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J G Cyster

Publications and source records attributed to J G Cyster.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Splenic T zone development is B cell dependent.

The factors regulating growth and patterning of the spleen are poorly defined. We demonstrate here that spleens from B cell-deficient mice have 10-fold reduced expression of the T zone chemokine, CCL21, a threefold reduction in T cell and dendritic cell (DC) numbers, and reduced expression of the T zone stromal marker, gp38. Using cell transfer and receptor blocking approaches, we provide evidence that B cells play a critical role in the early postnatal development of the splenic T zone. This process involves B cell expression of lymphotoxin (LT)alpha1beta2, a cytokine that is required for expression of CCL21 and gp38. Introduction of a B cell specific LTalpha transgene on to the LTalpha-deficient background restored splenic CCL21 and gp38 expression, DC numbers, and T zone size. This work also demonstrates that the role of B cells in T zone development is distinct from the effect of B cells on splenic T cell numbers, which does not require LTalpha1beta2. Therefore, B cells influence spleen T zone development by providing: (a) signals that promote T cell accumulation, and: (b) signals, including LTalpha1beta2, that promote stromal cell development and DC accumulation. Defects in these parameters may contribute to the immune defects associated with B cell deficiency in mice and humans.

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A coordinated change in chemokine responsiveness guides plasma cell movements.

Antibody-secreting plasma cells are nonrecirculatory and lodge in splenic red pulp, lymph node medullary cords, and bone marrow. The factors that regulate plasma cell localization are poorly defined. Here we demonstrate that, compared with their B cell precursors, plasma cells exhibit increased chemotactic sensitivity to the CXCR4 ligand CXCL12. At the same time, they downregulate CXCR5 and CCR7 and have reduced responsiveness to the B and T zone chemokines CXCL13, CCL19, and CCL21. We demonstrate that CXCL12 is expressed within splenic red pulp and lymph node medullary cords as well as in bone marrow. In chimeric mice reconstituted with CXCR4-deficient fetal liver cells, plasma cells are mislocalized in the spleen, found in elevated numbers in blood, and fail to accumulate normally in the bone marrow. Our findings indicate that as B cells differentiate into plasma cells they undergo a coordinated change in chemokine responsiveness that regulates their movements in secondary lymphoid organs and promotes lodgment within the bone marrow.

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Chemokines in lymphopoiesis and lymphoid organ development.

An important role has emerged for chemokines in regulating the distribution of progenitor cells during hematopoietic cell development. As well as recruiting cells, chemokines promote cell retention and cytokine expression. Furthermore, chemokines have been found to have an inductive function in secondary lymphoid organ development.

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Membrane-bound TNF supports secondary lymphoid organ structure but is subservient to secreted TNF in driving autoimmune inflammation.

Mice without secreted TNF but with functional, normally regulated and expressed membrane-bound TNF (memTNF(Delta/Delta) mice) were created by knocking-in the uncleavable Delta 1-9,K11E TNF allele. In contrast to TNF-deficient mice (TNF(-/-)), memTNF supported many features of lymphoid organ structure, except generation of primary B cell follicles. Splenic chemokine expression was near normal. MemTNF-induced apoptosis was mediated through both TNF-R1 and TNF-R2. That memTNF is suboptimal for development of inflammation was revealed in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Disease severity was reduced in memTNF(Delta/Delta) mice relative to wild-type mice, and the nature of spinal cord infiltrates resembled that in TNF(-/-) mice. We conclude that memTNF supports many processes underlying lymphoid tissue structure, but secreted TNF is needed for optimal inflammatory lesion development.

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Chemokines as regulators of T cell differentiation.

Chemokines play well established roles as attractants of naïve and effector T cells. New studies indicate that chemokines also have roles in regulating T cell differentiation. Blocking Gi protein-coupled receptor signaling by pertussis toxin as well as deficiencies in G alpha 12, chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2), CCR5, chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2, also known as monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, or MCP-1), CCL3 (macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha, or MIP-1 alpha) and CCL5 (RANTES) have all been found to have effects on the magnitude and cytokine polarity of the T cell response. Here we focus on findings in the CCL2-CCR2 and CCL3-CCR5 ligand-receptor systems. The roles of these molecules in regulating T cell fate include possible indirect effects on antigen-presenting cells and direct effects on differentiating T cells. Models to account for the action of chemokines and G protein-coupled receptor signals in regulating T cell differentiation are discussed.

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Coexpression of the chemokines ELC and SLC by T zone stromal cells and deletion of the ELC gene in the plt/plt mouse.

The spontaneous mutant mouse strain, plt/plt, lacks the secondary lymphoid organ chemokine (SLC)-ser gene and has disrupted trafficking of T cells and dendritic cells (DCs) to lymphoid tissues. We demonstrate here that the gene for the related chemokine, Epstein-Barr virus-induced molecule-1 ligand chemokine (ELC), is also deleted in this immunodeficient mouse strain. Using a combination of approaches, including bone marrow reconstitution and double in situ hybridization, we show in wild-type mice that ELC is expressed by T zone stromal cells that also make SLC. Smaller amounts of ELC are made by DCs, predominantly of the CD8(+) phenotype. We propose that ELC- and SLC-expressing T zone stromal cells play a central role in bringing naive T cells and DCs together for the initiation of immune responses.

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A chemokine-driven positive feedback loop organizes lymphoid follicles.

Lymphoid follicles are B-cell-rich compartments of lymphoid organs that function as sites of B-cell antigen encounter and differentiation. CXC chemokine receptor-5 (CXCR5) is required for B-cell migration to splenic follicles, but the requirements for homing to B-cell areas in lymph nodes remain to be defined. Here we show that lymph nodes contain two types of B-cell-rich compartment: follicles containing follicular dendritic cells, and areas lacking such cells. Using gene-targeted mice, we establish that B-lymphocyte chemoattractant (BLC/BCA1) and its receptor, CXCR5, are needed for B-cell homing to follicles in lymph nodes as well as in spleen. We also find that BLC is required for the development of most lymph nodes and Peyer's patches. In addition to mediating chemoattraction, BLC induces B cells to up-regulate membrane lymphotoxin alpha1beta2, a cytokine that promotes follicular dendritic cell development and BLC expression, establishing a positive feedback loop that is likely to be important in follicle development and homeostasis. In germinal centres the feedback loop is overridden, with B-cell lymphotoxin alpha1beta2 expression being induced by a mechanism independent of BLC.

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RGS molecule expression in murine B lymphocytes and ability to down-regulate chemotaxis to lymphoid chemokines.

Ag-mediated changes in B lymphocyte migration are important for normal immune function, yet the mechanisms by which these changes occur are poorly defined. Because chemokines direct many lymphocyte movements, molecules that regulate signaling by G protein-coupled chemokine receptors are likely to participate in Ag receptor-induced changes in cell migration. In this study, we have investigated the expression pattern and activity in murine B cells of members of the regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) family of molecules. We present the sequence of mouse RGS1 and describe a novel short isoform of RGS3 that we term RGS3s. Following in vivo activation by Ag, B cells rapidly up-regulate expression of RGS1 and RGS2 while simultaneously decreasing expression of RGS3 and RGS14. Anergic hen egg lysozyme autoantigen-binding B cells are also shown to have slightly elevated RGS1 and RGS2 expression. CD40 signaling, by contrast, fails to cause rapid up-regulation of RGS1 or RGS2. Using a transient transfection approach in a mature B cell line, 2PK3, we demonstrate that RGS1 and RGS3s are effective inhibitors of chemotaxis toward the lymphoid tissue chemokines stromal cell-derived factor-1, B lymphocyte chemoattractant, and EBV-induced molecule 1 ligand chemokine, whereas RGS2 has a minimal effect on migration to these chemokines. Together these findings support the conclusion that Ag-mediated changes in RGS molecule expression are part of the mechanism by which Ag receptor signaling regulates B cell migration within lymphoid tissues. The findings also suggest important roles for additional G protein-mediated events in B cell activation and tolerance.

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Leukocyte migration: scent of the T zone.

Recent studies show that the chemokine receptor CCR7 helps T lymphocytes and dendritic cells to navigate into the T-cell zone of lymphoid organs. Furthermore, down-modulation of CCR7 redirects some activated T cells from these zones into other lymphoid tissue compartments.

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BLC expression in pancreatic islets causes B cell recruitment and lymphotoxin-dependent lymphoid neogenesis.

CXCR5, the receptor for B lymphocyte chemoattractant (BLC), is required for normal development of Peyer's patches, inguinal lymph nodes, and splenic follicles. To test the in vivo activity of BLC in isolation of other lymphoid organizers, transgenic mice were generated expressing BLC in the pancreatic islets. In addition to attracting B cells, BLC expression led to development of lymph node-like structures that contained B and T cell zones, high endothelial venules, stromal cells, and the chemokine SLC. Development of these features was strongly dependent on B lymphocytes and on lymphotoxin alpha1beta2 and could be reversed by blocking lymphotoxin alpha1beta2. These findings establish that BLC is sufficient to activate a pathway of events leading to formation of organized lymphoid tissue.

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Follicular stromal cells and lymphocyte homing to follicles.

Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs), the best defined stromal cell subset within lymphoid follicles, play a critical role in presenting intact antigen to B lymphocytes. The discovery that many follicular stromal cells make B-lymphocyte chemoattractant (BLC), a CXC chemokine that attracts CXCR5+ cells, provides a basis for understanding how motile B cells come into contact with stationary FDCs. Here we review our work on BLC and discuss properties of BLC-expressing follicular stromal cells. We also review the properties of primary follicle and germinal center FDCs and suggest a model of FDC development that incorporates information about BLC expression. Finally, we consider how antigen recognition causes T and B lymphocytes to undergo changes in chemokine responsiveness that may help direct their movements into, or out of, lymphoid follicles.

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A transmembrane CXC chemokine is a ligand for HIV-coreceptor Bonzo.

We describe a protein with the hallmarks of a chemokine, designated CXCL16, that is made by dendritic cells (DCs) in lymphoid organ T cell zones and by cells in the splenic red pulp. CXCL16 contains a transmembrane domain and both membrane-bound and soluble forms are produced. Naïve CD8 T cells, natural killer T cells and a subset of memory CD4 T cells bind CXCL16, and activated T cells migrated chemotactically to the soluble chemokine. By expression cloning, Bonzo (also known as STRL33 and TYMSTR) was identified as a CXCL16 receptor. CXCL16 may function in promoting interactions between DCs and CD8 T cells and in guiding T cell movements in the splenic red pulp. CXCL16 was also found in the thymic medulla and in some nonlymphoid tissues, indicating roles in thymocyte development and effector T cell trafficking.

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In vivo-activated CD4 T cells upregulate CXC chemokine receptor 5 and reprogram their response to lymphoid chemokines.

Migration of antigen-activated CD4 T cells to B cell areas of lymphoid tissues is important for mounting T cell-dependent antibody responses. Here we show that CXC chemokine receptor (CXCR)5, the receptor for B lymphocyte chemoattractant (BLC), is upregulated on antigen-specific CD4 T cells in vivo when animals are immunized under conditions that promote T cell migration to follicles. In situ hybridization of secondary follicles for BLC showed high expression in mantle zones and low expression in germinal centers. When tested directly ex vivo, CXCR5(hi) T cells exhibited a vigorous chemotactic response to BLC. At the same time, the CXCR5(hi) cells showed reduced responsiveness to the T zone chemokines, Epstein-Barr virus-induced molecule 1 (EBI-1) ligand chemokine (ELC) and secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine (SLC). After adoptive transfer, CXCR5(hi) CD4 T cells did not migrate to follicles, indicating that additional changes may occur after immunization that help direct T cells to follicles. To further explore whether T cells could acquire an intrinsic ability to migrate to follicles, CD4(-)CD8(-) double negative (DN) T cells from MRL-lpr mice were studied. These T cells normally accumulate within follicles of MRL-lpr mice. Upon transfer to wild-type recipients, DN T cells migrated to follicle proximal regions in all secondary lymphoid tissues. Taken together, our findings indicate that reprogramming of responsiveness to constitutively expressed lymphoid tissue chemokines plays an important role in T cell migration to the B cell compartment of lymphoid tissues.

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Chemokine Up-regulation and activated T cell attraction by maturing dendritic cells.

Langerhans' cells migrating from contact-sensitized skin were found to up-regulate expression of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) during maturation into lymph node dendritic cells (DCs). Naïve T cells did not migrate toward MDC, but antigen-specific T cells rapidly acquired MDC responsiveness in vivo after a subcutaneous injection of antigen. In chemotaxis assays, maturing DCs attracted activated T cells more strongly than naïve T cells. These studies identified chemokine up-regulation as part of the Langerhans' cell maturation program to immunogenic T cell-zone DC. Preferential recruitment of activated T cells may be a mechanism used by maturing DCs to promote encounters with antigen-specific T cells.

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