bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Necroinflammatory Liver Disease in BALB/c Background, TGF-β1-Deficient Mice Requires CD4+ T Cells
Authors: Rudner Lynnie A. , Lin Jack T. , Park Il-Kyoo , Cates Justin M. M. , Dyer Darci A. , Franz Douglas M. , French Margaret A. , Duncan Elizabeth M. , White Hillary D. , Gorham James D. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The etiology of autoimmune liver disease is poorly understood. BALB/c mice deficient in the immunoregulatory cytokine TGF-β1 spontaneously develop necroinflammatory liver disease, but the immune basis for the development of this pathology has not been demonstrated. Here, we show that BALB/c-TGF-β1−/− mice exhibit abnormal expansion in hepatic mononuclear cells (MNCs) compared with wild-type littermate control mice, particularly in the T cell and macrophage lineages. To test whether lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system are required for the spontaneous development of necroinflammatory liver disease, BALB/c-TGF-β1−/− mice were rendered deficient in B and T cells by crossing them with BALB/c-recombinase-activating gene 1−/− mice. BALB/c-TGF-β1−/−/recombinase-activating gene 1−/− double-knockout mice showed extended survival and did not develop necroinflammatory liver disease. The cytolytic activity of BALB/c-TGF-β1−/− hepatic lymphocytes was assessed using an in vitro CTL assay. CTL activity was much higher in BALB/c-TGF-β1−/− hepatic MNCs compared with littermate control hepatic MNCs and was particularly pronounced in the CD4+ T cell subset. Experimental depletion of CD4+ T cells in young BALB/c-TGF-β1−/− mice prevented the subsequent development of necroinflammatory liver disease, indicating that CD4+ T cells are essential for disease pathogenesis in vivo. These data definitively establish an immune-mediated etiology for necroinflammatory liver disease in BALB/c-TGF-β1−/− mice and demonstrate the importance of CD4+ T cells in disease pathogenesis in vivo. Furthermore, TGF-β1 has a critical role in homeostatic regulation of the hepatic immune system, inhibiting the development or expansion of hepatic cytolytic CD4+ T cells.
Albumin-Based Drug Delivery as Novel Therapeutic Approach for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Wunder Andreas , Müller-Ladner Ulf , Stelzer Ernst H. K. , Funk Jürgen , Neumann Elena , Stehle Gerd , Pap Thomas , Sinn Hannsjörg , Gay Steffen , Fiehn Christoph 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
We reported recently that albumin is a suitable drug carrier for targeted delivery of methotrexate (MTX) to tumors. Due to pathophysiological conditions in neoplastic tissue, high amounts of albumin accumulate in tumors and are metabolized by malignant cells. MTX, covalently coupled to human serum albumin (MTX-HSA) for cancer treatment, is currently being evaluated in phase II clinical trials. Because synovium of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) shares various features observed also in tumors, albumin-based drug targeting of inflamed joints might be an attractive therapeutic approach. Therefore, the pharmacokinetics of albumin and MTX in a mouse model of arthritis was examined. Additionally, uptake of albumin by synovial fibroblasts of RA patients and the efficacy of MTX and MTX-HSA in arthritic mice were studied. The results show that when compared with MTX, significantly higher amounts of albumin accumulate in inflamed paws, and significantly lower amounts of albumin are found in the liver and the kidneys. The protein is metabolized by human synovial fibroblasts in vitro and in vivo. MTX-HSA was significantly more effective in suppression of the onset of arthritis in mice than was MTX. In conclusion, albumin appears to be a suitable drug carrier in RA, most likely due to effects on synovial fibroblasts, which might increase therapeutic efficacy and reduce side effects of MTX.
Transfer of Severe Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis by IL-12- and IL-18-Potentiated T Cells Is Estrogen Sensitive
Authors: Ito Atsushi , Matejuk Agata , Hopke Corwyn , Drought Heather , Dwyer Jami , Zamora Alex , Subramanian Sandhya , Vandenbark Arthur A. , Offner Halina 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of IL-18 and IL-12 in potentiating the encephalitogenic activity of T cell lines specific for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG35–55). MOG-specific T cells stimulated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 in the presence of IL-12 or IL-18 alone transferred only mild experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) into a low percentage of recipients. However, T cells cocultured with both cytokines transferred aggressive clinical and histological EAE into all recipients. Coculture of T cells with IL-12 enhanced the secretion of IFN-γ, but not TNF-α, whereas coculture with IL-18 enhanced the secretion of TNF-α, but not INF-γ. However, coculture with both IL-18 and IL-12 induced high levels of both TNF-α and IFN-γ. Additionally, IL-12 selectively enhanced mRNA expression of CCR5, whereas IL-18 selectively enhanced the expression of CCR4 and CCR7, and CCR4 and CCR5 were coexpressed on the surface of T cells cocultured with IL-12 and IL-18. Finally, estrogen treatment, previously found to inhibit both TNF-α and IFN-γ production, completely abrogated all signs of passive EAE. These data demonstrate that optimal potentiation of encephalitogenic activity can be achieved by conditioning MOG-specific T cells with the combination of IL-12 and IL-18, which, respectively, induce the secretion of IFN-γ/CCR5 and TNF-α/CCR4/CCR7, and that estrogen treatment, which is known to inhibit both proinflammatory cytokines, can completely ablate this aggressive form of passive EAE.
CC Chemokine Ligand 1 Promotes Recruitment of Eosinophils But Not Th2 Cells During the Development of Allergic Airways Disease
Authors: Bishop Benjamin , Lloyd Clare M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractOne of the characteristic features of allergic asthma is recruitment of large numbers of inflammatory cells including eosinophils and Th2 lymphocytes to the lung. This influx of inflammatory cells is thought to be a controlled and coordinated process mediated by chemokines and their receptors. It is thought that distinct, differential expression of chemokine receptors allows selective migration of T cell subtypes in response to the chemokines that bind these receptors. Th2 cells preferentially express CCR8 and migrate selectively to its ligand, CC chemokine ligand (CCL)1. We studied the role of the CCR8 ligand, CCL1, in the specific recruitment of Th2 cells and eosinophils to the lung in a murine model of allergic airway disease. We have demonstrated for the first time that CCL1 is up-regulated in the lung following allergen challenge. Moreover, a neutralizing Ab to CCL1 reduced eosinophil migration to the lung, but had no effect on recruitment of Th2 cells following allergen challenge. In addition, there was no change in airway hyperresponsiveness or levels of Th2 cytokines. In a Th2 cell transfer system of pulmonary inflammation, anti-CCL1 also failed to affect recruitment of Th2 cells to the lung following allergen challenge. Significantly, intratracheal instillation of rCCL1 increased recruitment of eosinophils but not Th2 cells to the lung in allergen-sensitized and -challenged mice. In summary, our results indicate that CCL1 is important for the pulmonary recruitment of eosinophils, rather than allergen-specific Th2 cells, following allergen challenge.
Differential Contribution of IL-4 and STAT6 vs STAT4 to the Development of Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Singh Ram Raj , Saxena Vijay , Zang Song , Li Lily , Finkelman Fred D. , Witte David P. , Jacob Chaim O. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractMechanisms that initiate lupus nephritis and cause progression to end-stage renal disease remain poorly understood. In this study, we show that lupus-prone New Zealand Mixed 2410 mice that develop a severe glomerulosclerosis and rapidly progressive renal disease overexpress IL-4 in vivo. In these mice, STAT6 deficiency or anti-IL-4 Ab treatment decreases type 2 cytokine responses and ameliorates kidney disease, particularly glomerulosclerosis, despite the presence of high levels of IgG anti-dsDNA Abs. STAT4 deficiency, however, decreases type 1 and increases type 2 cytokine responses, and accelerates nephritis, in the absence of high levels of IgG anti-dsDNA Abs. Thus, STAT6 and IL-4 may selectively contribute to the development of glomerulosclerosis, whereas STAT4 may play a role in autoantibody production.
The Naive B Cell Repertoire Predisposes to Antigen-Induced Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Wang Chuansheng , Khalil Magi , Ravetch Jeffrey , Diamond Betty 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIt is clear that the development of an autoimmune disease usually depends on both a genetic predisposition and an environmental trigger. In this study, we demonstrate that BALB/c mice develop a lupus-like serology following immunization with a peptide mimetope of DNA, while DBA/2 mice do not. We further demonstrate that the critical difference resides within the B cell compartment and that the naive B cell repertoire of DBA/2 mice has fewer B cells specific for the DNA mimetope. Differences in the strength of B cell receptor signaling exist between these two strains and may be responsible for the difference in disease susceptibility. BALB/c mice possess more autoreactive cells in the native repertoire; they display a weaker response to Ag and exhibit less Ag-induced apoptosis of B cells. DBA/2 mice, in contrast, display a stronger B cell receptor signal and more stringent central tolerance. This correlates with resistance to lupus induction. Thus, the degree to which autoreactive B cells have been eliminated from the naive B cell repertoire is genetically regulated and may determine whether a nonspontaneously autoimmune host will develop autoimmunity following exposure to Ag.
Inhibition of IFN-γ Signaling by Glucocorticoids
Authors: Hu Xiaoyu , Li Wai-Ping , Meng Charis , Ivashkiv Lionel B. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractRecent reports suggest that a novel mechanism of glucocorticoid (GC) immunosuppressive action is inhibition of signaling by IL-2 and IL-12, cytokines that use the Janus kinase-STAT signaling pathway. We investigated whether GCs could also block activation of Janus kinase-STAT signaling by IFN-γ, a potent proinflammatory cytokine. Addition of dexamethasone to PBMC cultures resulted in a dramatic inhibition of IFN-γ activation of STAT1. Several days of exposure to GCs were required for inhibition of IFN-γ signaling to become apparent, and the underlying mechanism was down-regulation of STAT1 expression. GCs suppressed the expression of STAT1 mRNA, but did not affect STAT1 protein stability. STAT1 expression and IFN-γ signaling were preferentially suppressed in macrophages. GCs did not act directly on macrophages, but worked indirectly by regulating macrophage-lymphocyte interactions that control STAT1 expression. GCs inhibited IFN-γ-inducible gene expression, thus demonstrating the physiological significance of inhibition of signal transduction. Our results identify a novel level of regulation of IFN-γ signaling, whereby GCs control the amplitude of IFN-γ signaling by regulating STAT1 expression. These results suggest that inhibition of IFN-γ signaling contributes to the immunosuppressive action of GCs.
Phosphatidylserine on HIV Envelope Is a Cofactor for Infection of Monocytic Cells
Authors: Callahan Melissa K. , Popernack Paul M. , Tsutsui Shigeki , Truong Linh , Schlegel Robert A. , Henderson Andrew J. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
HIV-1 is an enveloped retrovirus that acquires its outer membrane as the virion exits the cell. Because of the association of apoptosis with the progression of AIDS, HIV-1-infected T cells or macrophages might be expected to express elevated levels of surface phosphatidylserine (PS), a hallmark of programmed cell death. Virions produced by these cells would also be predicted to have PS on the surface of their envelopes. In this study, data are presented that support this hypothesis and suggest that PS is required for macrophage infection. The PS-specific protein annexin V was used to enrich for virus particles and to inhibit HIV-1 replication in primary macrophages, but not T cells. HIV-1 replication was also significantly inhibited with vesicles consisting of PS, but not phosphatidylcholine. PS is specifically required for HIV-1 infection because viruses pseudotyped with vesicular stomatitis virus G and amphotropic murine leukemia virus envelopes were not inhibited by PS vesicles or annexin V. These data indicate that PS is an important cofactor for HIV-1 infection of macrophages.
Complementarity-Determining Region 3 Spectratyping Analysis of the TCR Repertoire in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Matsumoto Yoh , Yoon Wong Kee , Jee Youngheun , Fujihara Kazuo , Misu Tatsuro , Sato Shigeru , Nakashima Ichiro , Itoyama Yasuto 
Published: April 2014

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is considered to be an autoimmune disease mediated by T cells reactive with Ags in the CNS. Therefore, it has been postulated that neuroantigen-reactive T cells bearing particular types of TCRs are expanded clonally during the course of the disease. However, there is a controversy with regard to the TCR usage by T cells associated with the development of MS. By the use of complementarity-determining region 3 spectratyping analysis that is shown to be a useful tool for identification of pathogenic TCR in autoimmune disease models, we tried to demonstrate that spectratype was T cells bearing particular types of TCR are activated in MS patients. Consequently, it was found that Vβ5.2 were often oligoclonally expanded in peripheral blood of MS patients, but not of healthy subjects. Sequence analysis of the complementarity-determining region 3 region of spectratype-derived TCR clones revealed that the predominant TCR clone was different from patient to patient, but that similar results were obtained in a patient examined at different time points. More importantly, examination of cerebrospinal fluid T cells and longitudinal studies of PBLs from selected patients revealed that Vβ5.2 expansion was detectable in the majority of patients examined. These findings suggest that Vβ5.2 spectratype expansion is associated with the development of MS and that TCR-based immunotherapy can be applicable to MS patients if the TCR activation pattern of each patient is determined at different stages of the disease.
Design, Construction, and In Vitro Analyses of Multivalent Antibodies
Authors: Miller Kathy , Meng Gloria , Liu Jun , Hurst Amy , Hsei Vanessa , Wong Wai-Lee , Ekert Rene , Lawrence David , Sherwood Steven , DeForge Laura , Gaudreault Jacques , Keller Gilbert , Sliwkowski Mark , Ashkenazi Avi , Presta Leonard 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Some Abs are more efficacious after being cross-linked to form dimers or multimers, presumably as a result of binding to and clustering more surface target to either amplify or diversify cellular signaling. To improve the therapeutic potency of these types of Abs, we designed and generated Abs that express tandem Fab repeats with the aim of mimicking cross-linked Abs. The versatile design of the system enables the creation of a series of multivalent human IgG Ab forms including tetravalent IgG1, tetravalent F(ab′)2, and linear Fab multimers with either three or four consecutively linked Fabs. The multimerized Abs target the cell surface receptors HER2, death receptor 5, and CD20, and are more efficacious than their parent mAbs in triggering antitumor cellular responses, indicating they could be useful both as reagents for study as well as novel therapeutics.
Cryptic CTL Epitope on a Murine Sarcoma Meth A Generated by Exon Extension as a Novel Mechanism
Authors: Uenaka Akiko , Hirano Yoshiki , Hata Hidenori , Win Sanda , Aji Toshiki , Tanaka Motoyuki , Ono Toshiro , Skipper Jonathan C. A. , Shimizu Kenji , Nakayama Eiichi 
Published: April 2014

AbstractUsing the recently developed ELISPOT cloning methodology, we obtained cDNA clone S35 coding for the Ag epitope recognized by a murine sarcoma Meth A-specific CTL clone AT-1. Analysis of truncated S35 constructs and overlapping peptides revealed that the peptide epitope was LGAEAIFRL. AT-1 CTL lysed peptide-pulsed CMS8 cells at a nanomolar concentration, and the peptide strongly stimulated IFN-γ production in AT-1 CTL. Sequence homology indicated that the S35 was derived from a mouse homologue of human retinoic acid-regulated nuclear matrix-associated protein (ramp). The ramp gene consisted of 15 exons. The majority of the ramp mRNA was the transcript normally spliced between exons 14 and 15, but a minor population of mRNA with an extended exon 14 was also present in Meth A cells. The epitope was derived from the newly created open reading frame, which resulted from extension of exon 14 after splicing of the adjacent intronic sequence.
Ephrin B2 Induces T Cell Costimulation
Authors: Yu Guang , Luo Hongyu , Wu Yulian , Wu Jiangping 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Eph kinases form the largest family of receptor tyrosine kinases, and their ligands are ephrins (EFNs), which are cell surface proteins. Some Eph kinases and EFNs are expressed on T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells, but their functions in the immune system are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of EFNB2 on murine T cells. EFNB2 mRNA was expressed in the cortex of the thymus and white pulp of the spleen. At the protein level, it was expressed on T cells and monocytes/macrophages, but not on B cells. EFNB2Rs were expressed mainly on T cells. Solid-phase EFNB2 along with suboptimal anti-CD3 strongly stimulated T cell proliferation, with concomitant augmentation of IFN-γ but not IL-2 or IL-4 secretion. The activity of cytotoxic T cells was also significantly enhanced in the presence of solid-phase EFNB2. These results indicate that EFNB2R cross-linking results in costimulation of T cells. EFNB2Rs were normally scattered on the T cell surface; after TCR cross-linking, they rapidly congregated to capped TCR complexes and then to patched rafts. This provides a morphological base for EFNB2Rs to participate in T cell costimulation. We also demonstrated that EFNB2R signaling led to augmented p38 and p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Our study shows that EFNB2 plays important roles in immune regulation.
A Role for the Lymphotoxin/LIGHT Axis in the Pathogenesis of Murine Collagen-Induced Arthritis
Authors: Fava Roy A. , Notidis Evangelia , Hunt Jane , Szanya Veronika , Ratcliffe Nora , Ngam-ek Apinya , de Fougerolles Antonin R. , Sprague Andrew , Browning Jeffrey L. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
A lymphotoxin-β (LTβ) receptor-Ig fusion protein (LTβR-Ig) was used to evaluate the importance of the lymphotoxin/LIGHT axis in the development and perpetuation of arthritis. Prophylactic treatment with the inhibitor protein LTβR-Ig blocked the induction of collagen-induced arthritis in mice and adjuvant arthritis in Lewis rats. Treatment of mice with established collagen-induced arthritis reduced the severity of arthritic symptoms and joint tissue damage. However, in a passive model of anti-collagen Ab-triggered arthritis, joint inflammation was not affected by LTβR-Ig treatment precluding LT/LIGHT involvement in the very terminal immune complex/complement/FcR-mediated effector phase. Collagen-II and Mycobacterium-specific T cell responses were not impaired, yet there was evidence that the overall response to the mycobacterium was blunted. Serum titers of anti-collagen-II Abs were reduced especially during the late phase of disease. Treatment with LTβR-Ig ablated follicular dendritic cell networks in the draining lymph nodes, suggesting that impaired class switching and affinity maturation may have led to a decreased level of pathological autoantibodies. These data are consistent with a model in which the LT/LIGHT axis controls microenvironments in the draining lymph nodes. These environments are critical in shaping the adjuvant-driven initiating events that impact the subsequent quality of the anti-collagen response in the later phases. Consequently, blockade of the LT/LIGHT axis may represent a novel approach to the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis that involve both T cell and Ab components.
Recombinant TCR Ligand Induces Tolerance to Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein 35-55 Peptide and Reverses Clinical and Histological Signs of Chronic Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in HLA-DR2 Transgenic Mice
Authors: Vandenbark Arthur A. , Rich Cathleen , Mooney Jeff , Zamora Alex , Wang Chunhe , Huan Jianya , Fugger Lars , Offner Halina , Jones Richard , Burrows Gregory G. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
In a previous study, we demonstrated that myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-35-55 peptide could induce severe chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in HLA-DR2+ transgenic mice lacking all mouse MHC class II genes. We used this model to evaluate clinical efficacy and mechanism of action of a novel recombinant TCR ligand (RTL) comprised of the α1 and β1 domains of DR2 (DRB1*1501) covalently linked to the encephalitogenic MOG-35-55 peptide (VG312). We found that the MOG/DR2 VG312 RTL could induce long-term tolerance to MOG-35-55 peptide and reverse clinical and histological signs of EAE in a dose- and peptide-dependent manner. Some mice treated with lower doses of VG312 relapsed after cessation of daily treatment, but the mice could be successfully re-treated with a higher dose of VG312. Treatment with VG312 strongly reduced secretion of Th1 cytokines (TNF-α and IFN-γ) produced in response to MOG-35-55 peptide, and to a lesser degree purified protein derivative and Con A, but had no inhibitory effect on serum Ab levels to MOG-35-55 peptide. Abs specific for both the peptide and MHC moieties of the RTLs were also present after treatment with EAE, but these Abs had only a minor enhancing effect on T cell activation in vitro. These data demonstrate the powerful tolerance-inducing therapeutic effects of VG312 on MOG peptide-induced EAE in transgenic DR2 mice and support the potential of this approach to inhibit myelin Ag-specific responses in multiple sclerosis patients.
Inhibition of Graft-Versus-Host Disease by Double-Negative Regulatory T Cells
Authors: Young Kevin J. , DuTemple Barb , Phillips M. James , Zhang Li 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Pretransplant infusion of lymphocytes that express a single allogeneic MHC class I Ag has been shown to induce tolerance to skin and heart allografts that express the same alloantigens. In this study, we demonstrate that reconstitution of immunoincompetent mice with spleen cells from MHC class I Ld-mismatched donors does not cause graft-vs-host disease (GVHD). Recipient mice become tolerant to skin allografts of lymphocyte donor origin while retaining immunity to third-party alloantigens. The mechanism involves donor-derived CD3+CD4−CD8− double-negative T regulatory (DN Treg) cells, which greatly increase and form the majority of T lymphocytes in the spleen of recipient mice. DN Treg cells isolated from tolerant recipient mice can suppress the proliferation of syngeneic antihost CD8+ T cells in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrate that DN Treg cells can be generated in vitro by stimulating them with MHC class I Ld-mismatched lymphocytes. These in vitro generated Ld-specific DN Treg cells are able to down-regulate the activity of antihost CD8+ T cells in vitro by directly killing activated CD8+ T cells. Moreover, infusing in vitro generated Ld-mismatched DN Treg cells prevented the development of GVHD caused by allogeneic CD8+ T cells. Together these data demonstrate that infusion of single MHC class I locus-mismatched lymphocytes may induce donor-specific transplantation tolerance through activation of DN Treg cells, which can suppress antihost CD8+ T cells and prevent the development of GVHD. This finding indicates that using single class I locus-mismatched grafts may be a viable alternative to using fully matched grafts in bone marrow transplantation.