bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neonatal and Adult CD4+CD3− Cells Share Similar Gene Expression Profile, and Neonatal Cells Up-Regulate OX40 Ligand in Response to TL1A (TNFSF15)
Authors: Kim Mi-Yeon , Toellner Kai-Michael , White Andrea , McConnell Fiona M. , Gaspal Fabrina M. C. , Parnell Sonia M. , Jenkinson Eric , Anderson Graham , Lane Peter J. L. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
We report here the quantitative expression of a set of immunity-related genes, including TNF family members, chemokine receptors, and transcription factors, in a CD4+CD3− accessory cell. By correlating gene expression between cell-sorted populations of defined phenotype, we show that the genetic fingerprint of these CD4+CD3− cells is distinct from dendritic cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, T cells, B cells, and NK cells. In contrast, it is highly similar to CD4+CD3− cells isolated from embryonic and neonatal tissues, with the exception that only adult populations express OX40L and CD30L. We have previously reported that IL-7 signals regulate CD30L expression. In the present study, we show that both neonatal and adult CD4+CD3− cells express the TNF family member, death receptor 3 (TNFRSF25), and that addition of TL1A (TNFSF15), the ligand for death receptor 3, up-regulates OX40L on neonatal CD4+CD3− cells. Finally, we demonstrate that this differentiation occurs in vivo: neonatal CD4+CD3− cells up-regulate both CD30L and OX40L after adoptive transfer into an adult recipient.
Expression and Release of HLA-E by Melanoma Cells and Melanocytes: Potential Impact on the Response of Cytotoxic Effector Cells
Authors: Derré Laurent , Corvaisier Murielle , Charreau Béatrice , Moreau Anne , Godefroy Emmanuelle , Moreau-Aubry Agnès , Jotereau Francine , Gervois Nadine 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
HLA-E are nonclassical MHC molecules with poorly characterized tissue distribution and functions. Because of their capacity to bind the inhibitory receptor, CD94/NKG2A, expressed by NK cells and CTL, HLA-E molecules might play an important role in immunomodulation. In particular, expression of HLA-E might favor tumor cell escape from CTL and NK immunosurveillance. To address the potential role of HLA-E in melanoma immunobiology, we assessed the expression of these molecules ex vivo in human melanoma biopsies and in melanoma and melanocyte cell lines. Melanoma cell lines expressed no or low surface, but significant intracellular levels of HLA-E. We also report for the first time that some of them produced a soluble form of this molecule. IFN-γ significantly increased the surface expression of HLA-E and the shedding of soluble HLA-E by these cells, in a metalloproteinase-dependent fashion. In contrast, melanocyte cell lines constitutively expressed HLA-E molecules that were detectable both at the cell surface and in the soluble form, at levels that were poorly affected by IFN-γ treatment. On tumor sections, a majority of tumor cells of primary, but a low proportion of metastatic melanomas (30–70 and 10–20%, respectively), expressed HLA-E. Finally, HLA-E expression at the cell surface of melanoma cells decreased their susceptibility to CTL lysis. These data demonstrate that HLA-E expression and shedding are normal features of melanocytes, which are conserved in melanoma cells of primary tumors, but become dependent on IFN-γ induction after metastasis. The biological significance of these findings warrants further investigation.
Analysis of FOXP3 Reveals Multiple Domains Required for Its Function as a Transcriptional Repressor
Authors: Lopes Jared E. , Torgerson Troy R. , Schubert Lisa A. , Anover Stephanie D. , Ocheltree Elizabeth L. , Ochs Hans D. , Ziegler Steven F. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractFoxp3 has been shown to be both necessary and sufficient for the development and function of naturally arising CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells in mice. Mutation of Foxp3 in Scurfy mice and FOXP3 in humans with IPEX results in fatal, early onset autoimmune disease and demonstrates the critical role of FOXP3 in maintaining immune homeostasis. The FOXP3 protein encodes several functional domains, including a C2H2 zinc finger, a leucine zipper, and a winged-helix/forkhead (FKH) domain. We have shown previously that FOXP3 functions as a transcriptional repressor and inhibits activation-induced IL-2 gene transcription. To characterize the role of each predicted functional domain on the in vivo activity of FOXP3, we have evaluated the location of point mutations identified in a large cohort of patients with the immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome (IPEX) and found them to cluster primarily within the FKH domain and the leucine zipper, but also present within the poorly defined N-terminal portion of the protein. The molecular functions of each of the IPEX-targeted domains were investigated. We show that FOXP3 is constitutively localized to the nucleus and this localization requires sequences at both the amino and C-terminal ends of its FKH domain. Moreover, FOXP3 was found to homodimerize through its leucine zipper. We also identify a novel functional domain within the N-terminal half of FOXP3, which is required for FOXP3-mediated repression of transcription from both a constitutively active and a NF-AT-inducible promoter. Furthermore, we demonstrate that IPEX mutations in these domains correlate with deficiencies in FOXP3 repressor function, corroborating their in vivo relevance.
Leukotrienes Are Essential for the Control ofLeishmania amazonensisInfection and Contribute to Strain Variation in Susceptibility
Authors: Serezani Carlos H. , Perrela Joao H. , Russo Momtchilo , Peters-Golden Marc , Jancar Sonia 
Published: April 2014

AbstractLeukotrienes (LTs) are known to be produced by macrophages when challenged with Leishmania, but it is not known whether these lipid mediators play a role in host defense against this important protozoan parasite. In this study, we investigated the involvement of LTs in the in vitro and in vivo response to Leishmania amazonensis infection in susceptible (BALB/c) and resistant (C3H/HePAS) mice. Pharmacologic or genetic deficiency of LTs resulted in impaired leishmanicidal activity of peritoneal macrophages in vitro. In contrast, addition of LTB4 increased leishmanicidal activity and this effect was dependent on the BLT1 receptor. LTB4 augmented NO production in response to L. amazonensis challenge, and studies with a NO synthesis inhibitor revealed that NO was critical for the enhancement of macrophage leishmanicidal activity. Interestingly, macrophages from resistant mice produced higher levels of LTB4 upon L. amazonensis challenge than did those from susceptible mice. In vivo infection severity, as assessed by footpad swelling following s.c. promastigote inoculation, was increased when endogenous LT synthesis was abrogated either pharmacologically or genetically. Taken together, these results for the first time reveal an important role for LTB4 in the protective response to L. amazonensis, identify relevant leishmanicidal mechanisms, and suggest that genetic variation in LTB4 synthesis might influence resistance and susceptibility patterns to infection.
CD40/CD154 Interactions Are Required for the Optimal Maturation of Skin-Derived APCs and the Induction of Helminth-Specific IFN-γ but Not IL-4
Authors: Hewitson James P. , Jenkins Gavin R. , Hamblin Paul A. , Mountford Adrian P. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe mechanisms through which Schistosoma mansoni larvae induce Th1 rather than Th2 immune responses are not well understood. In this study, using CD154−/− mice exposed to radiation-attenuated S. mansoni larvae, we demonstrate roles for CD154/CD40 in the activation of skin-derived APCs and the development of Th1 cells in the skin-draining lymph nodes (sdLN). The presence of CD154 was important for optimal IL-12p40 and essential for Ag-specific IFN-γ, but CD154 expression by wild-type CD4− cells was insufficient to rescue recall responses of CD4+ cells from CD154−/− mice. This defect is probably due to impaired CD40-dependent IL-12 production in vivo, because administration of anti-CD40 Ab, or rIL-12, restored IFN-γ production by sdLN cells from CD154−/− mice. CD154 ligation of CD40 was not required for the migration of skin-derived APCs, but did have a limited role in their maturation (increased MHC II and CD86). Unexpectedly, although CD4 cells from CD154−/− mice were deficient in their ability to produce IFN-γ, they produced significant amounts of IL-4 and IL-5 in the presence of skin-derived APCs from wild-type and CD154−/− mice. Thus, in contrast to IFN-γ, the production of Th2-associated cytokines is (in this model) independent of CD154. We conclude that whereas the priming of Th1 responses soon after exposure to schistosome larvae is completely CD40/CD154 dependent, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 are independent of CD154, suggesting a dichotomy in the specific mechanisms that induce these cytokines by CD4+ cells in the sdLN.
IL-12, but Not IL-18, Is Critical to Neutrophil Activation and Resistance to Polymicrobial Sepsis Induced by Cecal Ligation and Puncture
Authors: Moreno Susana E. , Alves-Filho José C. , Alfaya Thais M. , da Silva João S. , Ferreira Sergio H. , Liew Foo Y. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractSepsis is a systemic inflammatory response resulting from local infection due, at least in part, to impaired neutrophil migration. IL-12 and IL-18 play an important role in neutrophil migration. We have investigated the mechanism and relative role of IL-12 and IL-18 in polymicrobial sepsis induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in mice. Wild-type (WT) and IL-18−/− mice were resistant to sublethal CLP (SL-CLP) sepsis. In contrast, IL-12−/− mice were susceptible to SL-CLP sepsis with high bacteria load in peritoneal cavity and systemic inflammation (serum TNF-α and lung neutrophil infiltration). The magnitude of these events was similar to those observed in WT mice with lethal CLP sepsis. The inability of IL-12−/− mice to restrict the infection was not due to impairment of neutrophil migration, but correlated with decrease of phagocytosis, NO production, and microbicidal activities of their neutrophils, and with reduction of systemic IFN-γ synthesis. Consistent with this observation, IFN-γ−/− mice were as susceptible to SL-CLP as IL-12−/− mice. Moreover, addition of IFN-γ to cultures of neutrophils from IL-12−/− mice restored their phagocytic, microbicidal activities and NO production. Mortality of IL-12−/− mice to SL-CLP was prevented by treatment with IFN-γ. Thus we show that IL-12, but not IL-18, is critical to an efficient host defense in polymicrobial sepsis. IL-12 acts through induction of IFN-γ and stimulation of phagocytic and microbicidal activities of neutrophils, rather than neutrophil migration per se. Our data therefore provide further insight into the defense mechanism against this critical area of infectious disease.
Coordinated Function of Murine Cytomegalovirus Genes Completely Inhibits CTL Lysis
Authors: Pinto Amelia K. , Munks Michael W. , Koszinowski Ulrich H. , Hill Ann B. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Murine CMV (MCMV) encodes three viral genes that interfere with Ag presentation (VIPRs) to CD8 T cells, m04, m06, and m152. Because the functional impact of these genes during normal infection of C57BL/6 mice is surprisingly modest, we wanted to determine whether the VIPRs are equally effective against the entire spectrum of H-2b-restricted CD8 T cell epitopes. We also wanted to understand how the VIPRs interact at a functional level. To address these questions, we used a panel of MCMV mutants lacking each VIPR in all possible combinations, and CTL specific for 15 H-2b-restricted MCMV epitopes. Only expression of all three MCMV VIPRs completely inhibited killing by CTL specific for all 15 epitopes, but removal of any one VIPR enabled lysis by at least some CTL. The dominant interaction between the VIPRs was cooperation: m06 increased the inhibition of lysis achieved by either m152 or m04. However, for 1 of 15 epitopes m04 functionally antagonized m152. There was little differential impact of any of the VIPRs on Kb vs Db, but a surprising degree of differential impact of the three VIPRs for different epitopes. These epitope-specific differences did not correlate with functional avidity, or with timing of VIPR expression in relation to Ag expression in the virus replication cycle. Although questions remain about the molecular mechanism and in vivo role of these genes, we conclude that the coordinated function of MCMV’s three VIPRs results in a powerful inhibition of lysis of infected cells by CD8 T cells.
Activation and Regulation of Platelet-Activating Factor Receptor: Role of Gi and Gq in Receptor-Mediated Chemotactic, Cytotoxic, and Cross-Regulatory Signals
Authors: Brown Stephan L. , Jala Venkatakrishna R. , Raghuwanshi Sandeep K. , Nasser Mohd W. , Haribabu Bodduluri , Richardson Ricardo M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPlatelet-activating factor (1-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerolphosphocholine; PAF) induces leukocyte accumulation and activation at sites of inflammation via the activation of a specific cell surface receptor (PAFR). PAFR couples to both pertussis toxin-sensitive and pertussis toxin-insensitive G proteins to activate leukocytes. To define the role(s) of Gi and Gq in PAF-induced leukocyte responses, two G-protein-linked receptors were generated by fusing Gαi3 (PAFR-Gαi3) or Gαq (PAFR-Gαq) at the C terminus of PAFR. Rat basophilic leukemia cell line (RBL-2H3) stably expressing wild-type PAFR, PAFR-Gαi3, or PAFR-Gαq was generated and characterized. All receptor variants bound PAF with similar affinities to mediate G-protein activation, intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis, and secretion of β-hexosaminidase. PAFR-Gαi3 and PAFR-Gαq mediated greater GTPase activity in isolated membranes than PAFR but lower PI hydrolysis and secretion in whole cells. PAFR and PAFR-Gαi3, but not PAFR-Gαq, mediated chemotaxis to PAF. All three receptors underwent phosphorylation and desensitization upon exposure to PAF but only PAFR translocated βarrestin to the cell membrane and internalized. In RBL-2H3 cells coexpressing the PAFRs along with CXCR1, IL-8 (CXCL8) cross-desensitized Ca2+ mobilization to PAF by all the receptors but only PAFR-Gαi3 activation cross-inhibited the response of CXCR1 to CXCL8. Altogether, the data indicate that Gi exclusively mediates chemotactic and cross-regulatory signals of the PAFR, but both Gi and Gq activate PI hydrolysis and exocytosis by this receptor. Because chemotaxis and cross-desensitization are exclusively mediated by Gi, the data suggest that differential activation of both Gi and Gq by PAFR likely mediate specific as well as redundant signaling pathways.
Protective Roles of Mast Cells and Mast Cell-Derived TNF in Murine Malaria
Authors: Furuta Takahisa , Kikuchi Takane , Iwakura Yoichiro , Watanabe Naohiro 
Published: April 2014

AbstractTNF plays important roles in the protection and onset of malaria. Although mast cells are known as a source of TNF, little is known about the relationship between mast cells and pathogenesis of malaria. In this study, mast cell-deficient WBB6F1-W/Wv (W/Wv) and the control littermate WBB6F1+/+ (+/+) mice were infected with 1 × 105 of Plasmodium berghei ANKA. +/+ mice had lower parasitemia with higher TNF levels, as compared with W/Wv mice. Diminished resistance in W/Wv mice was considered to be due to mast cells and TNF. This fact was confirmed by experiments in W/Wv mice reconstituted with bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) of +/+ mice or of TNF−/− mice. W/Wv mice with BMMCs of +/+ mice exhibit lower parasitemia and mortality accompanying significantly higher TNF levels than those of W/Wv mice. Parasitemia in W/Wv mice with BMMCs of TNF−/− mice was higher than that in +/+ mice. Activation of mast cells by anti-IgE or compound 48/80 resulted in release of TNF and decrease of parasitemia. In addition, splenic hypertrophy and increased number of mast cells in the spleen were observed after infection in +/+ mice and W/Wv mice reconstituted with BMMCs of +/+ mice as compared with W/Wv mice. These findings propose a novel mechanism that mast cells and mast cell-derived TNF play protective roles in malaria.
Targeted Deletion of CCR2 Impairs Deep Vein Thombosis Resolution in a Mouse Model
Authors: Henke Peter K. , Pearce Charles G. , Moaveni Daria M. , Moore Andrea J. , Lynch Erin M. , Longo Christopher , Varma Manu , Dewyer Nicholas A. , Deatrick K. Barry , Upchurch Gilbert R. , Wakefield Thomas W. , Hogaboam Cory , Kunkel Steven L. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractCCR2 is required for monocyte recruitment in many inflammatory processes, as well as conferring Th1 lymphokine responses. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) resolution represents a specific inflammatory response whereby the thrombus must be dissolved for restoration of blood flow. Using a stasis model of DVT in the mouse, we investigated the role of CCR2 on DVT resolution. Genetic deletion of CCR2 (CCR2−/−) was associated with larger thrombi at early and later time points, increased thrombus collagen, fewer thrombus monocytes (F4/80), and significantly impaired neovascularization. IL-2 and IFN-γ were significantly reduced in early CCR2−/− thrombi, whereas MCP-1 was significantly increased, and Th2 lymphokines were unaffected. Supplementation of CCR2−/− mice with IFN-γ normalized early thrombus resolution without increasing monocyte influx. Neither Ab depletion of IFN-γ nor genetic deletion of IFN-γ impaired early DVT resolution. Early fibrinolysis was not impaired in CCR2−/− mice, but a significant reduction in both matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activity was observed. However, only MMP-9 activity was restored with administration of IFN-γ. We conclude that an early CCR2-dependent Th1 lymphokine response predominates in normal DVT resolution, mediates this in part by MMP-9 activation, but is not solely dependent on IFN-γ.
Induction of Complement-Fixing Autoantibodies against Type VII Collagen Results in Subepidermal Blistering in Mice
Authors: Sitaru Cassian , Chiriac Mircea T. , Mihai Sidonia , Büning Jürgen , Gebert Andreas , Ishiko Akira , Zillikens Detlef 
Published: April 2014

AbstractExperimental models reproducing an autoimmune response resulting in skin blistering in immunocompetent animals are lacking. Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a bullous skin disease caused by autoantibodies to type VII collagen. In this study, we describe an active disease model of EBA by immunizing mice of different strains with murine type VII collagen. All mice developed circulating IgG autoantibodies that recognized type VII collagen and bound to the lamina densa of the dermal-epidermal junction. Importantly, subepidermal blisters developed in 82% of SJL-1, 56% of BALB/c mice, and 45% of FcγRIIb-deficient mice, but not in SKH-1 mice. In susceptible animals, deposits of IgG1, IgG2, and complement C3 were detected at the dermal-epidermal junction. In contrast, in the nondiseased mice, tissue-bound autoantibodies were predominantly of the IgG1 subclass and complement activation was weak or absent. This active disease model reproduces in mice the clinical, histopathological, and immunopathological findings in EBA patients. This robust experimental system should greatly facilitate further studies on the pathogenesis of EBA and the development of novel immunomodulatory therapies for this and other autoimmune diseases.
Phase II Enzymes Induction Blocks the Enhanced IgE Production in B Cells by Diesel Exhaust Particles
Authors: Wan Junxiang , Diaz-Sanchez David 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Oxidant pollutants such as diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) can initiate and exacerbate airway allergic responses through enhanced IgE production. These effects are especially pronounced in individuals in whom phase II antioxidant enzyme responses are impaired. We confirmed that DEPs and DEP extracts (DEPX) can act directly on B lymphocytes and showed that DEPX could enhance IgH ε germline transcription in a B cell line and in PBMCs. We therefore studied the regulation in B cells of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) as a typical model phase II enzyme and its role in modulating DEPX-enhanced IgE responses. DEPX increased NQO1 mRNA expression in a dose-dependent manner. NQO1 protein induction by DEPX was confirmed by Western blot. DEPs induced activity of the antioxidant response element located in the NQO1 gene promoter. Induction of both NQO1 mRNA and protein expression could be blocked by coculture with an antioxidant and partly repressed by inhibitors of PI3K and p38 MAPK, but not by inhibitors of MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK/ERK) or protein kinase C. The ability of DEPX to enhance IgE production was blocked by the induction of phase II enzymes, including NQO1 in B cells by the chemical sulforaphane. These findings suggest that a natural protective mechanism in B cells from oxidant pollutants such as diesel particles is the expression of phase II enzymes through induction of antioxidant response elements and support the approach of overexpression of these enzymes as a potential future chemopreventative strategy.
Induction of Efficient Antitumor Immunity Using Dendritic Cells Activated by Recombinant Sendai Virus and Its Modulation by Exogenous IFN-β Gene
Authors: Shibata Satoko , Okano Shinji , Yonemitsu Yoshikazu , Onimaru Mitsuho , Sata Shihoko , Nagata-Takeshita Hiroko , Inoue Makoto , Zhu Tsugumine , Hasegawa Mamoru , Moroi Yoichi , Furue Masutaka , Sueishi Katsuo 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC)-based cancer immunotherapy has been paid much attention as a new and cancer cell-specific therapeutic in the last decade; however, little clinical outcome has been reported. Current limitations of DC-based cancer immunotherapy include sparse information about which DC phenotype should be administered. We here report a unique, representative, and powerful method to activate DCs, namely recombinant Sendai virus-modified DCs (SeV/DC), for cancer immunotherapy. In vitro treatment of SeV without any bioactive gene solely led DCs to a mature phenotype. Even though the expression of surface markers for DC activation ex vivo did not always reach the level attained by an optimized amount of LPS, superior antitumor effects to B16F1 melanoma, namely tumor elimination and survival, were obtained with use of SeV-GFP/DC as compared with those seen with LPS/DC in vivo, and the effect was enhanced by SeV/DC-expressing IFN-β (SeV-murine IFN-β (mIFN-β)/DC). In case of the treatment of an established tumor of B16F10 (7–9 mm in diameter), a highly malignant subline of B16 melanoma, SeV-modified DCs (both SeV-GFP/DC and SeV-mIFN-β/DC), but not immature DC and LPS/DC, dramatically improved the survival of animals. Furthermore, SeV-mIFN-β/DC but not other DCs could lead B16F10 tumor to the dormancy, associated with strongly enhanced CD8+ CTL responses. These results indicate that rSeV is a new and powerful tool as an immune booster for DC-based cancer immunotherapy that can be significantly modified by IFN-β, and SeV/DC, therefore, warrants further investigation as a promising alternative for cancer immunotherapy.