bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Th17 Cells Undergo Fas-Mediated Activation-Induced Cell Death Independent of IFN-γ
Authors: Zhang Yingyu , Xu Guangwu , Zhang Liying , Roberts Arthur I. , Shi Yufang 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
IL-17-secreting CD4+ T cells (Th17 cells) play a critical role in immune responses to certain infections and in the development of many autoimmune disorders. The mechanisms controlling homeostasis in this cell population are largely unknown. In this study, we show that murine Th17 cells undergo rapid apoptosis in vitro upon restimulation through the TCR. This activation-induced cell death (AICD), a common mechanism for elimination of activated T cells, required the Fas and FasL interaction: Fas was stably expressed, while FasL was up-regulated upon TCR reactivation of Th17 cells; Ab ligation of Fas induced Th17 cell death; and AICD was completely absent in Th17 cells differentiated from gld/gld CD4+ T cells. Thus, the Fas/FasL pathway is essential in regulating the AICD of Th17 cells. Interestingly, IFN-γ, a cytokine previously found to be important for the AICD of T cells, did not affect Th17 cell apoptosis. Furthermore, Th17 cells derived from mice deficient in IFN-γ receptor 1 (IFN-γR1−/−) underwent AICD similar to wild-type cells. Thus, AICD of Th17 cells occurs via the Fas pathway, but is independent of IFN-γ.
Apoptosis Supercedes Necrosis in Mitochondrial DNA-Depleted Jurkat Cells by Cleavage of Receptor-Interacting Protein and Inhibition of Lysosomal Cathepsin
Authors: Sato Tsutomu , Machida Takuro , Takahashi Sho , Murase Kazuyuki , Kawano Yutaka , Hayashi Tsuyoshi , Iyama Satoshi , Takada Kohich , Kuribayashi Kageaki , Sato Yasushi , Kobune Masayoshi , Takimoto Rishu , Matsunaga Takuya , Kato Junji , Niitsu Yoshiro 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
In the present study, we used mitochondrial DNA-depleted Jurkat subclones (ρ0 cells) to demonstrate that Fas agonistic Ab (CH-11), at the concentrations that evoke apoptotic death of the parental Jurkat cells, induced necrosis mainly through generation of excess reactive oxygen species, lysosomal rupture, and sequential activation of cathepsins B and D, and in minor part through activation of receptor-interacting protein (RIP). In the ρ0 cells treated with CH-11, ATP supplementation converted necrosis into apoptosis by the formation of the apoptosome and subsequent activation of procaspase-3. In these ATP-supplemented ρ0 cells (ATP-ρ0), generation of excess ROS and lysosomal rupture were still seen, yet cathepsins B and D were inactivated and RIP was degraded. The conversion of necrosis to apoptosis, RIP degradation, and cathepsin inactivation in ATP- ρ0 cells were blocked by caspase-3 inhibitors. Activities of cathepsins B and D in the lysate of necrotic ρ0 cells were inhibited by the addition of apoptotic parental Jurkat cell lysate. Thus, apoptosis may supercede necrosis.
Cutting Edge: TLR2 Is a Functional Receptor for Acute-Phase Serum Amyloid A
Authors: Cheng Ni , He Rong , Tian Jun , Ye Patrick P. , Ye Richard D. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Induced secretion of acute-phase serum amyloid A (SAA) is a host response to danger signals and a clinical indication of inflammation. The biological functions of SAA in inflammation have not been fully defined, although recent reports indicate that SAA induces proinflammatory cytokine expression. We now show that TLR2 is a functional receptor for SAA. HeLa cells expressing TLR2 responded to SAA with potent activation of NF-κB, which was enhanced by TLR1 expression and blocked by the Toll/IL-1 receptor/resistance (TIR) deletion mutants of TLR1, TLR2, and TLR6. SAA stimulation led to increased phosphorylation of MAPKs and accelerated IκBα degradation in TLR2-HeLa cells, and results from a solid-phase binding assay showed SAA interaction with the ectodomain of TLR2. Selective reduction of SAA-induced gene expression was observed in tlr2−/− mouse macrophages compared with wild-type cells. These results suggest a potential role for SAA in inflammatory diseases through activation of TLR2.
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ Regulates the Expression of Alveolar Macrophage Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
Authors: Bonfield Tracey L. , Thomassen Mary Jane , Farver Carol F. , Abraham Susamma , Koloze Mary T. , Zhang Xia , Mosser David M. , Culver Daniel A. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Macrophage CSF (M-CSF) regulates monocyte differentiation, activation, and foam cell formation. We have observed that it is elevated in human pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) and in the GM-CSF knockout mouse, a murine model for PAP. A potential regulator of M-CSF, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), is severely deficient in both human PAP and the GM-CSF knockout mouse. To investigate the role of PPARγ in alveolar macrophage homeostasis, we generated myeloid-specific PPARγ knockout mice using the Lys-Cre method to knock out the floxed PPARγ gene. Similar to the GM-CSF-deficient mouse, absence of alveolar macrophage PPARγ resulted in development of lung pathology resembling PAP in 16-wk-old mice, along with excess M-CSF gene expression and secretion. In ex vivo wild-type alveolar macrophages, we observed that M-CSF itself is capable of inducing foam cell formation similar to that seen in PAP. Overexpression of PPARγ prevented LPS-stimulated M-CSF production in RAW 264.7 cells, an effect that was abrogated by a specific PPARγ antagonist, GW9662. Use of proteasome inhibitor, MG-132 or a PPARγ agonist, pioglitazone, prevented LPS-mediated M-CSF induction. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we found that PPARγ is capable of regulating M-CSF through transrepression of NF-κB binding at the promoter. Gel-shift assay experiments confirmed that pioglitazone is capable of blocking NF-κB binding. Taken together, these data suggest that M-CSF is an important mediator of alveolar macrophage homeostasis, and that transcriptional control of M-CSF production is regulated by NF-κB and PPARγ.
The Proline-Rich Sequence of CD3ε as an Amplifier of Low-Avidity TCR Signaling
Authors: Tailor Pankaj , Tsai Sue , Shameli Afshin , Serra Pau , Wang Jinguo , Robbins Stephen , Nagata Masao , Szymczak-Workman Andrea L. , Vignali Dario A. A. , Santamaria Pere 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Engagement of peptide-MHC by the TCR induces a conformational change in CD3ε that exposes a proline-rich sequence (PRS) and recruits the cytoskeletal adaptor Nck. This event, which precedes phosphorylation of the CD3ε ITAM, has been implicated in synapse formation and T cell function. However, there is compelling evidence that responsiveness to TCR ligation is CD3ε PRS independent. In this study, we show that the CD3ε PRS is necessary for peptide-MHC-induced phosphorylation of CD3ε and for recruitment of protein kinase Cθ to the immune synapse in differentiated CD8+ T lymphocytes. However, whereas these two events are dispensable for functional T cell responsiveness to high-avidity ligands, they are required for responsiveness to low-avidity ones. Thus, in at least certain T cell clonotypes, the CD3ε PRS amplifies weak TCR signals by promoting synapse formation and CD3ε phosphorylation.
Characterization of Murine Cytomegalovirus m157 from Infected Cells and Identification of Critical Residues Mediating Recognition by the NK Cell Receptor Ly49H
Authors: Davis Aja H. , Guseva Natalya V. , Ball Brianne L. , Heusel Jonathan W. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Activated NK cells mediate potent cytolytic and secretory effector functions and are vital components of the early antiviral immune response. NK cell activities are regulated by the assortment of inhibitory receptors that recognize MHC class I ligands expressed on healthy cells and activating receptors that recognize inducible host ligands or ligands that are not well characterized. The activating Ly49H receptor of mouse NK cells is unique in that it specifically recognizes a virally encoded ligand, the m157 glycoprotein of murine CMV (MCMV). The Ly49H-m157 interaction underlies a potent resistance mechanism (Cmv1) in C57BL/6 mice and serves as an excellent model in which to understand how NK cells are specifically activated in vivo, as similar receptor systems are operative for human NK cells. For transduced cells expressing m157 in isolation and for MCMV-infected cells, we show that m157 is expressed in multiple isoforms with marked differences in abundance between infected fibroblasts (high) and macrophages (low). At the cell surface, m157 is exclusively a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-associated protein in MCMV-infected cells. Through random and site-directed mutagenesis of m157, we identify unique residues that provide for efficient cell surface expression of m157 but fail to activate Ly49H-expressing reporter cells. These m157 mutations are predicted to alter the conformation of a putative m157 interface with Ly49H, one that relies on the position of a critical α0 helix of m157. These findings support an emerging model for a novel interaction between this important NK cell receptor and its viral ligand.
Lithium Prevents and Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: De Sarno Patrizia , Axtell Robert C. , Raman Chander , Roth Kevin A. , Alessi Dario R. , Jope Richard S. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) models, in animals, many characteristics of multiple sclerosis, for which there is no adequate therapy. We investigated whether lithium, an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3), can ameliorate EAE in mice. Pretreatment with lithium markedly suppressed the clinical symptoms of EAE induced in mice by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide (MOG35–55) immunization and greatly reduced demyelination, microglia activation, and leukocyte infiltration in the spinal cord. Lithium administered postimmunization, after disease onset, reduced disease severity and facilitated partial recovery. Conversely, in knock-in mice expressing constitutively active GSK3, EAE developed more rapidly and was more severe. In vivo lithium therapy suppressed MOG35–55-reactive effector T cell differentiation, greatly reducing in vitro MOG35–55- stimulated proliferation of mononuclear cells from draining lymph nodes and spleens, and MOG35–55-induced IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-17 production by splenocytes isolated from MOG35–55-immunized mice. In relapsing/remitting EAE induced with proteolipid protein peptide139–151, lithium administered after the first clinical episode maintained long-term (90 days after immunization) protection, and after lithium withdrawal the disease rapidly relapsed. These results demonstrate that lithium suppresses EAE and identify GSK3 as a new target for inhibition that may be useful for therapeutic intervention of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune and inflammatory diseases afflicting the CNS.
Oxidative Stress Regulates Expression of VEGFR1 in Myeloid Cells: Link to Tumor-Induced Immune Suppression in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Kusmartsev Sergei , Eruslanov Evgeniy , Kübler Hubert , Tseng Timothy , Sakai Yoshihisa , Su Zhen , Kaliberov Sergei , Heiser Axel , Rosser Charles , Dahm Philip , Siemann Dietmar , Vieweg Johannes 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) associates with overproduction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) due to the mutation/inactivation of the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumor suppressor gene. Herein we demonstrate that implantation of human RCC tumor cells into athymic nude mice promotes the appearance of VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1)/CD11b double-positive myeloid cells in peripheral blood. Avastin-mediated VEGF neutralization was capable of significantly reducing the numbers of circulating VEGFR1+ myeloid cells. Conversely, up-regulation of VEGFR1 by myeloid cells could also be achieved in vitro by coculturing bone marrow cells with RCC-conditioned medium or by short-term exposure of naive myeloid cells to oxidative stress. Treatment of myeloid cells with H2O2, lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal, or an inhibitor of thioredoxin reductase all resulted in increased expression of VEGFR1. Furthermore, after exposure to oxidative stress, myeloid cells acquire immunosuppressive features and become capable of inhibiting T cell proliferation. Data suggest that tumor-induced oxidative stress may promote both VEGFR1 up-regulation and immunosuppressive function in bone marrow-derived myeloid cells. Analysis of tumor tissue and peripheral blood from patients with metastatic RCC revealed that VEGFR1+ cells can be also found in cancer patients. Restoration of immunocompetence in metastatic RCC patients by pharmacological elimination of VEGFR1+ cells may have a significant impact on the therapeutic efficacy of cancer vaccines or other immune-based therapies.
IL-7 Specifies B Cell Fate at the Common Lymphoid Progenitor to Pre-ProB Transition Stage by Maintaining Early B Cell Factor Expression
Authors: Kikuchi Kazu , Kasai Hirotake , Watanabe Akiko , Lai Anne Y. , Kondo Motonari 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
IL-7 plays a critical role in B cell fate decision by regulating early B cell factor (EBF) expression. However, it was not clear when IL-7 stimulation is necessary in hemato-/lymphopoiesis in adult mice. Here we show that pre-proB cells derived from IL-7−/− mice have lost B cell potential, despite up-regulation of EBF expression following IL-7 stimulation. Pre-proB cells from wild-type mice can give rise to proB cells in the absence of IL-7. In this case, EBF up-regulation during the transition from the pre-proB to proB stages occurs normally. In contrast, EBF expression by IL-7−/− pre-proB cells after IL-7 stimulation is ∼20 times lower than wild-type pre-proB cells. In addition, only multipotent progenitors with higher levels of ectopic EBF can give rise to proB cells in the absence of IL-7. Therefore, the primary function of IL-7 before the pre-proB stage in B cell development is to maintain the EBF expression level above a certain threshold, which is necessary for pre-proB cells to further transit to the proB stage.
Killer Ig-Like Receptor Expression in Uterine NK Cells Is Biased toward Recognition of HLA-C and Alters with Gestational Age
Authors: Sharkey Andrew M. , Gardner Lucy , Hiby Susan , Farrell Lydia , Apps Richard , Masters Leanne , Goodridge Jodie , Lathbury Louise , Stewart C. Andrew , Verma Sanjay , Moffett Ashley 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Immunogenetic studies suggest that interactions between maternal killer Ig-like receptor (KIR) expressed by uterine NK (uNK) cells, and fetal HLA-C molecules on trophoblast, influence the success of human placentation. However, the exact functional response of fresh uNK cells to trophoblast HLA-C molecules is unknown. In this study, we show by quantitative RT-PCR and FACS that both activating and inhibitory KIR specific for HLA-C are expressed at higher levels and on an increased proportion of NK cells in the human decidua compared with blood. In contrast, expression of KIR3DL1/S1, which is specific for HLA-B, is similar in both NK cell populations. Remarkably, there is also a temporal change in the expression pattern of HLA-C-specific KIR, with a decline in both intensity of expression and frequency on uNK cells throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. This selective up-regulation of KIR has functional consequences because uNK cells show increased binding of HLA-C tetramers compared with blood NK cells. Ab cross-linking shows that these KIR are functional and results in increased cytokine secretion. uNK cells, therefore, exhibit a unique KIR profile that enhances their ability to recognize trophoblast cells expressing HLA-C at the materno-fetal interface. This is the first report to demonstrate selective regulation of KIR expression over time in vivo in a normal physiological situation and suggests that KIR expression by uNK cells is regulated by the tissue microenvironment in the decidua.
Ltβr Signaling Does Not Regulate Aire-Dependent Transcripts in Medullary Thymic Epithelial Cells
Authors: Martins Vera C. , Boehm Thomas , Bleul Conrad C. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Thymic medullary epithelial cells (mTECs) play a major role in central tolerance induction by expressing tissue-specific Ags (TSAs). The expression of a subset of TSAs in mTECs is under the control of Aire (autoimmune regulator). Humans defective for AIRE develop a syndrome characterized by autoimmune disease in several endocrine glands. Aire has been proposed to be regulated by lymphotoxin β receptor (Ltβr) signaling and there is evidence that, additionally, Aire-independent transcripts may be regulated by this pathway. Given the potential clinical importance of Aire regulation in mTECs for the control of autoimmunity, we investigated the relation between Ltβr signaling and TSA expression by whole genome transcriptome analysis. In this study, we show that the absence of Ltβr has no effect on the expression of Aire and Aire-dependent TSAs. Also, the lack of Ltβr signaling does not disturb regulatory T cells or the distribution of dendritic cells in the thymus. However, mTECs in Ltβr-deficient mice show an aberrant distribution within the thymic medulla with disruption of their three-dimensional architecture. This is predicted to impair the interaction between mTECs and thymocytes as shown by the reduced surface uptake of MHCII by mature thymocytes in Ltβr-deficient mice. We propose that the physiological medullary architecture ensures negative-selection by supporting lympho-epithelial interaction through a large epithelial cell surface distributed evenly across the medulla.
Functional Tolerance of CD8+ T Cells Induced by Muscle-Specific Antigen Expression
Authors: Calbo Sébastien , Delagrèverie Héloïse , Arnoult Christophe , Authier François-Jérome , Tron François , Boyer Olivier 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Skeletal muscles account for more than 30% of the human body, yet mechanisms of immunological tolerance to this tissue remain mainly unexplored. To investigate the mechanisms of tolerance to muscle-specific proteins, we generated transgenic mice expressing the neo-autoantigen OVA exclusively in skeletal muscle (SM-OVA mice). SM-OVA mice were bred with OT-I or OT-II mice that possess a transgenic TCR specific for OVA peptides presented by MHC class I or class II, respectively. Tolerance to OVA did not involve clonal deletion, anergy or an increased regulatory T cell compartment. Rather, CD4+ T cell tolerance resulted from a mechanism of ignorance revealed by their response following OVA immunization. In marked contrast, CD8+ T cells exhibited a loss of OVA-specific cytotoxic activity associated with up-regulation of the immunoregulatory programmed death-1 molecule. Adoptive transfer experiments further showed that OVA expression in skeletal muscle was required to maintain this functional tolerance. These results establish a novel asymmetric model of immunological tolerance to muscle autoantigens involving Ag ignorance for CD4+ T cells, whereas muscle autoantigens recognized by CD8+ T cells results in blockade of their cytotoxic function. These observations may be helpful for understanding the breakage of tolerance in autoimmune muscle diseases.
Epidermal and Dermal Dendritic Cells Display Differential Activation and Migratory Behavior While Sharing the Ability to Stimulate CD4+ T Cell Proliferation In Vivo
Authors: Shklovskaya Elena , Roediger Ben , Fazekas de St. Groth Barbara 
Published: April 2014

AbstractMigrated Langerhans cells (m-LCs) have recently been shown to comprise only a minority of skin-derived dendritic cells (DCs) expressing Langerin in cutaneous lymph nodes. We have used BM chimeric mice that differ in CD45 and MHC class II alleles to unequivocally distinguish between radioresistant m-LCs and radiosensitive migrated dermal DCs (m-dDCs), to determine their phenotype, response to contact sensitization, and ability to activate naive CD4+ T cells in vivo. We have also characterized three subsets of dDCs and their migratory counterparts, as distinguished by expression of CD11b and Langerin. Each of the four subsets of skin DCs showed differential migration to draining LN in response to contact sensitizing agents. Migration of Langerin−CD11b+ and Langerin+CD11blow dDCs peaked after 1 day, followed by Langerin−CD11blow dDCs at 2 days and Langerin+ LCs at 4 days. Moreover, while m-LCs and m-dDCs had similar surface phenotypes in the steady state, they displayed unexpectedly different activation responses to contact sensitization: m-dDCs markedly up-regulated CD80 and CD86 at day 1, whereas only m-LCs up-regulated CD40, with delayed kinetics. Thus, m-dDCs are likely to be responsible for the initial response to skin immunization. However, when expression of cognate MHC class II was restricted to LCs and m-LCs, they were also capable of processing and presenting protein Ag to drive naive CD4 T cell proliferation in vivo. Thus, m-dDCs and m-LCs display distinct behavior in cutaneous lymph nodes while sharing the ability to interact specifically with T cells to control the immune response.
CTL-Promoting Effects of CD40 Stimulation Outweigh B Cell-Stimulatory Effects Resulting in B Cell Elimination and Disease Improvement in a Murine Model of Lupus
Authors: Puliaev Roman , Puliaeva Irina , Welniak Lisbeth A. , Ryan Abigail E. , Haas Mark , Murphy William J. , Via Charles S. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
CD40/CD40L signaling promotes both B cell and CTL responses in vivo, the latter being beneficial in tumor models. Because CTL may also limit autoreactive B cell expansion in lupus, we asked whether an agonist CD40 mAb would exacerbate lupus due to B cell stimulation or would improve lupus due to CTL promotion. These studies used an induced model of lupus, the parent-into-F1 model in which transfer of DBA/2 splenocytes into B6D2F1 mice induces chronic lupus-like graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). Although agonist CD40 mAb treatment of DBA→F1 mice initially exacerbated B cell expansion, it also strongly promoted donor CD8 T cell engraftment and cytolytic activity such that by 10 days host B cells were eliminated consistent with an accelerated acute GVHD. CD40 stimulation bypassed the requirement for CD4 T cell help for CD8 CTL possibly by licensing dendritic cells (DC) as shown by the following: 1) greater initial activation of donor CD8 T cells, but not CD4 T cells; 2) earlier activation of host DC; 3) host DC expansion that was CD8 dependent and CD4 independent; and 4) induction of acute GVHD using CD4-depleted purified DBA CD8+ T cells. A single dose of CD40 mAb improved lupus-like renal disease at 12 wk, but may not suffice for longer periods consistent with a need for continuing CD8 CTL surveillance. These results demonstrate that in the setting of lupus-like CD4 T cell-driven B cell hyperactivity, CTL promotion is both feasible and beneficial and the CTL-promoting properties of CD40 stimulation outweigh the B cell-stimulatory properties.