bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of CTLA4-Fc on glomerular injury in humorally-mediated glomerulonephritis in BALB/c mice
Authors: Kitching A R , Huang X R , Ruth A-J , Tipping P G , Holdsworth S R 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThe effect of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated molecule 4-immunoglobulin fusion protein (CTLA4-Fc) on humorally-mediated glomerulonephritis was studied in accelerated anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) glomerulonephritis induced in BALB/c mice. This strain of mice develops antibody and complement dependent glomerulonephritis under this protocol. Sensitized BALB/c mice developed high levels of circulating autologous antibody titres, intense glomerular deposition of mouse immunoglobulin and complement, significant proteinuria, renal impairment, significant glomerular necrosis and a minor component of crescent formation 10 days after challenge with a nephritogenic antigen (sheep anti-GBM globulin). Early treatment during the primary immune response, or continuous treatment throughout the disease with CTLA4-Fc, significantly suppressed mouse anti-sheep globulin antibody titres in serum, and immunoglobulin and complement deposition in glomeruli. The degree of glomerular necrosis was improved and proteinuria was reduced, particularly in the earlier stages of disease. Late treatment by CTLA4-Fc starting one day after challenge with sheep anti-mouse GBM did not affect antibody production and did not attenuate glomerulonephritis. The low level of crescent formation found in BALB/c mice developing glomerulonephritis was not prevented by the administration of CTLA4-Fc. These results demonstrate that CTLA4-Fc is of benefit in this model of glomerulonephritis by its capacity to attenuate antibody production, without affecting the minor degree of cell-mediated glomerular injury.
Differential susceptibility to acuteTrypanosoma cruziinfection in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice is not associated with a distinct parasite load but cytokine abnormalities
Authors: ROGGERO E , PEREZ A , TAMAE-KAKAZU M , PIAZZON I , NEPOMNASCHY I , WIETZERBIN J , SERRA E , REVELLI S , BOTTASSO O 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYInoculation of Trypanosoma cruzi, Tulahuén strain, into C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice led to an acute infection characterized by marked parasitaemia, myocardial inflammation and thymocyte depletion. While C57BL/6 mice showed a progressive and lethal disease, BALB/c mice partly recovered. To characterize these murine models more effectively, we studied the parasite burden, serum levels of major infection outcome-related cytokines, the in vitro features of T. cruzi infection in peritoneal macrophages and the immunophenotype of thymic cells. The greater disease severity of T. cruzi-infected C57BL/6 mice was not linked to an increased parasite load, as parasitaemia, myocardial parasite nests and amastigote counts in peritoneal macrophages were not different from those in BALB/c mice. Cortical thymocyte loss was accompanied by the presence of apoptotic bodies and fragmented nuclear DNA, whereas fluorocytometric analysis at 17 days postinfection (p.i.) revealed a more pronounced loss of CD4+ CD8+ cells in C57BL/6 mice. This group displayed higher levels of TNF-α on days 14 and 21 p.i., in the presence of lower IL-1β and IL-10 concentrations by days 14 and 21, and days 7 and 14 p.i., respectively. Day-21 evaluation showed higher concentrations of nitrate and TNF-α soluble receptors in C57BL/6 mice with no differences in IFN-γ levels, with respect to the BALB/c group. Increased morbidity of C57BL/6 T. cruzi-infected mice does not seem to result from an aggravated infection but from an unbalanced relationship between pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators.
N-acetylcysteine inhibits the induction of an antigen-specific antibody response down-regulating CD40 and CD27 co-stimulatory molecules
Authors: GIORDANI L , QUARANTA M G , MALORNI W , BOCCANERA M , GIACOMINI E , VIORA M 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYWe investigated the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on normal human B cell functions. We found that NAC significantly inhibited both the induction of the specific antibody response to the T-dependent antigen Candida albicans and T-dependent pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced polyclonal Ig production. NAC did not induce either cell death due to a non-specific toxicity or apoptosis. The NAC-induced inhibitory effect might be a functional consequence of: (i) a down-regulation of the expression on the B cell surface of CD40 and CD27 co-stimulatory molecules and (ii) a down-regulation of interleukin (IL-4) production. In contrast, NAC up-regulated interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production. NAC did not induce any effect on the T cell-independent B cell polyclonal activation system. These results indicate that NAC down-regulates T dependent B cell activation and leads to T helper cell type 1 (Th1) polarization.
Simultaneous activation of natural killer T cells and autoantibody production in mice injected with denatured syngeneic liver tissue
Authors: NAITO T , KAWAMURA T , BANNAI M , KOSAKA T , KAMEYAMA H , SHIMAMURA K , HOSHI O , USHIKI T , HATAKEYAMA K , ABO T 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYDenatured syngeneic liver tissue prepared by mechanical procedures was intraperitoneally injected into adult C57BL/6 mice. In parallel with a decrease in the total number of lymphocytes in the liver, spleen, and thymus from days 1–7 after the injection, the proportion of the CD4+NK1·1+CD3int subset of these cells (i.e. natural killer T or NKT cells) increased in the liver. Even the absolute number of these NKT cells increased in the liver on days 14 and 21. In response to the injection of denatured liver tissue, tissue damage was induced in the liver, as shown by elevated levels of serum transaminases and hepatocyte degeneration observed by electron microscopy. Sera obtained on days 7 and 14 contained autoantibodies including anti-DNA antibodies. The proportion of CD1dhighB cells in the liver was found to decrease on days 1–7. In other words, denatured liver tissue stimulated both NKT cells and certain B cells in the liver. These results suggest that liver lymphocytes might contain not only autoreactive T cells (e.g. CD3int or NKT cells) but also some B cells (e.g. B-1 cells) which produce autoantibodies and that the denatured tissue had the potential to stimulate these lymphocytes and to evoke an autoimmune-like state.
Temporary restoration of immune response againstToxoplasma gondiiin HIV-infected individuals after HAART, as studied in the hu-PBMC-SCID mouse model
Authors: ALFONZO M , BLANC D , TROADEC C , HUERRE M , ELIASZEWICZ M , GÓNZALEZ G , KOYANAGI Y , SCOTT-ALGARA D 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYWe studied immune reconstitution against the parasite T. gondii in HIV-infected patients treated for 1 years with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We used SCID mice, humanized with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients, which were then infected with T. gondii cysts. Mice humanized with PBMC from patients before the start of HAART were highly susceptible to infection. In contrast, mice humanized with PBMC from patients who had received HAART for 6 months displayed higher survival rates, correlating with lower intracerebral parasite loads. However, this resistance was lost during follow up because mice humanized with PBMC from patients treated with HAART for 12 months survived for no longer than mice that had not been humanized. Specific lymphocyte proliferation assays showed that the increase in proliferative response depended on treatment duration and that HAART induced changes in IFN-γ secretion in the presence of Toxoplasma antigens. Thus, our results indicate partial immune reconstitution against T. gondii in HIV-infected patients following HAART, possibly due to changes in the patterns of specific IFN-γ production and redistribution of functional memory CD4+ cells.
Autoantibodies in vitiligo patients are not directed to the melanocyte differentiation antigen MelanA/MART1
Authors: WATERMAN E A , KEMP E H , GAWKRODGER D J , WATSON P F , WEETMAN A P 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYRecent studies have demonstrated the presence of circulating MelanA (MART1)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in a significant number of vitiligo patients when compared to control subjects. High levels of the skin-homing receptor cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen were expressed on the T cells and their frequency correlated with the extent of depigmentation and disease activity in the vitiligo patients. The present study was designed to examine vitiligo patient sera for the presence of autoantibodies to MelanA. The incidence of autoantibodies to MelanA in patients with vitiligo (n = 51) and in healthy individuals (n = 20) was examined using a radiobinding assay with 35S]-labelled MelanA and using Western blot analysis with a glutathione S-transferase (GST)-MelanA fusion protein. Autoantibodies to MelanA could not be detected in any of the vitiligo patient sera or control sera analysed using either of these detection systems. It is therefore possible that MelanA only induces cellular rather than humoral autoreactivity in vitiligo.
Mediators of inflammation are down-regulated while apoptosis is up-regulated in rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue by polymerized collagen
Authors: FURUZAWA-CARBALLEDA J , RODRÍQUEZ-CALDERÓN R , DÍAZ DE LEÓN L , ALCOCER-VARELA J 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe aim of the study was to determine whether collagen-polyvinylpyrrolidone (collagen-PVP) modifies some proinflammatory responses in synovium cultures from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Synovium from 10 RA patients were cultured with or without 1% collagen-PVP. Tissues on the 3rd, 5th and 7th culture day were sectioned and stained by the Herovici technique. Total collagen and type I/III collagen ratios were evaluated by the Woessner micromethod and by interrupted gel electrophoresis, respectively. Collagenolytic activity was assessed by degradation of [3H]-collagen in supernatants. TIMP-1, IL-1β and TNF-α were determined in supernatants by ELISA, and the results were normalized by DNA concentration. IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1, TIMP-1, Cox-1, VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and Fas/APO95 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL technique. The histological analysis and electrophoresis revealed a 1·7-fold increase of type III collagen in a time-dependent fashion in collagen-PVP-treated cultures. Proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β: 58 ± 9 versus 22 ± 10; TNF-α: 41 ± 6 versus 11 ± 3; IL-8: 59 ± 12 versus 29 ± 9; treated versus untreated), adhesion molecule (ICAM-1: 57 ± 11 versus 29 ± 15; VCAM-1: 49 ± 7 versus 21 ± 13; treated versus untreated) as well as Cox-1 (59 ± 10 versus 20 ± 3) expression was down-regulated in RA synovium treated. Meanwhile, TIMP-1 (36 ± 7 versus 57 ± 11) and Fas expression (20 ± 10 versus 55 ± 13) and apoptosis (14 ± 3 versus 55 ± 5) were up-regulated in treated cultures compared with controls. In supernatants, the collagenolytic activity, as well as IL-1β and TNF-α, levels were all down-regulated in treated cultures (two, three, fourfold, respectively). The addition of collagen-PVP to synovium-induced down-modulation of some inflammatory parameters and an increase in apoptosis of synovial cells. Perhaps this mechanism could contribute to inhibit outgrowth of pannus formation and to down-regulate inflammation of joints in patients with RA.
Effects of interferon-αon gene expression of chemokines and members of the tumour necrosis factor superfamily in HIV-infected patients
Authors: STYLIANOU E , YNDESTAD A , SIKKELAND L I , BJERKELI V , DAMÅS J K , HAUG T , EIKEN H G , AUKRUST P , FRØLAND S S 
Published: March 2003

SummaryWe examined the effect of interferon (IFN)-α on the expression of 375 genes relevant to inflammatory and immunological reactions in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from HIV-infected patients by cDNA expression array and real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Our main findings were: (i) IFN-α induced up-regulation of several genes in the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily including the ligands APRIL, FasL, TNF-α and TRAIL, with particularly enhancing effects on the latter in HIV-infected patients. (ii) While IFN-α markedly up-regulated the expression of anti-angionetic ELR– CXC-chemokines (e.g. MIG and IP-10), it suppressed the expression of angiogenic ELR+ CXC-chemokines (e.g. GRO-α, IL-8 and ENA-78), with similar patterns in both patients and controls. (iii) IFN-α induced a marked increase in gene expression of the HIV co-receptor CCR5 in both patients and controls. We suggest that these effects may contribute to both the therapeutic and toxic effects of IFN-α. Moreover, our findings underscore that the biological effects of IFN-α in HIV infection are complex and that the clinical net effects of IFN-α treatment may be difficult to predict. However, the potent enhancing effect of IFN-α on several pro-apoptotic genes in the TNF superfamily and the enhancing effect on CCR5 expression suggest a possible pathogenic role of IFN-α in the progression of HIV-related immunodeficiency and suggests caution in the therapeutic use of IFN-α in HIV-infected ­individuals.
Transcriptional regulation of the IL-5 gene in peripheral T cells of asthmatic patients
Authors: OGAWA K , KAMINUMA O , OKUDAIRA H , KIKKAWA H , IKEZAWA K , SAKURAI N , MORI A 
Published: March 2003

SummaryMechanisms that underlie the regulation of IL-5 gene expression in human peripheral T cells remain incompletely defined because of the low efficiency of transfection of plasmid constructs into non-transformed T cells. To elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of IL-5 production, concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated blastocytes derived from peripheral blood lymphocytes of asthmatic patients were employed in this study. Transcriptional activity of the synthetic human IL-5 promoter in ConA-stimulated blastocytes correlated with the production of IL-5. Deletion analysis of the reporter gene showed that the cis-regulatory element located at − 119 to − 80 is critical for inducible IL-5 promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that an oligonucleotide probe corresponding to the element (− 119 to − 90) gave two specific bands. The slower migrating band was absolutely dependent on stimulation and was composed of a co-operative complex of the transcription factors, nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) and activating protein-1 (AP-1). The faster migrating band was also inducible and was identified as AP-1-less NFAT. Mutation of either the NFAT or AP-1 element abrogated the slower migrating band and at the same time abolished transcriptional activity of the human IL-5 promoter/enhancer gene. Cyclosporin A equivalently suppressed DNA-binding activity of the composite NFAT/AP-1 site, promoter activity and protein production of IL-5. In conclusion, these data suggests that the composite NFAT/AP-1 binding element (− 115 to − 100) plays a crucial role in IL-5 synthesis by peripheral T cells of asthmatic patients.
Simultaneous evaluation of lymphocyte subpopulations in the liver and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HCV-infected patients: relationship with histological lesions
Authors: PERNOLLET M , JOUVIN-MARCHE E , LEROY V , VIGAN I , ZARSKI J-P , MARCHE P N 
Published: March 2003

SummaryIntrahepatic lymphocytes are believed to be involved in the immunopathogenesis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the evolution of HCV-induced hepatitis. In the present study, we examined the three main intrahepatic lymphocyte subsets, namely CD3+CD56− conventional T lymphocytes, CD3+CD56+ natural T (NT) lymphocytes and CD3−CD56+ natural killer (NK) lymphocytes in HCV-infected patients. The proportion of each lymphocyte subset was evaluated both in liver biopsies and in samples of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) by flow cytometry in 21 patients with histologically proven chronic hepatitis C. Simultaneously, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, viral load and histological lesions were assessed. Neither NT nor NK populations correlated with any biochemical, viral or histological parameters. Furthermore, Vα24+ NT lymphocytes showed no preferential enrichment in the liver of HCV-infected patients. Regarding conventional T lymphocytes, a highly significant linear correlation was found between intrahepatic CD3+CD56− T lymphocytes and the Knodell score, a numerical score for assessing histological activity and fibrosis (r = 0·715, P &lt; 0·0001) and more specifically with the periportal necrosis parameter, which is the main lesion of chronic hepatitis C. In addition, analysis of the peripheral compartment revealed a high correlation between values of CD3+CD56− lymphocytes and both Knodell score (r = 0·624, P = 0·003) and serum ALT levels and again with periportal necrosis. The strong correlation between the proportion of peripheral CD3+CD56− conventional T lymphocytes and the severity of hepatic lesions leads us to propose that evaluation of this accessible peripheral population could be used as an indicator test for the severity of histological lesions in chronic hepatitis C.Abbreviations:
Dipeptidyl peptidase IV on activated T cells as a target molecule for therapy of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: WILLIAMS Y N , BABA H , HAYASHI S , IKAI H , SUGITA T , TANAKA S , MIYASAKA N , KUBOTA T 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThe extracellular domain of the T cell co-stimulatory molecule CD26 possesses dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DP IV) enzyme activity. Activated T cells are known to increase expression of cell surface DP IV and some specific inhibitors of this enzyme have been reported to suppress T cell function. Previously we have identified a DP IV inhibitor, designated TMC-2, found in culture supernatant of Aspergillus oryzae. Administration of TMC-2 to rats with adjuvant arthritis caused marked suppression of paw swelling. To elucidate the mechanism of TMC-2 antiarthritic activity, we have studied its effects on T cell function. Here we show that TMC-2 inhibited DP IV activity of CD26 immunoprecipitated from T cell lysates, and also inhibited proliferative responses of T cells to specific antigen or anti-CD3 antibody. Suppression of IL-2 production was demonstrated at both the mRNA and protein levels. TMC-2 did not alter the PTPase activity of pure CD45, but when this molecule was co-precipitated from T cell lysates together with associated CD26, its PTPase was virtually completely abolished by TMC-2. These results suggest that modulation of CD45 PTPase activity might be responsible for functional suppression of T cells by TMC-2. Because the effects of TMC-2 on T cells were reversible and it was not toxic at the concentrations used, TMC-2 may be a candidate novel therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis.
Stimulated proliferative responses in vertically HIV-infected children on HAART correlate with clinical and immunological markers
Authors: RESINO S , ABAD M L , NAVARRO J , BELLÓN J M , SÁNCHEZ-RAMÓN S , ÁNGELES MUÑOZ-FERNÁNDEZ M 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThe objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between various CD4+ T cell subsets and the ability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to proliferate to several stimuli in vertically human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected children. We studied 29 HIV-1-infected children on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) (median duration: 12·3 months). T cell subsets were determined by flow cytometry. Plasma viral load (VL) was quantified using a standardized molecular method. Proliferative responses were evaluated by [3H]-thymidine incorporation. Decreased proliferative responses of PBMC to pokeweed mitogen (PWM) were found for HIV-1-infected children in Centers for Disease Control (CDC) clinical categories B and C when compared to the control group (P &lt; 0·05). Similarly, children with ≤ 15% CD4+ T cells showed a decrease in proliferative responses to PWM (P &lt; 0·01), anti-CD3 + anti-CD28 (P &lt; 0·01) and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) (P &lt; 0·05) with respect to the control group and to children with CD4+ T cells ≥ 25%. Proliferative responses to PWM, anti-CD3+, anti-CD28 and PHA had a statistically significant positive correlation with CD3+/mm3, CD4+/mm3, % CD4 T cells, CD4/CD8 ratio and the percentage of naive T cell subsets (CD4+CD45RO–HLA-DR–, CD4+ CD45RA+ CD62L+, CD4+ CD45RA+), CD4+ CD62L+ and CD4+ T cells co-expressing CD38+ (CD4+ HLA-DR−CD38+, CD4+ CD38+). Moreover, we found a negative correlation between PBMC proliferative responses and % CD8 T cells, memory, memory-activated and activated CD4+ T cell subsets. Lower proliferative responses to PWM (P &lt; 0·01) and PHA (P &lt; 0·01) were associated with higher VL. Our data show that higher proliferative responses to PWM, anti-CD3 + anti-CD28 and PHA are associated with both non-activated and naive CD4+ T cell subsets in HIV-1-infected children on HAART.
Increased expression of antimicrobial peptides and lysozyme in colonic epithelial cells of patients with ulcerative colitis
Authors: FAHLGREN A , HAMMARSTRÖM S , DANIELSSON Å , HAMMARSTRÖM M-L 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThe impact of chronic inflammation on the expression of human α-defensins 5 and 6 (HD-5, HD-6), β-defensins 1 and 2 (hBD-1, hBD-2) and lysozyme in epithelial cells of small and large intestine was investigated. Intestinal specimens from 16 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 14 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 40 controls with no history of inflammatory bowel disease were studied. mRNA expression levels of the five defence molecules were determined in freshly isolated epithelial cells by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. Specific copy standards were used allowing comparison between the expression levels of the different defensins. HD-5 and lysozyme protein expression was also studied by immunohistochemistry. Colonic epithelial cells from patients with UC displayed a significant increase of hBD-2, HD-5, HD-6 and lysozyme mRNA as compared to epithelial cells in controls. Lysozyme mRNA was expressed at very high average copy numbers followed by HD-5, HD-6, hBD-1 and hBD-2 mRNA. HD-5 and lysozyme protein was demonstrated in metaplastic Paneth-like cells in UC colon. There was no correlation between hBD-2 mRNA levels and HD-5 or HD-6 mRNA levels in colon epithelial cells of UC patients. Colonic epithelial cells of Crohn's colitis patients showed increased mRNA levels of HD-5 and lysozyme mRNA whereas ileal epithelial cells of Crohn's patients with ileo-caecal inflammation did not. Chronic inflammation in colon results in induction of hBD-2 and α-defensins and increased lysozyme expression. hBD-1 expression levels in colon remain unchanged in colitis. The high antimicrobial activity of epithelial cells in chronic colitis may be a consequence of changes in the epithelial lining, permitting adherence of both pathogenic bacteria and commensals directly to the epithelial cell surface.
Prospects for immunotherapy of malignant disease
Authors: MORRIS E C , BENDLE G M , STAUSS H J 
Published: March 2003

SUMMARYThe majority of T cell-recognized tumour antigens in humans are encoded by genes that are also present in normal tissues. Low levels of gene expression in normal cells can lead to the inactivation of high-avidity T cells by immunological tolerance mechanisms. As a consequence, low-avidity T cell responses in patients are often inadequate in providing tumour protection. Recently, several technologies have been developed to overcome tolerance, allowing the isolation of high-affinity, HLA-restricted receptors specific for tumour-associated peptide epitopes. Furthermore, transfer of HLA-restricted antigen receptors provides an opportunity to empower patient T cells with new tumour-reactive specificities that cannot be retrieved from the autologous T cell repertoire.