bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human T cell responses to peptides of theMycobacterium leprae45-kD serine-rich antigen
Authors: BRAHMBHATT S , HUSSAIN R , ZAFAR S , DAWOOD G , OTTENHOFF T H M , DRIJFHOUT J W , BOTHAMLEY G , SMITH S , LOPEZ F V , DOCKRELL H M 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYIn order to identify T cell epitopes within the Mycobacterium leprae 45-kD serine-rich antigen, we analysed responses to overlapping 17-mer peptides encompassing the whole antigen in non-exposed UK controls, Pakistani leprosy patients and tuberculosis patients in both the United Kingdom and Pakistan. This antigen has been described as M. leprae-specific, although it has a hypothetical homologue in M. tuberculosis. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with peptide for 5 days and IFN-γ measured in supernatants by ELISA. Some peptides were recognized more frequently by T cells from tuberculoid leprosy patients than those from UK controls, suggesting that such T cell epitopes might have diagnostic potential, while other peptides induced greater responses among UK control subjects. Short-term cell lines confirmed that these assays detected specific T cell recognition of these peptides. However, many tuberculosis patients also recognized these potentially specific peptides suggesting that there could be a true homologue present in M. tuberculosis.
Detection of antivimentin antibody in sera of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and non-specific interstitial pneumonia
Authors: YANG Y , FUJITA J , BANDOH S , OHTSUKI Y , YAMADORI I , YOSHINOUCHI T , ISHIDA T 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARY
It has been suggested that the humoral immune system plays a role in the pathogenesis of non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). Although some circulating autoantibodies to cytoskeletal protein(s) have been suggested, the antimyofibroblast antibody has not been investigated in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and NSIP. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the existence of antimyofibroblast antibody in the sera of patients with IPF and NSIP. The MRC5 cell line was used as a model of myofibroblast. The anti-MRC5 cell antibody was characterized in a patient with NSIP using Western blotting. Since we found that one of the anti-MRC5 antibodies was an antivimentin antibody, we established an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure the levels of antivimentin antibody in the sera of patients with IPF (n = 12) and NSIP (n = 23). Initially, two anti-MRC5 cell antibodies were detected in the sera of patients with NSIP, one of which was characterized as the antivimentin antibody by Western blotting. The other was characterized as an antivimentin fragment antibody. We established an ELISA to measure the antivimentin antibody and found significantly higher levels in patients with IPF and NSIP than in normal volunteers. One of the anti-MRC5 cell antibodies in the serum of a patient with NSIP was against vimentin. The serum levels of antivimentin antibody were increased in patients with IPF and NSIP compared with that of normal volunteers. These results suggest that the antivimentin antibody may be involved in the process of lung injury in IPF and NSIP.
TCR usage and cytokine expression in peripheral blood and BAL T cells
Authors: BAKAKOS P , PICKARD C , SMITH J L , FREW A J 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYT cells are thought to play an important regulatory role in atopic asthma. We hypothesized that human blood and BAL T cell subsets bearing various TCR-Vβ genes might show selective differences in their cytokine profile. Peripheral blood (PB) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) T cells from seven atopic asthmatic and six non-atopic non-asthmatic subjects were stimulated with PMA and ionomycin in the presence of monensin and analysed for TCR-Vβ expression and production of cytokines at the single cell level. The percentage of IFN-γ- and IL-2-producing BAL T cells was elevated compared with PB T cells from both the asthmatic subjects and the non-atopic, non-asthmatic controls. A small percentage of PB and BAL T cells produced IL-4 and IL-5, in asthmatic and normal subjects. In peripheral blood, the percentage of T cells expressing each cytokine was similar in the various TCR-Vβ subsets and in total CD3+ T cells in all normal and six of seven asthmatic subjects. However, there was a substantial degree of heterogeneity in the cytokine profile of BAL TCR-Vβ subsets compared with the total CD3+ T cells. This was more obvious in the asthmatic subjects with a reduction in the percentage of IFN-γ- and IL-2-expressing T cells (five of seven asthmatic subjects) and an increase in the percentage of IL-4- and IL-5-expressing T cells (two of seven asthmatic subjects). These data confirm previous findings of an elevated proportion of IFN-γ- and IL-2-producing BAL T cells while only a small proportion of PB and BAL T cells produce IL-4 and IL-5. Moreover, subsets of BAL T cells, defined by their TCR-Vβ usage, may differ in their cytokine profile compared with the total CD3+ T cells, implying that T cells expressing different Vβ elements may play different roles in regulating the airway inflammation in asthma.
Cerebrospinal fluid affects phenotype and functions of myeloid dendritic cells
Authors: PASHENKOV M , SÖDERSTRÖM M , HUANG Y-M , LINK H 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYMyeloid (CD11c+) dendritic cells (DC) are present in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as well as in the meninges and choroid plexus. Functional studies of these DC are hindered or impossible. To obviate this problem, we investigated the effects of CSF supernatants from patients with non-inflammatory neurological diseases (NIND), multiple sclerosis (MS), bacterial meningitis (BM) and Lyme meningoencephalitis (LM) on immature monocyte-derived DC (moDC) from healthy donors. CSF supernatants caused maturation of moDC (MS &gt; LM &gt; NIND &gt; BM), as reflected by a decrease in CD1a, and an increase in HLA-DR, CD80 and CD86 expression. The maturation effect of MS CSF and LM CSF could be blocked by anti-TNF-α MoAb or recombinant human IL-10. moDC cultured with BM CSF either remained immature or turned into CD14+ macrophage-like cells and were relatively inefficient at inducing T cell responses in vitro. In contrast, moDC cultured with LM CSF induced strong Th1 responses. Both BM CSF and LM CSF contained IFN-γ, a cytokine that augments IL-12 production by moDC and hence should confer an ability to induce a Th1 response. However, BM CSF also contained high levels of IL-10, which could antagonize the effects of IFN-γ on moDC. moDC cultured with MS CSF induced a higher production of IFN-γ from T cells compared to moDC cultured with NIND CSF or BM CSF. In summary, soluble factors present in the CSF may influence the phenotype and functions of meningeal, choroid plexus and CSF DC which, in turn, may have an impact on the character of intrathecal T cell responses.
Asymptomatic deficiency in the peptide transporter associated to antigen processing (TAP)
Authors: DE LA SALLE H , SAULQUIN X , MANSOUR I , KLAYMÉ S , FRICKER D , ZIMMER J , CAZENAVE J-P , HANAU D , BONNEVILLE M , HOUSSAINT E , LEFRANC G , NAMAN R 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARY
Human HLA class I deficiency is a rare disease which, in most of the patients described to date, results from a defect in subunit 1 or 2 of the peptide transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP). The clinical features of TAP deficiency include a chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract and/or granulomatous skin lesions. In this report, we describe two adult siblings with an HLA class I deficiency. One individual had only spontaneously-healing skin granulomatous lesions, while the second did not display any of the symptoms associated with HLA class I deficiency and could be considered to be healthy. We show that the patients display a homozygous TAP2 mutation which blocks the maturation of HLA class I molecules. Cell surface expression of these molecules is strongly reduced, but three times higher than on cells from other previously described TAP-deficient individuals. This higher expression results, at least in part, from the presence of HLA-B7 molecules which are probably empty of peptide. The numbers of CD8+αβ T cells are almost normal in these patients. The anti-EBV T-cell response of one patient is mediated by HLA-B7 restricted CD8+αβ T lymphocytes recognizing the BMRF1 nuclear EBV antigen, demonstrating that CD8+αβ T cells can participate in anti-viral responses. This study shows that TAP deficiency can remain totally asymptomatic for several decades, and suggests that in some cases, TAP-independent immune responses provide efficient protection from most of the common intracellular pathogens.
Hypogalactosylation of serum IgG in patients with ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis
Authors: HOLLAND M , TAKADA K , OKUMOTO T , TAKAHASHI N , KATO K , ADU D , BEN-SMITH A , HARPER L , SAVAGE C O S , JEFFERIS R 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThe triad of small vessel vasculitides (SVV) comprise Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and Churg–Strauss syndrome (CS). All three are associated with presence of circulating IgG antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA) which target autoantigens contained, primarily, within neutrophil azurophilic granules. The widely accepted model of pathogenesis suggests that ANCA activate cytokine-primed neutrophils within the microvasculature, leading to by-stander damage to endothelial cells, and rapid escalation of inflammation with recruitment of mononuclear cells. Activation may be initiated, in vitro, by the coligation of the PR3 or MPO antigen, translocated to the cell surface, and FcγRIIa/FcγRIIIb receptors. This suggests that the IgG subclass profile of ANCA and, possibly, its glycosylation status could influence the inflammatory mechanisms activated. The glycosylation status of total IgG isolated from the sera of patients with WG (13), MPA (6) and CSS (1) was determined by analysis of the released oligosaccharides. A deficit in IgG galactosylation is demonstrated for all patient samples, compared to controls. The mean percentage values for the agalactosylated (G0) oligosaccharides were 57% (SD ± 9·71), 47% (SD ± 4·25) and 28% (SD ± 4·09) for WG, MPO and control samples, respectively. The G0 levels for polyclonal IgG isolated from the sera of both WG and MPA patients were significantly increased compared to controls (P &lt; 0·0001). The major glycoform present therefore is agalactosylated (G0) IgG. In previous studies the G0 glycoform of IgG has been shown to bind and activate mannan binding lectin, and hence to activate the complement cascade, and to facilitate mannose receptor binding and the uptake of IgG complexes by macrophages and dendritic cells. Both of these activities could impact on the processing and presentation of self-antigens in autoimmune disease.
CpG ODN activates NO and iNOS production in mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264·7
Authors: UTAISINCHAROEN P , ANUNTAGOOL N , CHAISURIYA P , PICHYANGKUL S , SIRISINHA S 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYSynthetic CpG containing oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODN) is recognized for its ability to activate cells to produce several cytokines, such as IL-12 and TNF-α. In the present study we have demonstrated that CpG ODN 1826, known for its immunostimulatory activity in the mouse system could, by itself, induce nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) production from mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264·7). Neutralizing antibody against TNF-α was not able to inhibit NO or iNOS production from the CpG ODN 1826-activated macrophages, suggesting that although the TNF-α was also produced by CpG ODN-activated macrophages, the production of iNOS was not mediated through TNF-α. Although both CpG ODN 1826 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were able to stimulate NO and iNOS production, the exposure time required for maximum production of NO and iNOS for the CpG ODN 1826-activated macrophages was significantly longer than those activated with LPS. These results were due probably to a delay of NF-κB translocation, as indicated by the delay of IκBα degradation. Moreover, the fact that chloroquine abolished NO and iNOS production from the cells treated with CpG ODN 1826 but not from those treated with LPS suggested that the induction of NO and iNOS production from the cells stimulated with CpG ODN (1826) also required endosomal maturation/acidification.
Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-kappaB in tumour necrosis factor-induced eotaxin release of human eosinophils
Authors: WONG C K , ZHANG J P , IP W K , LAM C W K 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThe CC chemokine eotaxin is a potent eosinophil-specific chemoattractant that is crucial for allergic inflammation. Allergen-induced tumour necrosis factor (TNF) has been shown to induce eotaxin synthesis in eosinophils. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) have been found to play an essential role for the eotaxin-mediated eosinophilia. We investigated the modulation of NF-κB and MAPK activation in TNF-induced eotaxin release of human eosinophils. Human blood eosinophils were purified from fresh buffy coat using magnetic cell sorting. NF-κB pathway-related genes were evaluated by cDNA expression array system. Degradation of IκBα and phosphorylation of MAPK were detected by Western blot. Activation of NF-κB was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Eotaxin released into the eosinophil culture medium was measured by ELISA. TNF was found to up-regulate the gene expression of NF-κB and IκBα in eosinophils. TNF-induced IκBα degradation was inhibited by the proteasome inhibitor N-cbz-Leu-Leu-leucinal (MG-132) and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug sodium salicylate (NaSal). Using EMSA, both MG-132 and NaSal were found to suppress the TNF-induced NF-κB activation in eosinophils. Furthermore, TNF was shown to induce phosphorylation of p38 MAPK time-dependently but not extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK). Inhibition of NF-κB activation and p38 MAPK activity decreased the TNF-induced release of eotaxin from eosinophils. These results indicate that NF-κB and p38 MAPK play an important role in TNF-activated signalling pathway regulating eotaxin release by eosinophils. They have also provided a biochemical basis for the potential of using specific inhibitors of NF-κB and p38 MAPK for treating allergic inflammation.
Anti-CD45 isoform antibodies enhance phagocytosis and gene expression of IL-8 and TNF-αin human neutrophils by differential suppression on protein tyrosine phosphorylation and p56lck tyrosine kinase
Authors: YU C-L , YU H-S , SUN K-H , HSIEH S-C , TSAI C-Y 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYTo determine the biological functions of membrane expressed CD45 isoforms on polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), the monoclonal IgG F(ab′)2 antibody against CD45, CD45RA or CD45RO was used as surrogate ligand for binding with these molecules on PMN. We found 99·5 ± 3·2%, 42·3 ± 5·8% and 96·7 ± 2·6% PMN expressed CD45, CD45RA and CD45RO molecules on the cell surface, respectively. The interaction of CD45, CD45RA or CD45RO with its specific antibody on PMN enhanced phagocytosis markedly (34–83% increase), mainly via increased expression of complement receptor type 3 (CR3, CD11b) on the cells. The production of IL-8 by PMN was also increased significantly after binding with antibodies (anti-CD45 &gt; anti-CD45RO &gt; anti-CD45RA). Anti-CD45RA and anti-CD45RO, but not anti-CD45, enhanced TNF-α mRNA expression and decreased protein tyrosine phosphorylation of PMN. However, only anti-CD45RO suppressed Src family protein tyrosine kinase p56lck expression in the cells. These results suggest that the cross-linking of CD45 isoforms by their specific antibodies stimulated different PMN activities by differential suppression on protein tyrosine phosphorylation and Src family tyrosine kinase p56lck.
IL-10 enhances B-cell IgE synthesis by promoting differentiation into plasma cells, a process that is inhibited by CD27/CD70 interaction
Authors: KOBAYASHI N , NAGUMO H , AGEMATSU K 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYInterleukin-10 (IL-10) is a major regulatory cytokine of inflammatory responses that is considered to play an important role in specific immunotherapy. However, whether IL-10 enhances or inhibits B-cell IgE production has remained a matter of contention. To clarify the effect of IL-10 on IgE synthesis in the presence of IL-4 and CD40 signalling, we examined B-cell proliferation, germline ɛ transcripts and plasma cell differentiation. In addition, the effect of CD27 signalling on IgE synthesis in the presence of IL-10, IL-4 and CD40 signalling was investigated. IL-10 facilitated the production of IgE in mononuclear cells and highly purified B-cells, enhanced B-cell proliferation and, most importantly, promoted the generation of plasma cells. However, IL-10 did not enhance expression of germline ɛ transcripts. The addition of CD27 signalling through the use of CD32–CD27 ligand (CD70) double transfectants significantly diminished the B-cell proliferation, IgE synthesis and plasma cell differentiation enhanced by IL-10. IL-10 enhances B-cell IgE production by promoting differentiation into plasma cells. CD27/CD70 interactions under IL-10 and sufficient CD40 cosignalling exert the opposite effect on IgE synthesis. The results of this study indicate that precautions are critical when planning immunotherapy using IL-10 in IgE-related allergic diseases.
Allo-immunization elicits CCR5 antibodies, SDF-1 chemokines, and CD8-suppressor factors that inhibit transmission of R5 and X4 HIV-1 in women
Authors: WANG Y , UNDERWOOD J , VAUGHAN R , HARMER A , DOYLE C , LEHNER T 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYStudies in humans suggest that allo-immunization induces CC-chemokines, CD8-suppressor factors (SF) and anti-HIV immunity. Here we report that allo-immunization with unmatched leucocytes from partners of women with recurrent spontaneous abortion elicits specific antibodies to the CCR5 receptor. Such antibodies inhibit replication of M-tropic HIV-1 (R5) and MIP-1β-mediated chemotaxis. These CCR5 antibodies were also found in the sera of multiparous women that were naturally immunized by semi-allogeneic fetal antigens. The specificity of these antibodies was demonstrated by adsorption with CCR5 transfected HEK-293 cells, a baculovirus CCR5 preparation and a peptide of the 2nd extra-cellular loop of CCR5. Allo-immunization also stimulated increased concentrations of the CXC chemokine, SDF-1α and CD8-SF that inhibit T-tropic HIV-1 (X4) replication. We suggest that allo- immunization may elicit (a) CC chemokines, CCR5 antibodies and CD8-SF that inhibit M-tropic HIV-1 infection and (b) the CXC chemokine SDF-1α and CD8-SF that inhibit T-tropic HIV-1 infection.
Elevated levels of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) in pleural effusion samples from patients infested withParagonimus westermani
Authors: MATSUMOTO N , MUKAE H , NAKAMURA-UCHIYAMA F , ASHITANI J-I , ABE K , KATOH S , KOHNO S , NAWA Y , MATSUKURA S 
Published: March 2003

SummaryTo investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of eosinophilic pleural effusion in patients with paragonimiasis, we measured the levels of various chemokines including thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), eotaxin, RANTES and IL-8 in pleural effusion samples. Samples were obtained from 11 patients with Paragonimus westermani infection, six patients with pleural transudate, eight with tuberculous pleurisy and five with empyema. High percentages of eosinophils were detected in pleural fluid (range 9–100%, median 81%) of patients with paragonimiasis. TARC concentrations in pleural effusions of paragonimiasis were markedly higher than those of other groups. Eotaxin levels were also higher in pleural effusions of paragonimiasis patients, although significant difference was noted only against transudate samples. There was a significant correlation between TARC concentrations and percentages of eosinophils, and between TARC and eotaxin concentrations in pleural effusion. There were also significant correlations between TARC concentration and the titre of anti-P. westermani IgG and between eotaxin concentration and the titre of anti-P. westermani IgG. Our findings suggest that TARC contributes to the pathogenesis of eosinophilic pleural effusion in paragonimiasis.
Cancer risk among patients with IgA deficiency or common variable immunodeficiency and their relatives: a combined Danish and Swedish study
Authors: MELLEMKJÆR L , HAMMARSTRÖM L , ANDERSEN V , YUEN J , HEILMANN C , BARINGTON T , BJÖRKANDER J , OLSEN J H 
Published: March 2003

Summary
The extremely high risk reported for some types of cancer among patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is based on a limited number of investigations. Therefore, we examined the risks for cancer among 562 Danish and Swedish patients with CVID or IgA deficiency and 2071 relatives in 1958–96. The patients were identified through an Immunodeficiency Register and hospital records, while the relatives were traced through population registers. Cancer incidence was assessed by linkage to the Cancer Registries and compared with that in the general population. Among 386 patients with IgA deficiency, the incidence of cancer was not increased (standardized incidence ratio (SI) = 1·0); but two cases of stomach cancer were found, resulting in a non-significant increase in risk (SIR = 5·4; 95% CI = 0·7–19·5). Among 176 patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), the incidence of cancer at all sites combined was increased (SIR = 1·8; 95% CI = 1·0–2·9), which was due mainly to significant excesses of malignant lymphoma (obs = 4; SIR = 12·1; 95% CI = 3·3–31·0) and of stomach cancer (obs = 3; SIR = 10·3; 95% CI = 2·1–30·2). Among the 626 relatives of patients with CVID, no increase in risk was found for these types of cancer or for cancer overall (obs = 53; SIR = 1·0; 95% CI = 0·8–1·3). Our data show that the risks for malignant lymphoma and stomach cancer among patients with CVID may be lower than reported previously. The absence of an increased risk among relatives suggests that the increased cancer morbidity in patients with CVID is related to the immunodeficiency per se rather than to specific genetic traits shared with their relatives.
Nicotinamide is a potent inhibitor of proinflammatory cytokines
Authors: UNGERSTEDT J S , BLOMBÄCK M , SÖDERSTRÖM T 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARY
The present study investigates the modulating effects of nicotinamide on the cytokine response to endotoxin. In an in vitro model of endotoxaemia, human whole blood was stimulated for two hours with endotoxin at 1 ng/ml, achieving high levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNFα. When coincubating whole blood, endotoxin and the vitamin B3 derivative nicotinamide, all four cytokines measured were inhibited in a dose dependent manner. Inhibition was observed already at a nicotinamide concentration of 2 mmol/l. At a concentration of 40 mmol/l, the IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα responses were reduced by more than 95% and the IL-8 levels reduced by 85%. Endotoxin stimulation activates poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP), a nuclear DNA repair enzyme. It has been hypothesized that the anti-inflammatory properties of nicotinamide are due to PARP inhibition. In the present study, the endotoxin induced PARP activation was dose dependently decreased with 4–40 mmol/l nicotinamide or 4–100 µmol/l 6(5H) phenanthridinone, a specific PARP inhibitor. 6(5H)phenanthridinone however, failed to inhibit the proinflammatory cytokines. Thus, the mechanism behind the cytokine inhibition in our model seems not to be due to PARP inhibition. In conclusion, the present study could not only confirm previous reports of a down-regulatory effect on TNFα, but demonstrates that nicotinamide is a potent modulator of several proinflammatory cytokines. These findings demonstrate that nicotinamide has a potent immunomodulatory effect in vitro, and may have great potential for treatment of human inflammatory disease.