CD4-independent protective cytotoxic T cells induced in early life by a non-replicative delivery system based on virus-like particles

The relative immaturity of the neonatal immune system limits CD4(+) Th1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, and represents a significant challenge for the development of vaccines against intracellular pathogens. In this report, we demonstrate the ability of a non-replicative delivery system based on parvovirus-like particles (VLP) to induce CTL responses in the neonatal period. A single immunization of 1-week-old BALB/c mice with recombinant VLP carrying a CD8(+) T cell determinant from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (VLP-LCMV) induced antigen-specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T cells that were similar to those elicited by adult immunization, as assessed by cytotoxic activity, interferon (IFN)-gamma secretion, cytotoxic precursor cell frequencies, in vitro avidity for antigen and protective activity against viral challenge. These CTL responses are elicited within 2 weeks of a single immunization, in the absence of adjuvant and independently of the presence and help of CD4(+) T cells, highlighting the potential of VLP as candidate vaccine vectors in early life.     

TNF-alpha impairs peripheral tolerance towards beta-cells,and local costimulation by B7.1 enhances the effector function of diabetogenic T cells

Maintenance of peripheral tolerance and inactivation of autoreactive T cells is based on a delicate balance between pro-inflammatory and protective cytokines that is poorly understood. We have here addressed how the local expression of the inflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha can impair peripheral tolerance and lead to autoreactivity. After transplantation of pancreata that are immunogenic due to beta-cell expression of B7.1 and TNF-alpha, into thymectomized and euthymic syngeneic mice, we found that only euthymic mice rejected the grafts. This result suggests that under normal circumstances autoreactive T cells are functionally inactivated, and initiation of an autoreactive response requires de-novo generation of T cells. By contrast, thymectomized mice expressing TNF-alpha on the endogenous islets rejected the grafts, showing that expression of TNF-alpha prevents functional silencing of the autoreactive T cells. Thus, this study provides a mechanism by which TNF-alpha and possibly chronic inflammatory responses may promote autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, we have investigated whether B7.1 can enhance T cell responses of already activated T cells leading to islet rejection. By transplantation of wild-type and B7.1-expressing islets into overtly diabetic mice we found that only the wild-type islets could restore normoglycemia, suggesting that costimulation by B7.1 is required in the expansion or effector phase of the response.     

Coxsackievirus-mediated hyperglycemia is enhanced by reinfection and this occurs independent of T cells

The induction of autoimmunity by viruses has been hypothesized to occur by a number of mechanisms. Coxsackievirus B4 (CB4) induces hyperglycemia in SJL mice resembling diabetes in humans. While virus is effectively cleared within 2 weeks, hyperglycemia does not appear until about 8-12 weeks postinfection at a time when replicative virus is no longer detectable. In SJL mice, reinfection with CB4 enhanced the development of hyperglycemia. As predicted, the immune system responded more rapidly to the second infection and virus was cleared more swiftly. However, while infiltrating T cells were found within the pancreas, depletion of the CD4 T cell population prior to secondary infection or use of CD8 knock-out mice had no effect on the development of virus-mediated hyperglycemia. In conclusion, enhanced hyperglycemia induced by CB4 occurs independent of the T cell response.     

抗CD3单克隆抗体重、轻链可变区基因的克隆及序列分析

目的：抗CD3单克隆抗体（WuT3)可变区基因克隆及序列分析。方法；采用RT-PCR技术，从WuT3杂交瘤细胞总RNA中扩增VH，VL片段，经酶切后通过链接反应构建重组克隆载体，测序鉴定。结果：通过国际联机检索发现VH，VL基因与Ig同源，分别符合小鼠IgVH,Vк基因特征。VH基因属于鼠重链VH第ⅡB亚类，全长363bp，可编码121个氨基酸；VL基因属于鼠к轻链第Ⅲ亚类，全长330bp，可编码110个氨基酸，结论：成功获得WuT3单抗的重，轻链可变区基因。     

IL-4 induces IL-6 and signs of allergic-type inflammation in the nasal airways of nonallergic individuals

In addition to its more widely recognized role in promoting IgE synthesis, we speculate that interleukin-4 (IL-4) may modulate both allergic- and nonallergic-type inflammatory processes in the airway mucosa. We examined in vivo the effect of IL-4 on granulocyte and cytokine homeostasis in the nasal airways of nonallergic volunteers. Ten (N = 10) healthy subjects received nasal IL-4 (10 microg) or saline (0.9%) challenges on separate occasions. Nasal lavage was obtained before and 24 h after nasal challenges. We report that IL-4 induced a significant increase in IL-6 and produced elevated levels of eosinophils and neutrophils compared to saline. These data demonstrate that IL-4 can modulate both allergic- and nonallergic-type inflammatory responses in the nasal airways of nonallergic individuals.     

Toll-like receptor 9 contributes to recognition of Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin by Flt3-ligand generated dendritic cells

Recognition of mycobacteria by the innate immune system is essential for the development of an adaptive immune response. Mycobacterial antigens stimulate antigen presenting cells (APCs) through distinct Toll-like receptors (TLRs) resulting in rapid activation of the innate immune system. The role of TLRs during infection with Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been evaluated for TLR2 and TLR4 only. Surprisingly, despite the fact that immune stimulatory CpG-motifs have been originally derived from BCG, for the vaccine strain the role of TLR9 has not been addressed before. To identify the set of TLRs involved in the recognition of BCG, we infected bone marrow-derived macrophages and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (Flt3-ligand generated DCs) from TLR2, TLR3, TLR4, TLR7, TLR9, MyD88 knockout, TLR2/4 and TLR2/4/9 multiple knockout mice. The degree of activation and stimulation was determined by TNFα, IL-6 and IL-12p40 ELISA. Activation of DCs was measured by surface expression of the costimulatory molecule CD86. We observed the most dramatic reduction of the inflammatory response for TLR2-deficient antigen presenting cells. Both macrophages and DCs produce markedly decreased amounts of TNFα and IL-6 in the absence of TLR2 whereas no significant reduction could be observed for TLR3, 4, 7, 9 single TLR-knockouts. However, IL-12 production in DCs appears not exclusively dependent on TLR2 and only in TLR2/4/9-deficient DCs BCG-induced IL-12 is reduced to background levels. Similarly, up-regulation of CD86 is abolished only in TLR2/4/9-deficient DCs supporting a role of TLR9 in the recognition of M. bovis BCG by murine dendritic cells.     

人白介素- 4对牛血管内皮细胞保护作用的研究

目的:研究人白介素-4(hIL-4)对经TNF-α活化的牛主动脉内皮细胞(BAEC)的保护作用。方法:用不同浓度的hIL-4与BAEC共孵育2h后,再与4μg/L的TNF-α共孵育6h或18h。应用细胞ELISA方法,检测BAEC表面的E选择素和ICAM-1的表达;用MTT比色法测定hIL-4对BAEC活性的影响。结果:在一定浓度内用hIL-4预处理BAEC后,能明显抑制TNF-α诱导活化BAEC上的E选择素与ICAM-1的表达,并呈现一定的剂量依赖性。用MTT比色法测定BAEC活性的实验表明,各实验组BAEC的活性与对照组无明显差异性。结论:hIL-4能明显抑制TNF-α诱导活化的BAEC表达E选择素与ICAM-1;hIL-4对BAEC的正常功能具有一定的保护作用。     

Retinoic acid inhibits CD40 plus IL-4 mediated IgE production through alterations of sCD23, sCD54 and IL-6 production

Background: All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) inhibits IgE synthesis from anti-CD40 plus IL-4 stimulated human B lymphocytes.Objective: To study the underlying mechanisms, we examined here molecules which are known to have an impact on IgE production, namely CD23, CD54 and IL-6.Methods: Human anti-CD40 plus IL-4 stimulated B cells were cultured in the absence and presence of ATRA (10^–6–10^–10 M). ELISAs were performed to determine soluble (s) CD23 and sCD54, IL-6 and IgE-levels. CD23 and CD54 surface expression were determined by flow cytometric analysis. Semiquantitative-RT-PCR was employed to analyse IL-6, CD23 and CD54 mRNA expression.Results: ATRA induced a dose-dependent increase of percent CD23 (3.4 fold) or CD54 (1.6 fold) positive B cells. At the mRNA level, this was reflected by a modest increase of CD54 mRNA (46.5 ± 15.8%) only. By contrast, levels of sCD54 were decreased dose-dependently in the presence of ATRA (56.6 ± 7.6%). Cytokine analysis showed that IL-6 secretion was significantly inhibited by ATRA (53.6 ± 0.6%) and also IL-6 mRNA synthesis was reduced (66.3 ± 11.6%). The observed inhibition of IgE production mediated by ATRA was significantly reversed to 90.5 ± 12% by the addition of 100 pg/mL recombinant IL-6.Conclusions: ATRA interferes through several pathways with the anti-CD40 plus IL-4 mediated B cell activation, namely IL-6, CD23 and CD54.Received 8 June 2004; returned for revision 19 July 2004; accepted by M. J. Parnham 5 November 2004     

Blockade of Ca2+‐activated K+ channels in T cells: an option for the treatment of multiple sclerosis?

Voltage- and Ca(2+)-dependent K(+) channels in the membrane of both T and B lymphocytes are important for the cellular immune response. In the current issue of the European Journal of Immunology, Reich et al. demonstrate that selective blockade of the intermediate-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (the IK channel encoded by the KCNN4 gene) prevents cytokine production in the spinal chord and ameliorates the development of EAE caused by injection of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)(35-55) in mice. These data renew the focus on the IK channel as a potential target for the development of new immune-suppressant drugs for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.     

B cells expressing CD5 are increased in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis.

By two-colour flow cytometric analysis, we found increased numbers of B cells co-expressing the pan-T cell marker CD5 and the B cell marker CD19 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 21 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), compared with 17 control subjects with muscular tension headache. Only one patient with MS, but nine controls lacked CD5+ B cells in CSF. This difference was not observed in peripheral blood. Numbers of CD5+19+ B cells were increased in CSF compared with blood in MS, but not in the controls. In both groups, CD5+19+ B cells were not restricted to small resting lymphocytes, but were also found among larger-sized lymphocytes. The relative density of CD5 molecules and of CD19 molecules was lower in CD5+19+ than in CD5-19+ B cells and CD5+19- T cells. CD5+ B cells are assumed to be responsible for autoantibody production, and our results suggest a pathogenetic role of such cells, predominantly within the central nervous system, in MS.