bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional Genomic Analysis in Arthritis-Affected Cartilage: Yin-Yang Regulation of Inflammatory Mediators by α5β1 and αVβ3 Integrins
Authors: Attur Mukundan G. , Dave Mandar N. , Clancy Robert M. , Patel Indravadan R. , Abramson Steven B. , Amin Ashok R. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Osteoarthritis-affected cartilage exhibits enhanced expression of fibronectin (FN) and osteopontin (OPN) mRNA in differential display and bioinformatics screen. Functional genomic analysis shows that the engagement of the integrin receptors α5β1 and αvβ3 of FN and OPN, respectively, have profound effects on chondrocyte functions. Ligation of α5β1 using activating mAb JBS5 (which acts as agonist similar to FN N-terminal fragment) up-regulates the inflammatory mediators such as NO and PGE2 as well as the cytokines, IL-6 and IL-8. Furthermore, up-regulation of these proinflammatory mediators by α5β1 integrin ligation is mediated via induction and autocrine production of IL-1β, because type II soluble IL-1 decoy receptor inhibits their production. In contrast, αvβ3 complex-specific function-blocking mAb (LM609), which acts as an agonist similar to OPN, attenuates the production of IL-1β, NO, and PGE2 (triggered by α5β1, IL-1β, IL-18, or IL-1β, TNF-α, plus LPS) in a dominant negative fashion by osteoarthritis-affected cartilage and activated bovine chondrocytes. These data demonstrate a cross-talk in signaling mechanisms among integrins and show that integrin-mediated “outside in” and “inside out” signaling very likely influences cartilage homeostasis, and its deregulation may play a role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.
Pivotal Role of CCR1-Positive Leukocytes in Bleomycin- Induced Lung Fibrosis in Mice
Authors: Tokuda Atsuko , Itakura Meiji , Onai Nobuyuki , Kimura Hiroshi , Kuriyama Takayuki , Matsushima Kouji 
Published: April 2014

AbstractWe have investigated the involvement of chemokine receptor CCR1-positive cells in bleomycin-induced lung injury, a model of pulmonary fibrosis. After bleomycin challenge in C57BL/6J mice, the expression of CCR1 mRNA increased and peaked at day 7, which paralleled to the expression of its ligands, macrophage-inflammatory protein-1α and RANTES. Immunohistochemical study showed that CCR1-positive cells accumulated in the interstitial inflammatory site. Furthermore, the treatment of anti-CCR1 Ab significantly reduced the accumulation of inflammatory cells and collagen deposition, resulting in dramatic improvement of survival. These results suggest that CCR1-positive cells play significant roles in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis subsequent to bleomycin-induced lung injury, and that CCR1 could be a novel molecular target for intervention therapy against pulmonary fibrosis.
Time-Dependent Loss of Mac-1 from Infiltrating Neutrophils in the Reperfused Myocardium
Authors: Youker Keith A. , Beirne Joshua , Lee Justin , Michael Lloyd H. , Smith C. Wayne , Entman Mark L. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) infiltrate the myocardium immediately after reperfusion of infarcted tissue. Studies with mAbs in vivo and cellular studies in vitro suggest that PMN-induced injury of the cardiac myocyte involve Mac-1 adhesion to myocyte ICAM-1. In this study we demonstrate that PMNs that have infiltrated the ischemic area begin to lose Mac-1 within the first 3 h. By the fifth hour of reperfusion, minimal CD11b staining is seen on PMNs using immunostaining, whereas CD11a remained unchanged. Immunoreactivity of postreperfusion cardiac lymph with R15.7 (anti-CD18) or MY904 (anti-CD11b) was positive in all animals but not for CD11a (R7.1), indicating a specific loss of Mac-1. Immunoprecipitation with either R15.7 or MY904 resulted in identical peptides (a doublet at 190 kDa and a band at 80 kDa), suggesting that both α and β subunits of Mac-1 heterodimer were released. Immunoprecipitation of control PMN lysates revealed bands of 198 kDa and 91 kDa slightly greater than those from the released Mac-1. An in vitro model of homotypic aggregation showed a similar loss of Mac-1 from PMNs; immunoprecipitates of the supernatant demonstrated peptide bands identical with those found in postischemic cardiac lymph. The appearance of soluble Mac-1 in vitro was prevented by anti-CD18 mAb, R15.7, and also by protease inhibition by PMSF. Thus, in vivo and in vitro, activated PMNs lose Mac-1 in a process that may be dependent upon adhesion and subsequent proteolysis.
Accumulation of Clonally Related B Lymphocytes in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Authors: Colombo Monica , Dono Mariella , Gazzola Paola , Roncella Silvio , Valetto Angelo , Chiorazzi Nicholas , Mancardi Giovanni L. , Ferrarini Manlio 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The accumulation of B lymphocyte clones in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and patients with other neurological disorders was investigated using PCR technologies. Oligoclonal B cell accumulations were detected in 10 of 10 MS patients, but only in 3 of 10 of the patients with other neurological disorders. Analyses of the Ig V(D)J sequences on the CSF from MS patients disclosed that VH3 and VH4 genes were extensively mutated compared with germline sequences. Moreover, a substantial proportion of the molecular clones analyzed shared the same third CDR of the H chain variable region gene (HCDR3) and the same VH genes, albeit with different numbers and locations of point mutations, thus indicating an ongoing process of intraclonal diversification. A larger number of clonally related VH sequences could be obtained by using a VH3 gene-specific PCR so that genealogical trees depicting the process of diversification could be drawn. Analyses of the Ig V(D)J from the CSF of a patient with viral meningitis and oligoclonal B cell accumulations revealed that VH3 genes were extensively mutated. However, no intraclonal diversification could be observed even using VH3 gene-specific PCR methodologies. Clone-specific PCR and sequencing was used to detect the V(D)J found in the CSF of one MS patient in the PBL of the same patient. Only 1/3 of the V(D)J sequences investigated could be demonstrated in the PBL, indicating that the V(D)J genes utilized by B cells in the CSF are much less represented in the PBL. Collectively, the data suggest that in MS there is a compartmentalized clonal expansion.
Rebound from Nitric Oxide Inhibition Triggers Enhanced Monocyte Activation and Chemotaxis
Authors: Magazine Harold I. , Chang Jungshan , Goumon Yannick , Stefano George B. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Exposure of human peripheral blood monocytes to the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-dl-penicillamine (SNAP) resulted in a rapid shift in cellular conformation of spontaneously activated cells from ameboid to round. The population of activated cells, ∼7.1 ± 1.2%, was reduced 7-fold to 1.1 ± 0.4% following 0.5 h exposure to SNAP. Observation of monocytes for 6 h demonstrated a gradual release from NO inhibition initiating at 2.5 h following SNAP treatment and a period of hyperactivity that was maximal at ∼5 h following SNAP exposure. During the rebound from the NO inhibition phase, there was a significant increase in the population of activated monocytes and an increased responsiveness to chemotactic agents such as IL-1, IL-8, and fMLP relative to that of cells treated with the chemotactic agents alone. Conformational changes induced by SNAP were associated with a reduction in F-actin and loss of filopodial extension. The loss and recovery of F-actin staining paralleled changes in cell activity, suggesting that NO may alter cellular activity by modulation of cytoskeletal actin. These data taken together suggest that inhibition of monocyte activity by NO results in an excitatory phase observed subsequent to release from NO inhibition and increased sensitivity to chemotactic agents. We propose that this rebound from NO inhibition may provide increased immunosurveillance to rectify immunological problems that have been encountered during the period of inhibition.
Linkage of the CCR5Δ32 Mutation with a Functional Polymorphism of CD45RA
Authors: Liao Hua-Xin , Montefiori David C. , Patel Dhavalkumar D. , Lee David M. , Scott William K. , Pericak-Vance Margaret , Haynes Barton F. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractA 32-bp deletion in CCR5 (CCR5Δ32) confers to PBMC resistance to HIV-1 isolates that use CCR5 as a coreceptor. To study this mutation in T cell development, we have screened 571 human thymus tissues for the mutation. We identified 72 thymuses (12.6%) that were heterozygous and 2 (0.35%) that were homozygous for the CCR5Δ32 mutation. We found that thymocyte development was normal in both CCR5Δ32 heterozygous and homozygous thymuses. In 3% of thymuses we identified a functional polymorphism of CD45RA, in which cortical and medullary thymocytes failed to down-regulate the 200- and 220-kDa CD45RA isoforms during T cell development. Moreover, we found an association of this CD45 functional polymorphism in thymuses with the CCR5Δ32 mutation (p = 0.00258). In vitro HIV-1 infection assays with CCR5-using primary isolates demonstrated that thymocytes with the heterozygous CCR5Δ32 mutation produced less p24 than did CCR5 wild-type thymocytes. However, the functional CD45RA polymorphism did not alter the susceptibility of thymocytes to HIV-1 infection. Taken together, these data demonstrate association of the CCR5Δ32 mutation with a polymorphism in an as yet unknown gene that is responsible for the ability to down-regulate the expression of high m.w. CD45RA isoforms. Although the presence of the CCR5Δ32 mutation down-regulates HIV-1 infection of thymocytes, the functional CD45RA polymorphism does not alter the susceptibility of thymocytes to HIV-1 infection in vitro.
CD1d-Specific NK1.1+ T Cells with a Transgenic Variant TCR
Authors: Sköld Markus , Faizunnessa Nurun N. , Wang Chyung-Ru , Cardell Susanna 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe majority of T lymphocytes carrying the NK cell marker NK1.1 (NKT cells) depend on the CD1d molecule for their development and are distinguished by their potent capacity to rapidly secrete cytokines upon activation. A substantial fraction of NKT cells express a restricted TCR repertiore using an invariant TCR Vα14-Jα281 rearrangement and a limited set of TCR Vβ segments, implying recognition of a limited set of CD1d-associated ligands. A second group of CD1d-reactive T cells use diverse TCR potentially recognizing a larger diversity of ligands presented on CD1d. In TCR-transgenic mice carrying rearranged TCR genes from a CD1d-reactive T cell with the diverse type receptor (using Vα3.2/Vβ9 rearrangements), the majority of T cells expressing the transgenic TCR had the typical phenotype of NKT cells. They expressed NK1.1, CD122, intermediate TCR levels, and markers indicating previous activation and were CD4/CD8 double negative or CD4+. Upon activation in vitro, the cells secreted large amounts of IL-4 and IFN-γ, a characteristic of NKT cells. In mice lacking CD1d, TCR-transgenic cells with the NKT phenotype were absent. This demonstrates that a CD1d-reactive TCR of the “non-Vα 14” diverse type can, in a ligand-dependent way, direct development of NK1.1+ T cells expressing expected functional and cell-surface phenotype characteristics.
Cutting Edge: Introduction of an Endopeptidase Cleavage Motif into a Determinant Flanking Region of Hen Egg Lysozyme Results in Enhanced T Cell Determinant Display
Authors: Schneider Susanne C. , Ohmen Jeff , Fosdick Lisa , Gladstone Brian , Guo Jane , Ametani Akio , Sercarz Eli E. , Deng Hongkui 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe choice of which determinants of a whole Ag will be presented on cell surface MHC class II molecules after uptake and processing by APC is the result of the interplay between structural characteristics of the Ag and the processing machinery of the APC. In this study, we demonstrate that introduction of a dibasic motif adjacent to a subdominant determinant enhances the presentation of this determinant from the whole molecule. This is the first report showing that a single amino acid substitution in a whole Ag, designed to introduce an endopeptidase recognition site, enhances display of class II-restricted determinants, most likely by creating a peptide chain cleavage in the antigenic molecule. Our findings have important implications for the understanding of immunodominance and for vaccine design.
The Polarization Defect of Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Macrophages Is Linked to Dislocalization of the Arp2/3 Complex
Authors: Linder Stefan , Higgs Henry , Hüfner Katharina , Schwarz Klaus , Pannicke Ulrich , Aepfelbacher Martin 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked recessive disorder originally characterized by the clinical triad eczema, thrombocytopenia, and severe immunodeficieny, with recurrent bacterial and viral infections, indicating a profound immune cell defect. Such altered immune cells include monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, which were reported to display disturbed cell polarization or chemotaxis. WAS is caused by mutations in the WAS protein (WASp), which is thought to organize the actin cytoskeleton through the Arp2/3 complex. Here we show that the Arp2/3 complex is an integral part of podosomes, actin-rich adhesion structures of macrophages, and that WAS macrophages fail to organize the Arp2/3 complex into podosomes. We also demonstrate that microinjection of a C-terminal acidic stretch of WASp into normal macrophages displaces Arp2/3 from podosomes and, in combination with chemoattractant stimulation of cells, induces a phenotype resembling the polarization-defective phenotype of stimulated WAS macrophages. These findings point to an important role of the Arp2/3 complex in polarization and migration of immune cells.
Microchimerism, Donor Dendritic Cells, and Alloimmune Reactivity in Recipients of Flt3 Ligand-Mobilized Hemopoietic Cells: Modulation by Tacrolimus
Authors: Morelli Adrian E. , Antonysamy Mary A. , Takayama Takuya , Hackstein Holger , Chen Zongyou , Qian Shiguang , Zurowski Nancy B. , Thomson Angus W. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractFlt3 ligand (FL) is a potent hemopoietic growth factor that strikingly enhances stem cells and dendritic cells (DC) in vivo. We examined the impact of infusing FL-mobilized bone marrow (BM) cells on microchimerism and anti-donor reactivity in normal and tacrolimus-immunosuppressed, noncytoablated allogeneic recipients. BM from B10 (H2b) mice given FL (10 μg/day; days 0–8; FL-BM) contained a 7-fold higher incidence of potentially tolerogenic immature CD11c+ DC (CD40low, CD80low, CD86low, MHC IIlow) that induced alloantigen-specific T cell hyporesponsiveness in vitro. C3H (H2k) mice received 50 × 106 normal or FL-BM cells (day 0) and tacrolimus (2 mg/kg/day; days 0–12). On day 15, enhanced numbers of donor (IAb+) cells were detected in the thymi and spleens of FL-BM recipients. Tacrolimus markedly enhanced microchimerism, which declined as a function of time. Ex vivo splenocyte proliferative and CTL responses and Th1 cytokine (IFN-γ) production in response to donor alloantigens were augmented by FL-BM infusion, but reduced by tacrolimus. Systemic infusion of purified FL-BM immature DC, equivalent in number to that in corresponding whole BM, confirmed their capacity to sensitize, rather than tolerize, recipient T cells in vivo. In vitro, tacrolimus suppressed GM-CSF-stimulated growth of myeloid DC from normal BM much more effectively than from FL-BM without affecting MHC class II or costimulatory molecule expression. Infusion of normal B10 BM cells at the time of transplant prolonged C3H heart allograft survival, whereas FL-BM cells did not. A therapeutic effect of tacrolimus on graft survival was observed in combination with normal, but not FL-BM cells. These findings suggest the need for alternative immunosuppressive strategies to calcineurin inhibition to enable the engraftment, survival, and immunomodulatory function of FL-enhanced, immature donor DC.
T Cell Tolerance Based on Avidity Thresholds Rather Than Complete Deletion Allows Maintenance of Maximal Repertoire Diversity
Authors: Sandberg Johan K. , Franksson Lars , Sundbäck Jonas , Michaelsson Jakob , Petersson Max , Achour Adnane , Wallin Robert P. A. , Sherman Nicholas E. , Bergman Tomas , Jörnvall Hans , Hunt Donald F. , Kiessling Rolf , Kärre Klas 
Published: April 2014

AbstractGiven the flexible nature of TCR specificity, deletion or permanent disabling of all T cells with the capacity to recognize self peptides would severely limit the diversity of the repertoire and the capacity to recognize foreign Ags. To address this, we have investigated the patterns of CD8+ CTL reactivity to a naturally H-2Kb-presented self peptide derived from the elongation factor 1α (EF1α). EF1α occurs as two differentially expressed isoforms differing at one position of the relevant peptide. Low avidity CTLs could be raised against both variants of the EF1α peptide. These CTLs required 100-fold more peptide-H-2Kb complexes on the target cell compared with CTLs against a viral peptide, and did not recognize the naturally expressed levels of EF1α peptides. Thus, low avidity T cells specific for these self peptides escape tolerance by deletion, despite expression of both EF1α isoforms in dendritic cells known to mediate negative selection in the thymus. The low avidity in CTL recognition of these peptides correlated with low TCR affinity. However, self peptide-specific CTLs expressed elevated levels of CD8. Furthermore, CTLs generated against altered self peptide variants displayed intermediate avidity, indicating cross-reactivity in induction of tolerance. We interpret these data, together with results previously published by others, in an avidity pit model based on avidity thresholds for maintenance of both maximal diversity and optimal self tolerance in the CD8+ T cell repertoire.
An IFN-γ-Inducible Transcription Factor, IFN Consensus Sequence Binding Protein (ICSBP), Stimulates IL-12 p40 Expression in Macrophages
Authors: Wang I-Ming , Contursi Cristina , Masumi Atsuko , Ma Xiaojing , Trinchieri Giorgio , Ozato Keiko 
Published: April 2014

AbstractIL-12 is a cytokine that links innate and adaptive immunity. Its subunit p40 is induced in macrophages following IFN-γ/LPS stimulation. Here we studied the role for IFN consensus sequence binding protein (ICSBP), an IFN-γ/LPS-inducible transcription factor of the IFN regulatory factor (IRF) family in IL-12 p40 transcription. Macrophage-like cells established from ICSBP−/− mice did not induce IL-12 p40 transcripts, nor stimulated IL-12 p40 promoter activity after IFN-γ/LPS stimulation, although induction of other inducible genes was normal in these cells. Transfection of ICSBP led to a marked induction of both human and mouse IL-12 p40 promoter activities in ICSBP+/+ and ICSBP−/− cells, even in the absence of IFN-γ/LPS stimulation. Whereas IRF-1 alone was without effect, synergistic enhancement of promoter activity was observed following cotransfection of ICSBP and IRF-1. Deletion analysis of the human promoter indicated that the Ets site, known to be important for activation by IFN-γ/LPS, also plays a role in the ICSBP activation of IL-12 p40. A DNA affinity binding assay revealed that endogenous ICSBP is recruited to the Ets site through protein-protein interaction. Last, transfection of ISCBP alone led to induction of the endogenous IL-12 p40 mRNA in the absence of IFN-γ and LPS. Taken together, our results show that ICSBP induced by IFN-γ/LPS, acts as a principal activator of IL-12p40 transcription in macrophages.
Ly-6I, a New Member of the Murine Ly-6 Superfamily with a Distinct Pattern of Expression
Authors: Pflugh David L. , Maher Stephen E. , Bothwell Alfred L. M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractA new member of the mouse Ly-6SF, designated Ly-6I, has been isolated as a gene homologous to a segment of the Ly-6C gene. A single allelic difference in the mature protein sequence was identified, which is similar to other Ly-6SF members. Ly-6I mRNA has been detected in a wide range of tissues and cell lines, and a rabbit polyclonal Ab has been used to determine that Ly-6I protein is present at a low constitutive level on cell lines from several different lineages. In contrast to Ly-6C and Ly-6A/E, the Ly-6I gene is only weakly responsive to IFNs. Expression in vivo is most abundant on bone marrow populations and is coexpressed with Ly-6C on granulocytes and macrophages. However, Ly-6I is also expressed on immature B cell populations that do not express Ly-6C. Expression on mature B cells in spleen is uniformly low. Similarly, Ly-6I is expressed on TCRlow/int, but not TCRhigh, thymocytes. Ly-6I is re-expressed on Ly-6Chigh T cells in the periphery. Thus, Ly-6I may be a useful marker to define maturation stages of both T and B lymphocytes as well as subsets of monocytes and granulocytes.
Ascaris suum, an Intestinal Parasite, Produces Morphine
Authors: Goumon Yannick , Casares Federico , Pryor Stephen , Ferguson Lee , Brownawell Bruce , Cadet Patrick , Rialas Christos M. , Welters Ingeborg D. M. , Sonetti Dario , Stefano George B. 
Published: April 2014

Abstract
The parasitic worm Ascaris suum contains the opiate alkaloid morphine as determined by HPLC coupled to electrochemical detection and by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The level of this material is 1168 ± 278 ng/g worm wet weight. Furthermore, Ascaris maintained for 5 days contained a significant amount of morphine, as did their medium, demonstrating their ability to synthesize the opiate alkaloid. To determine whether the morphine was active, we exposed human monocytes to the material, and they immediately released nitric oxide in a naloxone-reversible manner. The anatomic distribution of morphine immunoreactivity reveals that the material is in the subcuticle layers and in the animals’ nerve chords. Furthermore, as determined by RT-PCR, Ascaris does not express the transcript of the neuronal μ receptor. Failure to demonstrate the expression of this opioid receptor, as well as the morphine-like tissue localization in Ascaris, suggests that the endogenous morphine is intended for secretion into the microenvironment.
IL-4-Independent Inhibition of IL-12 Responsiveness DuringLeishmania amazonensisInfection
Authors: Jones Douglas E. , Buxbaum Laurence U. , Scott Phillip 
Published: April 2014

AbstractLeishmania amazonensis induces a nonhealing infection in C3H mice, whereas infection with Leishmania major is self-healing. We found that C3H mice infected with L. amazonensis exhibited decreased IL-12 production, which could account for the susceptibility to this organism. However, exogenous IL-12 administration failed to induce a healing immune response. The failure of L. amazonensis-infected C3H mice to respond to IL-12 was associated with a specific defect in IL-12 receptor β2 (IL-12Rβ2) mRNA expression by CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, decreased IL-12Rβ2 mRNA expression correlated with a decrease in the IL-12-signaling capacity of the lymph node (LN) cells. IL-4 did not contribute to susceptibility or down-regulation of the IL-12Rβ2 subunit, because IL-4−/− mice remained susceptible to L. amazonensis infection, even after IL-12 administration, and CD4+ cells from infected IL-4−/− mice also had reduced expression of IL-12Rβ2 mRNA. These results demonstrate that regulation of the IL-12 receptor, independent of IL-4, is a point of control for the immune response to leishmaniasis. In contrast to experimental L. major infections, where host genetics control susceptibility, these studies demonstrate that the lack of IL-12 responsiveness may be dictated by the pathogen, rather than the host.