bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased Transcription Levels Induce Higher Mutation Rates in a Hypermutating Cell Line
Authors: Bachl Jürgen , Carlson Chris , Gray-Schopfer Vanessa , Dessing Mark , Olsson Carina 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Somatic hypermutation, in addition to V(D)J recombination, is the other major mechanism that generates the vast diversity of the Ab repertoire. Point mutations are introduced in the variable region of the Ig genes at a million-fold higher rate than in the rest of the genome. We have used a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based reversion assay to determine the role of transcription in the mutation mechanism of the hypermutating cell line 18-81. A GFP transgene containing a premature stop codon is transcribed from the inducible tet-on operon. Using the inducible promoter enables us to study the mutability of the GFP transgene at different transcription levels. By analyzing stable transfectants of a hypermutating cell line with flow cytometry, the mutation rate at the premature stop codon can be measured by the appearance of GFP-positive revertant cells. Here we show that the mutation rate of the GFP transgene correlates with its transcription level. Increased transcription levels of the GFP transgene caused an increased point mutation rate at the premature stop codon. Treating a hypermutating transfection clone with trichostatin A, a specific inhibitor of histone deacetylase, caused an additional 2-fold increase in the mutation rate. Finally, using Northern blot analysis we show that the activation-induced cytidine deaminase, an essential trans-factor for the in vivo hypermutation mechanism, is transcribed in the hypermutating cell line 18-81.
Role of the Actin Cytoskeleton in T Cell Absorption and Internalization of Ligands from APC
Authors: Hwang Inkyu , Sprent Jonathan 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
A feature of T-APC interaction is that, via either TCR or CD28, T cells can absorb molecules from APC on to the cell surface and then internalize these molecules. Here, using both normal and TCR-transgenic T cells, we investigated the mechanism of T cell absorption of molecules from APC and the role of the cytoskeleton. The results show that although activated T cells could absorb APC molecules in the form of cell fragments, uptake of molecules by resting T cells required direct T-APC interaction. Based on studies with latrunculin B, surface absorption of molecules by resting T cells was crucially dependent upon the actin cytoskeleton for both CD28- and TCR-mediated absorption. Significantly, however, TCR-mediated absorption became strongly resistant to latrunculin B when the concentration of MHC-bound peptide on APC was raised to a high level, implying that the actin cytoskeleton is only important for absorption when the density of receptor/ligand interaction is low. By contrast, in all situations tested, the actin cytoskeleton played a decisive role in controlling T cell internalization of ligands from the cell surface.
CD40 Signaling Converts a Minimally Immunogenic Antigen into a Potent Vaccine Against the Intracellular Pathogen Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Rolph Michael S. , Kaufmann Stefan H. E. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Conventional vaccination strategies have failed for numerous pathogens, and the development of novel approaches to vaccine development is a major public health priority. Killed or subunit vaccines represent an attractive approach due to their safety, but they suffer from low immunogenicity and generally require adjuvants. In this study, the possibility of harnessing CD40 signaling for enhancing the immunogenicity of killed vaccines was investigated. Intravenous immunization of C57BL/6 mice with heat-killed Listeria monocytogenes (HKL) induced minimal immunity, but HKL administered together with an agonistic anti-CD40 mAb induced high levels of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells capable of producing IFN-γ following in vitro HKL stimulation. HKL/anti-CD40 vaccination elicited robust protection against subsequent Listeria challenge. Approximately 1000-fold fewer bacteria were detected in the liver and spleen of vaccinated mice, and vaccinated mice were also able to resist a normally lethal Listeria challenge. CD40-mediated adjuvant activity required endogenous IL-12 at the time of vaccination, and protection was mediated by both CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. Thus, CD40 signaling can deliver potent adjuvant activity for vaccination against intracellular pathogens and is particularly effective for pathogens requiring both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells for effective control.
Regulatory Effects of Eotaxin on Acute Lung Inflammatory Injury
Authors: Guo Ren-Feng , Lentsch Alex B. , Warner Roscoe L. , Huber-Lang Markus , Sarma J. Vidya , Hlaing Tom , Shi Michael M. , Lukacs Nicholas W. , Ward Peter A. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractEotaxin, which is a major mediator for eosinophil recruitment into lung, has regulatory effects on neutrophil-dependent acute inflammatory injury triggered by intrapulmonary deposition of IgG immune complexes in rats. In this model, eotaxin mRNA and protein were up-regulated during the inflammatory response, resulting in eotaxin protein expression in alveolar macrophages and in alveolar epithelial cells. Ab-induced blockade of eotaxin in vivo caused enhanced NF-κB activation in lung, substantial increases in bronchoalveolar lavage levels of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC), and increased MIP-2 and CINC mRNA expression in alveolar macrophages. In contrast, TNF-α levels were unaffected, and IL-10 levels fell. Under these experimental conditions, lung neutrophil accumulation was significantly increased, and vascular injury, as reflected by extravascular leak of 125I-albumin, was enhanced. Conversely, when recombinant eotaxin was administered in the same inflammatory model of lung injury, bronchoalveolar lavage levels of MIP-2 were reduced, as was neutrophil accumulation and the intensity of lung injury. In vitro stimulation of rat alveolar macrophages with IgG immune complexes greatly increased expression of mRNA and protein for MIP-2, CINC, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, TNF-α, and IL-1β. In the copresence of eotaxin, the increased levels of MIP-2 and CINC mRNAs were markedly diminished, whereas MIP-1α, MIP-1β, TNF-α, and IL-1β expression of mRNA and protein was not affected. These data suggest that endogenous eotaxin, which is expressed during the acute lung inflammatory response, plays a regulatory role in neutrophil recruitment into lung and the ensuing inflammatory damage.
Anergy Induction by Dimeric TCR Ligands
Authors: Appel Heiner , Seth Nilufer P. , Gauthier Laurent , Wucherpfennig Kai W. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
T cells that recognize particular self Ags are thought to be important in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In multiple sclerosis, susceptibility is associated with HLA-DR2, which can present myelin-derived peptides to CD4+ T cells. To generate molecules that target such T cells based on the specificity of their TCR, we expressed a soluble dimeric DR2-IgG fusion protein with a bound peptide from myelin basic protein (MBP). Soluble, dimeric DR2/MBP peptide complexes activated MBP-specific T cells in the absence of signals from costimulatory or adhesion molecules. This initial signaling through the TCR rendered the T cells unresponsive (anergic) to subsequent activation by peptide-pulsed APCs. Fluorescent labeling demonstrated that anergic T cells were initially viable, but became susceptible to late apoptosis due to insufficient production of cytokines. Dimerization of the TCR with bivalent MHC class II/peptide complexes therefore allows the induction of anergy in human CD4+ T cells with a defined MHC/peptide specificity.
Cutting Edge: Antibody-Mediated Cessation of Hemotropic Infection by the Intraerythrocytic Mouse PathogenBartonella grahamii
Authors: Koesling Jan , Aebischer Toni , Falch Christine , Schülein Ralf , Dehio Christoph 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe genus Bartonella includes important human-specific and zoonotic pathogens which cause intraerythrocytic bacteremia in their mammalian reservoir host(s). It is accepted that cellular immunity plays a decisive role in the host’s defense against most intracellular bacteria. Bartonella sp. infection in the immunocompetent host typically leads to immunity against homologous challenge. The basis of this immunity, be it cellular or humoral, is unclear. In this study, the course of Bartonella grahamii bacteremia in immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice was compared. In immunocompetent hosts, the bacteremia is transient and induces a strong humoral immune response. In contrast, bacteremia persists in immunocompromised B and T cell-deficient mice. Immune serum transfer beginning with day 6 postinfection to B cell-deficient mice unable to produce Igs converted the persistent bacteremia to a transient course indistinguishable from that of immunocompetent animals. These data demonstrate an essential role for specific Abs in abrogating the intraerythrocytic bacteremia of B. grahamii in mice.
CD28-independent Costimulation of T Cells in Alloimmune Responses
Authors: Yamada Akira , Kishimoto Koji , Dong Victor M. , Sho Masayuki , Salama Alan D. , Anosova Natalie G. , Benichou Gilles , Mandelbrot Didier A. , Sharpe Arlene H. , Turka Laurence A. , Auchincloss Hugh , Sayegh Mohamed H. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractT cell costimulation by B7 molecules plays an important role in the regulation of alloimmune responses. Although both B7-1 and B7-2 bind CD28 and CTLA-4 on T cells, the role of B7-1 and B7-2 signaling through CTLA-4 in regulating alloimmune responses is incompletely understood. To address this question, we transplanted CD28-deficient mice with fully allogeneic vascularized cardiac allografts and studied the effect of selective blockade of B7-1 or B7-2. These mice reject their grafts by a mechanism that involves both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Blockade of CTLA-4 or B7-1 significantly accelerated graft rejection. In contrast, B7-2 blockade significantly prolonged allograft survival and, unexpectedly, reversed the acceleration of graft rejection caused by CTLA-4 blockade. Furthermore, B7-2 blockade prolonged graft survival in recipients that were both CD28 and CTLA-4 deficient. Our data indicate that B7-1 is the dominant ligand for CTLA-4-mediated down-regulation of alloimmune responses in vivo and suggest that B7-2 has an additional receptor other than CD28 and CTLA-4 to provide a positive costimulatory signal for T cells.
Cutting Edge: Germinal Centers Can Be Induced in the Absence of T Cells
Authors: Lentz Vicky M. , Manser Tim 
Published: April 2014

AbstractImmunization of mice containing mutations that inactivate the TCR Cβ and Cδ genes with the T cell-independent (TI) type 2 Ag (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl-Ficoll induces clusters of peanut agglutinin-binding B cells in the spleen. These clusters are histologically indistinguishable from germinal centers (GCs) typical of T cell-dependent immune responses. They are located in follicles, and contain mature follicular dendritic cells, immune complex deposits, and B cells that display the phenotypic qualities of conventional GC B cells. However, the kinetics of this TI GC response differ from T cell-dependent GC responses in being rapidly induced and of short duration. Moreover, the Ab V genes expressed in TI GCs have not undergone somatic hypermutation. Therefore, T cells may be required for B cell differentiation processes associated with the intermediate and latter stages of the GC reaction, but they are dispensable for the induction and initial development of this response.
TNF-α-Induced Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Inhibits Apoptosis Through a Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt Pathway in Human Hepatocytes
Authors: Osawa Yosuke , Banno Yoshiko , Nagaki Masahito , Brenner David A. , Naiki Takafumi , Nozawa Yoshinori , Nakashima Shigeru , Moriwaki Hisataka 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Human hepatocytes usually are resistant to TNF-α cytotoxicity. In mouse or rat hepatocytes, repression of NF-κB activation is sufficient to induce TNF-α-mediated apoptosis. However, in both Huh-7 human hepatoma cells and Hc human normal hepatocytes, when infected with an adenovirus expressing a mutated form of IκBα (Ad5IκB), which almost completely blocks NF-κB activation, &gt;80% of the cells survived 24 h after TNF-α stimulation. Here, we report that TNF-α activates other antiapoptotic factors, such as sphingosine kinase (SphK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and Akt kinase. Pretreatment of cells with N,N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS), an inhibitor of SphK, or LY 294002, an inhibitor of PI3K that acts upstream of Akt, increased the number of apoptotic cells induced by TNF-α in Ad5IκB-infected Huh-7 and Hc cells. TNF-α-induced activations of PI3K and Akt were inhibited by DMS. In contrast, exogenous sphingosine 1-phosphate, a product of SphK, was found to activate Akt and partially rescued the cells from TNF-α-induced apoptosis. Although Akt has been reported to activate NF-κB, DMS and LY 294002 failed to prevent TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation, suggesting that the antiapoptotic effects of SphK and Akt are independent of NF-κB. Furthermore, apoptosis mediated by Fas ligand (FasL) involving Akt activation also was potentiated by DMS pretreatment in Hc cells. Sphingosine 1-phosphate administration partially protected cells from FasL-mediated apoptosis. These results indicate that not only NF-κB but also SphK and PI3K/Akt are involved in the signaling pathway(s) for protection of human hepatocytes from the apoptotic action of TNF-α and probably FasL.
Generation of Anergic and Potentially Immunoregulatory CD25+CD4 T Cells In Vivo After Induction of Peripheral Tolerance with Intravenous or Oral Antigen
Authors: Thorstenson Kristen M. , Khoruts Alexander 
Published: April 2014

AbstractImmunoregulatory CD25+CD4 T cells are thought to arise from the thymus as a distinct lineage of CD4 T cells specific for self Ags. We used the DO11.10 TCR transgenic adoptive transfer system to show that cells of similar phenotype may also arise in the course of peripheral tolerance induction. Such cells emerged within 1 wk following Ag exposure and correlated negatively with the number of initial cell divisions. Limiting i.v. Ag dose or using an oral tolerance protocol yielded the greatest numbers of Ag-specific CD25+CD4 T cells. In contrast, immunogenic Ag exposure in the presence of an adjuvant did not lead to emergence of CD25+CD4 T cells. The profound anergic phenotype of these cells and their potential immunoregulatory properties make them an especially desirable population to induce in the course of immunotherapy in numerous clinical settings. This experimental system may be useful in future studies designed to optimize immunologic tolerance induction.
Rapid Induction of Naive T Cell Apoptosis by Ecto-Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide: Requirement for Mono(ADP-Ribosyl)Transferase 2 and a Downstream Effector
Authors: Adriouch Sahil , Ohlrogge Wiebke , Haag Friedrich , Koch-Nolte Friedrich , Seman Michel 
Published: April 2014

AbstractLymphocytes express a number of NAD-metabolizing ectoenzymes, including mono(ADP-ribosyl)transferases (ART) and ADP ribosylcyclases. These enzymes may regulate lymphocyte functions following the release of NAD in injured or inflammatory tissues We report here that extracellular NAD induces apoptosis in BALB/c splenic T cells with an IC50 of 3–5 μM. Annexin V staining of cells was observed already 10 min after treatment with NAD in the absence of any additional signal. Removal of GPI-anchored cell surface proteins by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C treatment rendered cells resistant to NAD-mediated apoptosis. RT-PCR analyses revealed that resting BALB/c T cells expressed the genes for GPI-anchored ART2.1 and ART2.2 but not ART1. ART2-specific antisera blocked radiolabeling of cell surface proteins with both [32P]NAD and NAD-mediated apoptosis. Further analyses revealed that natural knockout mice for Art2.a (C57BL/6) or Art2.b (NZW) were resistant to NAD-mediated apoptosis. Labeling with [32P]NAD revealed strong cell surface ART activity on T cells of C57BL/6 and little if any activity on cells of NZW mice. T cells of (C57BL/6 × NZW)F1 animals showed strong cell surface ART activity and were very sensitive to NAD-induced apoptosis. As in BALB/c T cells, ART2-specific antisera blocked cell surface ART activity and apoptosis in (C57BL/6 × NZW)F1 T cells. The fact that T cells of F1 animals are sensitive to rapid NAD-induced apoptosis suggests that this effect requires the complementation of (at least) two genetic components. We propose that one of these is cell surface ART2.2 activity (defective in the NZW parent), the other a downstream effector of ADP-ribosylation (defective in the C57BL/6 parent).
Transcription Factor NF-κB Regulates Igλ Light Chain Gene Rearrangement
Authors: Bendall Heather H. , Sikes Michael L. , Oltz Eugene M. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The tissue- and stage-specific assembly of Ig and TCR genes is mediated by a common V(D)J recombinase complex in precursor lymphocytes. Directed alterations in the accessibility of V, D, and J gene segments target the recombinase to specific Ag receptor loci. Accessibility within a given locus is regulated by the functional interaction of transcription factors with cognate enhancer elements and correlates with the transcriptional activity of unrearranged gene segments. As demonstrated in our prior studies, rearrangement of the Igκ locus is regulated by the inducible transcription factor NF-κB. In contrast to the Igκ locus, known transcriptional control elements in the Igλ locus lack functional NF-κB binding sites. Consistent with this observation, the expression of assembled Igλ genes in mature B cells has been shown to be NF-κB independent. Nonetheless, we now show that specific repression of NF-κB inhibits germline transcription and recombination of Igλ gene segments in precursor B cells. Molecular analyses indicate that the block in NF-κB impairs Igλ rearrangement at the level of recombinase accessibility. In contrast, the activities of known Igλ promoter and enhancer elements are unaffected in the same cellular background. These findings expand the range of NF-κB action in precursor B cells beyond Igκ to include the control of recombinational accessibility at both L chain loci. Moreover, our results strongly suggest the existence of a novel Igλ regulatory element that is either directly or indirectly activated by NF-κB during the early stages of B cell development.
Critical Role for CD8 in Binding of MHC Tetramers to TCR: CD8 Antibodies Block Specific Binding of Human Tumor- Specific MHC-Peptide Tetramers to TCR
Authors: Denkberg Galit , Cohen Cyril J. , Reiter Yoram 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
There are conflicting opinions about the role that the T cell coreceptors CD4 and CD8 play in TCR binding and activation. Recent evidence from transgenic mouse models suggests that CD8 plays a critical role in TCR binding and activation by peptide-MHC complex multimers (tetramers). Here we show with a human CTL clone specific for a tumor-associated MHC-peptide complex that the binding of tetramers to the TCR on these cells is completely blocked by anti-human CD8 Abs. Moreover, the staining of CTLs with specific MHC-peptide tetramers simultaneously with anti-CD8 Abs was completely blocked with three different anti-CD8 Abs. This blockage was mediated by anti-CD8 Abs but not anti-CD3 Abs and was dose dependent. The blocking effect of the anti-CD8 Abs was attributable to directly inhibiting tetramer binding and was not attributable to Ab-mediated TCR-CD8 internalization and down-regulation. Our results have important implications in TCR binding to MHC-peptide tetramers. MHC-peptide tetramers are widely used today in combination with anti-CD8 Abs for the phenotypic analysis of T cell populations and in the study of T cell responses under various pathological conditions such as infectious diseases and cancer. Our results indicate that also in the human system CD8 plays a critical role in the interaction of MHC-peptide multimers with TCR.
The Sushi Domain of Soluble IL-15 Receptor α Is Essential for Binding IL-15 and Inhibiting Inflammatory and Allogenic Responses In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Wei Xiao-qing , Orchardson Michael , Gracie J. Alastair , Leung Bernard P. , Gao Bao-mei , Guan Hui , Niedbala Wanda , Paterson Gavin K. , McInnes Iain B. , Liew Foo Y. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
IL-15 is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays important roles in both innate and adaptive immunity. It is associated with a range of immunopathology, including rheumatoid arthritis and allograft rejection. IL-15 functions through the trimeric IL-15R complex, which consists of a high affinity binding α-chain and the common IL-2R β- and γ-chains. Characterization of IL-15/IL-15R interactions may facilitate the development of improved IL-15 antagonists for therapeutic interventions. We previously constructed soluble murine IL-15Rα (sIL-15Rα) by deleting the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains. To localize the functional domain of IL-15Rα, we have now constructed various truncated versions of sIL-15Rα. The shortest region retaining IL-15 binding activity is a 65-aa sequence spanning the Sushi domain of IL-15Rα. Sushi domains, common motifs in protein-protein interactions, contain four cysteines forming two disulfide bonds in a 1-3 and 2-4 pattern. Amino acid substitution of the first or fourth cysteine in sIL-15Rα completely abolished its IL-15 binding activity. This also abrogated the ability of sIL-15Rα to neutralize IL-15-induced proinflammatory cytokine production and anti-apoptotic response in vitro. Furthermore, the mutant sIL-15Rα lost its ability to inhibit carrageenan-induced local inflammation and allogenic cell-induced T cell proliferation and cytokine production in vivo. Thus, the Sushi domain is critical for the functional activity of sIL-15Rα.
A NF-κB/Sp1 Region Is Essential for Chromatin Remodeling and Correct Transcription of a Human Granulocyte- Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Transgene
Authors: Cakouros Dimitrios , Cockerill Peter N. , Bert Andrew G. , Mital Renu , Roberts Donna C. , Shannon M. Frances 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The GM-CSF gene is expressed following activation of T cells. The proximal promoter and an upstream enhancer have previously been characterized using transfection and reporter assays in T cell lines in culture. A 10.5-kb transgene containing the entire human GM-CSF gene has also been shown to display inducible, position-independent, copy number-dependent transcription in mouse splenocytes. To determine the role of individual promoter elements in transgene function, mutations were introduced into the proximal promoter and activity assessed following the generation of transgenic mice. Of four mutations introduced into the transgene promoter, only one, in an NF-κB/Sp1 region, led to decreased induction of the transgene in splenocytes or bone marrow-derived macrophages. This mutation also affected the activity of reporter gene constructs stably transfected into T cell lines in culture, but not when transiently transfected into the same cell lines. The mutation alters the NF-κB family members that bind to the NF-κB site as well as reducing the binding of Sp1 to an adjacent element. A DNase I hypersensitive site that is normally generated at the promoter following T cell activation on the wild-type transgene does not appear in the mutant transgene. These results suggest that the NF-κB/Sp1 region plays a critical role in chromatin remodeling and transcription on the GM-CSF promoter in primary T cells.