bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Critical Roles of the p110β Subtype of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase in Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Akt Activation and Negative Regulation of Nitrite Production in RAW 264.7 Cells
Authors: Tsukamoto Ken , Hazeki Kaoru , Hoshi Megumi , Nigorikawa Kiyomi , Inoue Norimitsu , Sasaki Takehiko , Hazeki Osamu 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
It has been suggested that PI3K participates in TLR signaling. However, identifying specific roles for individual PI3K subtypes in signaling has remained elusive. In macrophages from the p110γ−/− mouse, LPS-induced phosphorylation of Akt occurred normally despite the fact that the action of anaphylatoxin C5a was impaired markedly. In RAW 264.7 cells expressing short hairpin RNA that targets p110β, LPS-induced phosphorylation of Akt was significantly attenuated. In contrast, the LPS action was not impaired, but was rather augmented in the p110α-deficient cells. Previous pharmacologic studies have suggested that a PI3K-Akt pathway negatively regulates TLR-induced inducible NO synthase expression and cytokine production. In the p110β-deficient cells, inducible NO synthase expression and IL-12 production upon stimulation by LPS were increased, whereas LPS-induced expression of COX-2 and activation of MAPKs were unaffected. Together, the results suggest a specific function of p110β in the negative feedback regulation of TLR signaling.
pConsensus Peptide Induces Tolerogenic CD8+ T Cells in Lupus-Prone (NZB × NZW)F1 Mice by Differentially Regulating Foxp3 and PD1 Molecules
Authors: Singh Ram Pyare , La Cava Antonio , Hahn Bevra H. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus is an autoimmune disease caused primarily by autoantibodies (including IgG anti-DNA) and immune complexes that cause tissue damage. After tolerization with an artificial peptide (pConsensus, pCons) based on murine anti-DNA IgG sequences containing MHC class I and class II T cell determinants, lupus-prone (NZB × NZW)F1 female (BWF1) mice develop regulatory CD4+CD25+ T cells and inhibitory CD8+ T cells, both of which suppress anti-DNA Ig production and immune glomerulonephritis. In the present work, we show that splenocytes from BWF1 mice treated with pCons had significant expansion of primarily CD8+ T cells. CD4+ T cells and B cells were each directly suppressed by CD8+ T cells from tolerized mice in a contact-independent manner. Both pCons-induced CD8+CD28+ and CD8+CD28− T cells suppressed production of anti-DNA in vitro. Silencing with small interfering RNA of Foxp3 abrogated the suppression mediated by both CD8+ T cell subsets. Additionally, CD8+ T cells from tolerized mice were weakly cytotoxic against syngeneic B cells from old anti-DNA-producing mice, but not from young mice. Importantly, pCons treatment had dual effects on CD8+ suppressor T cells from tolerized mice, increasing the intracellular expression of Foxp3 while decreasing the surface expression of PD1 molecules. Blocking PD1/PDL1 interactions in the CD8+ T cells from tolerized mice reduced their expression of Foxp3 and their ability to suppress CD4+CD25− proliferation. In contrast, blocking PD1/PDL1 in naive T cells increased Foxp3 expression. Our data suggest that tolerization with pCons activates different subsets of inhibitory/cytotoxic CD8+ T cells whose targets are both CD4+CD25− effector T cells and B cells.
IL-12 Is Required for Anti-OX40-Mediated CD4 T Cell Survival
Authors: Ruby Carl E. , Montler Ryan , Zheng Rongxui , Shu Suyu , Weinberg Andrew D. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Engagement of OX40 greatly improves CD4 T cell function and survival. Previously, we showed that both OX40 engagement and CTLA-4 blockade led to enhanced CD4 T cell expansion, but only OX40 signaling increased survival. To identify pathways associated with OX40-mediated survival, the gene expression of Ag-activated CD4 T cells isolated from mice treated with anti-OX40 and -CTLA-4 was compared. This comparison revealed a potential role for IL-12 through increased expression of the IL-12R-signaling subunit (IL-12Rβ2) on T cells activated 3 days previously with Ag and anti-OX40. The temporal expression of IL-12Rβ2 on OX40-stimulated CD4 T cells was tightly regulated and peaked ∼4–6 days after initial activation/expansion, but before the beginning of T cell contraction. IL-12 signaling, during this window of IL-12Rβ2 expression, was required for enhanced T cell survival and survival was associated with STAT4-specific signaling. The findings from these observations were exploited in several different mouse tumor models where we found that the combination of anti-OX40 and IL-12 showed synergistic therapeutic efficacy. These results may lead to the elucidation of the molecular pathways involved with CD4 T cell survival that contribute to improved memory, and understanding of these pathways could lead to greater efficacy of immune stimulatory Abs in tumor-bearing individuals.
Chlamydia muridarum Infection Subverts Dendritic Cell Function to Promote Th2 Immunity and Airways Hyperreactivity
Authors: Kaiko Gerard E. , Phipps Simon , Hickey Danica K. , Lam Chuan En , Hansbro Philip M. , Foster Paul S. , Beagley Kenneth W. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
There is strong epidemiological evidence that Chlamydia infection can lead to exacerbation of asthma. However, the mechanism(s) whereby chlamydial infection, which normally elicits a strong Th type 1 (Th1) immune response, can exacerbate asthma, a disease characterized by dominant Th type 2 (Th2) immune responses, remains unclear. In the present study, we show that Chlamydia muridarum infection of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) modulates the phenotype, cytokine secretion profile, and Ag-presenting capability of these BMDC. Chlamydia-infected BMDC express lower levels of CD80 and increased CD86 compared with noninfected BMDC. When infected with Chlamydia, BMDC secrete increased TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, and IL-13. OVA peptide-pulsed infected BMDC induced significant proliferation of transgenic CD4+ DO11.10 (D10) T cells, strongly inhibited IFN-γ secretion by D10 cells, and promoted a Th2 phenotype. Intratracheal transfer of infected, but not control noninfected, OVA peptide-pulsed BMDC to naive BALB/c mice, which had been i.v. infused with naive D10 T cells, resulted in increased levels of IL-10 and IL-13 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Recipients of these infected BMDC showed significant increases in airways resistance and decreased airways compliance compared with mice that had received noninfected BMDC, indicative of the development of airways hyperreactivity. Collectively, these data suggest that Chlamydia infection of DCs allows the pathogen to deviate the induced immune response from a protective Th1 to a nonprotective Th2 response that could permit ongoing chronic infection. In the setting of allergic airways inflammation, this infection may then contribute to exacerbation of the asthmatic phenotype.
Histone Methylation Patterns Are Cell-Type Specific in Human Monocytes and Lymphocytes and Well Maintained at Core Genes
Authors: Miao Feng , Wu Xiwei , Zhang Lingxiao , Riggs Arthur D. , Natarajan Rama 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Different immune cells are expected to have unique, obligatory, and stable epigenomes for cell-specific functions. Histone methylation is recognized as a major layer of the cellular epigenome. However, the discovery of histone demethylases raises questions about the stability of histone methylation and its role in the epigenome. In this study, we used chromatin-immunoprecipitation combined with microarrays to map histone H3K9 dimethylation (H3K9Me2) patterns in gene coding and CpG island regions in human primary monocytes and lymphocytes. This chromosomal mark showed consistent distribution patterns in either monocytes or lymphocytes from multiple volunteers despite age or gender, but the pattern in monocytes was clearly distinct from lymphocytes of the same population. Gene Set Enrichment analysis, a bioinformatics tool, revealed that H3K9Me2 candidate genes are enriched in many tightly controlled signaling and cell-type specific pathways. These results demonstrate that monocytes and lymphocytes have distinct epigenomes and H3K9Me2 may play regulatory roles in the transcription of genes indispensable for maintaining immune responses and cell-type specificity.
Productive Coupling of Accessible Vβ14 Segments and DJβ Complexes Determines the Frequency of Vβ14 Rearrangement
Authors: Ranganath Sheila , Carpenter Andrea C. , Gleason Megan , Shaw Albert C. , Bassing Craig H. , Alt Frederick W. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
To elucidate mechanisms that regulate Vβ rearrangement, we generated and analyzed mice with a V(D)J recombination reporter cassette of germline Dβ-Jβ segments inserted into the endogenous Vβ14 locus (Vβ14Rep). As a control, we first generated and analyzed mice with the same Dβ-Jβ cassette targeted into the generally expressed c-myc locus (c-mycRep). Substantial c-mycRep recombination occurred in both T and B cells and initiated concurrently with endogenous Dβ to Jβ rearrangements in thymocytes. In contrast, Vβ14Rep recombination was restricted to T cells and initiated after endogenous Dβ to Jβ rearrangements, but concurrently with endogenous Vβ14 rearrangements. Thus, the local chromatin environment imparts lineage and developmental stage-specific accessibility upon the inserted reporter. Although Vβ14 rearrangements occur on only 5% of endogenous TCRβ alleles, the Vβ14Rep cassette underwent rearrangement on 80–90% of alleles, supporting the suggestion that productive coupling of accessible Vβ14 segments and DJβ complexes influence the frequency of Vβ14 rearrangements. Strikingly, Vβ14Rep recombination also occurs on TCRβ alleles lacking endogenous Vβ to DJβ rearrangements, indicating that Vβ14 accessibility per se is not subject to allelic exclusion.
Interferon-Induced Expression of MxA in the Respiratory Tract of Rhesus Macaques Is Suppressed by Influenza Virus Replication
Authors: Carroll Timothy D. , Matzinger Shannon R. , Genescà Meritxell , Fritts Linda , Colòn Roxana , McChesney Michael B. , Miller Christopher J. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
To determine the relationship between influenza A virus replication and innate antiviral immune responses, rhesus monkeys were given oseltamivir before influenza A/Memphis/7/01 (H1N1) challenge. We found that oseltamivir treatment significantly reduced viral replication in the trachea (p &lt; 0.029). Further, in the trachea of both treated and untreated monkeys the mRNA levels of most innate antiviral molecules in the IFN-αβ pathway were dramatically increased by 24 h postinfection. However, the mRNA level of a single IFN-stimulated gene, MxA (myxovirus resistance A), the IFN-stimulated gene known to be critical in blocking influenza virus replication, was significantly lower in the tracheal lavages of untreated monkeys than in the oseltamivir-treated monkeys (p = 0.05). These results demonstrate for the first time that uncontrolled influenza A virus replication actively suppresses MxA gene expression and emphasize the critical role of innate immunity in controlling influenza virus replication in vivo.
Immunoproteomic Discovery of Novel T Cell Antigens from the Obligate Intracellular PathogenChlamydia
Authors: Karunakaran Karuna P. , Rey-Ladino Jose , Stoynov Nikolay , Berg Kyra , Shen Caixia , Jiang Xiaozhou , Gabel Brent R. , Yu Hong , Foster Leonard J. , Brunham Robert C. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractChlamydia infections cause substantial morbidity worldwide and effective prevention will depend on a vaccine. Since Chlamydia immunity is T cell-mediated, a major impediment to developing a molecular vaccine has been the difficulty in identifying relevant T cell Ags. In this study, we used a combination of affinity chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry to identify 13 Chlamydia peptides among 331 self-peptides presented by MHC class II (I-Ab) molecules from bone marrow-derived murine dendritic cells infected with Chlamydia muridarum. These MHC class II-bound peptides were recognized by Chlamydia-specific CD4 T cells harvested from immune mice and adoptive transfer of dendritic cells pulsed ex vivo with the peptides partially protected mice against intranasal and genital tract Chlamydia infection. The results provide evidence for lead vaccine candidates for a T cell-based subunit molecular vaccine against Chlamydia infection suitable for human study.
Role of Galectin-3 in Leukocyte Recruitment in a Murine Model of Lung Infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Nieminen Julie , St-Pierre Christian , Bhaumik Pampa , Poirier Françoise , Sato Sachiko 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Pneumonia can be caused by a variety of pathogens, among which Streptococcus pneumoniae causes one of the most common forms of community-acquired pneumonia. Depending on the invading pathogen, the elements of the immune response triggered will vary. For most pathogens, such as Escherichia coli, neutrophil recruitment involves a well-described family of adhesion molecules, β2-integrins. In the case of streptococcal pneumonia, however, neutrophil recruitment occurs mainly through a β2-integrin-independent pathway. Despite decades of research on this issue, the adhesion molecules involved in neutrophil recruitment during lung infection by S. pneumoniae have not been identified. We have previously shown that galectin-3, a soluble mammalian lectin, can be found in lungs infected by S. pneumoniae, but not by E. coli, and can mediate the adhesion of neutrophils on the endothelial cell layer, implying its role in the recruitment of neutrophils to lungs infected with S. pneumoniae. In this study, using galectin-3 null mice, we report further evidence of the involvement of this soluble lectin in the recruitment of neutrophils to S. pneumonia-infected lungs. Indeed, in the absence of galectin-3, lower numbers of leukocytes, mainly neutrophils, were recruited to the infected lungs during infection by S. pneumoniae. In the case of β2-integrin-dependent recruitment induced by lung infection with E. coli, the number of recruited neutrophils was not reduced. Thus, taken together, our data suggest that galectin-3 plays a role as a soluble adhesion molecule in the recruitment of neutrophils to lungs infected by S. pneumoniae, which induces β2-integrin-independent migration.
An Important Role for Type III Interferon (IFN-λ/IL-28) in TLR-Induced Antiviral Activity
Authors: Ank Nina , Iversen Marie B. , Bartholdy Christina , Staeheli Peter , Hartmann Rune , Jensen Uffe B. , Dagnaes-Hansen Frederik , Thomsen Allan R. , Chen Zhi , Haugen Harald , Klucher Kevin , Paludan Søren R. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Type III IFNs (IFN-λ/IL-28/29) are cytokines with type I IFN-like antiviral activities, which remain poorly characterized. We herein show that most cell types expressed both types I and III IFNs after TLR stimulation or virus infection, whereas the ability of cells to respond to IFN-λ was restricted to a narrow subset of cells, including plasmacytoid dendritic cells and epithelial cells. To examine the role of type III IFN in antiviral defense, we generated IL-28Rα-deficient mice. These mice were indistinguishable from wild-type mice with respect to clearance of a panel of different viruses, whereas mice lacking the type I IFN receptor (IFNAR−/−) were significantly impaired. However, the strong antiviral activity evoked by treatment of mice with TLR3 or TLR9 agonists was significantly reduced in both IL-28RA−/− and IFNAR−/− mice. The type I IFN receptor system has been shown to mediate positive feedback on IFN-αβ expression, and we found that the type I IFN receptor system also mediates positive feedback on IFN-λ expression, whereas IL-28Rα signaling does not provide feedback on either type I or type III IFN expression in vivo. Finally, using bone-marrow chimeric mice we showed that TLR-activated antiviral defense requires expression of IL-28Rα only on nonhemopoietic cells. In this compartment, epithelial cells responded to IFN-λ and directly restricted virus replication. Our data suggest type III IFN to target a specific subset of cells and to contribute to the antiviral response evoked by TLRs.
Loss of Epithelial RelA Results in Deregulated Intestinal Proliferative/Apoptotic Homeostasis and Susceptibility to Inflammation
Authors: Steinbrecher Kris A. , Harmel-Laws Eleana , Sitcheran Raquel , Baldwin Albert S. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
NF-κB plays a central, proinflammatory role in chronic intestinal inflammation, yet recent work suggests a predominantly protective function for this transcription factor group in some cell types of the intestine. We herein describe the conditional deletion of the NF-κB RelA gene in murine intestinal epithelia and determine its function in homeostatic control of enterocyte proliferation/apoptosis and susceptibility to colonic inflammation. Mice lacking RelA in ileal and colonic enterocytes were born in expected Mendelian ratios, and RelA-null epithelia differentiated normally. Spontaneous intestinal disease and death occurred with low penetrance in neonates lacking epithelial RelA. IκBα and IκBβ were significantly diminished in RelA-null epithelia, and endotoxin challenge revealed elevated p50 and c-Rel DNA binding activity as compared with controls. Deletion of RelA resulted in diminished expression of antimicrobial (defensin-related cryptdin 4, defensin-related cryptdin 5, RegIIIγ) and antiapoptotic, prorestitution genes (Bcl-xL, RegIV, IL-11, IL-18), and basal rates of epithelial apoptosis and proliferation were elevated. Mice lacking colonic RelA were sensitive to dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis. Although experimental colitis enhanced proliferation in cells lacking RelA, sustained epithelial cell apoptosis precluded mucosal healing and decreased animal survival. We conclude that activation of RelA is required for homeostatic regulation of cell death and division in intestinal epithelia, as well as for protection from development of severe, acute inflammation of the intestine.
CD44 Is Critically Involved in Infarct Healing by Regulating the Inflammatory and Fibrotic Response
Authors: Huebener Peter , Abou-Khamis Tareq , Zymek Pawel , Bujak Marcin , Ying Xia , Chatila Khaled , Haudek Sandra , Thakker Geeta , Frangogiannis Nikolaos G. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractInfarct healing is dependent on an inflammatory reaction that results in leukocyte infiltration and clearance of the wound from dead cells and matrix debris. However, optimal infarct healing requires timely activation of “stop signals” that suppress inflammatory mediator synthesis and mediate resolution of the inflammatory infiltrate, promoting formation of a scar. A growing body of evidence suggests that interactions involving the transmembrane receptor CD44 may play an important role in resolution of inflammation and migration of fibroblasts in injured tissues. We examined the role of CD44 signaling in infarct healing and cardiac remodeling using a mouse model of reperfused infarction. CD44 expression was markedly induced in the infarcted myocardium and was localized on infiltrating leukocytes, wound myofibroblasts, and vascular cells. In comparison with wild-type mice, CD44−/− animals showed enhanced and prolonged neutrophil and macrophage infiltration and increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines following myocardial infarction. In CD44null infarcts, the enhanced inflammatory phase was followed by decreased fibroblast infiltration, reduced collagen deposition, and diminished proliferative activity. Isolated CD44null cardiac fibroblasts had reduced proliferation upon stimulation with serum and decreased collagen synthesis in response to TGF-β in comparison to wild-type fibroblasts. The healing defects in CD44−/− mice were associated with enhanced dilative remodeling of the infarcted ventricle, without affecting the size of the infarct. Our findings suggest that CD44-mediated interactions are critically involved in infarct healing. CD44 signaling is important for resolution of the postinfarction inflammatory reaction and regulates fibroblast function.
Inhibitory ITAM Signaling by FcαRI-FcRγ Chain Controls Multiple Activating Responses and Prevents Renal Inflammation
Authors: Kanamaru Yutaka , Pfirsch Séverine , Aloulou Meryem , Vrtovsnik François , Essig Marie , Loirat Chantal , Deschênes Georges , Guérin-Marchand Claudine , Blank Ulrich , Monteiro Renato C. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Inhibitory signaling is an emerging function of ITAM-bearing immunoreceptors in the maintenance of homeostasis. Monovalent targeting of the IgA Fc receptor (FcαRI or CD89) by anti-FcαRI Fab triggers potent inhibitory ITAM (ITAMi) signaling through the associated FcRγ chain (FcαRI-FcRγ ITAMi) that prevents IgG phagocytosis and IgE-mediated asthma. It is not known whether FcαRI-FcRγ ITAMi signaling controls receptors that do not function through an ITAM and whether this inhibition requires Src homology protein 1 phosphatase. We show in this study that FcαRI-Fcγ ITAMi signals depend on Src homology protein 1 phosphatase to target multiple non-ITAM-bearing receptors such as chemotactic receptors, cytokine receptors, and TLRs. We found that anti-FcαRI Fab treatment in vivo reduced kidney inflammation in models of immune-mediated glomerulonephritis and nonimmune obstructive nephropathy by a mechanism that involved decreased inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis development. This treatment also prevented ex vivo LPS activation of monocytes from patients with lupus nephritis or vasculitis, as well as receptor activation through serum IgA complexes from IgA nephropathy patients. These findings point to a crucial role of FcαRI-FcRγ ITAMi signaling in the control of multiple heterologous or autologous inflammatory responses. They also identify anti-FcαRI Fab as a new potential therapeutic tool for preventing progression of renal inflammatory diseases.
Mechanisms for Decreased Function of B Cells in Aged Mice and Humans
Authors: Frasca Daniela , Landin Ana Marie , Riley Richard L. , Blomberg Bonnie B. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The immune system has been known for some time to be compromised in aged individuals, e.g., both mice and humans, and in both humoral and cellular responses. Our studies have begun to elucidate intrinsic B lymphocyte defects in Ig class switch recombination, activation-induced cytidine deaminase, and E47 transcription factor expression. These defects occur in both mice and humans. Our studies have also shown that tristetraprolin is one of the key players in regulating the decreased E47 mRNA stability in aged B lymphocytes. These and current studies should lead to improvements in B lymphocyte function in aged populations.