6DMAP inhibition of early cell cycle events and induction of mitotic abnormalities

N-6 dimethylaminopurine (6DMAP) has been shown to induce aberrantmitosis in different cell types including Chinese hamster fibroblasts(CHEF/18). The mechanism of action and the cellular targets,however, are still not clear. We showed previously that in CHEF/18cells this compound inhibits DNA synthesis with a kinetic ofinhibition suggestive of an effect on early events of the cellcycle. In this paper we investigated which cellular targetswere affected by 6DMAP and found that: (i) the compound inhibitsphosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 and activation of the70 kDa S6 kinase (p70^S6k) known to be activated by epidermalgrowth factor (EGF) in keeping with the notion that it is aprotein kinase inhibitor; however the inhibition in vivo appearsto be specific as MAP kinase phosphorylation is not inhibited;(ii) 6DMAP drastically affects cytoskeletal components leadingto a rapid morphological change in most cells. These data, togetherwith the findings that the dose range and the treatment timeeffective in inducing the micronuclei containing chromosomeswere the same as for DNA synthesis inhibition, suggest thata disturbance in G₁ of signal transduction pathways may contributeto abnormal mitosis. ⁴To whom correspondence should be addressed at: CSTA-Mutagenesis Laboratory, National Institute for Research on Cancer, L.go R.Benzi 10, Genova, Italy     

Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of signalling pathways by alkylated purines

Addition of growth factors such as EGF and insulin to serum-starved G(0) Chinese hamster fibroblast cells results in activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K)/p70 S6 kinase (p70(S6K)) pathway and the ras-raf mitogen-activated kinase (MAPK) pathway. Activation of these pathways is usually associated with protection of cells from apoptosis. We have studied the effect of three alkylpurines, O(6)-methylguanine (O6meG), O(6)-ethylguanine (O6etG) and 6-dimethylaminopurine (6DMAP) on two particular steps of these pathways, namely activation of p70(S6K) and of MAPK. Under the same experimental conditions we studied the ability of these alkylpurines to induce apoptosis. Our results show that the three alkylpurines induced apoptosis with increasing efficiency from O6meG to 6DMAP to O6etG. The induction of apoptosis was phase specific, with the G(0)/G(1) phase being most sensitive. A reduced apoptotic response was observed in cells with abnormal nuclear accumulation of mutant or wild-type p53, suggesting that functional p53 was required for the induction of apoptosis. At concentrations inducing apoptosis the three alkylpurines inhibited p70(S6K) activity, while they had the opposite effect on MAPK. Rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of the p70(S6K) pathway, did not induce apoptosis at doses inhibiting p70(S6K) activity, suggesting that p70(S6K) is not directly involved in apoptosis. As expected, and in line with results reported by others, wortmannin, an upstream inhibitor of the p70(S6K) pathway, did induce apoptosis. We propose that activation of the MAPK pathway and simultaneous inhibition of the p70(S6K) pathway induce an apoptotic response in the cell.     

Vaccination with DNA encoding internal proteins of influenza virus does not require CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes: either CD4(+) or CD8(+) T cells can promote survival and recovery after challenge

DNA vaccination offers the advantages of viral gene expressionwithin host cells without the risks of infectious virus. Likeviral vaccines, DNA vaccines encoding internal influenza virusproteins can induce immunity to conserved epitopes and so maydefend the host against a broad range of viral variants. CD8⁺cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) have been described as essentialeffectors in protection by influenza nucleoprotein (NP), althougha lesser role of CD4⁺ cells has been reported. We immunizedmice with plasmids encoding influenza virus NP and matrix (M).NP + M DNA allowed B6 mice to survive otherwise lethal challengeinfection, but did not protect B6-ß₂m(–/–)mice defective in CD8⁺ CTL. However, this does not prove CTLare required, because ß₂m(–/–) mice have multipleimmune abnormalities. We used acute T cell depletion in vivoto identify effectors critical for defense against challengeinfection. Since lung lymphocytes are relevant to virus clearance,surface phenotypes and cytolytic activity of lung lymphocyteswere analyzed in depleted animals, along with lethal challengestudies. Depletion of either CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cells in NP + MDNA-immunized BALB/c mice during the challenge period did notsignificantly decrease survival, while simultaneous depletionof CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells or depletion of all CD90⁺ cells completelyabrogated survival. We conclude that T cell immunity inducedby NP + M DNA vaccination is responsible for immune defense,but CD8⁺ T cells are not essential in the active response tothis vaccination. Either CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cells can promote survivaland recovery in the absence of the other subset.     

Interleukin 10 inhibits T cell alloreaction induced by human dendritic cells

Human dendritic cells (DC) generated from CD34⁺ hematopoieticprogenitors cultured in the presence of granulocyte macrophagecolony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)- are related to Langerhans cells (DLC) and have been shownto induce a strong proliferation of allogeneic CD4⁺ T cells.The present study shows that recombinant human IL-10 (h-IL-10)inhibits the primary and secondary proliferative responses ofboth CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells induced by allogenelc CD1a⁺ DLC.The alloreaction induced by DLC generated after 5–18 daysof culture of CD34⁺ HPC was equally inhibited by h-IL-10, thusindicating that DLC were sensitive to h-IL-10 at all stagesof differentiation. This is further indicated by the h-IL-10-inducedinhibition of the T cell alloreaction mediated by interdigitatingDC freshly isolated from tonsils. h-IL-10 specifically actedon DLC as it did not affect the proliferation induced by Epstein-Ban-viruslymphoblastoW cell lines (EBV-LCL) nor that induced by immobilizedanti-CD3. The inhibitory effect of h-IL-10 was not due to theproduction of suppressive factors by the DLC, as the additionof DLC and IL-10 did not inhibit EBV-LCL-induced T cell proliferation.Rather, the inhibition of cytokine production (IL-2, GM-CSF,TNF, IFN-) observed after 24 h of co-culture may explain theinhibition of T cell DNA synthesis detected 3 days later. Theh-IL-10-lnduced inhibition of human DC mediated alloreactionadvocates considering the use of h-IL-10 In the prevention oftransplant refection and graft versus host disease, phenomenainitiated by DC.     

管花苷B对抗H2O2诱导的PC12细胞凋亡

目的：观察肉苁蓉提取物管花苷B对H₂O₂诱导的PC12细胞损伤的影响。方法：用MTT法检测细胞存活率，以激光共聚焦显微镜荧光染色法检测细胞内活性氧的产生和线粒体膜电位的变化，DNA琼脂糖凝胶电泳和流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡的发生，并用荧光酶标仪测定caspase-3的活性。结果：100 μmol·L^-1 H₂O₂处理细胞24 h显著降低细胞的存活率；诱导细胞发生凋亡，凋亡率达48.0％；细胞内活性氧水平及caspase-3的活性显著升高；而线粒体膜电位却明显降低，红/绿荧光强度的比值由正常的5.97降低为0.41左右。而预先给予1、10或100 mg·L^-1浓度的管花苷B处理细胞12 h，可显著提高细胞存活率；并可有效抑制DNA ladder的发生；流式细胞仪检测凋亡率分别降低到30.9%、18.3%和6.2%；激光共聚焦显微镜结果显示管花苷B可明显降低细胞内活性氧的水平；并可逐渐恢复线粒体的高能量状态；caspase-3的活性不断降低，并呈现了一定的剂量依赖性。结论：管花苷B能显著地抑制H₂O₂诱导的PC12细胞凋亡，其神经细胞保护作用可能与其降低细胞内活性氧水平，维持线粒体膜电位的高能状态和抑制caspase-3的活性有关。     

Effects of non-MHC background genes on the induction of CD4+ T cells that prevent rejection of a highly immunogenic tumor, FBL-3

This study showed that non-MHC genes common to (DBA/2 H-2^d)and (DBA/1 H-2^q) gave rise to suppressor T (T_a) cells in thehybrid F₁ mice between C57BL/6 (B6) strain in the antl-FBL-3tumor responses. FBL-3, a Friend virus-induced tumor cell lineof B6 mouse origin, is highly immunogenic as shown by findingsthat syngenelc and hybrid F₁ mice with several other inbredstrains rejected up to 3 x 10⁷ tumor cells inoculated s.c. andgenerated potent CTL responses after mixed lymphocyte tumorcell culture. In contrast to these mice, (B6 x DBA/2) and (B6x DBA/1)F1 mice did not reject the tumor as the tumor dosesincreased. Progressive tumor growth in these F₁ mice was blockedby an I.p. Injection of cyclophosphamlde (250 mg/kg) on day10, but not on day 5, after tumor cell inoculation. Antl-CD4(GK1.5) mAb exerted similar therapeutic effects against tumorwhen given twice, between day 0 and 10, whereas the additionalinjection of antl-CD8 mAb enhanced the tumor growth in micethat otherwise rejected the tumor. Thus, In the response of(B6 x DBA/2)F, mice to FBL-3 tumor cells, CD4⁺ T₈ seemed todown-regulate the immunologically mediated regression of thetumor produced by CD8⁺ CTL. This was evidenced by limiting dilutionculture analyses, which showed that the frequency of an FBL-3-speclflcCTL precursor in the (B6 x DBA/2)F1 mice that rejected the tumorwith antl-CD4 mAb was 7- to 9-fold higher than that in micein which the tumor regressed spontaneously. That more than onegene was involved in suppressor T cell induction was shown bythe tumor growth pattern in (B6 x DBA/2)F₁ x B6 backcross andB6D2F2 mice.     

丹酚酸B对活化的系膜细胞TGF-β_1受体和Smad2表达的影响

目的:通过观察丹酚酸B对活化的系膜细胞转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)受体和Sma与Mad的同源基因2(Smad2)分子表达的影响,探讨丹酚酸B拮抗系膜细胞活化及肾纤维化的机制。方法:分离纯化大鼠肾小球系膜细胞,TGF-β1刺激建立系膜细胞活化模型并检测Smad2、Smad7信号分子表达。丹酚酸B(剂量分别为10-6mol/L、10-5mol/L)进行干预,免疫荧光及蛋白印记法观察对α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的影响,蛋白免疫印迹法检测系膜细胞TGF-β1两型受体(TβRⅠ、TβRⅡ)和Smad2信号分子表达的变化。结果:5μg/L TGF-β1刺激系膜细胞24h可成功制备系膜细胞活化模型,在系膜细胞活化早期即可见Smad2分子的显著磷酸化;10-6mol/L、10-5mol/L丹酚酸B均可明显抑制其活化标志蛋白α-SMA的表达;丹酚酸B干预可致系膜细胞TGF-β1两型受体表达减少,Smad2的磷酸化状态被抑制。结论:丹酚酸B可通过抑制大鼠肾小球系膜细胞TβRⅠ、TβRⅡ表达和信号分子Smad2的磷酸化而拮抗其活化,这可能是丹酚酸B抗肾纤维化的细胞学机制之一。     

西红花酸对H2O2诱发心肌细胞凋亡及相关调控蛋白caspase-3、Bcl-2表达改变的影响

目的：探讨西红花酸对过氧化氢（H₂O₂）诱导的培养心肌细胞凋亡及相关调控蛋白caspase-3、Bcl-2表达改变的作用。 方法： 通过光镜观察细胞形态、碘化丙啶（PI）染色法和流式细胞术相结合检测培养细胞凋亡率、免疫荧光染色法和流式细胞术相结合检测细胞中caspase-3、Bcl-2蛋白。 结果： 在本实验使用浓度范围内，各浓度H₂O₂组细胞形态明显改变、凋亡率明显高于正常对照组，1×10^-4 mol·L^-1 H₂O₂可使培养心肌细胞Bcl-2蛋白表达明显减少，而caspase-3表达明显增多；各剂量西红花酸组细胞形态学改变减少、凋亡率明显低于1×10^-4 mol·L^-1 H₂O₂组，细胞中Bcl-2蛋白减少幅度与caspase-3增加幅度均减小，且较高浓度（5×10^-5 mol·L^-1）西红花酸组比较低浓度（5×10^-7 mol·L^-1）西红花酸组作用也更明显（P<0.05）。 结论： 西红花酸能够减轻H₂O₂对培养心肌细胞的损伤性凋亡作用，可能与稳定细胞内凋亡相关调控蛋白caspase-3、Bcl-2的功能有关。     

Evidence for selective in vivo expansion of synovial tissue-infiltrating CD4+ CD45RO+ T lymphocytes on the basis of CDR3 diversity

In this study we have analyzed the TCR V and V_ß regionsat the DNA level in the CD4⁺CD45RO⁺ memory T cell populationof synovial tissue infiltrating T lymphocytes of three rheumatoidarthritis (RA) patients and one patient with chronic arthritis.Cell lines of CD4⁺CD45RO⁺, CD4⁺CD45RO^–, CD8⁺CD45RO⁺ andCD8⁺CD45RO^– T lymphocyte populations were generated followingFACS cell sorting of freshly isolated synovial tissue mononuclearcell infiltrates (STMC) and of freshly isolated peripheral bloodmononuclear cells (PBMC) of these patients. The phenotyplc andmolecular analyses have revealed the following. (I) The TCRrepertoires of tissue infiltrating T lymphocytes in the varioussubsets were extensive on the basis of TCR V gene family usage.(II) Furthermore, each patient displayed individual specificTCR V gene expression patterns in the various STMC and PBMCderived T cell subsets. However, the majority of these arthritispatients manifested increased expression of multiple TCR V genefamilies in the synovial tissue derived CD4⁺CD45RO^– Tcell population when compared with the peripheral blood derivedCD4⁺CD45RO⁺ subset. Of these gene families, we found enhancedexpression of the TCR V7 and V_ß11 gene segments insynovial tissue to be shared by all four patients analyzed.OH) Nucleotlde sequence analysis of the CDR3 regions of a numberof TCR V regions in the CD4⁺CD45RO⁺ T cell subsets has revealedthat the CDR3 regions comprised within synovial tissue derivedTCR V regions differed from those found in peripheral bloodderived TCR V regions. These differences in CDR3 diversity mightbe the consequence of a specific interaction with particularMHC-peptlde complexes expressed at the site of inflammation.(Iv) The CDR3 region analysis also showed individual specificamlno acid motifs within the N-D-N regions of all analyzed TCRV_ß genes derived from PBMC as well as STMC.     

Evaluation of presence and functional activity of potentially self-reactive T cells in aged mice

Autoimmunity is known to increase in aging. A possible factorcould be an alteration in the T cell repertoire wIth advancingage. Antibodies to the variable region of the ß chainof the TCR activate T cells and can serve as probes for analysisof the T cell repertoire. We have used V_ß3 and V_ß17aantibodies to determine the presence and functionality of normallydeleted T cells bearing potentially self-reactive TCR in peripherallymphoid tissue and blood from aged (SJL/J x BALB/c) F₁ LAF₁and BALB/c mice. Although an occasional 20- to 24-month-oldmouse exhibited V_ß3⁺ or V_ß17a⁺ T cells intheir lymph nodes or peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) slightlyabove the range for normal young mice of these I-E⁺ strains,there was no striking ‘escape’ from the normal thymicdeletion process. However, responsiveness to anti-V_ß3and anti-V_ß17a was slightly higher In aged, and particularlyIn aged thymectomlzed (TX), than in young mice. This was incontrast to proliferative responses to stimulation with antibodyto the normally expressed V_ß8 which were lower inthe lymph nodes from aged than from young mice. The PBL of some30- to 36-month-old mice were also examined. Enhanced numbersof ‘forbidden’ V_ß bearing T cells wereseen more frequently at this age. In spite of the age-relateddecrease in overall CD4/CD8 T cell ratios in all organs, themice with relatively high V_ß17a⁺ T cells exhibitedproportionally more CD4⁺ cells in that V_ß population.We conclude that the ‘forbidden’ T cells that respondto anti-V_ß stimulation in the 20- to 24-month-oldmice are most likely of extra-thymic origin, since they weremore readily detectable in aged TX mice. Potentially self-reactiveCD4 (and CD8) single-positive T cells were detectable in PBLonly in very aged (30–36 months old) euthymic mice.     

Activation mediated CD4+ T cell unresponsiveness during acute Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice

infection of mice with Toxoplasma gondii has been shown to inducea transient state of immune down-regulation. Earlier reportshave demonstrated the role of cytokines, in particular IL-10,in this host response. Here evidence is presented that T.gondll,a major opportunistic pathogen of the newborn and those withAIDS, is able to induce CD4⁺ T cell population Increased involume by day 7 post-infection and expressed T cell maturationmarkers (CD44^hl, Il-2r^hl,Mel-14^fo). Further noted was a clonalactivation of several CD4+ T cells subsets expressing the V_ßchain of the TCR. At day 7 post-infection, partial reductionof all CD4⁺ T cells to mltogen or parasite antigen stimulationwas observed, In particular V_ß5 T cells. Additionof rlL-2 partially restored the CD4⁺ T cell proliferative responsein Vitro. The T cell activation marker CTLA-4 could not be detectedand te co-stimulatory molecule, CD28, was down-regulated. Elctrophoneticand morphologic analysis of these cells post0culture demostrateda DNA fragmentation pattern and cell death consistent with apoptosis.These studies demonstrate for the first time in a protozoanparasite that activation-induced CD4⁺ T cell unresponslvenessoccurs during actue T.gondll infection in mice, and may be importantin immune down-regulation and parasite persistence in the infectedhost.0     

Selective accumulation of CCR5+ T lymphocytes into inflamed joints of rheumatoid arthritis

Chemokines and their receptors play critical roles in the selectiverecruitment of various subsets of leukocytes. Recent studieshave indicated that some chemokine receptors are differentiallyexpressed on T_h1 and T_h2 cells. However, available data concerningthe presence of T cells with a T_h1 or a T_h2 character and theexpression of chemokine receptors on infiltrating T cells inthe rheumatic joint are still limited. In this study, we investigatedthe expression of CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) and CCR5, whichhave been shown to be preferentially expressed on T_h2 and T_h1respectively on T cells from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.Although both CCR5⁺ and CCR4⁺ CD4⁺ T cell populations were observedin peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy controlsand osteoarthritis patients, these cell populations were decreasedin patients with active RA. In contrast, the vast majority ofsynovial fluid (SF) T cells from active RA patients expressedCCR5 but not CCR4. CCR5 ligands, MIP-1 and RANTES, were foundin RA SF at high levels. CCR5⁺ CD4⁺ T cells from SF mononuclearcells of RA patients produced IFN- but not IL-4 in responseto anti-CD3 stimulation in vitro. These results indicated thatdifferential expression of chemokine receptors plays a criticalrole for selective recruitment of pro-inflammatory T cells intothe joints of RA.     

In vivo and in vitro repertoire of CD3+CD4 CD8 thymocytes

CD4-CD8- thymocytes contain a cell subset which expresses thecomplete CD3-TCR complex (/ or /) of which the ontogeny andfiliation are unknown. One of the questions is whether thispopulation can be intrathymically selected, an obligatory stepfor the mature CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cell differentiation pathway, orif the absence of CD4 and CD8 allows them to escape thymic selection.The repertoire of CD3 ⁺ CD4 - CD8 - (CD3 ⁺ DN) thymocytes wasanalyzed in different strains of mice with different combinationsof H-2 and Mls expression. The expression of V_ß8.1in freshly isolated CD3⁺ DN cells is the highest in Mls-l^b miceand the lowest in MIS-l^a and F₁ mice, suggesting that selectionagainst this specificity can be achieved in vivo. By contrast,a low percentage of V_ß6⁺ cells is found in all thestrains, with no correlation according to MIS expression. Invitro culture of DN thymocytes with IL-1 and IL-2 leads to theproliferation of CD3⁺ DN cells. In vitro culture amplifies thein vivo pattern of V_ß8.1 expression, while V_ß6⁺cells only expand in DN cells of 66 and 61002 Mls-l^b mice withthe same genetic background. These results show: (i) CD3⁺ DNthymic cells can be intrathymically selected but the repertoireis different from that of mature T cells; (ii) V_ß6and V_ß8.1 selection do not follow the same pattern;(iii) this repertoire can be modified by In vitro culture, towarda more mature type; and (iv) comparison of DN cell repertoireof BALBlc, BALB.D2 (congenic for MLs), and other strains ofmice suggests a multigenic control for this selection, and aninvolvement of background genes.     

DNA ethylations induced by ethylnitrosourea in the wild type, cdc4 and cdc7 strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The experiments reported here have investigated the inductionof ethylations to DNA in yeast cells exposed to the chemicalmutagen ethylnitrosourea. A similar level of alkylation wasseen at the N⁷ and O⁶ of guanine and at the N³ of adenine ineither log phase cells or in temperature-sensitive cdc4 andcdc7 cells growth arrested at their specific G₁ positions. Hencethe changes in chromosome structure associated with the abovecdc phenotypes do not modify the amount of DNA damage inducedby ethylnitrosourea. ¹To whom reprint requests should be addressed     

VEGF诱导血管内皮细胞产生H2O2及其促增殖作用

目的： 研究VEGF诱导血管内皮细胞产生细胞外H₂O₂及其在VEGF促血管内皮细胞增殖功能中的作用。方法: ① 以H₂DCFDA为H₂O₂指示剂，检测 500 μg/L VEGF刺激下，血管内皮细胞H₂O₂的产生；② 以MTT法检测3×10⁶ U/L过氧化氢酶（CAT），及外源性加入5-20 mmol/L H₂O₂对VEGF促增殖功能的影响。结果: ① 在VEGF刺激血管内皮细胞 15 min 后，细胞内开始出现逐渐增强的荧光，且随时间逐渐增强，至 45 min 左右最强，随后逐渐减弱；而同时加入过氧化氢酶组的细胞则仅有微弱荧光产生，且荧光强度不随时间变化；② 3×10⁶ U/L过氧化氢酶对VEGF的促增殖功能有明显的抑制作用（P<0.01）；③ 外源性加入5-10 mmol/L H₂O₂ 时对血管内皮细胞有明显促增殖作用（P<0.01），但其对VEGF的促增殖功能却有显著抑制作用（P<0.01）。结论: VEGF可刺激血管内皮细胞产生细胞外H₂O₂，在促细胞增殖中可能具有重要作用。而外源性H₂O₂对VEGF的生理功能可能具有抑制作用。     

Activation-induced expression of thymic shared antigen-1 on T lymphocytes and its inhibitory role for TCR-mediated IL-2 production

We have produced a hamster mAb, PRST1, which reacts with thymicshared Ag-1 (TSA-1), a product of the Ly6 gene family. By cross-blockingexperiments, we found that TSA-1 is identical to stem cell Ag-2(Sca-2). Using PRST1, the changes of TSA-1/Sca-2 expressionon mature T cells during the activation process were analyzed.Although freshly isolated T cells did not express detectableTSA-1 on their cell surface, in vitro stimulation of T cellswith concanavalln A induced a marked increase of surface TSA-1expression. The increased expression of TSA-1 on T cells wasdetected from 12 h after stimulation and was associated withthe increase of TSA-1 mRNA. In vivo injection of mice with staphylococcalenterotoxin B (SEB) resulted in the enhanced TSA-1 expressionin splenic V_ß8⁺ T cells. This antigen-specific inductionof TSA-1 expression in vivo preceded a detectable increase innumbers of V_ß8⁺ T cells after SEB injection. Functionally,whereas anti-TSA-1 mAb was not mitogenic to T cells, it inhibitedanti-CD3-induced IL-2 production by T cell hybridomas. Theseresults indicate that TSA-1/Sca-2 is a unique marker for T cellactivation and a signal through this molecule may have a negativefeedback role to limit IL-2 production from activated T cellsstimulated through the TCR.     

Cross-linking of cell surface ganglioside GM1 induces the selective apoptosis of mature CD+ T lymphocytes

Gangliosides are glycosphingolipids found ubiquitously on thesurface of mammalian cells. They contain a ceramide tail thatis inserted into the membrane and exposed carbohydrate and sialicacid moleties. The non-toxic B subunit oligomer (EtxB) of Escherichiacoli heat-labile enterotoxin (Etx) is a potent immunogen invivo and has profound modulatory effects on EtxB-primed lymphocytesin vitro, properties which are dependent on its ability to bindto GM1 ganglioside receptors. Here, it is shown that cross-linkingGM1 by EtxB causes a differential effect on mature CD4⁺ andCD8⁺ T cells from lymph node cultures proliferating in responseto an unrelated antigen, ovalbumin. Addition of EtxB to suchcultures led to the complete depletion of CD8⁺ T cells comparedwith enhanced activation of CD4⁺ T cells [as measured by expressionof CD25 (IL-2R)]. By contrast, addition of a mutant EtxB, EtxB(G33D),which does not bind to GM1, failed to trigger CD8⁺ T cell depletion.When EtxB was added to isolated non-immune CD8⁺ lymphocytesrapid (12–18 h) alterations in nuclear morphology andthe appearance of sub-G₀/G₁ levels of DNA were induced; propertieswhich are characteristic of cells undergoing apoptosis. EtxB(G33D)failed to trigger apoptosis, indicating that the induction ofthe apoptotic signal was dependent on the binding of GM1. Thesefindings provide an insight into the potent immunogenicity andimmunomodulatory properties of E. coli enterotoxins as wellas heralding a novel method for the selective induction of apoptosisin mature CD8⁺ T lymphocytes.     

Activation and 'deletion' of self-reactive mature and immature T cells during ontogeny of Mls-1a mice: implications for neonatal tolerance induction

We assessed the kinetics of V_ß6⁺ T cell eliminationin the lymph nodes and thymus during Mls-1^a mouse ontogeny.Our results suggest that induction of tolerance to Mls-1^a antigensinvolves mechanisms other than clonal deletion of immature Tcells in the thymus. Mature CD4⁺CD8^– (CD4SP) T cells wereaffected by Mls-1^a antigens earlier than immature thymocytepopulations. Up to 2 weeks after birth, reduced frequenciesof V_ß6⁺ T cells were detected only in CD4SP cellsfrom the thymus and lymph nodes, and generation of CD4SP cellsin the thymus was blocked at least 1 week earlier than thatof their CD4⁺CD8^loTCR^hl immature precursors. The number of V_ß6⁺CD4SPT cells increased during the first 2 weeks of life and remainedconstant thereafter. We thus found no evidence of deletion ofmature V_ß6⁺CD4SP T cells, as the reduced frequenciesin adult mice can be attributed to the dilution of previouslygenerated cells in lymphoid organs of growing mice, which increasein cellulartty after birth. V_ß6⁺CD4⁺ T cells wereactivated in vivo shortly after birth, as shown by a selectiveincrease in IL-2 receptor a chain expression in the thymus andlymph nodes from day 0 to day 2 after birth. It is thereforelikely that endogenous expression of Mls-1^a antigen shortlyafter birth activates V_ß6⁺CD4SP T cells and rendersthem anergic. This process of tolerance induction may precedethe clonal deletion of immature T cells in the thymus, describedin the adult mouse.     

异补骨脂素对人晶状体上皮细胞雌激素受体表达的上调作用

目的: 研究人晶状体上皮细胞(HLECs)雌激素受体(ER)表达的情况及中药植物雌激素异补骨脂素(ISR)对ER表达的影响,为中药植物雌激素防治老年性白内障提供实验依据。方法: 本研究将ISR与HLEC共同孵育,以雌二醇(E₂)作为阳性对照,再用H₂O₂对HLECs造成氧化损伤后,采用流式细胞术检测不同浓度的ISR对ER蛋白表达的影响。结果: 正常HLECs存在ERα、β的表达;H₂O₂组HLECs ERα、β表达明显下降,与空白组比较差异显著(P<0.01);E₂和ISR高、中、低浓度组HLECs的ERα、β表达明显升高,与H₂O₂组比较差异显著(P<0.01);且随ISR浓度的增高ERα、β表达逐渐升高,呈明显的浓度依赖关系。 结论: E₂、ISR能上调经H₂O₂处理的HLECs的ERα、ERβ表达,并呈明显的浓度依赖关系,其抗氧化损伤作用,可能是通过上调ERα、ERβ表达实现的。     

Neonatal impaired response to viral superantigen encoded by MMTV(SW) and Mtv-7

MMTV(SW) is an exogenous mouse mammary turnor virus that codesfor a superantigen sharing the same V_ß specificityas Mtv-7 (Mis-1^a). Neonatal mice infected by suckling-infectedmilk show a deletion of the CD4⁺ V_ß6⁺ T cell subsetwithin 8 weeks. In contrast, adult mice infected by injectionof the virus in the footpad have a much faster deletion, whichoccurs within 2 weeks. In the present work, we investigatedpossible mechanisms for the different kinetics of deletion inthe adult and newborn mice. To find out if the route of infectioncould be responsible for this discrepancy, we infected 5-day-oldand adult mice by injection in the footpad. Our results demonstratethat the route of infection is not responsible for the delayedkinetics of reactive T cell deletion since newborn mice injectedwith the virus show similar kinetics to neonates infected bymaternal milk. To exclude differences in viral spreading betweenthe two models, we used a PCR assay to detect proviral DNA.Spreading of the virus was shown to occur at a similar rateor even more rapidly in neonates than in adults. We also comparedthe activation induced by MMTV(SW) or Mis-1^a spleen cells inthe draining lymph node in neonatal and adult mice and showedthat a poor local activation is induced in neonates comparedwith adults. In vitro, neonatal T cell reactivity to anti-V_ß6antibody was also impaired. Thus, the delay in clonal deletioncould be linked to impaired expression, presentation and/orresponse to the viral superantigen. Our results suggest thatthe initial response to MMTV(SW) could be of importance forthe kinetics of reactive T cell deletion.