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Biomedical subjects

K T HayGlass

Publications and source records attributed to K T HayGlass.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Analysis of neonatal T cell and antigen presenting cell functions.

Neonates are more susceptible to infection than adults and exhibit more intense or prolonged clinical symptoms. The extent to which deficiencies in T cell or antigen presenting cell (APC) function underlie hyporesponsiveness is incompletely understood. Here, immune function of cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMC), from healthy, full-term neonates was compared with adult PBMC. As widely reported, polyclonally-stimulated T cell proliferation was found to be equivalent, while IFN gamma responses were markedly lower amongst neonates. Reasoning that such stimuli may elicit responses qualitatively different from those that would be obtained following MHC-dependent, cognate T cell activation, alloantigen-specific responses were evaluated. Strikingly, neonates exhibited IFN gamma, IL-4 and IL-10 production equal to adults in short term primary culture. Both the frequency (Fisher's p < 0.0004) and intensity (< 7.5 vs 36.5 pg/ml; Wilcoxon P = 0.005) of alloantigen stimulated IL-5 responses were elevated among neonates, a finding equally evident using irradiated adult or neonatal cells as stimulators. Finally, the relative capacity of neonatal APC as stimulators of cytokine synthesis was assessed by a novel approach using CBMC as both responders and stimulators in MLR. Irradiated neonatal cells consistently stimulated similar proliferative but substantially lower IFN gamma responses than did adult APC, independent of responder origin. The data argue; (i) T cells are largely immunocompetent at birth, (ii) accessory cell function is not fully mature, and (iii) the widely observed hyporesponsiveness to pathogenes may be primarily due to immaturity of APC function or costimulator molecule expression.

Adult↗

Genetically determined differences in IL-10 and IFN-gamma responses correlate with clearance of Chlamydia trachomatis mouse pneumonitis infection.

Cytokine patterns elicited by infection are critical in the regulation of the adaptive immune response and in the resolution of infection. Using a murine model of pneumonia induced by intranasal inoculation with the Chlamydia trachomatis mouse pneumonitis (MoPn) biovar, we found that the patterns of immune responses and cytokine production by spleen cells were correlated with quantitative growth of MoPn in the lungs of C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. Specifically, BALB/c (H-2d) mice had a significantly higher mortality rate and a slower clearance of the organism from the lungs than did C57BL/6 mice (H-2b). BALB/c mice exhibited higher IL-10 production, higher IgG1 Ab responses, and less IFN-gamma production than C57BL/6 mice, which showed higher IFN-gamma production, stronger delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses, and significantly less IL-10 production. In vivo neutralization of IL-10 in BALB/c mice with an anti-IL-10 mAB during MoPn infection significantly increased the DTH response and enhanced clearance of MoPn. These findings support the hypothesis that excessive IL-10 production in BALB/c mice inhibits Th1-like responses, including IFN-gamma expression and the DTH response following chlamydial infection and consequently delay infection resolution.

Animals↗

In vivo direction of CD4 T cells to Th1 and Th2-like patterns of cytokine synthesis.

Factors that influence the initial development, and continued maintenance, of Th1 or Th2-like responses in vivo play a pivotal role in determining immune effector mechanisms and clinical outcome. Here, we review recent developments in this area with particular emphasis on (i) the ability of chemically modified exogenous antigens to preferentially activate Th1-dominated responses in vivo and (ii) the role played by NK cells in initial commitment of naive exogenous antigen-specific T cells to Th1 or Th2-like cytokine synthesis. We find that NK cell depletion of naive mice prior to immunization with OVA (which induces balanced Th0 like responses), or a high Mr polymer (that preferentially elicits OVA-specific Th1-dominated responses), fails to influence the development of cytokine or specific antibody responses. The results argue that NK cells do not play an essential role in shaping induction of immune responses to exogenous antigens, the most common class of inhalant allergen.

Animals↗

Fel d 1 peptides: effect on skin tests and cytokine synthesis in cat-allergic human subjects.

We tested peptide immunotherapy in cat-allergic humans, using a formation of two synthetic peptides, IPC-1 and IPC-2, each of which is 27 amino acids long and contains T cell-reactive regions of Fel d 1, the major cat allergen. In this exploratory, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study, 42 subjects received s.c. injections of treatment peptides 250 micrograms or placebo weekly for four consecutive weeks. Changes in immediate- and late-phase skin test reactivity, and in antigen-driven cytokine synthesis were assessed. Epicutaneous (end-point titration) and intradermal tests were performed with cat extract (ALK SQ Cat Hair) containing Fel d 1, before the first injection, then 2, 6 and 24 weeks after the fourth and last injection of peptides or placebo. IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma expression by circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in response to cat extract was measured using short-term bulk culture of PBMC and short-term limiting dilution analysis. Subjects who received peptide immunotherapy did not tolerate significantly more cat extract containing Fel d 1 in the skin tests 2, 6 or 24 weeks after the last injection than they did at baseline, and their late-phase responses did not decrease significantly compared to baseline. Substantial IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma responses were observed following primary culture of cat antigen-stimulated PBMC; however, the intensity of cytokine synthesis and the IFN-gamma: IL-4 ratio were unchanged in peptide- and placebo-treated groups 6 and 24 weeks after the last injection. A few hours after the injections, subjects receiving peptides reported more allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms and more pruritus than those receiving placebo. We conclude that under the conditions tested, peptide immunotherapy did not reduce immediate- or late-phase skin reactivity to cat extract containing Fel d 1 or modify cat antigen-specific cytokine production significantly.

Adult↗

Allergen-driven limiting dilution analysis of human IL-4 and IFN-gamma production in allergic rhinitis and clinically tolerant individuals.

Difficulties in detecting human IL-4 synthesis in antigen-driven primary culture have led to widespread reliance on less physiologic approaches to T cell activation. Although there is general agreement of a Th2-like bias, the precise defects in cytokine responsiveness remain controversial. Analysis of cytokine protein production by fresh, unselected cell populations in response to cognate, antigen-driven stimulation remains an important goal. Here, limiting dilution analysis (LDA) was used to evaluate antigen-stimulated cytokine gene expression by fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PBMC from 19 grass pollen sensitive, allergic rhinitis subjects and normal, non-atopic controls were evaluated 1 month after natural reimmunization (the peak of the local grass pollen season). Surprisingly, highly atopic subjects and clinically non-allergic individuals exhibited virtually equivalent antigen-specific, CD4-dependent cytokine production in response to short-term culture with these common environmental antigens. As anticipated, pronounced increases in Th2-like activity were evident in the circulating immune repertoire of grass pollen sensitive individuals, leading to a median ratio of antigen-stimulated IFN-gamma:IL-4 frequencies of 117:1 among normal subjects versus 4:1 among those with allergic rhinitis (Mann-Whitney U-test, P = 0. 00067). This Th2-like bias reflected both a lower frequency of IFN-gamma-producing cells and a markedly increased frequency of IL-4-producing cells in the circulating grass-pollen specific repertoire of atopic donors. The observation that every atopic and normal subject produced IFN-gamma (+/-IL-4) following antigen re-stimulation argues that the decision as to whether allergy or (clinical) tolerance results, hinges not on a genetically determined capacity of whether allergen-reactive T cells can be stimulated in any given individual by chronic exposure to ubiquitous environmental antigens, but on the nature of the cytokine response that comes to dominate that individual's response.

Humans↗

Comparison of [3H]thymidine incorporation with MTT- and MTS-based bioassays for human and murine IL-2 and IL-4 analysis. Tetrazolium assays provide markedly enhanced sensitivity.

The sensitivity of [3H]thymidine incorporation and MTT/MTS colorimetric bioassays for detection and quantitation of murine and human IL-4 and IL-2 were compared in CT.4S, CT.h4S and HT-2 bioassays respectively. We reasoned that low levels of cytokine, insufficient to induce cell proliferation (thus, DNA synthesis and [3H]thymidine incorporation), may be sufficient to maintain the viability of the bioassay cells in culture. Because colorimetric assays such as those employing MTT (3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) or MTS (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-( 4-sulfonyl)-2H- tetrazolium) measure conversion of these salts to intensely colored formazan products by mitochondrial enzymes independent of whether proliferation is induced, we reasoned that such assays could be superior for detection of low levels of cytokine protein. Direct comparison of these approaches demonstrated that the MTT- and MTS-based assays were consistently able to detect 2-16-fold lower cytokine levels than methods based on [3H]thymidine incorporation. Moreover, the MTT and MTS assays exhibited higher precision with standard deviations of < 1-4% vs. 5-15% for thymidine incorporation. This finding is of particular importance in approaches such as limiting dilution analysis, or primary bulk culture of antigen-stimulated human lymphocytes, where levels of cytokine production may be extremely low.

Animals↗

Antigen mediated and polyclonal stimulation of human cytokine production elicit qualitatively different patterns of cytokine gene expression.

Polyclonal activators are widely used as surrogate antigens in analysis of human cytokine gene expression. An implicit assumption is that the T cell activation and cytokine production observed in response to polyclonal activation provides a more intense, but qualitatively identical, reflection of results that would be obtained with antigen. Here we demonstrate that stimulation using accessory cell independent (immobilized anti-CD3 mAb) or dependent [phytohemagglutinin (PHA) or soluble anti-CD3 mAb] polyclonal activators yields different conclusions from those that are obtained in response to antigen-specific T cell activation. Cytokine synthesis in 1-5 day bulk cultures of fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 52 subjects evenly divided between grass pollen sensitive allergic rhinitis subjects and normal, non-atopic controls were examined. Antigen-specific re-stimulation elicited elevated IL-4 and IL-10 production and lower IFN-gamma synthesis among allergic subjects than normal non-atopic control subjects. This commitment of fresh PBMC towards a Th2-like response in atopics and the dominance of the IFN-gamma response seen in non-allergic subjects was reinforced when the ratio of IFN-gamma:IL-4 production in bulk culture was examined. Atopic individuals exhibited median IFN-gamma:IL-4 values of 0.07, whereas grass pollen stimulated cytokine production by normal subjects yielded a ratio of 4.8. In marked contrast, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma production elicited using polyclonal activators, though much more intense, did not differ between allergic and non-allergic subjects (Wilcoxon rank sum test P > > 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

Requirement for B cells in T cell priming to minor histocompatibility antigens and development of graft-versus-host disease.

Increased understanding of minor histocompatibility complex (MiHC) antigen presentation to donor T cells may permit methods to modulate graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), a major complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Previously, we described the importance of B cells as antigen presenting cells in T cell responses to a virally induced murine leukemia. Using a B cell deficient mouse model in which mice receive either control rabbit immunoglobulin (RIgG) or rabbit anti-IgM mu chain from birth (B cell deficient), we evaluated whether B cells were necessary for T cell responses to MiHC and the induction of GHVD. Normal and B cell deficient C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice were primed with BALB.B (H-2b; MiHC incompatible) spleen cells and evaluated > 4 weeks later in vitro. While splenic or lymph node T cells obtained from BALB.B primed control C57BL/6 mice demonstrated strong in vitro proliferative responses to MiHC mismatched targets, B cell deficient hosts were markedly reduced to 14-42% of controls. Similarly, a strong MiHC specific cytolytic T cell response was observed in control C57BL/6 mice (53-100% specific cytotoxicity) whereas B cell depleted recipients had no activity (< or = 5% specific lysis). The role of B cells in GVHD was evaluated using a MiHC disparate mouse model (LP/J donor into C57BL/6 recipient). We found that 12% of B cell depleted recipient mice receiving B cell depleted donor cells developed GVHD compared to 50% of RIgG control mice. B cell depletion of donor cells only, resulted in a similar result with 0% of mice receiving B cell depleted donor cells developing GVHD compared to 38% of controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Limiting dilution analysis of antigen stimulated IL-4 and IFN-gamma production in human mononuclear cell populations.

Limiting dilution analysis (LDA) of fresh human mononuclear cell populations has previously been used to estimate the frequency of specific B cells, CTL, proliferative T cells, or cells capable of IL-2 production in various clinical situations. Such approaches evaluate the intensity of the response but provide little information concerning the balance between Th1- vs. Th2-like patterns of cytokine gene expression. Here, we describe development of an LDA method to obtain quantitative estimates of the frequency of antigen-specific IFN-gamma or IL-4 producing cells in human peripheral blood. The approach utilizes 3-4 day antigen-mediated restimulation of mononuclear cell populations freshly derived from grass pollen sensitive allergic rhinitis subjects. IFN-gamma and IL-4 production in culture supernatants are determined by ELISA and CT.h4S bioassay. Cytokine production elicited in this assay is CD4 dependent and antigen specific. As such, it provides a useful non-invasive approach for rapid evaluation of low frequency, antigen-induced cytokine production in the circulating repertoire. This method can readily be extended to analysis of other cytokines in other immunologic disorders or in infectious disease states, allowing longitudinal analysis of individuals and facilitating efforts to establish clear correlations between in vivo patterns of cytokine gene expression and disease exacerbation and remission.

Adolescent↗

Chemically modified antigen preferentially elicits induction of Th1-like cytokine synthesis patterns in vivo.

Differential activation of CD4+ T cell subsets in vivo leads to the development of qualitatively different effector responses. We identify an approach that allows selective activation of strongly Th1-dominated immune responses to protein antigens. Whereas in vivo administration of ovalbumin (OVA) induces cytokine synthesis that is neither Th1 nor Th2 dominated, administration of glutaraldehyde polymerized, high relative molecular weight OVA (OA-POL) leads to 20-fold increase in the ratio of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)/IL-4 and IFN-gamma/IL-10 synthesis observed after short-term, antigen-mediated restimulation directly ex vivo. In contrast, concurrent in vivo administration of anti-IFN-gamma mAb and OVA or OA-POL results in marked increases in IL-4 and IL-10, and decreased IFN-gamma production, reflecting a polarization of the response towards a Th2-like pattern of cytokine synthesis. These observations may be useful in clinical settings including hypersensitivity, autoimmune diseases, and vaccine development where the ability to actively select specific patterns of cytokine gene expression would be advantageous.

Animals↗

IFN-gamma, but not IL-4, synthesis by antigen-primed murine T cells is IL-2 dependent. Differential requirements in de novo and established responses.

Ag-induced, CD4 T cell-dependent synthesis of IL-4 and IFN-gamma plays a critical role in the induction, maintenance, and regulation of allergic responses. The requirement for IL-2 and IL-4 in the initial induction of IL-4 T cell responses is well established. However, it remains unclear whether IL-2 is required for priming of IL-4 responses, IL-4 gene expression, or both. In this report, we dissociate the IL-2 dependence of developing and established IL-4 responses. The capacity of spleen cells from naive and allergen-immunized mice to synthesize IL-4 after Ag-specific vs polyclonal restimulation is examined in overnight cultures. Although de novo induction of IL-4 and IFN-gamma production obtained after in vitro activation of cells from naive animals with immobilized anti-CD3 is IL-2 dependent, Ag-driven IL-4 synthesis by CD4 T cells from OVA (alum)- or ragweed extract (alum)-immunized mice is independent of IL-2. The data demonstrate the IL-2 independence of CD4 T cell-derived IL-4 synthesis by allergen-primed cells, distinguishing IL-2-dependent from IL-2-independent stages of IL-4 responses. In contrast to the finding that IL-2 is not required for IL-4 gene expression by primed T cells in allergen-driven responses, both induction and expression of IFN-gamma responses are strictly IL-2 dependent. This differential requirement for IL-2 in IL-4 and IFN-gamma gene expression may be significant in the maintenance of IL-4-dominated responses in allergic individuals.

Animals↗

Allergen-specific modulation of cytokine synthesis patterns and IgE responses in vivo with chemically modified allergen.

Hypersensitivity and IgE synthesis are highly dependent on the balance in which production of IL-4 and IFN-gamma is induced. An immunologic approach that alters the dominant pattern of cytokine synthesis and antibody production that is elicited after exposure to native allergen is described. High M(r), glutaraldehyde-polymerized OVA administered (i.p.) before or after immunization with unmodified OVA induces > or = 95% inhibition of specific IgE synthesis concomitant with 300- to 800-fold increases in IgG2a production in C57BL/6 mice. These changes result from a genetically controlled shift in the pattern of cytokine production within the allergen-specific T cell repertoire as demonstrated by i) susceptibility of the changes induced upon administration of modified allergen to in vivo treatment with anti-IFN-gamma mAb and ii) a 5- to 7-fold increase in the ratio of IFN-gamma:IL-4 synthesis after overnight culture directly ex vivo. This system should prove useful in identification of the factors which are influential in the commitment of T cells to Th1- or Th2-like patterns of cytokine synthesis. Moreover, as defective induction of IFN-gamma by allergen-specific T cells appears to play a role in elevated IgE synthesis and human allergy, this approach may have therapeutic potential.

Allergens↗

A simple, sensitive, dual mAb based ELISA for murine gamma interferon determination: comparison with two common bioassays.

Three assays of murine IFN gamma are compared in terms of sensitivity, intra- and inter-assay variability, specificity and simplicity. The widely used viral inhibition assay requires 48 hours, necessitates continuous maintenance and optimization of fibroblast growth, and exhibits the lowest sensitivity. Inhibition of WEHI-279 B cell [3H]thymidine incorporation requires 48-60 hours to quantitate IFN gamma production, can be subject to non-specific inhibition, and is also labor intensive. In both bioassays, specificity must be determined by the analysis of duplicate samples in the presence of neutralizing, IFN gamma-specific mAb. In contrast, a 24 hour, dual mAb ELISA, in which IFN gamma is captured by immobilized, purified rat IgG1 XMG 1.2 mAb and identified with biotinylated mAb R4-6A2 and streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase detects IFN gamma production > 0.05 U/ml. The quantitative range in this assay is typically from 1-100 U/ml. In addition to providing the greatest specificity and shortest duration, this ELISA exhibits the lowest coefficient of variation of the three assays compared. Collectively, assay characteristics such as sensitivity, absence of interference by other proteins, reproducibility, speed and simplicity support the conclusion that this dual mAb based sandwich ELISA represents a substantial improvement over inhibition of viral cytopathic effect or inhibition of WEHI-279 bioassays for characterization of antigen- or mitogen-driven IFN gamma production.

Animals↗

Evidence for the existence of IL-4 and IFN gamma secreting cells in the T cell repertoire of naive mice.

The kinetics with which IgE responses develop in vivo following immunization of experimental animals indirectly support the existence of IL-4-secreting T cells as a normal component of the T cell repertoire. At the same time, studies of IL-4-secreting cell frequencies directly ex vivo have argued that T cells with the potential to become IL-4 secretors exist in vivo, in the form of precursors requiring stimulation and 4-12 days of culture as well as restimulation with mitogen or Ag before they become detectable as lymphokine-secreting cells. We demonstrate here that intravenous administration of low doses of anti-CD3 mAb 145-2C11 results in IL-4 production within 60 min of stimulation as demonstrated by Northern analysis of mRNA and a sensitive, selective bioassay (CT.4S cell proliferation) of biologically active IL-4 protein. Production of IL-4 is paralleled by IFN gamma synthesis, displaying similar kinetics. These findings, consistent with the presence of mature cells capable of IL-4 and IFN gamma synthesis in the T cell repertoire of naive mice, are supported by the observation that stimulation of spleen cells from naive mice with anti-CD3 mAb in vitro for 12 h also results in strong IL-4 and IFN gamma mRNA and protein synthesis. The data support and extend those obtained through analysis of cytokine mRNA synthesis alone, thereby providing evidence that "fresh" T cells are indeed capable of producing IL-4 directly ex vivo and are consistent with the existence of IL-4-secreting cells as a normal component of the T cell repertoire of naive mice.

Animals↗

Anti-interferon gamma treatment blocks the ability of glutaraldehyde-polymerized allergens to inhibit specific IgE responses.

The lymphokines interleukin 4 and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) have been shown to play an important role in regulation of polyclonal immunoglobulin E (IgE) and IgG2a responses in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate here that treatment with chemically modified ovalbumin (OA) results in long-lived, 97-99% inhibition of allergen-specific murine IgE responses and 10(3)-10(4)-fold increases in anti-OA IgG2a. Responses to unrelated antigens are not affected. Treatment with unmodified OA under the same conditions fails to inhibit primary or secondary IgE responses or to increase IgG2a but does lead to pronounced increases in OA-specific IgG1 production. Glutaraldehyde-polymerized ovalbumin (OA-POL)-induced changes in IgE and IgG2a responses are abrogated by in vivo treatment with purified monoclonal anti-IFN-gamma antibody (XMG 1.2), a finding indicative of preferential IFN-gamma production upon exposure to chemically modified, but not native, allergen. The results suggest the possibility that the pattern of cytokine synthesis elicited after exposure to protein antigens, and the resulting immune response, may be dependent upon the form of antigen to which the individual is exposed and consequently may be subject to manipulation.

Allergens↗

Regulation of murine IgE responses: induction of long-lived inhibition of allergen-specific responses is genetically restricted.

We previously reported that administration of high Mr glutaraldehyde-polymerized ovalbumin (OA-POL) 10 days prior to OA Al(OH)3 immunization results in 85 to 99% inhibition of primary and secondary anti-OA IgE responses and 10(2)- to 10(4)-fold increases in OA-specific IgG2a production in each of 14 inbred and 1 outbred murine strains tested. Administration of unmodified OA under the same conditions fails to inhibit IgE synthesis and yields only minor increases in IgG2a production. In the present report, the genetic restrictions placed on the capacity of this modified allergen to elicit long-lived reciprocal regulation of specific IgE and IgG2a responses were examined. Virtually permanent, antigen-specific inhibition of IgE production (greater than 90% for greater than 22 months) was elicited in C57B1/6 mice following administration of a single course of OA-POL. This inhibition was paralleled by substantial (250-fold) increases in specific IgG2a production and was dependent on the activity of extremely long-lived regulatory CD4 T cells. In contrast, BALB/c mice failed to maintain an IgE unresponsive state beyond 10-12 weeks and exhibited transient and less intense increases in IgG2a production. Examination of MHC and Igh congenic strains revealed that the induction of long-term split tolerance by these modified allergens is under multigenic control and is not solely attributable to MHC, Igh, or background genes.

Allergens↗