Identification of two distinct CD5- B cell subsets from human tonsils with different responses to CD40 monoclonal antibody

This study investigated the response of different CD5^? B cell subsets to CD40 monoclonal antibody (mAb) in various combinations with interleukin (IL)-4 or rabbit anti-human μ chain antibody (a-μ-Ab). The different CD5 B cell subsets were isolated from tonsillar B cell suspensions depleted of CD5⁺ B cells and subsequently fractionated on Percoll density gradients. While resting CD5⁺ B cells proliferated and produced IgM molecules in response to a-μ-Ab, IL-4 and CD40 mAb as well as to Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I (SAC) and IL-2, resting CD5^? B cells, which were co-purified in the same 60% Percoll fractions, consistently failed to respond. These cells were, however, activated by the stimuli employed, as demonstrated by their capacity to express the surface activation markers CD69, CD25 and CD71. Resting CD5⁺ B cells had the typical phenotype of mantle zone B cells (IgM⁺ IgD⁺ CD39+ CD38^? CD10^? CDw75^dim), whereas resting CD5^? B cells were CD38^? CD39^? CD 10^? CDw75 intermediate and expressed surface IgM but relatively little surface IgD and could not be classified as mantle zone or germinal center cells. The finding that purified germinal center cells (CD38⁺ CD10⁺ CD39^? CDw75^bright, IgG⁺) responded to CD40 mAb and IL-4 and also to SAC plus IL-2 further underlined the differences to resting CD5^? B cells. However, some of the data collected suggest possible relationships between CD5^? B cells and germinal center cells. The CD5^? B cells isolated from the 50 % Percoll fraction proliferated in response to a-μ-Ab, CD40 mAb and IL-4 as well as to SAC and IL-2. These cells had the same mantle zone B cell phenotype as the CD5⁺ B cells, but their capacity to respond to the stimuli in vitro was unrelated to a possible contamination with CD5⁺ B cells, as documented by the appropriate controls. Furthermore, upon exposure to SAC or phorbol esters, the large majority of CD5^? B cells from the 50 % Percoll fraction did not express surface CD5 and there was very little if any accumulation of CD5 mRNA. Finally, most of the cycling cells in the stimulated CD5^? B cells did not express CD5. The CD5^? B cells from the 50 % Percoll fraction were comprised of a consistent proportion of cells that expressed surface activation markers. The removal of these cells abrogated the capacity of the suspensions to respond to the stimuli in vitro, possibly suggesting that these cells additional activation signals in vivo which were essential to acquire the capacity to respond and that could not be reproduced in vitro. The present study underlines the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of CD5^? B cells and contributes to the identification of two subsets of these cells which differ in phenotype, tissue distribution and in vitro responses to different stimuli.     

Guinea-pig peritoneal macrophage receptor for IgG--II. Purification of the receptor and its partial characterization

The Fc gamma receptor of guinea-pig peritoneal macrophages was purified by affinity chromatography by using rabbit IgG or guinea-pig IgG2 coupled to Sepharose. Lysates prepared by treatment of 125I-labeled macrophages with NP-40 were first applied to BSA-Sepharose and then to IgG-Sepharose and eluted with 0.5 M acetic acid containing 1% NP-40. The specific binding was determined by interaction of the 125I-labeled receptor with IgG-Sepharose in the presence and absence of soluble IgG. The specific binding of the purified receptor was 42-82%. Interactions of the purified receptor with IgG-Sepharose were equally well inhibited by soluble rabbit IgG or guinea-pig IgG2, but not by F(ab')2 fragments. Inclusion of NP-40 in the buffer used in the assay reduced nonspecific binding of the receptor to the affinity gels. The purified receptor can be stored for 20 days at 4 degrees C without a significant loss of the specific binding activity. Analysis of the receptor by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, under nonreducing and reducing conditions, revealed two major peaks of radioactivity corresponding to mol. wts of about 50,000 and 25,000, and one very minor peak corresponding to a mol. wt of about 30,000. The results obtained suggest that the protein of the second major peak is a product of the dissociation of the protein of the first major peak rather than a product of its reduction by 2-mercaptoethanol.     

鼠抗人OX40功能性单克隆抗体的研制及其生物学特性的鉴定

目的：研制功能性鼠抗人OX40单克隆抗体。方法：以转人OX40的转基因细胞L929-OX40为免疫原，常规免疫6—8周龄的雌性BALB／c小鼠；采用B淋巴细胞融合技术，将免疫小鼠脾脏细胞与SP2／0融合，以L929-OX40转基因细胞及PHA活化的T细胞为抗体筛选阳性细胞，经免疫荧光标记分析对杂交瘤进行反复筛选和多次的克隆化培养；采用快速定性试纸法及竞争抑制结合试验分析了该单抗的亚类及抗原识别位点；采用MTT法分析单抗在体外对T细胞的促增殖效应以及ELISA分析活化T细胞分泌的细胞因子。结果：获得1株持续、稳定分泌鼠抗人OX40单克隆抗体的杂交瘤细胞株(命名为7E11)，该单抗能特异性地识别人OX40分子和介导有效的共刺激信号，体外促进活化的T细胞增殖和细胞因子的分泌。结论：成功研制成一株能分泌功能性鼠抗人OX40单克隆抗体的杂交瘤，该抗体特异性地识别人OX40分子并具有在体外协同刺激T细胞的作用。     

Oligomerization and polymerization of the filovirus matrix protein VP40

The matrix protein VP40 from Ebola virus plays an important role in the assembly process of virus particles by interacting with cellular factors, cellular membranes, and the ribonuclearprotein particle complex. Here we show that the N-terminal domain of VP40 folds into a mixture of two different oligomeric states in vitro, namely hexameric and octameric ringlike structures, as detected by gel filtration chromatography, chemical cross-linking, and electron microscopy. Octamer formation depends largely on the interaction with nucleic acids, which in turn confers in vitro SDS resistance. Refolding experiments with a nucleic acid free N-terminal domain preparation reveal a mostly dimeric form of VP40, which is transformed into an SDS resistant octamer upon incubation with E. coli nucleic acids. In addition, we demonstrate that the N-terminal domain of Marburg virus VP40 also folds into ringlike structures, similar to Ebola virus VP40. Interestingly, Marburg virus VP40 rings reveal a high tendency to polymerize into rods composed of stacked rings. These results may suggest distinct roles for different oligomeric forms of VP40 in the filovirus life cycle.     

Antigen and checkpoint receptor engagement recalibrates T cell receptor signal strength

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Analysis of CD154 and CD40 expression in native coronary atherosclerosis and transplant associated coronary artery disease

T cells have roles in the pathogenesis of native coronary atherosclerosis (CA) and transplant-associated coronary artery disease (TCAD). The mechanisms by which T cells interact with other cells in these lesions are not fully known. CD154 is an activation-induced CD4⁺ T cell surface molecule that interacts with CD40⁺ target cells, including macrophages and endothelial cells, and induces the production of pro-inflammatory molecules, including CD54 (ICAM-1) and CD106 (VCAM-1). To investigate whether CD154-CD40 interactions might be involved in the pathogenesis of CA or TCAD we performed immunohistochemical studies of CD154 and CD40 expression on frozen sections of coronary arteries obtained from cardiac allograft recipients with CA (n=10) or TCAD (n=9). Utilizing four different anti-CD154 mAb we found that CD154 expression was restricted to infiltrating lymphocytes in CA and TCAD. CD40 expression was markedly up-regulated on intimal endothelial cells, foam cells, macrophages and smooth muscle cells in both diseases. Dual immunolabeling demonstrated many CD40⁺ cells co-expressed CD54 and CD106. The extent of CD40, CD54 and CD106 expression showed statistical significant correlation with the severity of disease and the amount of intimal lymphocytes. Together these studies demonstrate the presence of activated CD154⁺ and CD40⁺ cells in both CA and TCAD lesions and suggest that CD154-mediated interactions with CD40⁺ macrophages, foam cells, smooth muscle cells and/or endothelial cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of these diseases. Received: 17 December 1999 / Accepted: 20 January 2000     

Synergistic convergence of microbiota-specific systemic IgG and secretory IgA

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Synthesis and Characterization of Hyperbranched Polyethylenes Made with Nickel‐α‐Diimine Catalysts

The polymerization of ethylene in the presence of 1,4‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)acenaphthenediiminenickel(II) dichloride ( 1 ) and methylaluminoxane (MAO) gives hyperbranched polyethylene (HBPE) in appropriate reaction conditions. The system 1 /MAO is active in solvents like toluene or hexane at temperatures as high as 80 °C and ethylene pressures ranging from 1 to 15 atm. The polyethylenes obtained show high molecular weights (up to 467 kg · mol^?1) and more than 218 branches per 1 000 backbone carbon atoms, qualifying these materials as hyperbranched. Dynamic‐mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) of these materials shows high β‐transitions, directly related to the branch content of these polyethylenes.

DMTA analysis of polyethylenes obtained with 1 /MAO at 0, 30, and 50 °C (corresponding to entries 1, 2 and 3).     

凋亡肿瘤细胞负载的树突状细胞对抗原特异性CTL的激活

为探讨凋亡Daudi细胞负载的树突状细胞 (DC )激发诱导肿瘤抗原特异性CTL及其生物学特性 ,采用常规方法从人外周血单个核细胞 (PBMC )诱导DC ,激发型CD40mAb联合 50Gyγ射线辐照诱导Daudi凋亡后负载DC ,然后与自体T细胞共育 ,并联合IL 2激发诱导肿瘤特异性CTL ;采用免疫荧光标记和流式细胞仪测定分析膜分子的表达 ;ELISA检测细胞因子的产生 ;Dextran FITC内吞实验分析DC的抗原摄取能力 ;3H掺入试验和51 Cr释放试验分别测定CTL的增殖和细胞毒效应。结果 :(1 )细胞因子序贯体外诱导 7d的DC ,对Dextran吞噬能力最强 ;(2 )CD40mAb诱导联合γ射线辐照 ,能有效介导Daudi细胞的凋亡 ;(3 )抗原负载联合CD40mAb激发可使DC上调表达CD1a、CD80、CD86和HLA DR ,并能促进IL 1 2的分泌 ;(4)凋亡Daudi负载后的DC在激发型CD40mAb作用下 ,能激发和扩增对Daudi细胞具有高效和特异杀伤作用的细胞毒性T细胞。因而认为凋亡肿瘤细胞负载联合CD40mAb刺激的DC可有效激活和扩增肿瘤特异性CTL。