women. Consequently, reproductive failure might result from the inability of Tregs in women with RSA to expand during the preimplantatory phase combined with their lower functional capacity. Additionally, the modulation of Treg numbers we observed in fertile women suggests that the stage of the menstrual cycle should be taken into account when Treg numbers are investigated clinically.
Cutting Edge: TFII-I Controls B Cell Proliferation via Regulating NF-κB
Authors: Ashworth Todd , Roy Ananda L. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The multifunctional transcription factor TFII-I physically and functionally interacts with Bruton’s tyrosine kinase in murine B cells. However, the downstream functions of TFII-I in B cells are unknown. Toward achieving this goal, we established stable posttranscriptional silencing of TFII-I in WEHI-231 immature murine B cells, which undergoes growth arrest and apoptosis either upon anti-IgM or TGF-β signaling. In this study, we show that TFII-I promotes growth arrest of cells in a signal-dependent manner. Unlike control cells, B cells exhibiting loss of TFII-I function fail to undergo arrest upon signaling due to up-regulation of c-Myc expression and concomitant down-regulation of both p21 and p27. Loss of TFII-I is also associated with simultaneous increase in nuclear c-rel and decrease in p50 homodimer binding. Thus, besides controlling c-myc transcription, TFII-I controls B cell proliferation by regulating both nuclear translocation of c-rel and DNA-binding activity of p50 NF-κB.
Cutting Edge: Differential Inhibition of TLR Signaling Pathways by Cell-Permeable Peptides Representing BB Loops of TLRs
Authors: Toshchakov Vladimir Y. , Fenton Matthew J. , Vogel Stefanie N. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
We designed cell-penetrating peptides comprised of the translocating segment of Drosophila antennapedia homeodomain fused with BB loop sequences of TLR2, TLR4, and TLR1/6. TLR2- and TLR4-BB peptides (BBPs) inhibited NF-κB translocation and early IL-1β mRNA expression induced by LPS, and the lipopeptides S-[2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2-RS)-propyl]-N-palmitoyl-(R)-Cys-Ser-Lys4-OH (P3C) and S-[2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2-RS)-propyl]-Cys-Ser-Lys4-OH (P2C). TLR4- and TLR2-BBPs also strongly inhibited LPS-induced activation of ERK. Only TLR2-BBP significantly inhibited ERK activation induced by P3C, which acts via TLR2/1 heterodimers. BBPs did not inhibit activation of ERK induced by P2C, a TLR2/6 agonist. The TLR2-BBP induced weak activation of p38, but not ERK or cytokine mRNA. The TLR1/6-BBP failed to inhibit NF-κB or MAPK activation induced by any agonist. Our results suggest that the receptor BBPs selectively affect different TLR signaling pathways, and that the BB loops of TLR1/6 and TLR2 play distinct roles in formation of receptor heterodimers and recruitment of adaptor proteins.
Virus-Specific CD8+ T Cells in the Liver: Armed and Ready to Kill
Authors: Keating Rachael , Yue Wen , Rutigliano John A. , So Jenny , Olivas Elvia , Thomas Paul G. , Doherty Peter C. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Influenza A virus infection of C57BL/6 mice is a well-characterized model for studying CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity. Analysis of primary and secondary responses showed that the liver is highly enriched for CD8+ T cells specific for the immunodominant H2DbNP366–374 (DbNP366) epitope. Functional analysis established that these liver-derived virus-specific CD8+ T cells are fully competent cytotoxic effectors and IFN-γ secretors. In addition, flow cytometric analysis of early apoptotic cells showed that these influenza-specific CD8+ T cells from liver are as viable as those in the spleen, bronchoalveolar lavage, mediastinal lymph nodes, or lung. Moreover, cytokine profiles of the influenza-specific CD8+ T cells recovered from different sites were consistent with the bronchoalveolar lavage, rather than liver population, being the most susceptible to activation-induced cell death. Importantly, adoptively transferred influenza virus-specific CD8+ T cells from the liver survived and were readily recalled after virus challenge. Together, these results show clearly that the liver is not a “graveyard” for influenza virus-specific CD8+ T cells.
CD4+CD25+ T Cell-Dependent Inhibition of Autoimmunity in Transgenic Mice Overexpressing Human Bcl-2 in T Lymphocytes
Authors: González Jovanna , Tamayo Esther , Santiuste Inés , Marquina Regina , Buelta Luis , González-Gay Miguel A. , Izui Shozo , López-Hoyos Marcos , Merino Jesús , Merino Ramón 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Regulation of lymphocyte survival is essential for the maintenance of lymphoid homeostasis preventing the development of autoimmune diseases. Recently, we described a systemic lupus erythematosus associated with an IgA nephropathy in autoimmune-prone (NZW × C57BL/6)F1 overexpressing human Bcl-2 (hBcl-2) in B cells (transgenic (Tg) 1). In the present study, we analyze in detail a second line of hBcl-2 Tg mice overexpressing the transgene in all B cells and in a fraction of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells (Tg2). We demonstrate here that the overexpression of hBcl-2 in T cells observed in Tg2 mice is associated with a resistance to the development of lupus disease and collagen type II-induced arthritis in both (NZW × C57BL/6)F1 and (DBA/1 × C57BL/6)F1 Tg2 mice, respectively. The disease-protective effect observed in autoimmune-prone Tg2 mice is accompanied by an increase of peripheral CD4+CD25+ hBcl-2+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), expressing glucocorticoid-induced TNFR, CTLA-4, and FoxP3. Furthermore, the in vivo depletion of CD4+CD25+ Tregs in (DBA/1 × C57BL/6)F1 Tg2 mice promotes the development of a severe collagen type II-induced arthritis. Taken together, our results indicate that the overexpression of hBcl-2 in CD4+ T cells alters the homeostatic mechanisms controlling the number of CD4+CD25+ Tregs resulting in the inhibition of autoimmune diseases.
CD40-CD40 Ligand Interaction between Dendritic Cells and CD8+ T Cells Is Needed to Stimulate Maximal T Cell Responses in the Absence of CD4+ T Cell Help
Authors: Hernandez Maria Genevive H. , Shen Lianjun , Rock Kenneth L. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Stimulation of CD40 on APCs through CD40L expressed on helper CD4+ T cells activates and “licenses” the APCs to prime CD8+ T cell responses. Although other stimuli, such as TLR agonists, can also activate APCs, it is unclear to what extent they can replace the signals provided by CD40-CD40L interactions. In this study, we used an adoptive transfer system to re-examine the role of CD40 in the priming of naive CD8+ T cells. We find an ∼50% reduction in expansion and cytokine production in TCR-transgenic T cells in the absence of CD40 on all APCs, and on dendritic cells in particular. Moreover, CD40-deficient and CD40L-deficient mice fail to develop endogenous CTL responses after immunization. Surprisingly, the role for CD40 and CD40L are observed even in the absence of CD4+ T cells; in this situation, the CD8+ T cell itself provides CD40L. Furthermore, we show that although TLR stimulation improves T cell responses, it cannot fully substitute for CD40. Altogether, these results reveal a direct and unique role for CD40L on CD8+ T cells interacting with CD40 on APCs that affects the magnitude and quality of CD8+ T cell responses.
Involvement of Src and Syk Tyrosine Kinases in HIV-1 Transfer from Dendritic Cells to CD4+ T Lymphocytes
Authors: Gilbert Caroline , Barat Corinne , Cantin Réjean , Tremblay Michel J. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are considered as key mediators of the early events in HIV-1 infection at mucosal sites. Although several aspects of the complex interactions between DCs and HIV-1 have been elucidated, there are still basic questions that remain to be answered about DCs/HIV-1 interplay. In this study, we examined the contribution of nonreceptor TKs in the known ability of DCs to efficiently transfer HIV-1 to CD4+ T cells in trans. Experiments performed with specific inhibitors of Src and Syk family members indicate that these tyrosine kinases (TKs) are participating to HIV-1 transfer from immature monocyte-derived DCs (IM-MDDCs) to autologous CD4+ T cells. Experiments with IM-MDDCs transfected with small interfering RNAs targeting Lyn and Syk confirmed the importance of these nonreceptor TKs in HIV-1 transmission. The Src- and Syk-mediated effect on virus transfer was linked with infection of IM-MDDCs in cis-as monitored by quantifying integrated viral DNA and de novo virus production. The process of HIV-1 transmission from IM-MDDCs to CD4+ T cells was unaffected following treatment with protein kinase C and protein kinase A inhibitors. These data suggest that Src and Syk TKs play a functional role in productive HIV-1 infection of IM-MDDCs. Additional work is needed to facilitate our comprehension of the various mechanisms underlying the exact contribution of Src and Syk TKs to this phenomenon.
IL-21 and BAFF/BLyS Synergize in Stimulating Plasma Cell Differentiation from a Unique Population of Human Splenic Memory B Cells
Authors: Ettinger Rachel , Sims Gary P. , Robbins Rachel , Withers David , Fischer Randy T. , Grammer Amrie C. , Kuchen Stefan , Lipsky Peter E. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Both constitutive Ig secretion by long-lived plasma cells (PC) and the recurrent differentiation of memory (mem) B cells into PC contribute to the maintenance of serologic mem. However, the relative contribution of each is unknown. In this study, we describe a novel population of human postswitched mem B cells that rapidly differentiate into PC and thus contribute to serologic mem. These IgG+ B cells reside in the region of human spleen analogous to the murine marginal zone and have not previously been examined. These cells are highly responsive to IL-21 in the context of CD40 stimulation. Uniquely, IgG+ marginal zone analog B cells are exquisitely sensitive to the combination of IL-21 and B cell-activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF/BLyS) that synergize in the absence of further costimulation to induce up-regulation of B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 and drive PC differentiation. Other cytokine combinations are not active in this regard. This is the first demonstration that this unique population of mem B cells can respond specifically and exclusively to IL-21 and BAFF/BLyS by differentiating into IgG-secreting PC, and thus contributing to serologic mem in an Ag-independent manner.
HLA Transgenic Mice Provide Evidence for a Direct and Dominant Role of HLA Class II Variation in Modulating the Severity of Streptococcal Sepsis
Authors: Nooh Mohammed M. , El-Gengehi Nagala , Kansal Rita , David Chella S. , Kotb Malak 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Our epidemiologic studies on invasive Group A Streptococci (GAS) infections identified specific HLA class II haplotypes/alleles conferring high-risk or protection from streptococcal toxic shock syndrome with a strong protection conferred by the DRB1*15/DQB1*06 haplotype. We used HLA-transgenic mice to provide an in vitro and in vivo validation for the direct role of HLA class II allelic variation in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. When splenocytes from mice expressing the protective HLA-DQB1*06 (DQ6) allele were stimulated with a mixture of streptococcal superantigens (SAgs), secreted by the prevalent M1T1 strain, both proliferative and cytokine responses were significantly lower than those of splenocytes from mice expressing the neutral DRB1*0402/DQB1*0302 (DR4/DQ8) alleles (p &lt; 0.001). In crisscross experiments, the presentation of SAgs to pure T cells from either the DQ6 or the DR4/DQ8 mice resulted in significantly different levels of response depending on the HLA type expressed on the APCs. Presentation by HLA-DQ6 APCs elicited significantly lower responses than the presentation by HLA-DR4/DQ8 APCs. Our in vitro data were supported by in vivo findings, as the DQ6 mice showed significantly longer survival post-i.v. infection with live M1T1 GAS (p &lt; 0.001) and lower inflammatory cytokine responses as compared with the DR4/DQ8 mice (p &lt; 0.01). The data presented here provide evidence for a direct role of HLA class II molecules in modulating responses to GAS SAgs and underscore the dominant role of HLA class II allelic variation in potentiating the severity of GAS systemic infections.
Functional Synergy between CD40 Ligand and HIV-1 Tat Contributes to Inflammation: Implications in HIV Type 1 Dementia
Authors: Sui Ziye , Sniderhan Lynn F. , Schifitto Giovanni , Phipps Richard P. , Gelbard Harris A. , Dewhurst Stephen , Maggirwar Sanjay B. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
HIV type 1 (HIV-1)-associated dementia (HAD) is believed to occur due to aberrant activation of monocyte-derived macrophages and brain-resident microglial cells by viral proteins as well as by the proinflammatory mediators released by infected cells. To investigate the inflammatory aspects of the disease, we examined the levels of soluble CD40L (sCD40L) in paired samples of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid obtained from 25 HIV-infected individuals. A significantly higher level of sCD40L was detected in both cerebrospinal fluid and plasma from HIV-infected patients with cognitive impairment, compared with their nonimpaired counterparts. The contribution of sCD40L to the pathogenesis of HAD was then examined by in vitro experiments. rCD40L synergized with HIV-1 Tat to increase TNF-α release from primary human monocytes and microglia, in an NF-κB-dependent manner. The mechanistic basis for this synergism was attributed to a Tat-mediated up-regulation of CD40 in monocytes and microglia. Finally, the CD40L-mediated increase in TNF-α production by monocytes was shown to be biologically important; immunodepletion experiments revealed that TNF-α was essential for the neurotoxic effects of conditioned medium recovered from Tat/CD40L-treated monocytes. Taken together, our results show that CD40 signaling in microglia and monocytes can synergize with the effects of Tat, further amplifying inflammatory processes within the CNS and influencing neuronal survival.
Cutting Edge: Antibody-Mediated TLR7-Dependent Recognition of Viral RNA
Authors: Wang Jennifer P. , Asher Damon R. , Chan Melvin , Kurt-Jones Evelyn A. , Finberg Robert W. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
TLR7 recognizes the genome of ssRNA viruses such as Coxsackievirus B. Because TLR7 is expressed in intracellular compartments, viral RNA must be internalized before its recognition by TLR7. In this study, we define plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) as peripheral blood mononuclear immune cells that respond to Coxsackievirus. pDC activation by Coxsackievirus B requires the presence of specific antiviral Abs. We show that Fc receptors mediate the recognition of virus-Ab complexes and that TLR7 is required for human and murine pDC production of cytokines. These data define a pathway by which intracellular TLR7 senses viral RNA and indicate a role for TLRs in association with Abs in sustaining virus-specific responses.
TLR Ligands Act Directly upon T Cells to Restore Proliferation in the Absence of Protein Kinase C-θ Signaling and Promote Autoimmune Myocarditis
Authors: Marsland Benjamin J. , Nembrini Chiara , Grün Katja , Reissmann Regina , Kurrer Michael , Leipner Carola , Kopf Manfred 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The serine/threonine kinase, protein kinase C-θ (PKC-θ), plays a central role in the activation and differentiation of Th2 cells while being redundant in CD4+ and CD8+ antiviral responses. Recent evidence indicates that PKC-θ may however be required for some T cell-driven autoimmune responses. We have investigated the role of PKC-θ in the induction of autoimmune myocarditis induced by either Coxsackie B3 virus infection or immunization with α-myosin/CFA (experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM)). PKC-θ-deficient mice did not develop EAM as shown by impaired inflammatory cell infiltration into the heart, reduced CD4+ T cell IL-17 production, and the absence of a myosin-specific Ab response. Comparatively, PKC-θ was not essential for both early and late-phase Coxsackie virus-induced myocarditis. We sought to find alternate pathways of immune stimulation that might reconcile the differential requirements for PKC-θ in these two disease models. We found systemic administration of the TLR ligand CpG restored EAM in PKC-θ-deficient mice. CpG could act directly upon TLR9-expressing T cells to restore proliferation and up-regulation of Bcl-xL, but exogenous IL-6 and TGF-β was required for Th17 cell differentiation. Taken together, these results indicate that TLR-mediated activation of T cells can directly overcome the requirement for PKC-θ signaling and, combined with the dendritic cell-derived cytokine milieu, can promote the development of autoimmunity.
Kinetic Proofreading of Ligand-FcεRI Interactions May Persist beyond LAT Phosphorylation
Authors: Torigoe Chikako , Faeder James R. , Oliver Janet M. , Goldstein Byron 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Cells may discriminate among ligands with different dwell times for receptor binding through a mechanism called kinetic proofreading in which the formation of an activated receptor complex requires a progression of events that is aborted if the ligand dissociates before completion. This mechanism explains how, at equivalent levels of receptor occupancy, a rapidly dissociating ligand can be less effective than a more slowly dissociating analog at generating distal cellular responses. Simple mathematical models predict that kinetic proofreading is limited to the initial complex; once the signal passes to second messengers, the dwell time no longer regulates the signal. This suggests that an assay for kinetic proofreading might be used to determine which activation events occur within the initial signaling complex. In signaling through the high affinity IgE receptor FcεRI, the transmembrane adaptor called linker for activation of T cells (LAT) is thought to nucleate a distinct secondary complex. Experiments in which the concentrations of two ligands with different dwell times are adjusted to equalize the level of LAT phosphorylation in rat basophilic leukemia 2H3 cells show that Erk2 phosphorylation, intracellular Ca2+, and degranulation exhibit kinetic proofreading downstream of LAT phosphorylation. These results suggest that ligand-bound FcεRI and LAT form a complex that is required for effective signal transmission.
Differential Regulation of Human NK Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity by the Tyrosine Kinase Itk
Authors: Khurana Dianne , Arneson Laura N. , Schoon Renee A. , Dick Christopher J. , Leibson Paul J. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
NK cells are effector lymphocytes that can recognize and eliminate virally infected and transformed cells. NK cells express distinct activating receptors, including an ITAM-containing FcR complex that recognizes Ab-coated targets, and the DNAX-activating protein of 10 kDa-containing NKG2D receptor complex that recognizes stress-induced ligands. The regulatory role of specific tyrosine kinases in these pathways is incompletely understood. In this study, we show that, in activated human NK cells, the tyrosine kinase IL-2-inducible T cell kinase (Itk), differentially regulates distinct NK-activating receptors. Enhanced expression of Itk leads to increases in calcium mobilization, granule release, and cytotoxicity upon stimulation of the ITAM-containing FcR, suggesting that Itk positively regulates FcR-initiated cytotoxicity. In contrast, enhanced Itk expression decreases cytotoxicity and granule release downstream of the DNAX-activating protein of 10 kDa-containing NKG2D receptor, suggesting that Itk is involved in a pathway of negative regulation of NKG2D-initiated granule-mediated killing. Using a kinase mutant, we show that the catalytic activity of Itk is required for both the positive and negative regulation of these pathways. Complementary experiments where Itk expression was suppressed also showed differential regulation of the two pathways. These findings suggest that Itk plays a complex role in regulating the functions initiated by distinct NK cell-activating receptors. Moreover, understanding how these pathways may be differentially regulated has relevance in the setting of autoimmune diseases and antitumor immune responses where NK cells play key regulatory roles.
A Quantitative Study of NF-κB Activation by H2O2: Relevance in Inflammation and Synergy with TNF-α
Authors: de Oliveira-Marques Virgínia , Cyrne Luísa , Marinho H. Susana , Antunes Fernando 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Although the germicide role of H2O2 released during inflammation is well established, a hypothetical regulatory function, either promoting or inhibiting inflammation, is still controversial. In particular, after 15 years of highly contradictory results it remains uncertain whether H2O2 by itself activates NF-κB or if it stimulates or inhibits the activation of NF-κB by proinflammatory mediators. We investigated the role of H2O2 in NF-κB activation using, for the first time, a calibrated and controlled method of H2O2 delivery—the steady-state titration—in which cells are exposed to constant, low, and known concentrations of H2O2. This technique contrasts with previously applied techniques, which disrupt cellular redox homeostasis and/or introduce uncertainties in the actual H2O2 concentration to which cells are exposed. In both MCF-7 and HeLa cells, H2O2 at extracellular concentrations up to 25 μM did not induce significantly per se NF-κB translocation to the nucleus, but it stimulated the translocation induced by TNF-α. For higher H2O2 doses this stimulatory role shifts to an inhibition, which may explain published contradictory results. The stimulatory role was confirmed by the observation that 12.5 μM H2O2, a concentration found during inflammation, increased the expression of several proinflammatory NF-κB-dependent genes induced by TNF-α (e.g., IL-8, MCP-1, TLR2, and TNF-α). The same low H2O2 concentration also induced the anti-inflammatory gene coding for heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and IL-6. We propose that H2O2 has a fine-tuning regulatory role, comprising both a proinflammatory control loop that increases pathogen removal and an anti-inflammatory control loop, which avoids an exacerbated harmful inflammatory response.