Cbl-b differentially regulates activation-induced apoptosis in T helper 1 and T helper 2 cells

We previously reported that ligation of CD3 induces antiapoptotic signals in T helper 2 (Th2) cells, and in contrast causes Th1 cells to undergo apoptosis. Here we show that Cbl-b is accountable for the unequal response, revealing a previously unknown cell-specific regulatory function for the molecule. Absence of Cbl-b resulted in resistance to activation-induced apoptosis in murine Th1 cells following CD3 ligation, akin to what is observed in Th2 cells containing Cbl-b. Concurrent with the apoptosis profile, CD3 ligation in the absence of Cbl-b induced raft mobilization and cytoskeletal rearrangement in Th1 cells. Despite their ability to signal from CD3, Th2 cells did not aggregate their rafts, providing an explanation for cell-specific activity of Cbl-b.     

Effect of IL-2-Bax, a novel interleukin-2-receptor-targeted chimeric protein, on bleomycin lung injury

The role of lymphocytes in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis is not clear, but the weight of the evidence supports a pro-fibrotic effect for lymphocytes. The high-affinity interleukin-2 receptor (haIL-2R) is expressed on activated, but not quiescent, T lymphocytes. This selective expression of haIL-2R provides the basis for therapeutic strategies that target IL-2R-expressing cells. We hypothesized that elimination of activated lymphocytes by IL-2R-targeted chimeric proteins might ameliorate lung fibrosis. We investigated the effects of IL-2-Bax, a novel apoptosis-inducing IL-2R-targeted chimeric protein, on bleomycin-induced lung injury in mice. Treatment groups included (i) a single intratracheal instillation of bleomycin and twice-daily intraperitoneal injections of IL-2-Bax; (ii) intratracheal bleomycin and intraperitoneal IL-2-PE66(4Glu), an older-generation chimeric protein; (iii) intratracheal bleomycin/intraperitoneal PBS; (iv) intratracheal saline/intraperitoneal PBS. Lung injury was evaluated 14 days after intratracheal instillation by cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, semi-quantitative and quantitative histomorphological measurements and by biochemical analysis of lung hydroxyproline. Bleomycin induced a BAL lymphocytosis that was significantly attenuated by IL-2-Bax and IL-2-PE66(4Glu). However, morphometric parameters and lung hydroxyproline were unaffected by the chimeric proteins. These results show that IL-2-Bax reduces the lymphocytic infiltration of the lungs in response to bleomycin, but this effect is not accompanied by a decrease in lung fibrosis.     

Depletion of mitochondrial DNA in HIV-1-infected patients and its amelioration by antiretroviral therapy

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1)-infected patients and healthy controls were measured longitudinally using real-time polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the effects of antiretroviral agents on mtDNA synthesis in vivo and to assess the value of monitoring mtDNA in PBMCs to predict adverse events amongst these patients. MtDNA levels in PBMCs were significantly decreased in treatment-naive HIV-1-infected patients compared with healthy people. MtDNA levels were not only significantly correlated with CD4(+) T-cell count, but also inversely correlated with HIV-1 viral load. MtDNA levels in untreated patients and healthy controls were stable during the period of observation. On the other hand, amongst patients treated with regimens containing AZT/3TC or d4T/3TC, mtDNA increased during treatment and recovered to levels comparable to healthy controls. In contrast, mtDNA decreased immediately after the initiation of an AZT/ddC-containing regimen. We did not find a correlation between mtDNA levels and changes in clinical parameters. There was no significant difference in mtDNA levels between patients with and those without lipoatrophy. Furthermore, there was no obvious difference in mtDNA levels amongst those patients exhibiting signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. In conclusion, the decrease in mtDNA levels in PBMCs amongst HIV-1-infected patients and its amelioration by antiretroviral therapy may suggest the influence of direct effects on mitochondria or mtDNA by HIV-1 infection. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the mechanisms contributing to decreased mtDNA and the value of mtDNA measurement in the care of HIV-1-infected individuals.     

Increased bcl-2 expression in lymphocytes and its association with hepatocellular damage in patients with autoimmune hepatitis

The proto-oncogene product bcl-2 is known to inhibit apoptotic cell death, and its dysregulation might play a critical role in the development of autoimmune disease. To elucidate the role of bcl-2 in autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), its expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and in liver-infiltrating lymphocytes (LIL) was investigated. Increased bcl-2 expression in PBMC was found in AIH patients compared with that in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients and in healthy controls. The level of bcl-2 expression significantly correlated with serum ALT level. Further analysis showed that CD4+ T cells are enriched in bcl-2-expressing PBMC. To characterize the Th1/Th2 profile of bcl-2-expressing CD4+ T cells, intracellular interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and IL-4 were analysed. The results revealed that most of the bcl-2-expressing cells were found to be IFN-gamma-secreting Th1 cells. In three patients for whom their clinical courses could be followed, bcl-2 expression was decreased after the initiation of immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids. However, the level of IFN-gamma + cells was not altered. Immunohistochemical analysis also showed that large amounts of bcl-2+ cells were observed in periportal area in the liver. In conclusion, bcl-2-expressing cells were shown to be increased in peripheral blood and liver in AIH and the bcl-2 product was expressed mainly in CD4+ Th1-type cells, suggesting that these cells might promote the cellular immune response and contribute to the development of hepatitis and hepatocellular damage in AIH.     

Molecular and biochemical mechanisms ofPasteurella haemolyticaleukotoxin-induced cell death

Pasteurella haemolyticaleukotoxin (LKT) is a member of the RTX family of pore-forming toxins that kill bovine immune cells. Several studies have suggested that RTX toxins kill target cells by the induction of apoptosis. In the present study, BL3 bovine leukaemia cells were exposed to LKT and assessed by molecular and flow cytometric techniques that measure different aspects of apoptotic cell death. The intoxicated cells demonstrated morphological, light scatter and Hoechst 33258 staining characteristics consistent with cells undergoing apoptosis. The cells also exhibited internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, both indicators of apoptosis. LKT-treated cells bound annexin-V-FITC indicating that phosphatidylserine groups were translocated from the inner to the outer leaflet of the cell membrane. The effect of LKT on cells was dose dependent and inhibitable by incubation with anti-LKT monoclonal antibody. Finally, an early step for induction of apoptosis appears to be the binding of LKT to a β2 integrin since pre-incubating cells with anti-β2 integrin antibodies inhibited LKT-induced apoptosis. This study provides new insights into understanding the pathogenesis of bovine pasteurellosis and could lead to the development of both preventative and therapeutic strategies for disease management.     

Induction of Apoptosis by Equine Arteritis Virus Infection

Equine arteritis virus (EAV) is the etiological agent of equine viral arteritis, a contagious viral disease of equids. EAV is the prototype virus of the arteriviruses, a group of small enveloped viruses with positive single-stranded RNA genomes. Because apoptosis or programmed cell death is believed to play an important role in the biogenesis of several cytopathogenic viruses, we examined whether EAV was able to induce cell apoptosis in vitro. To do this, Vero cells were infected with EAV at a multiplicity of infection of 0.1 tissue culture infectious dose (TCID₅₀) per cell, and analyzed at various time intervals for the appearance of apoptotic signs. Fragmentation of chromosomal DNA into nucleosomal oligomers and caspase activation were observed in the infected cells at the time (e.g. 24 h postinfection) where a noticeable cytopathic effect was observed. The kinetics of the DNA fragmentation correlated with that of the production of progeny virus, so that viral multiplication was not interrupted by the apoptotic cell damage. All these data provide evidence that EAV is able to induce apoptotic cell death in vitro.     

Apoptosis and apoptosis-associated perturbations of peripheral blood lymphocytes during HIV infection: comparison between AIDS patients and asymptomatic long-term non-progressors

This study was designed to compare the degree of lymphocyte apoptosis and Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) expression in AIDS patients and long-term non-progressors (LTNPs) and correlate these parameters with apoptosis-associated perturbations in lymphocyte function. LTNPs had a lower frequency of apoptotic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells compared with subjects with AIDS. This correlated with a lower frequency of cells expressing Fas and FasL. The frequency of selected lymphocyte populations exhibiting a disrupted mitochondrial transmembrane potential (DeltaPsim) and increased superoxide generation was lower in LTNPs than in patients with AIDS; these abnormalities were associated with lower levels of caspase-1 activation in LTNPs. The results indicate a significantly reduced level of apoptosis and apoptosis-associated parameters in LTNPs than in patients developing AIDS. Based on these findings, a crucial role for mitochondria can be predicted in the process of lymphocyte apoptosis during the evolution of AIDS.     

Pigmentary degeneration indwed by N-methyl-N-nitrosourea and the fate of pigment epithelial cells in the rat retina

Pigmentary degeneration of the retina was induced by a single intraperitoneal Injection of 75mgkg of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) In female Brown-Norway colored rats at 50 days of age, which were then observed at 24, 48 and 72 h and 7, 21,35 and 150 days after the treatment. MNU-treated rats showed selective destruction of the photoreceptor cells by an apoptotic mechanlsm 24 h after the treatment, and the destruction was completed by day 7. During the photoreceptor cell degeneration, proliferation of Miller cells and infiltratlon of macrophages was prominent 72h and 21 days aRttr the treatment, respectively. Müller cell proliferation and macrophage infiltratbn corresponded to degenerative photo-receptor cell phagocytosis, and prollferating Müller cell processes responded to stabilize the damaged retina. Pigment epithelial cell detachment from the Bruch's membrane was seen 72 h after the treatment, and migration within all layers of the retina was seen at day 7 when photoreceptor Cells were lost. At 21, 35 and 150 days after the treatment, lack of photoreceptor cells and deposition of pigment epithelial cells within the retina but not in contact to vascular endothe-lial cells were characteristic. MNU-induced photoreceptor apoptosis followed by Miiller cell and macrophage reaction then pigment epithellal cells deposition withln the retina partially resembles retinitis pigmentosa in humans.     

Generation of peroxynitrite and apoptosis in placenta of patients with chorioamnionitis: possible implications in placental abruption

The reaction of nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide results in the formation of peroxynitrite, a potent and relatively long-lived oxidant. In infectious diseases, these molecules are not only bactericidal but also toxic to host cells. Chorioamnionitis is often complicated by premature rupture of membranes and can be associated with placental abruption. These diseases are significant causes of premature low-birth-weight deliveries and consequently the morbidity and mortality of neonates. Lipopolysaccharide, bacterial endotoxin, is known to be elevated in the amniotic fluid of patients with chorioamnionitis. Lipopolysaccharide is known to induce the formation of NO and superoxide. We report here that nitrite/nitrate, stable metabolites of NO, were increased in serum from patients with chorioamnionitis. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated enhanced expression of inducible NO synthase and formation of nitrotyrosine, a footprint of peroxynitrite, in the placentae from patients with chorioamnionitis and also in patients with placental abruption. Furthermore, apoptotic cell death was also increased in the placentae from patients with both diseases. These results suggest that chorioamnionitis and a portion of placental abruption may share a common cascade of placental injury. Nitric oxide and its metabolities may play an important role in this cascade.     

Immune deficiency following thermal trauma is associated with apoptotic cell death

Thermal injury-associated specific immune deficiency occurs despite indicators of systemic activation of the lymphoid compartment. We investigated the possibility that postburn immune failure and T cell activation are causally related through activation-induced (apoptotic) cell death. The relationship between the cellular immune response and cell mortality was examined in cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 14 immunosuppressed patients with extensive burns (35–90% total body surface area). Impaired cellular immunity coincided with significantly reduced cell viability as ascertained by propidium iodide staining and dye reduction assays. Following stimulation with the mitogenic lectin, phytohemagglutinin (PHA), the majority of DNA in patient cultures was fragmented, suggesting the occurrence of apoptotic cell death. Even without stimulation a portion of patient cells was apoptotic as indicated by oligonucleosomal bands on agarose gel electrophoresis. Exogenous interleukin-2 or phorbol ester markedly reduced constitutive as well as PHAinduced DNA fragmentation.In situ demonstration of DNA strand breaks in freshly isolated patient PBMC, by a TdT-based labeling technique, confirmed that a larger fraction (up to 60%) of circulating lymphocytes was undergoing apoptosis on the periphery. These novel observations suggest that apoptosis may play a major role in thermal injury-related cellular immunodeficiency.