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Biomedical subjects

B Pajak

Publications and source records attributed to B Pajak.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Cycloheximide-mediated sensitization to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cell line COLO 205; role of FLIP and metabolic inhibitors.

Current efforts are focused on revealing the cellular factors that determine the "immune escape" of cancer cells. As an example in our study human colorectal cancer cell line COLO 205 was resistant to TNF-alpha - a death inducing ligand. Nonetheless, co-incubation TNF-alpha (10 ng/ml) with cycloheximide (5 micro g/ml, CHX) caused time-dependent (6, 12, 24 hours) cell death even though, at that concentration cycloheximide did not exert cytotoxic effect unless 24 hour of treatment. After additional pretreatment it is concluded that CHX sensitizes cells to TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the role and properties of cellular proteins that granted COLO 205 cells survival as well as to assess the effect of several metabolic inhibitors on cell viability at the above-mentioned time-points. PKCs inhibitor staurosporine (5 microM) did not influence, whereas cPKC activator PMA (100 microM) prevented TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in the presence of CHX. Although EDTA (2 mM) and to a lesser degree EGTA (5 mM) were individually cytotoxic, they exerted protective effect at 6 and partially at 12 hour of combined TNF-alpha and CHX treatment. Ionophore A23187 (1 microM) protected cells against cell death at 12 and 24 but only partially at 6 hour of treatment. On the other hand, AD (10 ng/ml) acted synergistically with TNF-alpha and CHX at 6 and 12 hour. It appears that resistance of COLO 205 cells is determined on genomic level by a few reaction steps in which both Ca(2+)-dependent and antiapoptotic proteins are involved. Further studies revealed that CHX treatment reduces the level of FLIP but not other members of TNF-alpha-dependent death signalosome.

Apoptosis↗

Position of STAT-1 alpha in cycloheximide-dependent apoptosis triggered by TNF-alpha in human colorectal COLO 205 cancer cell line; role of polyphenolic compounds.

"Immune escape" is a crucial instrument used by carcinoma cells to overcome numerous strategies of immune system to delete transformed cells. Cellular factors that make cancer cells immune to defence mechanisms are incompletely understood while some remain ambiguous. Up to date evidence points to some proteins and/or signaling molecules that might be a basis for unusual behavior of cancer cells. In particular STAT kinases are currently in the main focus of attention since they were both shown to accelerate and/or to inhibit apoptosis. In our studies we observed that human colorectal COLO 205 cancer cells were resistant to TNF-alpha- or cycloheximide-induced cytotoxicity. However, when TNF-alpha (10 ng/ml) has been given along with cycloheximide (5 micro g/ml, CHX) COLO 205 cells died extensively from apoptosis. Apparently, cycloheximide sensitized cells to TNF-alpha-induced programmed cell death. To investigate the role of STAT-1 alpha in CHX-mediated TNF-alpha-induced COLO 205 cell death certain polyphenolic compounds were studied if they modulate STAT-1 alpha phosphorylation status and STAT-1 alpha-protein interaction at the level of TNF-alpha signalosome in the 6(th), 12(th), and 24(th) hour of experiment. Neither of phenolic compound, namely PI-3K inhibitor (LY294002, 20 microM) nor MEK inhibitor (PD98059, 50 microM), nor flavonol quercetin or kaempferol (10, 100 microM) in contrast to apigenin (20 microM) influenced COLO 205 cell viability during individual or combined treatment with TNF-alpha and CHX. We conclude, that some antiapoptotic proteins were involved but not STAT-1 alpha kinase to resist TNF-alpha-dependent cell death promoting activity. Summing up, except apigenin, the above-mentioned polyphenolic compounds were unable to modulate survival signal in COLO 205 cells initially believed to be suppressed by STAT-1 alpha.

Apigenin↗

The fate of dendritic cells in a mouse model of liver ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Ischemia/reperfusion during liver transplantation triggers a complex cascade of inflammatory events that may lead to organ dysfunction. Herein, we investigated the consequences of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion on liver dendritic cells. Liver damage was documented by increased levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and by histopathology showing large areas of hepatocyte cytolysis. MHC class II+ CD45-B220 F4/80 dendritic cells were detected in necrotic areas 20 hours after reperfusion. Dendritic cells freshly isolated from reperfused livers displayed a mature phenotype characterized by upregulated expression of B7 costimulatory molecules; MHC-class II, and CD1d molecules. As shown by real-time PCR, IL-10, and TGF-beta mRNA accumulated in liver dendritic cells isolated after reperfusion, whereas IL-12p40 mRNA levels were decreased and IFN-gamma mRNA levels were unchanged. These results suggest that hepatic ischemia/reperfusion results in maturation of dendritic cells, which preferentially produce inhibitory cytokines.

Alanine Transaminase↗

CD8alpha(-) and CD8alpha(+) subclasses of dendritic cells undergo phenotypic and functional maturation in vitro and in vivo.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are essential for the priming of immune responses. This antigen-presenting function of DCs develops in sequence in a process called maturation, during which they become potent sensitizers of naïve T cells but reduce their ability to capture and process antigens. Some heterogeneity exists in mouse-DC populations, and two distinct subsets of DCs expressing high levels of CD11c can be identified on the basis of CD8alpha expression. We have studied the phenotype and maturation state of mouse splenic CD8alpha(-) and CD8alpha(+) DCs. Both subsets were found to reside in the spleen as immature cells and to undergo a phenotypic maturation upon culture in vitro in GM-CSF-containing medium or in vivo in response to lipopolysaccharide. In vitro and in vivo analyses showed that this maturation process is an absolute requisite for DCs to acquire their T-cell priming capacity, transforming CD8alpha(-) and CD8alpha(+) DCs into potent and equally efficient activators of naïve CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. Furthermore, these results highlight the importance that environmental factors may have on the ability of DC subsets to influence Th responses qualitatively; i.e., the ability to drive Th1 versus Th2 differentiation may not be fixed immutably for each DC subset.

Adoptive Transfer↗

The adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A increases the function of antigen-presenting cells.

The induction of immune responses in vivo is typically performed with antigens administered in external adjuvants, like alum, complete Freund's adjuvant, LPS and, more recently, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL). However, the role of the adjuvant is still poorly defined. The aim of this study was to test whether the MPL affects the function of antigen-presenting cells (APC) in vitro and in vivo. Antigen-pulsed APC [including macrophages, B cells and dendritic cells (DC)] were incubated or not with MPL, and their ability to sensitize naive T cells was tested in vitro and in vivo. The data show that MPL enhances the ability of macrophages and B cells to sensitize naive T cells, and confers to them the capacity to induce the development of T(h)1 and T(h)2. Administration of MPL i.v. in mice results in the redistribution of fully mature DC in the T cell area of the spleen. These observations suggest that MPL may induce an antigen-specific primary immune response by provoking the migration and maturation of DC that are the physiological adjuvant of the immune system.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Immunohistowax processing, a new fixation and embedding method for light microscopy, which preserves antigen immunoreactivity and morphological structures: visualisation of dendritic cells in peripheral organs.

AIMS: To describe a new fixation and embedding method for tissue samples, immunohistowax processing, which preserves both morphology and antigen immunoreactivity, and to use this technique to investigate the role of dendritic cells in the immune response in peripheral tissues. METHODS: This technique was used to stain a population of specialised antigen presenting cells (dendritic cells) that have the unique capacity to sensitise naive T cells, and therefore to induce primary immune responses. The numbers of dendritic cells in peripheral organs of mice either untreated or injected with live Escherichia coli were compared. RESULTS: Numbers of dendritic cells were greatly decreased in heart, kidney, and intestine after the inoculation of bacteria. The numbers of dendritic cells in the lung did not seem to be affected by the injection of E coli. However, staining of lung sections revealed that some monocyte like cells acquired morphological and phenotypic features of dendritic cells, and migrated into blood vessles. CONCLUSIONS: These observations suggest that the injection of bacteria induces the activation of dendritic cells in peripheral organs, where they play the role of sentinels, and/or their movement into lymphoid organs, where T cell priming is likely to occur.

Animals↗

Downregulation of antigen-presenting cell functions after administration of mitogenic anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies in mice.

Antibodies against CD3epsilon are widely used as immunosuppressive agents. Although it is generally assumed that these reagents exert their immunomodulatory properties by inducing T-cell deletion and/or inactivation, their precise mechanism of action remains to be elucidated. Using a murine model, we demonstrate in this report that administration of anti-CD3epsilon antibodies causes the migration and maturation of dendritic cells (DC) in vivo, as determined by immunohistochemical analysis. This maturation/migration process was followed by selective loss of splenic DC, which resulted in a selective inhibition of antigen-presenting cell (APC) functions in vitro. Spleen cells from anti-CD3epsilon-treated animals were unable to productively stimulate naive alloreactive T cells and Th1-like clones in response to antigen, while retaining the ability to present antigen to a T-cell hybridoma and Th2 clones. Anti-CD3epsilon treatment was found to induce a selective deficiency in the ability of spleen cells to produce bioactive interleukin-12 in response to CD40 stimulation. APC dysfunction was not observed when nonmitogenic forms of anti-CD3epsilon antibodies were used, suggesting that splenic DC loss was a consequence of in vivo T-cell activation. Nonmitogenic anti-CD3epsilon monoclonal antibodies were found to be less immunosuppressive in vivo, raising the possibility that APC dysfunction contributes to anti-CD3epsilon-induced immunomodulation. Collectively, these data suggest a novel mechanism by which mitogenic anti-CD3epsilon antibodies downregulate immune responses.

Animals↗

CD8alpha+ and CD8alpha- subclasses of dendritic cells direct the development of distinct T helper cells in vivo.

Cells of the dendritic family display some unique properties that confer to them the capacity to sensitize naive T cells in vitro and in vivo. In the mouse, two subclasses of dendritic cells (DCs) have been described that differ by their CD8alpha expression and their localization in lymphoid organs. The physiologic function of both cell populations remains obscure. Studies conducted in vitro have suggested that CD8alpha+ DCs could play a role in the regulation of immune responses, whereas conventional CD8alpha- DCs would be more stimulatory. We report here that both subclasses of DCs efficiently prime antigen-specific T cells in vivo, and direct the development of distinct T helper (Th) populations. Antigen-pulsed CD8alpha+ and CD8alpha- DCs are separated after overnight culture in recombinant granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor and injected into the footpads of syngeneic mice. Administration of CD8alpha- DCs induces a Th2-type response, whereas injection of CD8alpha+ DCs leads to Th1 differentiation. We further show that interleukin 12 plays a critical role in Th1 development by CD8alpha+ DCs. These findings suggest that the nature of the DC that presents the antigen to naive T cells may dictate the class selection of the adaptative immune response.

Animals↗

Carbohydrate-bearing cell surface receptors involved in innate immunity: interleukin-12 induction by mitogenic and nonmitogenic lectins.

Based on the observation that pathogen-derived lectins play an important role in cell adhesion and invasion, we examined the possible role of host carbohydrate-bearing molecules in inducing the secretion of IL-12, a crucial proinflammatory cytokine. The ability of 12 plant lectins to recognize and stimulate naive murine mononuclear cells in vitro has been characterized in this study. Mitogenic lectins (comprising Con A, PHA, PSA, and LCA) were found to induce the secretion of multiple cytokines in vitro, including IL-2, interferon (IFN)-gamma, and IL-12. Of interest, WGA, a nonmitogenic lectin unable to promote IL-2 secretion, was found to induce IL-12 and IFN-gamma production in a T and B cell-independent fashion. The functional properties of WGA were inhibited by N-acetylneuraminic acid and N,N'-diacetylchitobiose. WGA therefore represents a potentially useful tool for the study of membrane glycoproteins involved in the early proinflammatory response characteristic of innate immunity.

Animals↗

Role of CD8alpha+ and CD8alpha- dendritic cells in the induction of primary immune responses in vivo.

Data from adoptive transfer of mature dendritic cells (DC) indicate that they are responsible for the induction of primary immunity. Two subclasses of DC have been recently identified in spleen that differ in their phenotype and in certain regulatory features. In vitro, both subsets have the capacity to activate naive T cells, although CD8a+ DC have been shown to induce T cell apoptosis and to stimulate lower levels of cytokines compared with CD8alpha- DC. The objective of this study was to analyze the function of these distinct DC types in vivo. Our results show that both subsets, pulsed extracorporeally with antigen and injected in the footpads of syngeneic mice, sensitize an antigen-specific T cell primary response. However, CD8alpha+ cells trigger the development of Thl-type cells, whereas CD8alpha- DC induce a Th2-type response. These observations suggest that the Th1/Th2 balance in vivo is regulated by the antigen-presenting-cells of the primary immune responses.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Role and regulation of IL-12 in the in vivo response to staphylococcal enterotoxin B.

Injection of a staphylococcal superantigen (SAg) such as staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) in adult mice results in cytokine production and cell proliferation which can lead to septic shock. The aim of the present work was to identify the cytokines and co-stimulatory molecules regulating the in vivo systemic release of IFN-gamma, a cytokine known to play an important role in the pathophysiology associated with bacterial infections. We demonstrate in this study that (i) in contrast to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), SEB administration induces high levels of the p70, bioactive form, of IL-12; (ii) IL-12 production in response to SEB requires both CD40-dependent signals and IFN-gamma secretion; (iii) the early systemic release of IFN-gamma (3 h post-treatment) in response to SEB is IL-12 independent, while the sustained, late response (6-9 h post-treatment) requires endogenous IL-12 production; (iv) IL-12 produced during the primary SEB response (day 0) is responsible for priming cells in vivo to high IFN-gamma production upon secondary challenge (day 2); (v) the priming effect of IL-12 is TCR unrelated, as SEB-primed animals secrete high levels of IFN-gamma in response to both staphylococcal enterotoxin A and LPS administered 48 h later. The ability of bacterial SAg to induce septic shock and to modulate the immune response to unrelated antigens may therefore be related to their unique capacity to induce systemic IL-12 production in vivo. These observations also help to explain why SEB-primed animals, known to express an anergic phenotype 48 h post-treatment (as judged by defective IL-2 production and proliferation), nevertheless display an increased capacity to secrete the inflammatory cytokine IFN-gamma.

Animals↗

Antigen-specific T lymphocytes regulate lipopolysaccharide-induced apoptosis of dendritic cells in vivo.

The potent accessory properties of dendritic cells (DC) develop sequentially during a process termed "maturation." Splenic DC undergo functional maturation in vivo in response to the bacterial product LPS and migrate from the marginal zone to the T cell areas. The redistribution of fully mature DC, which present Ags encountered in the periphery, in the T cell area is likely to result in T cell priming. Unexpectedly, we found that DC rapidly die by apoptosis once they have entered the T cell zone. Injection of OVA peptide in OVA-specific, TCR-transgenic mice strongly delays the LPS-induced apoptosis of DC in situ. We conclude that mature DC are programmed to die unless they receive a survival signal from T cells and that the regulation of DC survival may be a mechanism aimed at controlling the initiation and the termination of the immune response.

Animals↗

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B induces an early and transient state of immunosuppression characterized by V beta-unrestricted T cell unresponsiveness and defective antigen-presenting cell functions.

Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) is a bacterial enterotoxin able to simultaneously bind to class II molecules on APCs and to selected V beta regions (including V beta 8) of the TCR complex. Administration of SEB to adult BALB/c mice results in clonal activation of T cells bearing V beta 8 receptors, leading to an excessive release of proinflammatory cytokines. This initial immune response is followed by a long-lasting state of V beta 8-specific unresponsiveness, thought to benefit both the host (as it contributes to the down-regulation of the inflammatory response) and the bacterium (through ligand-specific T cell anergy). However, it is not clear how this type of restricted unresponsiveness can effectively impair the generation of an antibacterial response. To gain insight into the mechanism by which Gram-positive bacteria subvert the host immune response, we have investigated the immune competence of SEB-treated mice 48 h following SEB administration. We demonstrate in this report that in vivo, SEB induces a transient but profound state of unresponsiveness affecting both T and Ag-presenting cell functions. Although in vivo activation by SEB appears to be V beta-restricted under our experimental conditions, SEB-treated mice displayed an early (lasting 48 to 72 h postinjection) and V beta-unrestricted unresponsive state characterized by the inability to produce IL-2 in response to polyclonal TCR mitogens including third party bacterial superantigens (staphylococcal enterotoxin A and toxic shock syndrome toxin 1, SEA and TSST-1, respectively), Abs to non-SEB reactive V beta regions (V beta 6), anti-CD3 epsilon Abs, and a lectin (Con A). Spleen cell populations from SEB-treated mice also displayed defective APC functions, possibly related to a selective decrease in splenic dendritic cells numbers. Taken together, these observations indicate that SEB induces an early and transient state of immunodeficiency in vivo, representing a potential mechanism for escaping host immune surveillance.

Animals↗

Regulation of dendritic cell numbers and maturation by lipopolysaccharide in vivo.

Dendritic cells (DC) are described as "nature's adjuvant," since they have the capacity to sensitize T cells in vivo upon first encounter with the antigen. The potent accessory properties of DC appear to develop sequentially. In particular, the ability to process antigens and to sensitize native T cells develops in sequence, a process termed "maturation" that is well described in vitro. Here, we obtain evidence for maturation in vivo in response to the bacterial product lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Before LPS treatment, many DC are found at the margin between the red and white pulp. These cells lack the M342 and DEC-205 markers, but process soluble proteins effectively. 6 h after LPS, DC with the M342 and DEC-205 markers are found in increased numbers in the T cell areas. These cells have a reduced capacity to process proteins, but show increases in the B7 costimulator and T cell stimulatory capacity. 48 h after LPS, the number of DC in the spleen is reduced markedly. We interpret these findings to mean that LPS can cause DC in the marginal zone to mature and to migrate into and then out of the T cell areas.

Animals↗

Contribution of carbohydrate histochemistry to glycobiology.

The physiological importance of carbohydrate biology has gradually emerged from a lot of recent information on protein-carbohydrate and carbohydrate-carbohydrate interaction in normal and pathological conditions. After considering the conventional methods which allowed researchers to differentiate glycan-containing macromolecules from other complex compounds (nucleic acids, proteins), selected topics of intracellular and cellular organ architecture are focused upon in which the use of lectins and neoglycoproteins as histochemical reagents has opened new horizons for the localization of glycoconjugates in situ and the elucidation of their often still enigmatic functions. The authors hope to place into perspective that such glycohistochemical studies will strongly contribute to the progress in the dynamically growing field of glycobiology.

Animals↗