Differences in the hypothermic response to ethanol in rats selectively bred for oral ethanol preference and nonpreference

The duration of retention of tolerance to ethanol was tested in the alcohol-preferring (P) and alcohol-nonpreferring (NP) rats lines, using ethanol-induced hypothermia as a measure of tolerance. Rats received two injections of ethanol (3.5 g/kg) body wt, IP) and the time between the injections was 1, 2, or 3 days. When one day separated the two injections, tolerance to the hypothermic effect of a second “test” injection was found in both lines. When 2 or 3 days separated the two injections, the P line showed a loss of tolerance and the NP line showed sensitization to ethanol. Sensitization in the NP line grew stronger when the interval between injections was increased from 2 to 3 days. The duration of retention of tolerance to ethanol-induced hypothermia in the P line was shorter than has previously been reported for motor impairment in this line. It appears that the duration of tolerance retention in the P line depends on the test used to measure tolerance. Sensitization to ethanol in the NP line may be associated with low oral ethanol intake. This research was supported, in part, by grants AA08312, AA03243, and AA07611 from the PHS     

Characterization of T cell epitopes in αs1-casein in cow''s milk allergic, atopic and non-atopic children

BACKGROUND: One to two percent of infants suffer from IgE-mediated allergic reactions against cow's milk proteins. Most children develop clinical tolerance, but approximately 15% are still allergic by the age of 10 years. Little is known about the T cell epitopes in individual cow's milk protein in relation to allergy and tolerance. OBJECTIVE: To identify T cell epitopes in alphas1-casein, the most abundant milk protein, and to investigate T cell responses toward these epitopes in allergic, atopic and non-atopic children. METHODS: Allergen-specific T cell lines (TCLs) were derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 11 cow's milk allergic, nine atopic and nine non-atopic children. T cell responses were measured to alphas1-casein and to overlapping peptides (18-mers), spanning the alphas1-casein molecule. Proliferation was determined by incorporation of (3)H-thymidine, and cytokine production (IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-gamma) was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Four main regions (amino acid (AA) residues 43-66, 73-96, 91-114 and 127-180) in the alphas1-casein molecule were immunogenic to T cells, among which the AA residues 133-156 spanned the immunodominant part. Only subtle differences were found in peptide recognition between the subject groups. Some of the peptides induced slightly Th1- or Th2-skewed cytokine responses. The increased levels of IL-10 in response to alphas1-casein observed in TCLs from atopic children appeared not to be linked to recognition of specific IL-10-inducing epitopes. CONCLUSIONS: The immunodominant sequence in alphas1-casein is spanned by AA residues 133-156. Tolerance towards alphas1-casein in atopic children may be mediated by an overall induction of IL-10 and not by recognition of certain T cell epitopes. The identified T cell epitopes in children with cow's milk allergy may be useful targets in developing peptide immunotherapy.     

口服抗原对巨噬细胞共刺激分子CD80/CD86表达的影响

目的探讨口服抗原对巨噬细胞(M)共刺激分子CD80/CD86表达的影响及其在诱导妊娠免疫耐受中的作用。方法自然流产小鼠(CBA/J×DBA/2)分为免疫组和未免疫组,免疫组分别口服滋养细胞膜抗原(TMA2)和卵清蛋白(OVA),以正常妊娠小鼠(CBA/J×BALB/c)作为对照组。采用双标记流式细胞分析技术,分别检测各组小鼠脾脏及肠系膜淋巴结(MLN)CD80 M和CD86 M的表达。结果MLN内,未免疫组CD80 M表达明显高于对照组(P<0.05),而CD86 M含量明显低于对照组(P<0.001);TMA2免疫组CD80 M含量明显低于未免疫组(P<0.05);OVA免疫组CD86 M含量明显高于未免疫组(P<0.001)。脾脏内,CD80 M表达在各组间比较无显著差异;CD86M表达,未免疫组明显低于对照组(P<0.05),TMA2免疫组显著低于未免疫组(P<0.05),OVA免疫组则显著高于未免疫组(P<0.001)。结论流产的发生与M表面共刺激信号CD80/CD86异常有关;口服适当抗原可改变CD80/CD86 M表达模式,诱导妊娠免疫耐受的形成。     

Rat Cytomegalovirus Infection Interferes with Anti-CD4 mAb-(RIB 5/2) Mediated Tolerance and Induces Chronic Allograft Damage

In order to assess the role of heterologous immunity on tolerance induction (TI) by signal 1 modification, the influence of rat cytomegalovirus infection (RCMVI) on TI by a non-depleting monoclonal anti-CD4 mAb (monoclonal antibody) (RIB 5/2) in a rat kidney transplant (KTx) model was investigated. Orthotopic rat KTx (Dark Agouty (DA)-->Lewis (LEW)) was performed after TI with RIB 5/2 [10 mg/kg body weight (BW); day -1, 0, 1, 2, 3; i.p. (intraperitoneal route)]. RCMVI (5x10E5 Plaque forming units [PFU] i.p.) was simultaneously conducted to KTx, 50 days after KTx, and 14 days before and after KTx. RIB 5/2 induced robust allograft tolerance even across the high-responder strain barrier. RCMVI broke RIB 5/2-induced tolerance regardless of the time of RCMVI but did not induce acute graft failure during the 120 days follow-up. RCMVI induced a significant chronic deterioration of allograft function (p<0.01) and enhanced morphological signs of chronic allograft damage (p<0.05). Cellular infiltrates and major histo-compatibility complex (MHC)-expression were more pronounced (p<0.05) in the infected groups. RCMVI induced not only RCMV-specific T-cell response but also enhanced the frequency of alloreactive T cells. RCMV interferes with anti-CD4 mAb-induced tolerance and leads to chronic allograft damage. The data we presented suggest a potentially important role of viral infections and their prophylaxis in clinical TI protocols.     

Intranasal treatment with ovalbumin but not the major T cell epitope ovalbumin 323–339 generates interleukin-10 secreting T cells and results in the induction of allergen systemic tolerance

BACKGROUND: Nasal administration of major peptide T cell epitopes gives contradictory data on the induction of peripheral tolerance. OBJECTIVE: To compare the prophylactic effect of intranasal treatment (INT) on the development of an allergic response, using either ovalbumin (OVA) or its major T cell epitope OVA 323-339 (OVAp). METHODS: BALB/c mice were treated intranasally with OVA or OVAp and subsequently immunized s.c. with OVA. Anti-OVA-specific antibody, T cell proliferation and cytokine responses were analysed. In an adoptive transfer model using OVAp specific TCR transgenic (Tg) T cells from D011.10 mice, in vivo tracking and characterization of transferred T cells in the cervical, inguinal and bronchial lymph nodes (BLN) and in the spleen were determined by FACS analysis. RESULTS: Prophylactic INT with OVA induced T cell tolerance towards subsequent OVA s.c. immunizations, inhibiting OVA specific T cell proliferation, IgE and IgG1 production, in contrast to INT with OVAp, which was unable to induce tolerance. In vivo analysis of transferred OVA-specific TCR Tg T cells showed that INT with OVA induced a preferential activation of T cells in BLN, as opposed to a broad, systemic activation with OVAp. In vivo, OVAp INT led to faster and more sustained cell division cycles than OVA INT. Ex vivo, tolerance to OVA was associated with the generation of IL-10 secreting CD4(+) T cells in BLN of OVA-treated mice only. CONCLUSION: INT with OVA but not with OVAp led to regional (as opposed to systemic) T cell activation and the induction of IL-10 secreting CD4(+) T cells in BLN, potentially critical steps in the induction of T cell-specific tolerance via the nasal route.     

TIA对后继脑梗死神经保护作用的临床研究

目的探讨预先短暂性脑缺血发作(TIA)是否对后继脑梗死具有神经保护作用。方法根据脑梗死患者是否预先发生同侧的TIA分为TIA组和无TIA组,分别从TIA持续时间、发作次数、与脑梗死间隔时间及梗死部位几方面同无TIA组比较,采用ADL评分标准,评定患者预后恢复情况。结果Ⅰ级预后预先有TIA的占72%,无TIA的占63%,二者相比差异无显著性(X~2=3．31,P＞0．05)。但脑梗死前有TIA且持续时间在5～20min、发作次数2～3次,与脑梗死间隔不超过1周者,其Ⅰ级预后较多,同无TIA组相比较差异有显著性(P＜0．05)。结论脑梗死前发生的TIA有可能对人脑产生缺血耐受作用。TIA的神经保护性与其发作持续时间、发作次数及与脑梗死间隔时间有一定关系。     

具有靶向免疫抑制作用新型重组融合蛋白B7-2-PE40KDEL真核表达载体的构建及其生物效应

目的:构建B7-2-PE40KDEL的真核表达载体,探讨通过体内表达重组融合蛋白,特异性杀伤高表达CD28 T细胞,阻断B7∶CD28/CTLA4共刺激信号途径诱导免疫耐受的可能性.方法:以原核表达载体pRSETA-B7-2-PE40KDEL质粒为模板,采用PCR及酶切连接的方法构建真核表达载体pcDNA3.1/Zeo( )-B7-2-PE40KDEL.利用RT-PCR、Western 印迹及ELISA法从mRNA、蛋白质水平检测了B7-2-PE40KDEL在RPE-CHO真核细胞中的表达情况.采用MTT法对其特异性杀伤高表达CD28 T细胞的生物活性进行测定.结果:成功构建了pcDNA3.1/Zeo( )-B7-2-PE40KDEL真核表达载体,转染入RPE-CHO细胞后可转录翻译为重组融合毒素蛋白,相对分子质量约为71×103,平均106个转染细胞24 h表达0.23 μg/L.活性测定显示真核载体所表达的B7-2-PE40KDEL可特异性地抑制高表达CD28的人T淋巴细胞系,而对CD28阴性的人白血病细胞系的抑制率较低.结论:真核载体表达的B7-2-PE40KDEL具有良好的靶向性免疫抑制活性,为进一步开展其体内特异性防治移植排斥反应及自身免疫性疾病奠定了基础.     

Epicutaneous exposure to peanut protein prevents oral tolerance and enhances allergic sensitization

BACKGROUND: Food allergies are an important cause of life-threatening hypersensitivity reactions. Oral tolerance can be considered the default immune response to dietary antigens, with immune deviation resulting in allergic sensitization. However, primary sensitization to food allergens may not solely be through the gastrointestinal mucosa, as strong T-helper type 2 (Th2)-biased immunity can result from exposure to protein allergens on barrier-disrupted skin. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether exposure to allergens through the skin may interfere with the normal development of oral tolerance and promote allergic sensitization to food proteins. METHODS: Female BALB/c mice were exposed epicutaneously to peanut protein and induction of systemic oral tolerance through high dose feeds of peanut protein was subsequently assessed. Other mice were rendered tolerant prior to epicutaneous peanut exposure. Sensitivity to peanut was determined by assessing delayed-type hypersensitivity, proliferative, cytokine and antibody responses. RESULTS: Epicutaneous exposure to peanut protein induced potent Th2-type immunity with high levels of IL-4 and serum IgE. Primary skin exposure prevented the subsequent induction of oral tolerance to peanut in an antigen-specific manner. Upon oral challenge, mice became further sensitized and developed strong peanut-specific IL-4 and IgE responses. Furthermore, animals with existing tolerance to peanut were partly sensitized following epicutaneous exposure. CONCLUSION: Epicutaneous exposure to peanut protein can prevent induction of oral tolerance, and may even modify existing tolerance to peanut. Epidermal exposure to protein allergens selectively drives Th2-type responses, and as such may promote sensitization to food proteins upon gastrointestinal exposure.     

Mechanisms of Tolerance Induced by Donor-Specific Transfusion and ICOS-B7h Blockade in a Model of CD4+ T-Cell-Mediated Allograft Rejection

The inducible co-stimulatory molecule (ICOS) has been shown to play a critical role in T-cell activation and differentiation, and the regulation of alloimmune responses in vivo. Using an MHC class II mismatched model of CD4(+) T-cell-mediated rejection, we found that treatment of mice with DST and ICOS-B7h blockade induced long-term skin allograft survival and donor-specific transplantation tolerance. ICOS blockade, either during antigen priming or during the effector phase, previously shown to alter the outcome of the immune response, had a similar effect on graft survival. DST and anti-B7h mAb reduced the frequency of IFN-gamma-producing allospecific cells but did not produce deviation to a T(H)2 phenotype. In an adoptive transfer model using ABM TCR transgenic mice directly reactive to I-A(bm12), DST and anti-B7h mAb reduced the number of allospecific CD4(+) T cells and increased CD4(+) T-cell apoptosis. These data demonstrate that DST and anti-B7h mAb induces transplantation tolerance to MHC class II mismatched skin grafts by a reduction of the alloreactive clone size that is, at least in part, dependent on apoptosis of host alloantigen-specific CD4(+) T cells.     

供者特异性抗原静脉输注联合抗γ链单克隆抗体诱导小鼠皮肤移植物免疫耐受

目的　探讨静脉输注供者特异性抗原联合抗白细胞介素2受体(IL 2R)γ链单克隆抗体诱导移植免疫耐受的可行性。方法　在C57BL/6小鼠建立H Y皮肤移植模型,术前7 d给予5×106个供者脾细胞静脉输注,并分别于术前6 d和4 d给予抗白细胞介素2受体γ链单克隆抗体(4G3、3E12及TUGm2各0.5 mg)和抗IL 2Rβ单克隆抗体(TM β1,0.5 mg)混合液2.0 mg腹腔注射,以单纯行H Y皮肤移植模型和静脉输注供者特异性抗原的H Y皮肤移植模型为对照,观察皮肤移植物的存活时间。结果　联合给予抗白细胞介素2受体γ链单克隆抗体和供者特异性抗原输注组的皮肤移植物存活时间均超过100 d,显著长于单纯H Y皮肤移植组的33.42 d(P<0.01)及仅输注供者特异性抗原H Y皮肤移植组的14.71 d(P<0.01)。结论　在H Y皮肤移植模型中,静脉输注供者特异性抗原联合抗白细胞介素2受体γ链单克隆抗体可以成功地诱导受者对皮肤移植物的免疫耐受。