PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J O'Shea

Publications and source records attributed to J O'Shea.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A p74 common gamma receptor chain isoform facilitates IL-2 and IL-15 responses by the myelomonocytic cell line Tf-1beta2.

Functional forms of the IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-15 receptors require the gamma c receptor component. We have described previously a myeloid cell line called Tf-1beta, which binds IL-2 with intermediate-affinity and proliferates in response to IL-2. In this study, we characterize gamma c expression on Tf-1beta2 cells, a derivative of Tf-1beta cells stimulated exclusively with IL-2. Although Tf-1beta2 cells bind IL-2 with intermediate-affinity and proliferate in response to IL-2, this cell line does not express the p64 gamma c chain at the protein level. This result was surprising because prior studies suggest these cells should not be expected to proliferate in response to IL-2 or IL-15 in the absence of the p64 gamma c chain. A p74 protein was detected by western blot following immunoprecipitation with an anti-gamma c polyclonal antibody, and a p74 protein was identified consistently in complex with IL-2 and IL-15 on these cells. However, the gamma c gene in these Tf-1beta2 cells shows no evidence of mutation by sequence analysis. Furthermore, inhibition of glycosylation of these Tf-1beta2 cells by tunicamycin treatment yields a standard 39-kDa molecule recognized on western blot with anti-gamma c antibody, as seen for the standard 64-kDa isoform of gamma c. These results demonstrate that a 74-kDa gamma c receptor isoform was involved in the response of the Tf-1beta2 cells to cytokines which normally interact with the 64-kDa gamma c chain.

Alternative Splicing↗

IFN consensus sequence binding protein potentiates STAT1-dependent activation of IFNgamma-responsive promoters in macrophages.

IFNgamma, once called the macrophage-activating factor, stimulates many genes in macrophages, ultimately leading to the elicitation of innate immunity. IFNgamma's functions depend on the activation of STAT1, which stimulates transcription of IFNgamma-inducible genes through the GAS element. The IFN consensus sequence binding protein (icsbgamma or IFN regulatory factor 8), encoding a transcription factor of the IFN regulatory factor family, is one of such IFNgamma-inducible genes in macrophages. We found that macrophages from ICSBP-/- mice were defective in inducing some IFNgamma-responsive genes, even though they were capable of activating STAT1 in response to IFNgamma. Accordingly, IFNgamma activation of luciferase reporters fused to the GAS element was severely impaired in ICSBP-/- macrophages, but transfection of ICSBP resulted in marked stimulation of these reporters. Consistent with its role in activating IFNgamma-responsive promoters, ICSBP stimulated reporter activity in a GAS-specific manner, even in the absence of IFNgamma treatment, and in STAT1 negative cells. Indicative of a mechanism for this stimulation, DNA affinity binding assays revealed that endogenous ICSBP was recruited to a multiprotein complex that bound to GAS. These results suggest that ICSBP, when induced by IFNgamma through STAT1, in turn generates a second wave of transcription from GAS-containing promoters, thereby contributing to the elicitation of IFNgamma's unique activities in immune cells.

Animals↗

Cytokine regulation of IL-12 receptor beta2 expression: differential effects on human T and NK cells.

The biological activities of IL-12 are mediated through a specific, high-affinity receptor composed of IL-12 receptor(R)beta1 and IL-12Rbeta2 subunits that exist primarily on T and NK cells. Remarkably, the expression of IL-12Rbeta2 on CD4(+) T cells in mouse and humans appears to be differentially regulated by IFN-gamma and IFN-alpha, respectively. Using an antibody specific for the human IL-12Rbeta2 subunit, the effect of IFN-gamma, IFN-alpha, IL-12 and IL-2 on the regulation of IL-12R expression and IL-12 responsiveness of human T and NK cells was assessed. The presence of IFN-alpha or IFN-gamma in cultures enhanced IL-12Rbeta2 expression of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells. The enhancing effect of IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma was independent of endogenous IL-12. Furthermore, the clearest effects of IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma on IL-12Rbeta2 expression on T cells were seen by abrograting the inhibition induced by the presence of IL-4 in cultures. In contrast to T cells, IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma had little effect on regulating IL-12Rbeta2 expression on human NK cells. Taken together, these data show that there is differential regulation of IL-12Rbeta2 expression by IFN-alpha and IFN-gamma on human T and NK cells.

Animals↗

Reference strand mediated conformation analysis resolves HLA-DRB1 typing ambiguities when matching for unrelated bone marrow transplantation.

We show here the use of reference strand mediated conformation analysis (RSCA) to unambiguously resolve the HLA-DRB1 typing of two individuals which were selected as potential unrelated donors for bone marrow transplantation (BMT). In the first case, both sequence-specific primer (SSP) amplification and sequence-specific oligonucleotide probing (SSO), routinely used in different tissue typing laboratories gave, for the two unrelated donors, the same ambiguous typing of HLA-DRB1*04011+*0403 or DRB1*0407+*0413. In this case sequence-based typing (SBT) was not the method of choice to resolve the situation, due to the sequence ambiguities of these two given combinations. RSCA of both samples, using homozygous typing cells (HTCs) for DRB1*04011, *0403 and *0407 as internal controls, gave the unambiguous result that both donors were HLA-DRB1*04011+*0403. In the second case, a donor was typed as DRB1*1102+1103 by SSP, while SSO excluded the DRB1*1102 allele. The patient was unambiguously typed as DRB1*1101+1103 by both techniques. RSCA, using DNA from reference cell lines as internal controls, gave the unambiguous typing that the donor was DRB1*1103 homozygous.

Alleles↗

Downregulation of JAK3 protein levels in T lymphocytes by prostaglandin E2 and other cyclic adenosine monophosphate-elevating agents: impact on interleukin-2 receptor signaling pathway.

The Janus kinase, JAK3 plays an important role in interleukin-2 (IL-2)-dependent signal transduction and proliferation of T lymphocytes. Our findings show that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) can inhibit upregulation of JAK3 protein in naive T cells and can downregulate its expression in primed cells. Reduction in JAK3 was selective because expression of other tyrosine kinases (JAK1, p56(lck), and p59(fyn)) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)5, which are linked to IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) signaling pathway, were not affected. Inhibition of JAK3 may be controlled by intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, as forskolin, a direct activator of adenylate cyclase and dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP), a membrane permeable analogue of cAMP suppressed JAK3 expression. Moreover, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), an inhibitor of cAMP phosphodiesterase, potentiated PGE2-induced suppression of JAK3. In naive T cells, but not primed T cells, PGE2 and other cAMP elevating agents also caused a modest reduction in surface expression of the common gamma chain (gammac) that associates with JAK3. The absence of JAK3, but not IL-2R in T cells correlated with impaired IL-2-dependent signal transduction and proliferation. The alteration in IL-2 signaling included decreased tyrosine phosphorylation and DNA binding activity of STAT5 and poor induction of the c-Myc and c-Jun pathways. In contrast, IL-2-dependent induction of Bcl-2 was unaffected. These findings suggest that suppression of JAK3 levels may represent one mechanism by which PGE2 and other cAMP elevating agents can inhibit T-cell proliferation.

1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine↗

Searching for an unrelated haemopoietic stem cell donor--a United Kingdom perspective.

The worldwide search for unrelated stem cell donors (now over 6 million) is one of the great success stories of international cooperation in the medical field. The initial search report from Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide estimates the chance of finding a suitably matched donor for a given patient. Registries whose donors are HLA-A, -B and -DR typed present the optimal prerequisite to identify a suitable donor for most patients. High-resolution matching HLA class I and class II alleles of the donor and recipient improves clinical outcome after unrelated donor transplantation. The clinical results of unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation are continually improving reflecting improvements in HLA matching, GvHD prophylaxis and transplantation in a favourable phase of disease. However, matching each HLA allele may or may not be critical for successful stem cell transplantation. Some degree of HLA mismatch ("permissible" mismatches) may be tolerated, especially in children. Cord blood banks provide a supplementary source of unrelated stem cell donors, in particular to patients from ethnic minority groups.

Family↗

Molecular typing shows a high level of HLA class I incompatibility in serologically well matched donor/patient pairs: implications for unrelated bone marrow donor selection.

In comparison with HLA-matched sibling bone marrow transplants, unrelated donor transplants are associated with increased graft-versus-host disease and graft failure. This is likely in part due to HLA incompatibilities not identified by current matching strategies. High resolution DNA-based typing methods for HLA class II loci have improved donor selection and treatment outcome in unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation. By using DNA-based typing methods for HLA-A and -B on a cohort of 100 potential bone marrow donor/patient pairs, we find that serological typing for HLA class I is limited in its ability to identify incompatibilities in unrelated pairs. Furthermore, the incompatibilities identified are associated with the presence at high frequency of alloreactive cytotoxic T-lymphocyte precursors. DNA typing also indicates that HLA-C mismatches are common in HLA-A and -B serologically matched pairs. Such mismatches appear to be significantly less immunogenic with respect to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte recognition, but are expected to influence natural killer cell activity. Thus, improved resolution of HLA class I shows many previously undisclosed mismatches that appear to be immunologically functional. Use of high resolution typing methods in routine matching is expected to improve unrelated donor selection and transplant outcome.

Base Pair Mismatch↗

The use of antibodies against the IL-2 receptor in transplantation.

Humanized monoclonal antibodies that recognize the alpha chain of the IL-2 receptor (e.g. daclizumab) have been used to prevent allograft rejection, since this chain is expressed by T cells participating in allograft rejection but not by resting T cells. In a randomized trial, when added to standard cyclosporin-based immunosuppression, daclizumab significantly reduced the frequency of acute rejection of renal transplants.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

A high resolution HLA class I and class II matching method for bone marrow donor selection.

HLA matching in bone marrow transplantation has an important role in determining successful outcome. However HLA typing of both potential related and unrelated donors can be both time-consuming and laborious, and does not always resolve accurately the true level of histocompatibility. We have utilised a method, reference strand mediated conformation analysis (RSCA), which is technically simple and allows high resolution matching for all HLA loci, for the typing of 48 patients and their potential 120 donors. The results indicate that RSCA can detect many mismatches that are not routinely identified by conventional HLA typing methods. In addition, RSCA can be applied for the simultaneous analysis of multiple potential BM donor samples in order to quickly identify the best match for each patient.

Alleles↗

A community-based study of the epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection and associated asymptomatic gastroduodenal pathology.

OBJECTIVES: To document the epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in a normal population, to assess asymptomatic H. pylori positive individuals for the presence of gastroduodenal disease, and to compare the macroscopic and microscopic findings at endoscopy in this group with those of patients presenting with dyspepsia. DESIGN/METHODS: Serum was collected from blood donors and assessed for the presence of anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies. A randomly selected group of asymptomatic blood donors and dyspeptic patients underwent endoscopy. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of H. pylori in 1000 subjects was 43.0%. The prevalence of infection increased from 29% in 18-30 year olds to 62% in 46-60 year olds (P < 0.01). The infection was more prevalent in individuals from social classes IV and V (50.0%) than social classes I and II (36.9%) (P < 0.01). There was no difference between the H. pylori positive asymptomatic individuals (n = 37) and matched dyspeptic patients (n = 29) at endoscopy with regard to duodenal ulcer (13.5% vs. 17.2%) or gastroduodenal erosions (24.3% vs. 20.7%) while 5.4% of the former had gastro-oesophageal reflux compared to 27.6% of the latter. Overall, 56.8% of the H. pylori positive asymptomatic group had a normal macroscopic endoscopy compared with 31% of the dyspeptic group. Histology of the gastric mucosa did not reveal any significant differences between the two groups. In H.pylori negative asymptomatic individuals (n = 13) 92.3% had a normal endoscopy (7.7% had grade I gastro-oesophageal reflux) compared with 61.5% of a matched dyspeptic group (n = 13). CONCLUSION: H.pylori infection, symptomatic and asymptomatic, is associated with significant pathology, and screening for the infection may be indicated for the prevention of gastroduodenal diseases.

Adolescent↗

Measurement of cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursor frequencies reveals cryptic HLA class I mismatches in the context of unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation.

BACKGROUND: In this large, two-center study, 260 cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursor (CTLp) frequency assays, performed to assess patient-donor compatibility, were analyzed in relation to the degree of HLA matching. METHODS: While the tissue-typing techniques used at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School (RPMS) and Anthony Nolan Bone Marrow Trust (ANBMT) differ, the results of the analyses on the two sites are analogous, with high CTLp frequencies (>1:100,000) in 42% and 41% of recipient-donor pairs, respectively. RESULTS: Recipient-donor combinations with class I mismatches and class II identity were associated with high CTLp frequencies (collectively 83% vs. 17% low CTLp). This correlation was not as strong in pairs where class II mismatches were demonstrated (61% high vs. 39% low). Despite using different matching procedures, the RPMS and ANBMT both show that 32% of the "perfectly" matched pairs (i.e., where no mismatch was detected by any of the techniques used here) had high frequencies of recipient-specific CTLp. CONCLUSIONS: The failure of conventional methods to identify such a level of histoincompatibilities indicates that the CTLp assay has an important role in the selection of unrelated donors for bone marrow transplantation.

Bone Marrow Transplantation↗

Tumor-induced suppression of T lymphocyte proliferation coincides with inhibition of Jak3 expression and IL-2 receptor signaling: role of soluble products from human renal cell carcinomas.

The proliferative capacity of T cells infiltrating human tumors is known to be impaired, possibly through their interaction with tumor. Here we demonstrate that soluble products derived from renal cell carcinoma (RCC-S) explants but not normal kidney can inhibit an IL-2-dependent signaling pathway that is critical to T cell proliferation. A major target of the immunosuppression was the IL-2R-associated protein tyrosine kinase, Janus kinase 3 (Jak3). RCC-S suppressed basal expression of Jak3 and its increase following stimulation with anti-CD3/IL-2. Jak3 was most sensitive to suppression by RCC-S; however, reduction in expression of p56(lck), p59(fyn), and ZAP-70 was observed in some experiments. Expression of other signaling elements linked to the IL-2R (Jak1) and the TCR (TCR-zeta, CD3-epsilon, and phospholipase C-gamma) were minimally affected. In naive T cells, RCC-S also partially blocked induction of IL-2R alpha-, beta- and gamma-chain expression when stimulating via the TCR/CD3 complex with anti-CD3 Ab. To determine whether RCC-S suppressed IL-2-dependent signaling, primed T cells were employed since RCC-S had no effect on IL-2R expression but did down-regulate Jak3 expression and, to a lesser degree, p56(lck) and p59(fyn). Reduction in Jak3 correlated with impaired IL-2-dependent proliferation and signal transduction. This included loss of Jak1 kinase tyrosine phosphorylation and no induction of the proto-oncogene, c-Myc. These findings suggest that soluble products from tumors may suppress T cell proliferation through a mechanism that involves down-regulation of Jak3 expression and inhibition of IL-2-dependent signaling pathways.

Carcinoma, Renal Cell↗

Induction of heat-shock proteins enhances myocardial and endothelial functional recovery after prolonged cardioplegic arrest.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of heat-shock proteins after heat-shock stress on the post-ischemic recovery of cardiac mechanical and endothelial function following a prolonged cardiac arrest. Isolated working rat hearts were subjected to a cardioplegic arrest for 4 hours at 4 degrees C. Three groups (n = 8 in each) were studied: (1) control, (2) sham-treated, and (3) heat-shocked rats. Postischemic recovery of cardiac output and endothelial function (as percent of preischemic control values) was 57.8% +/- 2.8% and 20.8% +/- 3.9% in group 1, 50.9% +/- 4.0% and 26.3% +/- 5.9% in group 2, and 74.0% +/- 2.4% and 51.2% +/- 8.0% in group 3, respectively. Both postischemic myocardial and endothelial function were improved by heat stress.

Animals↗

Role of catalase and heat shock protein on recovery of cardiac endothelial and mechanical function after ischemia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of heat shock proteins and catalase after heat shock stress in the recovery of cardiac mechanical and endothelial function following a prolonged ischemic, cardioplegic arrest. Isolated working rat hearts were subjected to an ischemic cardioplegic arrest for 4 hours at 4 degrees C. Six groups, each of 6 hearts, were studied: control; control treated with 3-aminotriazole, an inhibitor of catalase; sham; sham + 3-aminotriazole; heat-shocked rats; heat shocked rats + 3-aminotriazole. Postischemic recovery of cardiac output and endothelial function (as % of preischemic control values) were respectively 54.6 +/- 1.9 and 21.2 +/- 3.0 in the control group; 52.3 +/- 2.9 and 19.1 +/- 3.9 in the control + 3-aminotriazole group; 72.2 +/- 2.7 and 54.2 +/- 7.6 in the heat shocked group; and 68.0 +/- 4.0 and 21.0 +/- 5.8 in the heat shocked + 3-aminotriazole group. SDS PAGE and western blotting showed induction of heat shock proteins in the heat stressed animals. Measurement of catalase activity showed significant inhibition in the 3-aminotriazole treated groups. It is concluded that, following heat shock stress, the enhanced endothelial recovery after prolonged ischemic cardioplegic arrest is dependent on catalase activity but that this does not apply to the recovery of mechanical functional.

Amitrole↗

Fitness profiles and activity patterns of entering college students.

Fitness levels of American youth have shown a marked decline in the last decade, according to recent studies. To determine whether such a tendency persists for entering college students, the authors evaluated 115 male and 143 female students for performance on the following fitness-related variables: (1) maximal oxygen consumption (estimated from Astrand cycling protocol), (2) body composition (skin-fold techniques), (3) muscle endurance (sit-up protocol), (4) muscle strength (bench-press protocol), and (5) joint flexibility (upper and lower body protocols). Although neither men nor women exhibited high levels of cardiorespiratory fitness, the women in the study showed higher relative levels than their male counterparts. Both groups showed excellent levels of muscle strength (compared with normative standards), but they achieved only an average standard for muscle endurance. Findings of relatively low levels of cardiovascular fitness compared with levels of muscle strength, particularly in men, seem to be a reflection of an inappropriate concentration of physical activity.

Adolescent↗

Role of basal release of nitric oxide on coronary flow and mechanical performance of the isolated rat heart.

1. The role of nitric oxide (NO) in the regulation of coronary flow and mechanical function was studied in isolated working rat hearts. 2. The inhibition of basal release of NO by L-Ng-monomethylarginine (L-NMMA; 500 microM), a specific inhibitor of its synthesis, induced a reduction of coronary flow to 39.1% (+/- 3.4) of its basal level. 3. Associated with this was a drop of cardiac output to 58.10% (+/- 5.42) of control values. 4. This mechanical dysfunction, which was more pronounced in hypertrophied hearts, appears to be related to ischaemia, as it was prevented by simultaneously administered glyceryl trinitrate. Furthermore, L-NMMA did not alter the contractile activity of isolated cardiac myocytes, thereby excluding a direct toxic effect. 5. These findings provide evidence that NO plays a crucial role in the maintenance of basal coronary flow and appears to be essential for sustaining mechanical activity.

Animals↗