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F Tielemans

Publications and source records attributed to F Tielemans.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Regulation of T helper cell differentiation in vivo by soluble and membrane proteins provided by antigen-presenting cells.

The aim of this study was to test whether the nature of the antigen-presenting cell (APC) can influence the Th1/Th2 balance in vivo. Our data show that dendritic cells (DC), pulsed extracorporeally with antigen, induced the development of cells secreting IL-2, IFN-gamma and IL-4 upon antigen rechallenge in vitro. Priming with peritoneal macrophages sensitized cells that produced IL-4 but not IFN-gamma. To identify the factors involved in T helper development, mice were primed with APC with or without treatment with neutralizing antibodies to costimulatory molecules or cytokines. Our results indicate that priming with DC or macrophages is strictly dependent on the CD28-CTLA4/B7 interaction. Of note, CD86 provides the initial signal to induce naive T cells to become IL-4 producers, whereas CD80 is a more neutral differentiation signal. IL-12, released by the DC, appears as a potent and obligatory inducer of differentiation for IFN-gamma-producing cells. IL-6, although produced by both APC populations, is necessary to direct activation of the Th2-type response by macrophages but not by DC.

Animals↗

Murine dendritic cells pulsed in vitro with Toxoplasma gondii antigens induce protective immunity in vivo.

The activation of a predominant T-helper-cell subset plays a critical role in disease resolution. In the case of Toxoplasma gondii, the available evidence indicates that CD4(+) protective cells belong to the Th1 subset. The aim of this study was to determine whether T. gondii antigens (in T. gondii sonicate [TSo]) presented by splenic dendritic cells (DC) were able to induce a specific immune response in vivo and to protect CBA/J mice orally challenged with T. gondii cysts. CBA/J mice immunized with TSo-pulsed DC exhibited significantly fewer cysts in their brains after oral infection with T. gondii 76K than control mice did. Protected mice developed a strong humoral response in vivo, with especially high levels of anti-TSo immunoglobulin G2a antibodies in serum. T. gondii antigens such as SAG1 (surface protein), SAG2 (surface protein), MIC1 (microneme protein), ROP2 through ROP4 (rhoptry proteins), and MIC2 (microneme protein) were recognized predominantly. Furthermore, DC loaded with TSo, which synthesized high levels of interleukin-12 (IL-12), triggered a strong cellular response in vivo, as assessed by the proliferation of lymph node cells in response to TSo restimulation in vitro. Cellular proliferation was associated with gamma interferon and IL-2 production. Taken together, these results indicate that immunization of CBA/J mice with TSo-pulsed DC can induce both humoral and Th1-like cellular immune responses and affords partial resistance against the establishment of chronic toxoplasmosis.

Adoptive Transfer↗

Glucocorticoids down-regulate dendritic cell function in vitro and in vivo.

Exogenous glucocorticoid hormones are widely used as therapeutical agents, whereas endogenous glucocorticoids may act as physiological immunosuppressants involved in the control of immune and inflammatory responses. The optimal activation of T lymphocytes requires two distinct signals: the major histocompatibility complex-restricted presentation of the antigen and an additional co-stimulatory signal provided by the antigen-presenting cells. There is ample evidence that, among the cells able to present the antigen, the dendritic cells (DC) have the unique property to activate antigen-specific, naive T cells in vitro and in vivo, and are therefore required for the induction of primary immune responses. In this work, we tested whether glucocorticoids affected the capacity of DC to sensitize naive T cells. Our data show that, in vitro, the steroid hormone analog dexamethasone (Dex) affects the viability of DC, selectively down-regulates the expression of co-stimulatory molecules on viable DC, and strongly reduces their immunostimulatory properties. In vivo, a single injection of Dex results in impaired antigen presenting function, a finding which correlates with reduced numbers of splenic DC. These results show that glucocorticoids regulate DC maturation and immune function in vitro and in vivo and suggest that this mechanism may play a role in preventing overstimulation of the immune system.

Animals↗

Murine dendritic cells pulsed in vitro with tumor antigen induce tumor resistance in vivo.

The aim of this work is to induce tumor resistance to a B cell lymphoma in BALB/c mice using elements of the immune system. It has indeed been shown by us and by others that antigen-presenting cells (APC) like dendritic cells can induce efficient immune responses and can even substitute for Freund's adjuvant. Here we show that mice immunized with syngeneic dendritic cells pulsed in vitro with tumor antigen (BCL1 idiotype expressed by lymphoma cells) are protected against a subsequent tumor inoculation. The in vivo resistance can be correlated with the induction of a humoral response specific for the idiotype expressed by the tumor. No such protection can be achieved when B cells are used as APC. These data show that effector cells in tumor-bearing animals can be recruited and activated using dendritic cells, providing long-lasting immune surveillance.

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Immunoglobulin isotype regulation by antigen-presenting cells in vivo.

The isotype and magnitude of the B cell response clearly depends on the in vivo activation of T helper (Th) cells which secrete different lymphokines. Since Th are activated by the presentation of the antigen on specialized cells, we wished to test whether the nature of the antigen-presenting cells (APC) influences the isotypic profile of the humoral response. Data are presented showing that antigen-pulsed dendritic cells (DC) and peritoneal macrophages induce the synthesis of specific antibodies when injected in syngeneic animals. By contrast, a single injection of antigen-pulsed resting B cells does not prime the mice in vivo. Moreover, the injection of antigen-pulsed DC induces the synthesis of specific IgG2a and IgG1 antibodies, whereas peritoneal macrophages favor the production of IgG1 and IgE antibodies specific for the antigen. These data show that the isotype and the amplitude of the B cell response can be regulated by the nature of the APC, and indirectly suggest that Th cell differentiation is controlled at the level of antigen presentation.

Animals↗

Antigen-pulsed dendritic cells can efficiently induce an antibody response in vivo.

The aim of this study was to develop an immunization procedure avoiding external adjuvant. Data are presented showing that syngeneic dendritic cells (DC), which have been pulsed in vitro with antigen, induce a strong antibody response in mice. By contrast, antigen (Ag)-pulsed low-density B cells, although equally able to induce interleukin 2 secretion by an Ag-specific T cell hybridoma in vitro, only weakly prime the mice in vivo. Moreover, we show that the injection of Ag-pulsed DC induces the synthesis of isotypes similar to the immunoglobulin classes detected after immunization with the same Ag in complete Freund's adjuvant. Importantly, high amounts of IgG2a antibodies are produced, suggesting that T helper type 1 cells are activated. Collectively, these data indicate that DC can initiate a primary humoral response and that they may be used as physiological adjuvant in vivo.

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