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Biomedical subjects

K R Parsons

Publications and source records attributed to K R Parsons.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Identification of CD4+ T cell epitopes on the fusion (F) and attachment (G) proteins of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV).

To gain insight into the antigenic structure of the F and G proteins of BRSV, we have mapped CD4+ T cell epitopes on these proteins using synthetic peptides and lymphocytes from vaccinated, naturally infected or experimentally infected calves, in proliferation assays. Bovine CD4+ T cells recognised epitopes that were distributed predominantly within the F1 subunit of the F protein, some of which were adjacent to previously identified B cell epitopes. Bovine CD4+ T cell epitopes within the G protein were mainly located within the cytoplasmic tail. Several immunodominant bovine T cell epitopes within the F protein, that were recognised by calves with different haplotypes, are also recognised by human T cells. Thus, cattle and humans appear to recognise similar T cell epitopes on the F protein. Studies using antibodies to bovine MHC class II and BoLA DR-transfected CHO cells as antigen-presenting cells indicated that immunodominant regions of the F and G proteins contained both DR- and DQ-restricted epitopes. The finding that there was little recognition of the extracellular domain of the G protein by T cells has important implications for vaccine design based on the soluble form of this protein.

Animals↗

Dendritic cells in cattle: phenotype and function.

Dendritic cells are professional antigen presenting cells derived from the bone marrow and distributed throughout body tissues where they are located in sites that are suitable for antigen uptake. They are central to the induction of immune responses in naive animals and thus have become targets in strategies that are aimed at modulating resistance to infection. Studies in cattle have shown that the dendritic cells are phenotypically heterogeneous and that the different phenotypes have different biological properties. The molecular basis for this variation has begun to be investigated and has led to the identification of a member of the SIRPalpha family of signal regulatory proteins (MyD1) on a subset of dendritic cells in afferent lymph. Uptake of antigen by cattle dendritic cells is by a number of mechanisms that can involve endocytosis via clathrin coated pits or via caveolae as well as macropinocytosis.

Animals↗

Cloning of two members of the SIRP alpha family of protein tyrosine phosphatase binding proteins in cattle that are expressed on monocytes and a subpopulation of dendritic cells and which mediate binding to CD4 T cells.

Recent experimental studies have greatly clarified the function of cell surface molecules in the induction and modulation of T cell responses by antigen-presenting cells (APC). However, the differences in ability to stimulate T cells evident for different types and subpopulations of the same APC, such as dendritic cell subsets, is less well understood. This report details an investigation of an antigen expressed on monocytes that is also expressed on a subset of cattle afferent lymph veiled cells (ALVC). A cDNA library derived from cattle monocytes was screened with monoclonal antibodies (mAb) for expression in COS-7 cells. Using separate mAb for screening, two cDNA were cloned, the sequences of which showed a single long open reading frame encoding a predicted type I glycoprotein of 506 amino acids that contained three immunoglobulin superfamily domains and a long 112-amino acid cytoplasmic tail. We have termed this antigen MyD-1, reflecting its myeloid and dendritic cell distribution. Analysis of the EMBL database revealed that the molecule is a member of the recently described family of signal regulatory proteins (SIRP). The outeremost Ig domain was of the adhesion/receptor I-type, suggesting that MyD-1 might bind to a ligand on another cell. Evidence for this was subsequently obtained by demonstrating that COS-7 cells transfected with MyD-1 cDNA bound CD4 T cells and this binding was blocked by specific mAb. The potential importance of this interaction was supported by the finding that the proliferation of resting memory CD4 T cells to ovalbumin-pulsed monocytes was significantly reduced in the presence of mAb to MyD-1. A role for the molecule in the modulation of the monocyte/dendritic APC response is also predicted from the existence of multiple potential tyrosine phosphorylation sites in the cytoplasmic domain, including the presence of an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) and the observation that the SIRP alpha family members have been shown to bind to SHP-1 and SHP-2. Together these data indicate a possible functional importance for MyD-1 in the regulation of monocyte and dendritic cell function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Gammadelta T cells present antigen to CD4+ alphabeta T cells.

Gammadelta and alphabeta TCR+ T cells share many properties and their interactions are likely to be coordinated and regulated. We provide evidence that cattle gammadelta T cells are able to present antigen to CD4+ T cells. To help elucidate their function gammadelta T cell lines were propagated for extensive characterization. Cells expressed high levels of MHC class II and production of co-stimulatory molecules as evidenced by the binding of a CTLA-4 fusion protein and synthesis of CD80 transcripts. These properties and the presence of a well-developed endosomal compartment indicated the cells might function as antigen-presenting cells. Resting CD4+ T cells from calves immunized with ovalbumin or respiratory syncytial virus-antigen proliferated in response to gammadelta T cells pulsed with antigen that appeared to be endocytosed via clathrin-coated pits or specific receptors.

Abatacept↗

Identification of two distinct populations of dendritic cells in afferent lymph that vary in their ability to stimulate T cells.

Immunofluorescent staining and flow cytometric analysis of dendritic cells from cattle afferent lymph has established that within the afferent lymph veiled cells (ALVC) there are two phenotypically distinct, major populations. One is CD11a+, CD5+, CD21- and expresses the bovine WC10 (workshop cluster 10) molecule and the Ag recognized by mAb CC81 but is not recognized by mAbs CC149 and IL-A24. The second ALVC subpopulation is CD11a-, CD5-, CD21+/-, workshop cluster 10- and is not recognized by mAb CC81 but is recognized by mAb CC149. Thus, the two populations, which can be identified by staining for CD11a, are defined by the differential expression of a number of Ag. The ALVC populations had differing capacities to stimulate T cells. CD11a- ALVC were more effective at stimulating proliferative responses in allogeneic CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells. This was not related to binding of CTLA4Ig or CD40L fusion proteins, implying similar levels of expression of their ligands, CD80 and CD86 or CD40. Both subsets were able to present OVA to resting memory CD4+ T cells, indicating that both were able to take up and process soluble native protein. In contrast, the CD11a- ALVC were more effective in presenting respiratory syncytial virus Ag to resting CD4+ T cells. Considering the central role of dendritic cells in the initiation of immune responses in naive animals, the two cell types may have different roles in the induction of primary responses induced following infection or immunization.

Animals↗

Cellular requirements for the activation and proliferation of ruminant gammadelta T cells.

Requirements for the activation and proliferation of gammadelta T cells were investigated. Maximum numbers of gammadelta T cells expressed the IL-2R alpha-chain after 6-h Con A stimulation in peripheral blood, efferent lymph, and afferent lymph. In comparison, IL-2R alpha-chain expression on CD4 T cells only reached maximum levels in response to Con A stimulation in peripheral blood and afferent lymph populations. Analysis of enriched gammadelta T cells demonstrated that Con A-induced expression of the IL-2R alpha-chain was independent of APC. Together, these data suggest that the requirements for gammadelta T cell activation are less stringent than those for alphabeta T cell activation. Unfractionated peripheral blood, efferent lymph, and afferent lymph cell populations proliferated in response to Con A alone. In contrast, enriched gammadelta T cells (CD4/CD8 depleted) from efferent lymph did not proliferate in response to Con A alone, but required the addition of IL-2. This requirement for exogenous IL-2 could be overcome by the addition of dendritic cells purified from afferent lymph. These results suggested that gammadelta T cells required costimulatory signals provided by APC to ensure the production of sufficient IL-2 to drive proliferation. CD28 and CTLA-4 mRNA were detected in efferent lymph and afferent lymph populations containing CD4 and CD8 T cells stimulated with Con A and IL-2 or with Con A alone, respectively. In contrast, negligible levels of these mRNA species were detected in efferent and afferent lymph populations devoid of CD4 and CD8 T cells. These results suggest that ovine gammadelta T cells may use alternative costimulatory pathways.

Animals↗

Afferent lymph veiled cells stimulate proliferative responses in allogeneic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells but not gamma delta TCR+ T cells.

Dendritic cells were identified in afferent lymph derived by lymphatic cannulation of cattle, stained with monoclonal antibody (mAb) to the bovine workshop cluster 6 (WC6) antigen, which is highly expressed on bovine afferent lymph veiled cells, and sorted with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. These cells expressed major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II and CD1b but not CD14. They bound human and murine CTLA4-immunoglobulin (CTLA4-Ig) fusion proteins indicating expression of CD80 and or CD86. Dendritic cells induced proliferative responses in allogeneic CD4+ and CD8+ cells sorted from blood but did not induce responses in purified allogeneic WC1+, gamma/delta T cells, which are CD2-, CD4-, CD8- and are the major gamma delta T-cell population in cattle blood, even when interleukin-2 (IL-2) was added to cultures. A WC1-, CD2+ gamma delta T-cell receptor (TCR)+ population predominates in cattle spleens and proliferation of a T-cell line with this phenotype was not induced by allogeneic dendritic cells, with or without added IL-2. The observations imply that the ligand for the gamma delta TCR expressed on the two populations is not present on allogeneic dendritic cells or that the costimulatory molecules expressed on dendritic cells that render them highly effective at stimulating MHC class I- and class II-restricted CD8+ and CD4+ T cells are not recognized by the WC1+ or WC1- gamma/delta T cells. Expression of CD28 by the four cell types was assessed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Purified CD4+ and CD8+ cells both produced CD28 transcripts but neither purified WC1+ cells nor the WC1- gamma delta TCR+ cell line did so. The findings indicate that CD80 and or CD86 are involved in the stimulation of CD4+ and CD8+ alpha beta TCR+ T cells but not in the stimulation of either of the two gamma delta TCR+ populations.

Animals↗

Identification of a molecule uniquely expressed on a gamma/delta TCR+ subset within bovine intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes.

An antigen has been identified, recognized by a novel monoclonal antibody CC45, which is expressed by a subpopulation of bovine gamma/delta T-cell receptor-positive (gamma/delta TCR+) T cells restricted in their distribution to the intestinal epithelium. This subset of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (iIEL) which represented 8-29% of gamma/delta TCR+ T cells in the gut epithelium expressed CD45, CD3 and L-selectin; most of these cells were CD2- and CD8-. Electron microscopic studies of CC45+ cells revealed that they were large mononuclear leucocytes containing numerous mitochondria and smooth vesicles; a proportion of these contained membrane-bound dense granules. Immunoprecipitation of 125I-labelled iIEL analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under reducing and non-reducing conditions revealed polypeptides of 60,000 and 200,000 molecular weights, respectively indicating that the antigen, which appears distinct from molecules described in other species, is expressed on the cell surface as a complex.

Animals↗

The lesions of rotavirus infection in 1- and 10-day-old gnotobiotic calves.

Age-related resistance to rotavirus disease has been described with some rotaviruses. In the present study, we investigated age-related resistance to rotavirus disease by defining extent of intestinal infection, virus replication, and severity of intestinal lesions in groups of three 1- and 10-day-old gnotobiotic calves of mixed breed inoculated orally with a cloned bovine rotavirus of low virulence for calves (strain C3-160) and in two groups of three uninoculated control calves of mixed breed. One-day-old calves inoculated with rotavirus developed diarrhea 26 hours after inoculation, and their feces contained 10(8.5)-10(9.2) TCID50/g feces; inoculated 10-day-old calves did not develop diarrhea, virus excretion commenced on the second or third day after inoculation, and peak concentrations of virus in feces were 10(5.7)-10(7.9) TCID50/g feces. Calves were euthanatized within 8-30 hours after the attainment of peak virus shedding while they were still shedding virus at peak levels. The mean percentage of small intestinal epithelium that was immunostained for rotavirus was three times greater in 1-day-old calves than in 10-day-old calves, and the large intestine was infected more extensively in 1-day-old calves. Immunostaining for rotavirus was maximal in the mid small intestine. Staining of mucin was substantially less in the epithelium of the small intestines and colon of rotavirus-inoculated 1-day-old calves than in age-matched controls. The mean height of villi was reduced to approximately half that of controls in the mid and distal small intestine of rotavirus-inoculated 1-day-old calves and was unchanged in 10-day-old calves. Mean crypt cell production rates were greater than that in controls in both groups of rotavirus-inoculated calves, indicating increased enterocyte loss. Age-related resistance to disease was not due to an inability of rotavirus to infect and replicate in enterocytes with lethal effects but appeared to be associated with a slowing of the pathogenic process, which occurred because insufficient enterocytes became infected and destroyed for lesions to develop.

Aging↗

Expression on porcine gamma delta lymphocytes of a phylogenetically conserved surface antigen previously restricted in expression to ruminant gamma delta T lymphocytes.

A 180,000 MW molecule has been identified on porcine leucocytes that is the homologue of the 215,000/300,000 MW WC1 (T19) leucocyte antigen previously considered to be restricted to ruminants. In ruminants the WC1 molecule is expressed by a T-cell subpopulation that is CD2-CD4-CD8-CD5+ and that is gamma delta T-cell receptor positive (TcR+). In pigs, the 180,000 MW molecule, identified by a new monoclonal antibody CC101, is expressed by a gamma delta TcR+ T-cell subpopulation that is also CD2-CD4-CD8-. The p180+ cells are a major T-cell subpopulation comprising approximately 40% of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 6-9-month-old pigs. Expression of p180 identifies the majority of the CD2-CD4-CD8- T cells in porcine blood. The p180+ T cells have a distribution in lymphoid tissues that is distinct from that of T cells that express the CD2, CD4 or CD8 molecules. They are evident particularly in the thymic medulla, the epithelium, lamina propria and interfollicular areas of the small intestine, and the superficial dermis of the skin, but largely absent from conventional T-dependent areas of secondary lymphoid tissue.

Animals↗

Number and distribution of T lymphocytes in the small intestinal mucosa of calves inoculated with rotavirus.

An understanding of the immune response to rotavirus is needed to develop effective prophylaxis. There is evidence that cell-mediated responses may be involved and to extend these observations, rotavirus antigen and the three major T cell subsets, BoCD4+, BoCD8+, and BoWC1+ gamma/delta lymphocytes were immunostained in tissue sections from calves killed at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 days post inoculation and quantified by image analysis. It was established that in control calves, BoCD4+ lymphocytes were predominantly in the lamina propria, while the majority of BoCD8+ and BoWC1+ gamma/delta lymphocytes were in the epithelium. Rotavirus infection was seen throughout the small intestine with the greatest amount of viral antigen detected at 4 days post inoculation in the mid and distal small intestine. Increased numbers of all subsets were detected; small increases in intraepithelial BoCD4+ and BoWC1+ gamma/delta T lymphocytes were observed especially in the distal small intestine, while larger increases in BoCD8+ cells were detected in the epithelium and lamina propria of the proximal, mid and distal small intestine. The timing and location of these increases in T lymphocyte subsets is indicative of a specific immune response involving BoCD8+ and BoWC1+ gamma/delta T lymphocytes.

Animals↗