bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Type 1 versus type 2 cytokine release by Vbeta T cell subpopulations determines in vivo antitumor reactivity: IL-10 mediates a suppressive role.
Authors: Aruga A , Aruga E , Tanigawa K , Bishop D K , Sondak V K , Chang A E 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
We have previously reported that CD8+ tumor-draining lymph node (TDLN) cells activated with anti-CD3 and IL-2-mediated tumor regression in adoptive immunotherapy. In this study, we examined the TCR Vbeta repertoire usage of TDLN cells with respect to cytokine release profiles and therapeutic efficacy in vivo. The majority of the whole population of TDLN cells after activation with anti-CD3 were composed of Vbeta3+, -5+, -7+, -8+, and -11+ cells. Enrichment of Vbeta subsets of TDLN cells by in vitro activation with anti-Vbeta mAb revealed Vbeta8+ cells released high amounts of IFN-gamma and granulocyte/macrophage-CSF (GM-CSF) with minimal amounts of IL-10 in response to tumor and mediated tumor regression in vivo. In contrast, enriched populations of Vbeta5+, Vbeta7+, and Vbeta11+ cells released low amounts of IFN-gamma and GM-CSF with high levels of IL-10 and had no in vivo antitumor reactivity. In vitro depletion of specific Vbeta subsets from the whole TDLN pool confirmed that the profile of cytokines released correlated with in vivo antitumor function. Therapeutic efficacy mediated by TDLN cells required the release of IFN-gamma and GM-CSF since in vivo neutralization of both cytokines inhibited tumor regression. The administration of anti-IL-10 mAb abrogated the suppressed antitumor response manifested by adoptively transferred TDLN cells, which elaborated increased levels of IL-10. Our study documents that type 1 cytokine release (i.e., IFN-gamma and GM-CSF) promotes in vivo tumor Ag recognition, in contrast to type 2 release (i.e., IL-10), which suppresses this interaction, and discriminates the functional activity of Vbeta subpopulations of effector cells.
Fetal liver contains committed NK progenitors, but is not a site for development of CD34+ cells into T cells.
Authors: Jaleco A C , Blom B , Res P , Weijer K , Lanier L L , Phillips J H , Spits H 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The presence of T and NK cells in the human fetal liver and the fact that fetal liver hemopoietic progenitor cells develop into T and NK cells suggest a role for the fetal liver compartment in T and NK cell development. In this work, we show that the capacity of fetal liver progenitors to develop into T cells, in a human/mouse fetal thymic organ culture system, is restricted to an immature subset of CD34+ CD38- cells. No T cell-committed precursors are contained within the more differentiated CD34+ CD38+ population. This conclusion is supported by the observations that no TCR-delta gene rearrangements and no pre-TCR-alpha expression can be detected in this population. However, NK cells were derived from CD34+ CD38- and CD34+ CD38+ fetal liver cells cultured in the presence of IL-15, IL-7, and Flt-3 ligand. Eighty to ninety percent of cells arising from the CD34+ CD38+ population expressed the NK cell-associated markers CD56, CD16, CD94, and NKR-P1A. Several subpopulations of NK cell precursors were identified by differential expression of these receptors. Based on the detection of populations with a similar antigenic profile in freshly isolated fetal liver cells, we propose a model of NK cell differentiation. Collectively, our findings suggest that CD34+ cells differentiate into NK cells, but not into mature T cells, in the human fetal liver.
Transgenic expression of a novel thymic epithelial cell antigen stimulates abberant development of thymocytes.
Authors: Takeuchi T , Kuro-o M , Miyazawa H , Ohtsuki Y , Yamamoto H 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
We previously reported a novel thymic stromal cell Ag, HS9, as a potent molecule participating in intrathymic T cell development. HS9 Ag is expressed on thymic stromal cells especially in the cortex but not on thymocytes. In the present study, we isolated and characterized a novel cDNA, N14, encoding HS9 Ag. Sequencing analysis of N14 cDNA has revealed it to be a novel one without any significant homology to previously reported functional molecules. COS7 cells transfected with expression vectors harboring N14 cDNA became reactive with HS9-specific mAb. Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization revealed that several tissues that are positive for HS9 mAb expressed N14 mRNA. To examine the role of this molecule in T cell development, transgenic mice were generated. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical study showed that the transgene was significantly overexpressed on both cortical and medullar thymic stromal cells but not on thymocytes. Flow cytometric analyses showed that the percentages of mature CD4- CD8+ or CD4+ CD8- thymocytes in transgenic mice were approximately twice and triple, respectively, those in control littermates. Moreover, substantial CD4+ CD8+ thymocytes appeared to have high levels of TCR compared with peripheral T cells. Histologic examination revealed that transgenic mice had thin cortex and relatively developed medulla. These data indicate the critical role of the N14 gene in T cell development.
Normal junctional diversification of immune receptors in p53-deficient mice.
Authors: Wang C , Bogue M A , Roth D B , Meek K 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
One of the strategies that the immune system utilizes to generate Ab and TCR diversity is programmed imprecision of coding joint formation. This is accomplished by both nucleotide loss and random nucleotide addition (N segments) to the termini of immune receptor coding segments before resolution. Although it has been known for more than a decade that terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase is the enzyme responsible for N segment addition, the enzymes responsible for nucleotide loss have not been identified. Recently, the p53 tumor suppressor protein was shown to have an intrinsic exonuclease activity; we reasoned that p53 as an exonuclease might be responsible for coding end processing during V(D)J recombination. Thus, we examined nucleotide loss from Ig and TCR-beta coding joints in mice lacking p53. We find no significant difference in the degree of nucleotide loss in coding joints isolated from these animals as compared with littermate controls. Thus, we conclude that p53 does not play a role in removal of nucleotides from coding termini during V(D)J recombination. Additionally, recent evidence has surfaced suggesting that p53 may play an important checkpoint role in early thymocyte differentiation. More specifically, it has been suggested that p53 is required to prevent thymocytes from maturing to the double-positive stage in the absence of a functionally rearranged TCR-beta allele. Our data suggest that TCR-beta selection is not affected in p53-deficient, V(D)J rearrangement-proficient mice.
Interferons up-regulate STAT1, STAT2, and IRF family transcription factor gene expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and macrophages.
Authors: Lehtonen A , Matikainen S , Julkunen I 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
IFN signaling is mediated by binding of IFNs to their receptors and subsequent activation of Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK)-STAT signaling pathway. Stimulation of cells with IFN-alpha leads to the assembly of IFN-stimulated gene factor 3 transcription factor complex formed by STAT1, STAT2, and p48 protein. IFN-gamma signaling is mediated by homodimeric STAT1 protein. Although these signaling molecules are expressed constitutively, there is also evidence of transcriptional regulation by IFNs. We have characterized the expression of STAT and IFN regulatory factor (IRF) family transcription factors in primary human blood mononuclear cells and macrophages in response to IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma stimulation. We show that IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma rapidly and efficiently enhanced STAT1, STAT2, p48, and IRF-1 gene expression. IFN-gamma induced IRF-1 gene expression more strongly than IFN-alpha. Stimulation experiments in the presence of protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, suggested that these genes were activated directly by IFNs. IRF-2 gene was apparently only weakly responsive to IFNs in these cells. When macrophages were pretreated with low doses of IFN-gamma and then stimulated with IFN-alpha, clearly enhanced formation of specific transcription factor complexes was detected. This suggests that higher intracellular levels of STAT1, STAT2, and p48 protein may result in enhanced signal transduction for cytokines utilizing these transcription factors.
Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF), but not recombinant human granulocyte CSF, down-regulates the recombinant human stem cell factor-dependent differentiation of human fetal liver-derived mast cells.
Authors: Du Z , Li Y , Xia H , Irani A M , Schwartz L B 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The effects of recombinant human granulocyte CSF (rhG-CSF) and recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage CSF (rhGM-CSF) on the recombinant human stem cell factor (rhSCF)-dependent development of human mast cells from fetal liver progenitors were examined. Mast cells were identified by immunohistochemical staining for tryptase and by flow cytometric analysis of surface Kit expression. Only rhGM-CSF affected mast cell development. When rhGM-CSF (1, 10, or 100 ng/ml) and rhSCF (50 ng/ml) were added to cell cultures from day 0, both the percentage and absolute numbers of mast cells were diminished after 4 wk compared with cultures exposed to rhSCF alone. Half of the maximal response was achieved at a dose of rhGM-CSF between 0.1 and 1 ng/ml. The Kit+ cells developing in the presence of rhGM-CSF and rhSCF exhibited an intensity of surface Kit expression comparable to that of cells exposed to rhSCF alone. Also, if the initial exposure to rhGM-CSF was delayed for 1 to 3 wk, attenuation of mast cell development waned. These findings are consistent with uncommitted progenitor cells being diverted to nonmast cell lineages by rhGM-CSF, while cells committed to a mast cell lineage, albeit immature, appear to be resistant to the lineage directives of rhGM-CSF. Exposure of fetal liver cells to rhGM-CSF for 1 to 3 days before addition of rhSCF further diminishes the number of mast cells that develop compared with the simultaneous addition of these growth factors on day 0. Whether administration of rhGM-CSF to humans before or together with rhSCF diminishes the mast cell hyperplasia that occurs with rhSCF alone remains to be determined.
Functional expression of the CXC-chemokine receptor-4/fusin on mouse microglial cells and astrocytes.
Authors: Tanabe S , Heesen M , Yoshizawa I , Berman M A , Luo Y , Bleul C C , Springer T A , Okuda K , Gerard N , Dorf M E 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The mRNA for the seven-transmembrane-spanning G protein-coupled receptor fusin/CXCR-4 is expressed in primary mouse astrocyte cultures and the transformed mouse microglial cell line, N9. Cell surface expression of fusin in these cells was confirmed by staining with a polyclonal anti-fusin Ab. The functional capacity of this chemokine receptor was examined by evaluating the calcium responses following stimulation of glial cells with the CXC-chemokine, stromal-derived cell factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha). Both astrocytes and microglial cells mobilized calcium following stimulation with chemically synthesized SDF-1alpha. SDF-1alpha- and carbachol-mediated calcium responses of astrocytes were partially inhibited by treatment with pertussis toxin (PTx), suggesting receptor coupling to a combination of G alpha(i) and other G proteins. In contrast, the calcium responses of microglial cells to SDF-1alpha were completely PTx sensitive, while responses to carbachol stimulation were PTx resistant. The ability of SDF-1alpha to induce glial cell migration was also examined. Synthetic SDF-1alpha was a potent chemoattractant for mouse microglial cells at ligand concentrations of 10 to 500 ng/ml; peak responses were noted at 100 ng/ml. In contrast, astrocytes did not migrate toward a gradient of SDF-1alpha. The failure of SDF-1alpha to induce astrocyte migration was specific, as another chemokine, macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha, triggered astrocyte chemotaxis.
CD7-mediated regulation of integrin adhesiveness on human T cells involves tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase.
Authors: Chan A S , Mobley J L , Fields G B , Shimizu Y 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The functional activity of integrin receptors on T cells is dynamically regulated so that T cells can alternate rapidly between adhesive and nonadhesive states. The CD7 Ag is one of several molecules on T cells that can transduce intracellular signals that rapidly up-regulate integrin-mediated adhesion. We demonstrate in this report that the signaling pathway that CD7 utilizes to regulate integrin activity involves the lipid kinase phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K). CD7 stimulation of both Jurkat T cells and resting human peripheral blood CD4+ T cells results in rapid association and activation of PI 3-K with CD7. Phosphopeptide competition assays demonstrate that the association of CD7 with PI 3-K is dependent on tyrosine phosphorylation of the SH2 binding motif Tyr-Glu-Asp-Met (YEDM) in the CD7 cytoplasmic domain. A role for PI 3-K in the regulation of integrin function by CD7 is demonstrated by: 1) the ability of two structurally distinct PI 3-K inhibitors, wortmannin and LY294002, to inhibit CD7-mediated increases in beta1 integrin function of human T cells; and 2) inhibition of CD7-mediated activation of beta3 integrin function in human T cells by expression of a dominant negative form of the p85 subunit of PI 3-K. These results demonstrate that the CD7 Ag on human T cells is coupled to PI 3-K and that this association is relevant to CD7-mediated signaling events, specifically CD7-induced increases in integrin adhesiveness. Furthermore, these studies provide important new evidence implicating PI 3-K in the regulation of integrin adhesiveness by multiple cell surface signaling receptors.
CD4+ T cells from IRF-1-deficient mice exhibit altered patterns of cytokine expression and cell subset homeostasis.
Authors: McElligott D L , Phillips J A , Stillman C A , Koch R J , Mosier D E , Hobbs M V 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Interferon regulatory factor-1 (IRF-1) is a member of a family of transcription factors that regulate an array of genes involved in cell growth, differentiation, and death. Analysis of cytokine expression by stimulated CD4+ cells from IRF-1(-/-) and IRF-1(+/+) mice revealed that IRF-1 deficiency resulted in an elevated production of Th2-related cytokines and a compensatory decrease in the expression of naive cell- and Th1-related cytokines. The altered cytokine profiles of IRF-1(-/-) cells could be explained, in part, by a shift in the representation of subsets of CD4+ cells; IRF-1(-/-) mice exhibited a decreased percentage of naive cells (a major source of IL-2) but increased numbers of memory or effector cells (the source of Th2-related cytokines). We analyzed purified, phenotypically matched memory/effector cells from IRF-1(-/-) and IRF-1(+/+) mice and found that the increased Th2:Th1 cytokine ratio was still evident in the IRF-1(-/-) group, thus suggesting that IRF-1 is involved in the polarization of the cytokine repertoire in CD4+ cells. Our data indicate that IRF-1 plays an important role in the maintenance of CD4+ cell subset homeostasis and in the expression of cytokines by naive and memory/effector cells.
Cloning and analysis of the promoter region of CXCR4, a coreceptor for HIV-1 entry.
Authors: Moriuchi M , Moriuchi H , Turner W , Fauci A S 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The chemokine receptor CXCR4 (also designated fusin and LESTR) is a cofactor for fusion and entry of T cell-tropic strains of HIV-1. CXCR4 is expressed in various cell types; however, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of its expression remain unknown. To delineate these mechanisms, approximately 1.2 kb of DNA from the immediate 5' upstream region of CXCR4 gene was cloned, sequenced, and characterized. Transient expression assays using CXCR4 promoter/luciferase gene reporter constructs revealed that stimulation with PMA plus ionomycin up-regulates the CXCR4 promoter activity in the A3.01 CD4+ T cell line and PBL and that a DNA fragment from -93 to +59 relative to the transcription start site contributes markedly to the basal and induced activity. This fragment contains a consensus TATA box, two potential GC boxes, and a potential nuclear respiratory factor (NRF)-1 binding site, which were confirmed by gel mobility shift assays and footprinting analysis. Mutagenesis studies revealed that a NRF-1 site is especially important for the basal and induced activity of the CXCR4 promoter. Transient expression assays further revealed that stimulation of PBL with either IL-2 or Abs to CD3 and CD28 enhances the CXCR4 promoter activity. Inducibility of the CXCR4 promoter activity by T cell stimulation suggests that overexpression of CXCR4 may be one of the mechanisms whereby immune activation and/or perturbation of the cytokine network up-regulate HIV expression and replication and thus contribute to the progression of HIV disease.
TNF-alpha and IL-4 synergistically increase vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells.
Authors: Barks J L , McQuillan J J , Iademarco M F 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is expressed on the endothelium and vascular smooth muscle in atherosclerosis, where it is thought to recruit alpha4 integrin-positive leukocytes, which play a role in disease progression. In this study, we show an increase of VCAM-1 expression on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) results in increased adhesion of alpha4 integrin-positive lymphocytes. Additionally, we examine the regulation of VCAM-1 expression by cytokines in cultured VSMC. Previously in endothelial cells, we have demonstrated that TNF-alpha increases transcription of the VCAM-1 gene, whereas IL-4 acts to increase VCAM-1 mRNA stability. The combination of a cytokine that increases transcription with a cytokine that stabilizes mRNA results in a synergistic increase in VCAM-1 expression. In this study, we show that the combination of TNF-alpha with IL-4 also resulted in a synergistic increase in VCAM-1 expression on VSMC; however, the mechanism of cytokine activation differed. In contrast to endothelial cells, IL-4 stimulated VCAM-1 gene transcription in the VSMC, but there was little effect of TNF-alpha alone. Additionally, the synergy between TNF-alpha and IL-4 appears to result, at least in part, from a cooperative transcriptional mechanism.
The MHC-E Locus Is the Most Well Conserved of All Known Primate Class I Histocompatibility Genes
Authors: Knapp Leslie A. , Cadavid Luis F. , Watkins David I. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The HLA-E locus is characterized by limited polymorphism and low levels of cell surface expression. However, the function of the products of this nonclassical MHC class I gene remains unknown. To evaluate the conservation of the MHC-E locus throughout anthropoid primate evolution, we identified the homologue of the HLA-E locus in six different New World monkey species. Full-length sequencing of MHC-E cDNAs in four unrelated cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) revealed no evidence for polymorphism. Using the PCR, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, and direct sequencing, we also identified MHC-E alleles in five other New World monkey species, representing all extant platyrrhine families. In contrast to all other classical and nonclassical MHC class I genes in primates, the rate of synonymous nucleotide substitution is much greater than the rate of nonsynonymous nucleotide substitution within exons 2 and 3 encoding the peptide binding region (PBR) in MHC-E genes. The PBR of the MHC-E molecule, therefore, has evolved under purifying selective pressures, and the very unusual evolutionary history of this ancient gene provides further evidence that the products of the HLA-E locus serve a critical immunological function. Given the remarkable conservation of the PBR during primate evolution, this critical immunological function is probably related to the peptide binding ability of the MHC-E protein.
Cutting Edge: Stimulation of CD28 with B7–2 Promotes Focal Adhesion-Like Cell Contacts Where Rho Family Small G Proteins Accumulate in T Cells
Authors: Kaga Shuji , Ragg Scott , Rogers Kem A. , Ochi Atsuo 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Unless a costimulatory signal is provided, TCR recognition of Ag bound to the MHC is insufficient to induce optimal T cell proliferation or the production of IL-2. Here we show that the stimulation of CD28, a T cell costimulatory receptor, by a specific Ab increases F-actin contents in T cells. The interaction between T cells and B7–2-transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the CD28 ligand leads to the rearrangement of the actin cytoskelton in the region of cell-cell contact. Within the Rho family of G proteins, Rac1, but not Rho, translocates to the sites of cell-cell contact where Tailin also accumulates. These results indicate that the interaction between B7–2 and CD28 establishes a focal adhesion-like cell contact between T cell and APCs. The results also suggest that CD28 signaling is primarily transduced by a cytoskeletal rearrangment/signaling pathway mediated by the Rho family G proteins.
Cutting Edge: HIV-1 Infection Induces a Selective Reduction in STAT5 Protein Expression
Authors: Pericle Federica , Pinto Ligia A. , Hicks Stuart , Kirken Robert A. , Sconocchia Giuseppe , Rusnak Janice , Dolan Matthew J. , Shearer Gene M. , Segal David M. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
HIV-1 infection is accompanied by qualitative and quantitative defects in CD4+ T lymphocytes. Loss of immune function in HIV patients is usually associated with a profound dysregulation of cytokine production. To investigate whether cytokine signaling defects occur during HIV infection, PHA blasts from healthy human donors were infected with two strains of HIV-1 and screened for the expression of STAT proteins used in cytokine signaling. A selective decrease in STAT5B was seen 8 days after infection with the BZ167 dual-tropic HIV isolate, but not with the Ba-L, M-tropic strain. Based on these findings, purified T cells from HIV-infected patients in different stages of disease were also tested for STAT expression; decreases in STAT5A, STAT5B, and STAT1α were observed in all patients. The reduction in STATs seen in vivo and in vitro after HIV infection may contribute to the loss of T cell function in HIV disease.